U23 Report: Saints 1-1 Everton

Saints took the lead after 65 minutes; Dan N’Lundulu doing well down the right before finding a cross to midfielder Lucas Defise who fired his effort into the open net.

But the lead was short lived, as Everton broke forward two minutes later to equalise through defender and captain Morgan Feeney.

It was an opening fifteen minutes of very little in terms of chances; Will Ferry having an effort for Saints after 8 minutes which tested Everton keeper Harry Tyrer but not no avail.

Callum Slattery then had an effort just ahead of the 20-minute mark, hitting a fierce, low effort which deflected just wide.

The remainder of the half continued in the same fashion; Anthony Evans, who looked lively throughout, having a glimpse of goal after 33 minutes which Tommy Scott claimed comfortably.

40 minutes gone and another effort fell to Ferry, who hit one at pace from the left wing having been played through by Caleb Watts, Tyrer was equal to it.

Seconds later, as the game began to come to life, Evans had another glorious chance for the Toffees, blasting an effort wide of Scott’s far post.

With the scores level at half time, coach Horseman used the opportunity to reintroduce N'Lundulu to the side who had been out with injury.

Enzo Robise had a superb chance early into the second half, breaking free of the Everton midfield and having an effort tipped past the post by Tyrer.

Saints began to control the flow of the game, Slattery the next to go close after 55 minutes as his free kick whisked narrowly wide of the near post.

Another chance fell to the hosts soon after, N’Lundulu involved with Slattery in a neat passing move which Watts could not finish off following a lay off.

After 65 minutes, Southampton got a deserved break through; Robise involved with some good work down the right wing, firing in a cross which substitute Defise fired in emphatically.

Frustratingly for Saints, the lead only lasted two minutes; Feeney carried the ball from the Everton defence, combined with Simms and hit home the equaliser from close range.

Both sides had chances following the quick flurry of goals; Everton coming forward with Simms who worked Scott at this near post on 77th minute mark.

With both sides possibly fearing coming away with nothing the game turned into quite a feisty encounter, with most of the free kicks being committed in midfield.

Everton had another good chance as the minutes ticked by, a curling effort from just inside the area via Nathangelo Markelo flying just over with five to play.

But neither side could find the all-important second goal, meaning the points were shared at Staplewood.

Head to Head Stats

• Possession (%)
  59

  41
• Shots
  14

  16
• Shots on target
  4

  5
• Corners
  6

  4
• Passes Complete
  333

  204