Everton Under-23s were made to pay for missed opportunities as they suffered a 1-0 defeat to Sunderland in the Premier League 2 on Friday afternoon.
In a competitive first half that produced no clear-cut chances at USM Finch Farm, Luke Garbutt threatened the goal with an angled shot from the corner of the penalty area that fizzed past James Talbot’s far post.
Joel Robles in the Everton goal remained a spectator for the majority of first half and the Toffees went close again 10 minutes before the interval when Harry Charsley beat his marker on the byline before stinging the palms of the goalkeeper from an acute angle.