Everton Under-18s assistant manager Keith Southern said his side showed “character and personality” after they came from behind to beat Middlesbrough 2-1 at USM Finch Farm on Saturday.
Ellis Simms and Ryan Astley were on target for the Toffees, who now sit top of the U18 Premier League having secured victories in each of their first three games.
The young Blues went into half-time 1-0 down against Boro, with Jack Robinson putting the north-east side ahead just after the 30-minute mark.
Everton flew out of the blocks in the second-half, however, and Simms’ pinpoint left-foot finish levelled things up two minutes after the break.
Lifted by the equaliser, the young Blues pressed for a winner and it eventually came 12 minutes from time as Ryan Astley powered home a header from Rhys Hughes’ cross.
Southern says he was delighted the attitude and determination his players showed to hit back against Boro and secure all three points.
“We showed real character and personality to persevere,” he told evertonfc.com. “As the game was wearing on we had lots of the ball, lots of possession and you’re just waiting for that chance, that moment, and thankfully it came when Ryan scored a really good header.
“If you’re losing the game at half-time, you have to find something in you to fight back and the lads did that. We challenged them at half-time and they come up with the answers. It was really pleasing that they kept going right to the end.
“There were lots of positives throughout. It was a good performance in many aspects. There was some really good patterns of play and periods of the game when we dominated possession, so it was pleasing overall.”
Goalscorer Simms has got off to a flying start to the campaign, with his strike his fourth already this season.
Southern insists the 17-year-old striker is putting in the hard yards on the training pitch to improve his game further.
“He’s scored in every game so far,” Southern explained. “He could have possibly had another on Saturday.
“There are things he needs to get better at and he’s working ever so hard to improve. He’s doing well, as are the rest of the lads. Ellis scored again but it was a real team effort on Saturday.”
Southern has been particularly encouraged by the performances of his side’s first-year scholars in the early stages of the season.
He says they have stepped up to the plate admirably in their first matches as fully-fledged Under-18 players.
“I’ve watched the game back and there are always things we can improve on but we’re really happy with the first few weeks of the season, especially with the integration of the first years,” Southern added.
“They’ve settled into the group really well. A lot of them are in the starting XI at this moment in time. I think, on reflection, the three games have gone pretty well.”
Indeed, the victories over Wolverhampton Wanderers, Derby County and Boro mean the Toffees are setting the early pace in the U18 Premier League.
Southern, however, is convinced his side can elevate their performance levels and insists the coaching staff and the players will not be getting carried away.
“It is a decent start but that’s all it is,” he said. “We’re in the business of trying to develop footballers, young men. The lads are in a really good place at this moment in time.
“But now it’s on to the next game, on to the next training session. Winning is nice but it’s not everything, we just keep going day to day and try to get better.”
