Everton Under-21s missed out on a chance to go top of the Premier League 2 table after falling to a 2-0 away defeat to Fulham on Friday evening.
Goals in either half - from Matthew Max Dibley-Dias and Terry Ablade - ensured all three points for the Cottagers, despite Paul Tait’s side’s best efforts in dreadful conditions in the capital.
Everton began the contest on the front foot and looked to utilise the attacking threat of Stanley Mills and Francis Okoronkwo on both wings.
It was Okoronkwo who fashioned the first chance of the game, but his curling effort was beaten away by Fulham goalkeeper George Wickens.
Everton shot-stopper Zan-Luk Leban was then called into action twice in quick succession - first displaying his reflexes to get down to keep out a low shot before making a diving save at full stretch moments later.
But the young Blues grew in confidence as the half wore on and the ever-dangerous Mills went close when he connected with Mackenzie Hunt’s low cross.
Tom Cannon, a livelier throughout, then almost continued his excellent form in front of goal but was to be crowded out by a sea of Fulham defenders at the crucial moment.
Everton were then dealt a hammer blow as the opening period drew to a close when Dibley-Dias curled home an exquisite 20-yard finish beyond Leban to give the hosts the advantage.
Undeterred, the Toffees went about restoring parity with Mills going close again.
But frustrations were compounded just before the hour mark when Fulham doubled their lead, as forward Ablade applied a simple finish after a corner had rebounded off the woodwork.
As Everton continued to push for a way back into the match they almost conceded a third late on in bizarre circumstances. A huge 90-yard clearance from inside the Fulham penalty area got caught in the swirling wind and, fortunately, drifted wide of Leban’s goal rather than into it.
Next up for the Under-21s is a trip to Harrogate Town in the EFL Papa John’s Trophy on Tuesday evening.