Derby County Under-23s fell to a 3-1 defeat against Everton in Premier League 2 Division 1 action.
Tyree Wilson scored a stunning goal for the Rams as he turned on the edge of the box and struck his left footed shot sweetly to cancel out Nathan Broadhead’s first-half goal. But the Toffees’ striker soon gave the visitors the lead again before Thierry Smalls close-range finish handed Everton all three points at Loughborough University Stadium.
An early chance fell for Everton after just four minutes when Thierry Small received a long ball on the left side and powered forward into the area. He took aim from a tight angle, and drilled the ball into the side netting.
From there, both sides switched with creating half-chances with Rhys Hughes screwing a shot wide from close range before another effort by Small from a similar area to his first took a deflection and was comfortably collected by Moulden – both chances coming inside the opening ten minutes.
Soon after, however, Cameron Cresswell won the ball back on the halfway line and strode into the area before sending his effort wide.
Midway through the half, Derby came inches away from the opening goal. Bobby Duncan rose the highest against a defender and keeper Nico Hasen when a ball was delivered into the area. With his back to the goal, the forward headed backwards, and with Hasen out from the goal, the ball bounced inches wide of the mark.
Moments later, he came close again from a free-kick just outside the area after Cameron Cresswell intercepted a ball in the Everton half and was brought down as he looked to charge towards goal. Duncan’s free-kick was palmed wide.
However, it was Everton who took the lead in the 33rd minute through Broadhead Was on the end of a long ball over the top and controlled the ball well in the area and a tidy finish gave the Toffees the lead.
Both keepers were called into action early on in the second half, with Cresswell getting the better of the chances with his low shot from inside the area causing Hansen to dive to meet it. Down the other end, Louie Moulden was able to grab on to Reece Welch’s header from Hughes’ free-kick.
Derby drew level midway through the second half with a lovely goal from Wilson. Good ball movement from the Rams in Everton’s half led to Pascal Kpohomouh feeding through to the winger in the edge of the box. He showed off his skill as he made the turn towards goal and shifted to his left foot to apply the fine finish.
However, Everton regained the lead soon after through Broadhead again. Tyler Onyango made the run down the middle before feeding out to the striker for his first-time finish.
That lead was extended with two minutes remaining. Broadhead was looking for his hat-trick as he struck the half-volley from close range. Moulden palmed the effort away, but into the path of Small who was able to tap in from close range.
The Rams will look to bounce back next Monday when they travel to face Leicester City.