Everton U21s v WBA U21s
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Goals either side of the break from Matthew Kennedy and Hallam Hope earned Everton's Under-21s a 2-1 win over West Brom on Sunday.
Alan Stubbs' side went into the contest on the back of two straight defeats but turned in a battling performance to record their fourth victory of the season.
Victor Anichebe was the star name in an experienced Blues line-up which also featured Thomas Hitzlsperger, Magaye Gueye and Jan Mucha - yet the Nigerian's afternoon was only to last 21 minutes as he went down under a heavy challenge and was withdrawn as a precaution.
Prior to that the impressive Kennedy had already put Everton in front. Receiving the ball out wide on the left, the Scot, who turned 18 this week, cut inside, bamboozled his marker and fired an exquisite shot beyond goalkeeper Luke Daniels and into the top corner of the net.
Anichebe's injury saw the introduction of Hope but both he and fellow striker Apostolos Vellios endured a frustrating spell as Everton failed to create the chances to build on their lead.
The Blues were made to pay 11 minutes after the break as Yassine El Ghanassy collected a ball from winger Jerome Thomas before firing high past Mucha to level.
Just after the hour mark, Everton's bench were up in arms after Hope took a tumble in the box but the referee saw nothing to convince him of a foul and duly waved play on.
Magaye Gueye then tested Daniels with an effort from the edge of the box before Hitzlsperger saw a thunderous strike blocked after more good work from Kennedy. 
And it was little surprise when the Scot capped his afternoon by setting up the winner just six minutes from time.
The goal had everything to do with the youngster’s persistence as he jinked his way inside the box and refused to give up on his run before the loose ball worked its way to Hope and the striker found a way past Daniels with a firmly struck side-footed shot.
Everton Under-21s' next game is at home against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday 11 November.
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