Everton under-21s maintained their perfect Premier League International Cup record with a hard-fought 2-0 win over Dinamo Zagreb at Walton Hall Park on Wednesday night.
After an uneventful opening 45 minutes, Paul Tait’s side picked up the pace in the second-half and deservedly took the lead when Francis Okoronkwo turned home Liam Higgins’ cross seven minutes after the interval.
Substitute Katia Kouyate, who replaced Okoronkwo, then made an instant impact when he added a second just over 30 seconds after coming on. The win moves Everton into the knockout rounds of the competition and the ECHO has taken a look at three talking points from the game.
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Price sends Dyche message
There was a little over two minutes on the clock when Isaac Price, Everton’s captain for the night, picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch. One step inside and he was away.
Driving forward he then attempted to play in Okoronkwo, but his pass was caught out. But it was in that moment when you could see just why the midfielder is so highly thought of.
Price was one of several academy prospects considered to be a genuine part of the senior squad by former Everton boss Frank Lampard as the Premier League returned following the World Cup break.
He only featured once for Lampard following the World Cup and before his sacking - but the former Chelsea and Derby County boss could not speak highly enough of the midfielder.
Whether Price is as high in the thinking of new Blues boss Sean Dyche remains to be seen, but there is also the small matter of the 19-year-old’s future. His deal is up at the end of the season and although the ECHO understands Everton want him to stay at the club, he is yet to put pen-to-paper on a new contract.
Even Price himself would accept he endured a frustrating night, here. He could have very easily walked away with the match ball, missing chances in both halves.
But he still looked a cut above and was constantly trying to get on the ball and make things happen. The fact he was on the receiving end of a shocking challenge from Luka Vrbancic, which resulted in the Zagreb midfielder being sent off, spoke volumes.
On this evidence, there is no reason to suggest Price won’t remain a genuine part of the senior squad between now and the end of the season. Everton must also be hoping the 19-year-old commits his long-term future to the club.
Scouts watching on
It was another strong gate at Walton Hall Park on Wednesday night, plenty of Blues supporters, clearly still buzzing after Saturday's win over Arsenal, took the chance to come along and watch the club’s next generation in action.
And even though the summer window is a long time away, that didn’t stop the scouts coming in their droves to watch the young Blues. Burnley, Blackburn Rovers, Bolton, Cardiff City and Wigan Athletic were just some of the EFL clubs to have representatives in attendance.
Even those in and around Tait’s side know it will take an awful lot for all of them make it in the club’s first-team, but given the amount of interest in Tait’s side so far this season, a host of scouts also watched on as the club advanced in the Papa Johns Trophy at the expense of Mansfield Town at Goodison Park back in November, members of the club’s under-23s won’t be short of offers in the summer should they depart on loan or in a permanent transfer.
Okoronkwo stepping up
When Everton completed the signing of Francis Okoronkwo back in the summer of 2021, club insiders likened the deal to the one which brought Dominic Calvert-Lewin to Everton from Sheffield United in 2016.
At the time, the club believed they had a signed a young forward with the potential to make it at senior level and one who was 'powerful', 'quick' and 'one of the best players in that age group' the season before.
After impressing at under-18 level, the forward made the step up to the under-21s this season, following manager Tait - who was promoted from under-18s boss to under-21s manager in June.
However, for large parts of the first-half of the campaign, Okoronkwo, who has now scored eight times in 27 games, was forced to play second fiddle to Tom Cannon, who eventually saw his form rewarded with a place in Frank Lampard’s first-team squad.
But in a bid to further aid his development, Everton allowed Cannon to join Preston North End for the remainder of the season last month. Speaking following that transfer, Okoronkwo revealed he was desperate to step up and fill the void left by the former Maricourt pupil.
“The loan move is a fantastic move for him because it’s what he needs and I think it also gives me that opportunity to have more starts, more game time and to improve myself,” he said.
“My ambition now is to be that focal point for the Under-21s, be the No.9 that all the players can rely on.”
And that is exactly what Okoronkwo did here. He stepped up when his side needed him to deliver.
In a game that will not be remembered as a classic, Everton had struggled to find any rhythm in their play. As a result, Okoronkwo had cut a frustrated figure up top.
But seven minutes after the interval he did what all good strikers do. Scored with his first chance of the game.
A cross from Liam Higgins from the right presented a golden opportunity to the 18-year-old who made no mistake finishing from close-range.
The goal set Everton on their way to another victory and they never looked back. It was also the type of moment that all good forwards produce.
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