Match Report
27 points for Middlesbrough U21 (16th), 25 for Everton U21 (18th): a 2-point gap. Middlesbrough U21 had been over-performing their table position on recent form: 8th in the league over the last five rounds against 16th overall. Scoring rates set the scale: Middlesbrough U21 1.85 scored and 1.4 conceded per game, Everton U21 1.65 and 1.8, with the league averaging 1.79.
Everton U21 arrived off four straight defeats, having scored in 15 consecutive games.
The venue was Riverside Stadium, with room for 34,988 spectators. On the scoreboard, it was 0-0 at the break; 1 second-half goal set the final 0-1.
Goal scorers
Everton U21: Omari Benjamin (60')
Key stats
Possession: Middlesbrough U21 50% · Everton U21 50% · Total shots: 16-9 · On target: 4-3 · Corners: 5-7