Wednesday, January 24, 2024: U21 NEWS Chermiti Scores As Young Blues Defeat Benfica

Goals from Youssef Chermiti and Sean McAllister helped Everton Under-21s to a 2-1 win in the Premier League International Cup on Wednesday evening. The three factors propel the young Blues into the knockout stages of the competition.

Paul Tait made six adjustments from the 0-0 against Feyenoord remaining time out. Lewis Dobbin, Ashley Young and Chermiti had been among the starting line-up in a robust Everton aspect at Walton Hall Park.

The first motion befell after seven minutes when Dobbin obtained a Benfica clearance before looping a shot inches above the crossbar.

However, it was once the away aspect who took the lead on 21 minutes. Following a clever move, the ball observed Hugo Sequeira on the area of the box, whose curling shot nestled into the net.

Everton counter-attacked soon after but McAllister’s low drive whistled past Leobrian Kokubo’s post.

The young Blues threatened once more on the half-hour mark when Jenson Metcalfe’s diagonal ball observed McAllister in space but he skewed his shot wide.

Tait’s side had their reply on 36 minutes with Dobbin’s difficult run ending in a parried shot falling to McAllister, who made no mistake.

The domestic side threatened once more moments later. Mackenzie Hunt let fly from range drawing a save from the Benfica keeper.

Everton managed to take the lead on forty minutes through Chermiti, who did nicely to anticipate earlier than capitalising on Adrian Bajrami’s mistimed lower back pass.

The domestic side had the threat to go two in advance when Dobbin drew a foul, winning a penalty on 42 minutes, however the 21-year-old ought to now not find the goal from the spot.

The Eagles created the first danger of the 2nd half, Billy Crellin managed to tip Zan Jevsenak’s shot over for a corner which was cleared.

Everton went shut on 68 minutes when Metcalfe’s inswinging free-kick determined the head of Reece Welch, who could no longer hold his header down.

35′ GOAL! McAllister’s strike just about creeps over the line to level!

Watch live: https://t.co/nt1figbAY4 pic.twitter.com/rubaZqhSvx

— Everton Academy (@EvertonAcademy) January 24, 2024

The Portuguese outfit examined Crellin quickly after with Francisco Domingues firing a powerful shot from 20 yards.

The away side should have had an equaliser on 82 minutes, however Gustavo Marques ballooned Lenny Lacroix’s cushioned header over from close range.

Chermiti nearly had his brace moments later from a slick Everton cross however a smart shop denied his first-time finish.