Everton Under-21s moved into third in the league table after a 1-0 win over Manchester City at Goodison Park on Monday evening.
And just like the reverse victory against City in January, it was Kieran Dowell who was the match-winner.
It was a goal of the highest standard, as the 18-year-old turned brilliantly before firing low past Angus Gunn from just outside the box in the first half.
The Young Blues, who had Tony Hibbert in the starting line-up, headed into their fixture with Manchester City full of confidence on the back of an impressive 2-0 victory over Chelsea - and it would take them just 12 minutes to take the lead at Goodison Park.
Eighteen-year-old Dowell collected the ball with his back to goal before spinning his defender and firing low to net yet another fine individual effort.
Everton continued to put the visitors under pressure following the goal, with a lot of their threat coming from the right-hand side through Hibbert and Dowell.
Hibbert combined well with Dowell and Harry Charsley before running at the defender and firing an effort at goal, only to see his strike deflected away for a corner.
Defender Mason Holgate then had a chance to double the Toffees’ advantage when he was found unmarked by Dowell but his header was saved from keeper Gunn.
With half-time fast approaching, City had a spell of pressure but David Unsworth’s side managed to restrict them to few clear-cut chances to take a deserved lead into the break.
The interval saw Hibbert make way for Gethin Jones and 10 minutes into the second half Everton were denied a second by the woodwork.
Holgate found David Henen on the left and the Belgian worked it to the byline, crossed for Dowell who unleashed a volley which crashed against the post.
Toffees Keeper Mateusz Hewelt then had defender Morgan Feeney to thank when the youngster brilliantly cleared the ball off the line before moments later blocking a goal-bound effort from Brandon Barker.
Unlike the first half, the threat was now coming from the left-hand side and once again Henen beat his marker before finding Antony Evans but the young striker couldn’t direct his effort on target.
The Young Blues had to soak up some late pressure with James Horsfield firing a strike just over the bar but Unsworth’s side would hold out for a well-deserved third straight league victory.
Next up for Everton Under-21s is the visit of Leicester City to Goodison Park next Monday (25 April).
Everton: Hewelt, Hibbert (Jones 45), Foulds, Williams (C), Holgate, Feeney, Henen, Charsley, Dyson, Evans (Baningime 81), Dowell (Subs not used: Gray, Holland, Lavery).
