Everton Under-18s were held to a 2-2 draw against Liverpool at Finch Farm in the Under-18s Premier League.
Joel Catesby’s composed first-half strike saw the young Blues go into the break ahead, but Kareem Ahmed turned home a cross in the second half to restore parity.
George Finney restored Everton’s lead in the 81st minute but the points were shared as Ranel Young equalised once more seven minutes from time.
Head Coach Leighton Baines made three changes to the side that defeated Leeds United before the break. Bradley Moonan started at the back in place of Luca Davis, as Catesby and Ray Robert replaced Martin Sherif and Coby Ebere in attack.
The first chance of the game fell to Catesby after intricate passing saw the Blues transition defence to attack in a matter of seconds. Harvey Foster and Jack Patterson combined well in the middle of the park, with the latter spreading the play to Finney down the right flank. The full-back crossed to the far-post, where Catesby took the ball down before blazing over the crossbar inside 13 minutes.
The winger then turned provider in the 20th minute as Jacob Beaumont-Clark narrowly missed the target. Found on the edge of the six-yard box, the winger cut-in but failed to hit the target from close-range.
George Pickford was called into action five minutes later as Michael Laffey arrowed a strike at goal from a free-kick in a dangerous position. The skipper’s strike was comfortably caught by the shot-stopper, though.
At the other end, the lively Catesby threatened again. A silky interchange with Callum Bates saw the 18-year-old evade his marker and pull the trigger. His venomous strike was palmed away by Kornel Miscuir.
Pickford came to his side’s rescue on 34 minutes as the goalkeeper excellently denied Trey Nyoni. A misplaced pass saw the England youth-international through on goal with only the keeper to beat. Faced one-on-one, Pickford managed to tip the forward’s strike just wide of the post and save a certain goal.
Everton's goalkeeper was the hero once more five minutes later as he denied Ahmed. The 17-year-old weaved between the challenges of three blue shirts before arrowing a strike that seemed destined for the far-corner. The Preston-born goalkeeper leapt into action and made a brilliant save that deserved the ovation it received from the crowd in attendance.
Catesby broke the deadlock in the 40th minute after slotting past Miscuir. The winger latched on to Beaumont-Clark’s inch-perfect through ball before remaining composed and breaking the deadlock.
Ahmed equalised for the visitors with 74 minutes on the clock. Harry Evers flashed a ball across the face of goal, with the forward on hand to fire home.
Finney restored Everton’s lead nine minutes from time with a sliding finish past Miscuir. Played in by Bates, the full-back took a heavy touch that the ‘keeper seemed favourite to collect. A burst of acceleration saw the defender get there first and poke the ball into the far corner.
The lead was short-lived, though, as substitute Young levelled the game once more two minutes later. Baines’ side searched for a third but conceded on the counter as the right-winger beat Odin Samuels-Smith to the ball on the edge of the box and burst forward. Upon reaching the Blues’ box, he prodded past Pickford.
The referee blew his whistle to conclude an exhilarating Merseyside derby as the points were shared.
Up next for the Under-18s is a trip to face Derby County on Saturday 20 April (12pm BST).
By Ross Hughes
