Everton Under-18s booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Youth Cup with a 3-0 victory over Reading under the lights at Goodison Park on Friday night.  

Leighton Baines' side came into the clash full of confidence after thrashing Derby County 5-1 at Finch Farm last weekend.  

The Young Blues picked up from where they left off in that one and were quick to stamp their authority on the visitors, powering into a 2-0 lead before half-time thanks to goals from Francis Okoronkwo and Halid Djankpata.  

Owen Barker grabbed Everton's third in the second half to seal the win and set up a clash away to either Watford or Lincoln, who face off on Friday 16 December, in the next round.  

Everton started brightly and did an excellent job of pinning the visitors inside their own half throughout the opening minutes of the contest.  

Okoronkwo went closest to breaking the deadlock seven minutes in, rising highest from a corner to direct his headed shot towards the goalkeeper's bottom corner, but Reading's Thomas Norcott got down well to push it wide.  

As Everton grew more into the game, the visitors found it tough to find any rhythm of their own. Then, good pressure from Jack Patterson 20 minutes in saw him steal possession and go close when he fired a vicious strike goalwards that just whisked over the bar.  

The warning signs were there for Reading and one minute later Patterson was in the thick of the action once again, this time being brought down for a free-kick just outside the penalty area.  

From the resulting free-kick, Barker whipped in an exquisite delivery towards the edge of the six-yard box, finding Okoronkwo who tapped home to put the Blues ahead.  

Everton continued to build momentum and were firmly in the groove when Djankpata doubled the hosts’ advantage five minutes later.  

Barker, who was a thorn in the side of Reading all night, was again provider. This time from a corner, he whipped in a fantastic cross that was met with a bullet of a header from Everton's captain.  

The Blues remained untroubled throughout the remainder of the half and headed into the break with a deserved lead.  

They started the second half in a similarly positive manner and nearly got a third seconds after the kick-off.   

Good combination play down the left eventually saw the ball switched over to the right where Roman Dixon broke free to drive a powerful strike on target which was parried away by the Reading goalkeeper.  

On the hour mark Okoronkwo nearly grabbed his second, he beat the offside trap to latch onto an excellent through ball but dragged his resulting effort across the goal and just wide of the post.  

The game was finally put to bed though with just over 20 minutes remaining after Okoronkwo produced a brilliant piece of hold-up play before releasing Barker who cut onto his left foot and then drilled the ball low and hard past Norcott. 

Barker made way soon after along with fellow goalscorer Djackpata as Callum Bates and Isaac Heath joined the action. 

Chances were few and far between in the closing stages where Martin Sherif was given a taste of the Goodison Park experience as he replaced Okoronkwo to help see out a dominant display from Baines’ team.  

"It wasn't a perfect performance, we are always striving to get to that, but there were some really big positives that we can take from the game," explained assistant manager Kieran Driscoll speaking to evertonfc.com following the victory. 

"The first 20 minutes or so were a bit scrappy, it was obviously a different experience for the lads playing at Goodison Park and naturally that was going to bring a bit of nervousness in the opening part of the game. 

"But the first goal came at the right time and settled us down. We imposed our style a lot more from there. 

"We spoke about managing the game at half-time, there were some areas that we could improve on but overall we are pleased with the performance and progression into the next round. 

“It wouldn't be fair to point out just one player out, I thought it was a good team performance today," he added. 

"Defensively we were solid, we limited Reading to very few chances, if any, in the game. I don't think our goalkeeper was forced into anything of note in terms of saves made.  

“From 1 to 11, and the lads who came on, I thought we were collectively really good tonight". 

Driscoll also touched on the Goodison Park experience and revealed just how much it meant to a lot of the group. 

"Many of the boys have been in the academy for a long time, and I think they would have had an eye on progressing through the age groups and playing on this stage.  

He continued: "For them to achieve what has probably been a goal for them for a number of years tonight, well, it's a big positive and I am happy for them.”