Onyango impresses as ‘mini derby’ ends all square

Photo: Southport

It was honours even in a bitterly cold Southport on Monday evening as Everton U23 and Liverpool U23 played out an entertaining draw in their PL2 encounter.

Barry Lewtas’ Liverpool side played the better football on the night after falling behind inside a minute but Everton were good value for a point after creating several good chances themselves.

What was striking pre-match as both teams prepared for kick-off was the stark difference in physical stature among the two sides. This was epitomised by 17-year-old Everton midfielder Tyler Onyango who stands at 6’3′. Much had been made of the central midfielder as he has been training with the first team squad this season and on the evidence of this game, it’s not hard to see why.

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Onyango lined up in the number 8 position and made a telling impact going from box to box throughout the game. Despite his obvious physical stature, what was also notable was a real subtlety to his game. He rarely wasted possession and that’s taking clearances into account too.

Rather than simply blasting the ball clear when he was forced into defensive action, Onyango’s clearances were often measured. Balls were played into channels to allow Ellis Simms to challenge and hassle the Liverpool defenders. It allowed Everton time to get back up the pitch rather than remain hemmed in.

Onyango was doing his best work defensively in the early going, making a couple of interceptions near the box and getting his body in the way of a shot. It wasn’t until the 27th minute that he was able to show some attacking ability as a Leighton Clarkson mistake was pounced on and he drove towards goal but fired his shot wide.

The midfielder ended the half strongly, setting up counter attacks with intelligent passing and getting forward himself to force a corner. It was from the resulting corner that the big man had surely his most disappointing moment of the match as he failed to connect properly with a header from six yards out.

Onyango’s passing really was excellent at times. It was never overly extravagant but perfectly weighted to set teammates on their way. Everton got into dangerous positions a few times just from Onyango keeping it simple.

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His strength was put to good use early in the second half, pushing forward and winning free kicks in areas of promise. Temperament was also an attribute that was impressive. Onyango actually got nutmegged twice by Clarkson in the second half but unlike a lot of young players, he kept his head and focused on winning the ball back as opposed to potentially committing silly fouls in frustration.

The latter part of the game was more difficult for Everton as Liverpool asked most of the questions, particularly after substitute Katia Kouyate’s red card. Onyango remained disciplined and helped his side take a hard earned point against their local rivals.

It’s fair to say that on the evidence of this performance that the teenager will get more chances to impress Carlo Ancelotti in training and who knows, we may see him at Goodison Park before the season is out.

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