Derby County Under 23s’ wait for a first win of the 2016/17 season goes on after two first half goals condemned them to a 2-0 defeat to Everton in Premier League 2 Division 1.

Harry Charsley bagged both goals, the first coming before the second minute, before nice link up play saw him convert a second shortly after the half hour mark via the inside of the post.

A team that finished third in Division 1 last season, the Toffees looked stronger across the park against a Derby side that were missing several key figures from their squad and included a number of scholars.

Excellent in the first half against Manchester City a week ago, Derby made the worst possible start at Haig Avenue this time.

From the kick-off, Everton were full of intent and their opening goal oozed a confidence as Kieran Dowell raced down the right and slipped the ball back to Charsley to crash a firm, first time, effort beyond the reach of Jonathan Mitchell.

Although the contest lacked chances, the Toffees always held a firm grip of the first half, limiting Darren Wassall’s side to scraps in front of Mateusz Hewelt’s goal.

At the other end, the hosts’ attacking players – Dowell, David Henen, Courtney Duffus and Charlsey – looked sharp, creative and in tune as they cleverly worked the Derby backline.

The second came shortly after the hour mark after Dowell had, wildly, fired over, but he turned creator again, flicking the ball into the path of Charsley to poke a left foot shot into the back of the net via the inside of the post.

A similar trend continued into the second half as David Unsworth’s side showed their quality.

David Henen, a one-time loanee at Fleetwood Town, saw a firm shot saved by Mitchell, whilst the Derby goalkeeper had to be alert to keep out Calum Dyson’s drive after he had been introduced as a substitute.

Shortly before the latter, Kellan Gordon forced Hewelt into his first save after directing a left wing cross towards the far corner of the goal – the closest Derby came to breaching a strong Everton defence.

Into the final 10 minutes, Alex Cover diverted a corner with his head wide, but the hosts finished the contest on top as Alefe Santos hacked the ball off the line after Dowell had escaped into the area.

Late last-ditch defending was also needed to deny Everton a third in added time, but the damage was done as the hosts maintained their 100 per cent record this season.

Everton U23s: Hewelt, Jones, Robinson, Davies, Kenny, Connolly, Charsley, Walsh (Baningime, 70), Duffus (Dyson, 57), Dowell, Henen (Foulds, 57)

Substitutes not used: Gray, Evans

Derby County U23s: Mitchell (C), Santos, Macdonald, Guy, Wassall (Bateman, 70), Cover (Rashid, 90), Gordon, Vernam, Jakobsen, Babos, Walker (Thomas, 70)

Substitutes not used: Ravas, Davie

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