For the second time in 24 hours the “Baggies†got the better of the toffees as the U21’s beat their opponents convincingly by 3 goals to 1.
Saido Berahino got two goals one in each half and was also denied from the penalty spot with Chris Wood getting the other before Shane Duffy grabbing a consolation for the visitors in the last minute.
This new U21 league took shape at West Brom’s training ground on Birmingham Road and as early as the first minute it was the hosts that rattled the cross bar with a header from Chris Wood but the referee spotted a push in the box to award Albion a penalty. Taudul guessed the right way to smother the ball at the first attempt.
Sam Kelly and Apostolos Vellios had a chance a piece unfortunately for them they could not capitalise on their chances before Taudul saved acrobatically to tip away a George Thorn free kick.
On 17 minutes Everton could not contain Albion any longer as Berahino made up for his earlier penalty miss by putting the home side ahead with a great contributing run and assist from Hurst.
The home side had settled down really well and looked a threat everytime they came forward.
Albion twice came close to going further ahead as Romaine Sawyers could only watch as his effort came back off the post then Wood was denied as he saw his effort agonisingly go inches wide.
Berahino was looking to double his tally before the break then a slight response from Everton saw Junior test Keeper with a rasping effort.
HALF TIME
WEST BROM U21’S 1 EVERTON U21’S 0
Taudul had to be alert early in the second half to deny the onrushing Sawyers who went racing towards goal.
Albion scored two goals within 8 minutes of each other, firstly Wood took advantage of some poor Everton defending to waltz around Everton’s Taudul and slot home the second leaving Everton with a mountain to climb.
The nail was finally hammered into Everton’s coffin on 65 minutes as Berahino doubled his tally and guarantee the home side the 3 points.
Chris Wood could have made things look worse only to see his effort crash into the side netting which gave Everton a big let off.
Dufffy made the scoreline look more respectacle to head home in the very last minute of the game to give Everton just a consolation.
Everton entertain West Ham at home next Sunday
FULL TIME
WEST BROM U21’S 3 EVERTON U21’S 1
West Brom U21’s: L Daniels, Hurst O’Neill, Thorne (C). D Daniels (Garmston 75), Gayle, Allan (Nabi 64), Mantom, Wood, Berahino, Sawyers (Brown 77)Unused Subs: Lewis(GK) , O’Sullivan
Coach David Oldfield
Everton U21’s: Taudul, Browning, Garbutt, Duffy (C), Bidwell, Kelly(Long 55), Lundstram, Barkley, Junior, Vellios, Forrester Unused Subs: Springthorpe (GK), Touray, Hammar, Jones
Coach: Alan Stubbs