Everton Under-18s returned to winning ways with an impressive 3-1 win against league leaders Manchester City at Finch Farm on Saturday morning.Antony Evans gave the young Blues an early lead before Michael Donohue doubled his side's lead on the stroke of half-time.
Tom Davies added to the lead in the second half and despite Lukas Nmecha netting for the visitors late on, the Toffees secured their much-deserved victory.
Everton began the brighter of the two sides and they got the reward for their early pressure as Evans headed home Spencer Myers' corner on 10 minutes.
It could have been even better for the young Blues just ten minutes later and it was Evans, who was impressive throughout, causing the problems again.
The forward latched on to a long ball over the City defence but his effort was saved by goalkeeper Christian Kjetil Haug.
The visitors then had two chances of their own in quick succession but Charles Oliver and Zackarias Faour failed to get their efforts on target.
And Manchester City would rue those missed opportunities minutes later as Donohue doubled his side’s lead on 45 minutes.
City failed to deal with Liam Walsh’s free-kick and Donohue latched onto the loose ball to fire home from close range and give the young Blues a 2-0 lead going into the interval.
Ten minutes after the re-start and Everton grabbed themselves a third.
The Toffees dispossessed City deep in their own half and Nathan Broadhead found Davies with a brilliant disguised pass and the midfielder supplied a cool finish to give his side a comfortable lead.
Forward Nmecha netted on 82 minutes for the visitors but the young Blues withstood late pressure to end Manchester City’s unbeaten run and earn a well-deserved 3-1 victory.
Speaking after the game, Under-18s coach Paul Tait praised his players for their faultless attitude and efforts throughout the contest.
“I’m delighted. I’ve just told the lads I thought they did fantastic and it was a really professional performance.” Tait told evertonfc.com
“There are 16-year-olds in there and I’m using the word 'professional' around them - but I thought it was.
“They managed the game really well and I thought from the first moment we were at Manchester City.
“The mentality was different class right up until the last minute so it’s really pleasing, not just the team performance but individuals as well.”
