Everton Under 21s fall out of top 16, eliminated from Premier League 2 playoffs
Poor run of results spoils promising season, Blues to go up against Professional Development League opposition
BRADFORD, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 14: Joel Catesby of Everton U21 receives medical treatment during the Vertu Trophy match between Bradford City and Everton U21 at University of Bradford Stadium on October 14, 2025 in Bradford, England. (Photo by George Wood/Getty Images) | Getty Images Everton U21s will soon enter a series of play-offs with teams from the lower tier of U21 football (the Professional Development League). They will contest a Round of 16, Quarter final, semi final and final if they progress against largely Championship clubs though Brentford and Bournemouth are among the top 8 of the Development League.
There is NO relegation from Premier League 2 for the Toffees no matter what the results of the next games. Separately, the Top 16 clubs of Premier League 2 will have a separate end-of-season playoffs competition. That will not involve Everton after their draw against Birmingham on Good Friday means it is mathematically impossible for them to finish in the top 16.
That is because the two teams immediately above the Blues (Aston Villa and Middlesbrough) play each other next so 16th is out of reach. What it does undoubtedly mean is the Blues will not next season be playing in the Premier League International Cup which is for the Top 16 clubs. It’s a pity as, this last season, that competition has seen games against the likes of Real Madrid, PSV, Monaco, RB Leipzig and Borussia Dortmund.
The games were entertaining and pitted a variety of playing and coaching styles against each other. Paul Tait was able to name quite a strong side (see below) against Birmingham on Friday and wearing Number 11 was Joel Catesby, a very promising winger who got the nod ahead of Braiden Graham. The significance of that selection is massive given that I witnessed a horror injury he suffered in October against Bradford City’s first team.