Manchester City the group D leaders beat an Everton side without concern and controlled the game for long periods, the hosts got in front from Hiwula before Ryan Higgins equalised from a free kick then City restored the lead through King.
A different Everton side took shape today from recent weeks that faced a tough task against table toppers Manchester city at the Platt lane complex. Mateusz Taudul deputised in goal for the visitors after Connor Roberts had joined Welsh outfit Colwyn Bay until the end of the season.
Manchester City posed a threat by pressing Everton and had very much the most possession although Forester did have a chance for the visitors after a delivery from Orenuga.
City dominated proceedings and a breakthrough was imminent. When it came it was a quality move and a tidy finish. The ball was played over from the left with Everton’s defence being unable to deal with the threat, Drury headed into Jordi Hiwula’s path to put the home side in front.
The goal was just what City had wanted then took their foot off the pedal but it came too soon as Everton found an equaliser from a Ryan Higgins free kick on the half hour mark as his effort wrong footed ‘keeper Lawlor.
City turned up the pressure once more and again just on the stroke of half time they got the lead back through George King with the hard working Emyr Huws.
HALF TIME
MANCHESTER CITY U18’S 2 EVERTON U18’S 1
City started the second half the way they had finished it with a strong professional performance. Johann Hammar was having an uncomfortable afternoon at the back making his first appearance after a knee injury which he sustained at QPR in the FA youth cup in January.
Higgins and Hammar both recovered goal line clearances to keep the score down after City pressure, Everton’s chances were few and far between although they were attacking without forcing City into any discomfort.
Everton made a change taking off last week’s scorer Tom Molyneux and replaced him with George Green.
Green’s introduction gave Everton some freshness and started to look more of a team and making an impression.
Everton’s best chance came near the end when Green found Hope who then found substitute Thomas out on the left, his cross came back to Green who fired a shot goalbound but luckily for City they had a defender on the line that cleared.
Everton’s youngsters take a break from league action until the 14th April as they participate in the Dallas cup.
FULL TIME
MANCHESTER CITY U18’S 2 EVERTON U18’S 1
Man City: Lawlor, Kennedy (Facey), Plummer, Meppen-Walter, Leigh, Evans (Glendon), Drury (El-Fitouri), Huws, Hiwula, Rusnak, King
Everton: Taudul, Higgins, Johns, Hammar, Heneghan, Barrow, Pennington, Molyneux (Green), Orenuga (Thomas 46), Hope, Forrester. Subs: Fitzgibbon (GK),