2016 Premier League 2: Monday's U23 Results, Latest Tables and Updated Schedule
Liverpool's Under 23s kept the pressure on local rivals and league leaders Everton on Monday in the Premier League 2 as they beat Arsenal, 3-2, in a thrilling game at Anfield.
Harry Wilson starred for the Reds as he netted twice before the interval to help the home side take a 3-1 lead. Arsenal reduced the deficit to 3-2 in the second period, although Liverpool were able to hold out for a victory that puts them a point behind Manchester City and keeps them three behind the Toffees.
Everton's youngsters leapfrogged City back into top spot after they hammered Leicester City 4-1 in Southport.
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Here is a look at the results from another night of intriguing action in the Premier League 2 and a recap of how things panned out in some of the key games.
| Everton | 4-1 | Leicester City |
| Liverpool | 3-2 | Arsenal |
| Tottenham Hotspur | 2-0 | Derby County |
| Blackburn Rovers | 1-1 | Stoke City |
| Fulham | 4-0 | Brighton & Hove Albion |
| Middlesbrough | 2-2 | Norwich City |
| Newcastle United | 4-2 | Aston Villa |
| West Bromwich Albion | 0-1 | Wolverhampton Wanderers |
| West Ham United | 2-3 | Swansea City |
| 1 | Everton U23 | 12 | 8 | 2 | 2 | 28 | 10 | +18 | 26 |
| 2 | Manchester City U23 | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 22 | 14 | +8 | 24 |
| 3 | Liverpool U23 | 12 | 7 | 2 | 3 | 26 | 15 | +11 | 23 |
| 4 | Sunderland U23 | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 19 | 19 | +0 | 19 |
| 5 | Chelsea U23 | 12 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 22 | 16 | +6 | 18 |
| 6 | Arsenal U23 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 17 | 17 | +0 | 16 |
| 7 | Southampton U23 | 12 | 4 | 3 | 5 | 15 | 18 | -3 | 15 |
| 8 | Manchester United U23 | 12 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 12 | 17 | -5 | 14 |
| 9 | Leicester City U23 | 12 | 3 | 3 | 6 | 17 | 24 | -7 | 12 |
| 10 | Tottenham Hotspur U23 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 15 | 23 | -8 | 11 |
| 11 | Reading U23 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 19 | 28 | -9 | 11 |
| 12 | Derby County U23 | 12 | 2 | 3 | 7 | 14 | 25 | -11 | 9 |
| 1 | Swansea City U23 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 2 | 24 | 13 | +11 | 30 |
| 2 | Wolves U23 | 11 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 24 | 17 | +7 | 22 |
| 3 | Fulham U23 | 12 | 7 | 0 | 5 | 24 | 14 | +10 | 21 |
| 4 | Newcastle United U23 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 4 | 21 | 20 | +1 | 20 |
| 5 | West Ham United U23 | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 16 | +1 | 18 |
| 6 | West Brom U23 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 5 | 15 | 14 | +1 | 17 |
| 7 | Aston Villa U23 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 6 | 23 | 21 | +2 | 16 |
| 8 | Blackburn Rovers U23 | 12 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 9 | 14 | -5 | 13 |
| 9 | Brighton U23 | 12 | 2 | 6 | 4 | 7 | 12 | -5 | 12 |
| 10 | Norwich City U23 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 7 | 9 | 18 | -9 | 11 |
| 11 | Middlesbrough U23 | 12 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 10 | 18 | -8 | 10 |
| 12 | Stoke City U23 | 11 | 2 | 3 | 6 | 12 | 18 | -6 | 9 |
Monday Recap
The most eye-catching game of the evening was between Liverpool and Arsenal, with a blend of senior men and prodigious youngsters on display. As noted by Neil Jones of the Liverpool Echo, there were some familiar names in the Reds lineup:
Wilson, just 19, took the game by storm inside just two minutes, though, as he put Liverpool ahead. It took Arsenal no time at all to equalise, with Stephy Mavididi levelling in the fourth minute after an error from Kevin Stewart.
But Wilson showed his composure in front of goal again with 13 minutes on the clock, converting a penalty for his team. Sheyi Ojo made it 3-1 to the then-rampant Reds before the break with a neat finish, giving them the cushion their performance warranted.
After the interval, Arsenal did show a lot more attacking intent, and they got themselves back in it as Mavididi struck again. The Gunners pushed for an equaliser late on, although Liverpool goalkeeper Shamal George was on hand to keep them out.
The win wasn't enough to usurp their local rivals, as David Unsworth's young Toffees continued to impress, putting Leicester to the sword in style.
Everton went ahead through Callum Connolly in the first period, although Jeff Schlupp struck a fine equaliser for the visitors before the interval. In the second half, Senegal international striker Oumar Niasse took the game away from the Foxes.
First Niasse, who has failed to feature for the Everton first team this season despite a £13.5 million move from Lokomotiv Moscow in January, scored himself, tapping home after a fine cross from Gethin Jones. He then set up Harry Charsley with a neat cutback.
As noted by the Liverpool Echo, the striker got a decent reception from those in attendance as he was substituted late on in the game:
There was even time for the Toffees to put some gloss on their victory, with Courtney Duffus adding their fourth in the dying embers of the contest.
In the top division's other contest, Tottenham Hotspur leaped above Derby County in the battle of the bottom two sides, securing a confident 2-0 win.
Kyle Walker-Peters and Shayon Harrison's goals before the interval ensured the home side were in complete control of this one, as Spurs pinned back their opponents for much of the opening 45 minutes. From that point on, Tottenham were able to coast to what could be a crucial three points.
In the race to get into the top league, Swansea City continue to impress, as they put in another professional display to beat West Ham United, 3-2. The Welsh side led 3-0 until the 87th minute before the hosts sought to launch a late fightback, although it proved to be too little, too late.
While the senior side have been enduring some struggles lately, it seems the Swans have some real quality in their youth ranks. A brace from George Byers and a goal from Botti Biabi gave them their sixth successive win in this competition on Monday; they lead second-placed Wolverhampton Wanderers by eight points.
