Assistant manager Keith Southern hailed Everton Under-18s’ resolute defensive display following a 1-1 draw with Premier League North table toppers Manchester City.
Lewis Dobbin converted Tom Cannon’s low cross to put Everton in front after seven minutes.
The Blues held out well for the majority of the first period but City forward Cole Palmer scored from the spot to draw the sides level on 31 minutes.
Everton continued to have the best of the chances after the break, with Sebastian Quirk, Cannon and Dobbin all creating goal-scoring opportunities.
“I thought it was a terrific game between two really good sides,” Southern told evertonfc.com.
“I thought we started the brighter and snatched the goal until they had a sustained 25-minute period of dominance. City have some really good players, they pressed us and we had to weather the storm.
“Second half, I thought we were outstanding. The lads were a credit to themselves and the Club and I was pleased with how they went about it.
“We changed it a bit at the break but their attitude was first class, their quality was excellent and, on balance, we probably could and maybe should have won it.”
Everton had the best chance of a very physical opening spell. Striker Cannon found some space in the box before driving his shot into a cluster of City defenders.
The visitors arrived as the team to beat at the league’s summit but it was the young Blues who found the opening goal.
Persistent pressure forced a mix-up in the City defence, leaving Cannon with acres of space. He had the time and awareness to pick out Dobbin, who slid the ball home.
Despite the Blues’ early advantage, City gradually started to find their feet, the hosts relying on the woodwork to repel Alex Robertson’s acrobatic volley.
The equaliser arrived when Palmer was fouled in the box and picked himself up to convert from the spot.
Goalkeeper Zan-Luk Leban stayed on his feet to deny Palmer from close range before Tyler Onyango flung himself at the feet of the City forward to keep the scores level.
“[Centre-half] Ryan Astley came back into the group and helped and I thought Leban was great on only his second game for the Club," said Southern.
“The other lads were so reliable and determined to come away at least with a point.
“I thought it was a great team effort and I am really pleased with the way they performed today.”
After a tight and congested opening 45 minutes, the second half started in more open fashion. Free-flowing football from the start unlocked City and Quirk thought he had put the Blues ahead.
Joshua Hosie got the Blues on the front foot, driving into the centre of the pitch. Hosie’s subsequent pass sent away Dobbin, whose cross found an onrushing Quirk.
To Everton's dismay, however, the linesman on the near side judged the ball did not cross the line.
In a crazy 15-minute spell, Everton were firmly on top.
Dobbin drove down the right before cutting onto his favoured left foot but could not get his shot away before Cannon watched a low effort drift agonisingly wide.
As the game reached it closing stages, Leban was on hand once again to deny a rare City attack. He got down well to deny Palmer and then James McAtee at the second attempt.
