Everton U21s boss Paul Tait had no problem with the "passion" behind two red cards handed out in their defeat to Southampton.

Sebastian Quirk and Isaac Price were both sent off in the closing stages of the 2-1 defeat, Quirk for a second yellow card and Price for dissent.

Tait said: “It's just passion, I'm not going to take that out of them. Seb's on a yellow card, he's got to learn to play on a yellow card, but he's passionate, he's a Blue, he wants to win, and he's gone through someone, but he will learn from it. Isaac has said something to the referee because he's frustrated.

"He was our best player by a mile and he's flying at the moment."

While there was disappointment in the defeat, Godfrey's return - his first minutes since he suffered a fractured fibula - was a step forward in his progress.