ANDY VAN DER MEYDE staked his claim for a return to the Everton starting line-up with an eye-catching 45 minute run-out for the reserves last night.
The Dutch winger was named in a starting XI that included Gary Nay-smith and Lee Carsley. He was withdrawn at half-time after producing some neat touches on the left flank for Andy Hold-en's charges, suggesting he could be in contention for a more prominent role fr the first team against Villa at Goodison on Saturday.
But it was 17-year-old striker Victor Anichebe who made the strongest impression, putting the visitors in control of the contest with a low drive from the edge of the box in the 33rd minute.
It was no less than Everton deserved in an opening period in which they were the sharper side, aided by Carsley's control of the midfield. But having struck the post on the stroke of half-time through Gabriel Agbonlahor, the Villans produced an equaliser two minutes after the restart.
Peter Whittingham exposed a gaping hole in the Everton defence to connect with an Isaiah Osbourne through ball and chip over the advancing John Ruddy.
The winning goal came from Agbonlahor with 10 minutes to go. Lee Hendrie was the architect, splitting the Everton defence with a great through ball that presented the young striker with a glorious chance. Ruddy was left stranded by the forward's neat finish.
Minutes earlier Hendrie had forced Nay-smith into a goalline clearance as the home side took a grip on the contest in the closing stages. Everton were left to rue some missed first-half chances.
Midfielder Christian Seargeant enjoyed a hat-trick of openings inside the first 25 minutes, heading over from a van der Meyde corner, blasting inches off target from 25 yards and forcing a great save from Stuart Taylor after connecting with a raking pass from Carsley.
Both Carsley and Naysmith demonstrated they are growing in strength after overcoming long-term injuries.
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