Are these two Everton's midfield axis of the future?Tom Davies and Joe Williams dominate proceedings as Blues under-21s win mini-derby in style
Joe Williams and Tom Davies are forging a formidable partnership
The midfield axis of Tom Davies and Joe Williams “ran the game” as Everton under-21s won the mini-derby.
The Blues second string saw off their Liverpool counterparts 3-1 at Langtree Park, St Helens on Sunday afternoon.
David Unsworth’s side turned in an eye-catching attacking display as goals from Antony Evans, Callum Connolly and Kieran Dowell sealed a win that moves them up to fourth in the Premier League table.
It was a match Davies and Williams grabbed by the scruff of the neck.
And it wasn’t just the industry and energy the pair offered in the central midfield battle but also their quality with the ball and runs from deep to join Everton’s sweeping counter-attacks.
Davies brilliantly laid on the assist for the Blues’ third goal, scored by Kieran Dowell, and Williams came close to getting his name of the scoresheet but was denied by Reds ‘keeper Ryan Fulton on a couple of occasions.
Against a Liverpool midfield that included first-teamer Jordan Rossiter, Everton’s dynamic duo dominated proceedings.
“I thought the two of them ran the game,” Unsworth declared.
Joe Williams is a commanding presence
“After the first 20 minutes where Liverpool dictated the play, we suddenly came alive, got the goal and remembered ‘We’re not bad us’.”
“Tom Davies, for someone of 17, and Joe Williams, form someone of 18....” Unsworth puffed out his cheeks in admiration.
Williams signed a three-year professional deal in July 2014 having been with Everton since the age of seven and was named on the bench for last season’s Europa League dead-rubber with Krasnodar.
Roberto Martinez has been offering the teenager a constant stream of hints and tips.
“Joe has been our best player over the season and the work-rate he has, he now puts together with more control,” added Unsworth.
Everton's Joe Williams tussles with Liverpool's Jordan Rossiter
“The manager has worked very closely with him as well, picking up on little points and using his experience as a midfielder.
“Joe can do the lot. We may have to wait for him, in terms of physicality, but Tom, at 17, looked like a man.
“To perform like that...it was probably his best performance in an Everton shirt.”
Davies was propelled to a national audience in October when he picked to train with the England senior side.
But it was the locals Davies impressed on Sunday.
“He came back from the u-20s World Cup with England and that was a big thing for him,” Unsworth said.
“He was injured just before the tournament and was put on an extensive programme to get him fit for the World Cup because it would be a great experience.
Sam Hart of Liverpool and Jonjoe Kenny of Everton in action during the Liverpool v Everton U21 Premier League game at Langtree Park
“I’ve experienced that with England, in Australia, and I was really keen for Tom and the other boys to go.
“We rushed him to be fit and he’s needed a bit of time to get up to speed.
“But on Sunday you saw him not just up to speed but beyond that because I thought he was our best player.”
Davies, with Everton since the age of 11, trained alongside Ross Barkley, Raheem Sterling and others at St George’s Park.
Everton's Tom Davies joins in a senior England training session and competes for the ball with Raheem Sterling
“I spoke to him that night and we try and play those things down,” Unsworth said.
“It reached the national press, which is great but at the same time there needs to be a grounding but Tom is a level-headed lad.
“It was great for him, a real confidence booster, and I spoke to Ross and Jags about it and they said he did very well in the session.
“It’s nice he got that acclaim but this is his bread and butter and he put in a complete performance.”
Madger Gomes of Liverpool and Conor McAleny of Everton in action during the Liverpool v Everton U21 Premier League game at Langtree Park
