Paul Tait hailed a great defensive performance as Everton Under-18s launched their Premier League Cup campaign with victory over Sunderland. 

Tyler Onyango's thumping first-half effort settled the contest at USM Finch Farm, although both Lewis Dobbin and Rhys Hughes had opportunities to extend the Blues' advantage.

Tait's side hit double figures against Sunderland a fortnight ago and came into this game fresh from a notable 3-2 success at Manchester United seven days ago.

"The best thing about this game was the result, we did not play with any sort of rhythm or speed, nor move the ball fast enough," Tait told evertonfc.com.

"It was a little bit disappointing in terms of our football but that was down to Sunderland.

"We had that result against them two weeks ago and they came here determined to put things right. You could see that in the game, they scrapped and fought for everything and made it tough for us."

Sunderland had the game's first chance in the 13th minute when James Foster stung the palms of Jack McIntyre in the Blues goal.

Everton had their chances and would have been ahead if not for two smart saves from Black Cats keeper, Adam Cameron. First Dobbin's low drive was turned away at the near post before Cameron palmed away Thomas Cannon's unmarked header.

The hosts got the goal their growing pressure deserved when midfielder Hughes's pin-point free-kick was blasted home by an onrushing Onyango just before half-time.

England Under-17 international Onyango could have doubled his tally moments later, the midfielder's turn and hit flying just wide of the post.

Everton maintained control following the break and Dobbin saw a right-footed effort sail too high to trouble Cameron.

The young Blues had to work hard to preserve their lead late on. Defender Daniel Lowey made a goal-line block and McIntyre acrobatically denied Foster.

"He is a good keeper and doing really well," said Tait. "He is in a good place and is our number one goalkeeper at the moment which is credit to him considering there are a couple of other lads who could play. He has to keep working hard and doing the right things."

Everton welcome Liverpool to Finch Farm for this season's first derby contest next week aiming to extend their winning run to a fourth game.

"We are looking forward to it already," added Tait. "It is the fixture the lads look for straight away. It is definitely up there with the City and United games. We will have a good week's work and we will be ready."