Everton Under-18s' boss Paul Tait was proud of his side’s resolute defensive performance following a 2-1 victory over West Brom in the U18 Premier League (North)

First-half goals from Lewis Dobbin and Rhys Hughes set the Blues on their way to victory in an extremely impressive opening 45-minute display.

Baggies forward Mo Faal clawed the hosts back soon after the opener but Welsh midfielder Hughes' pinpoint free-kick re-established a well-deserved lead.

"I thought it was a very professional away performance," Tait told evertonfc.com.

"It was a tough game because West Brom have some really good players.

"Second half, I thought we defended really well and always had a threat on the counter-attack."

Everton started fast and within three minutes were ahead. Dobbin looked lively from the outset and soon got his goal.

Great hassling from Sean McAllister got the visitors on the front foot. He had the awareness to slip the ball to the forward and Dobbin did the rest, planting the ball with his right foot into the bottom-right corner of the Baggies' goal.

The Blues carried a consistent threat but their advantage didn't last long. The hosts hit back seven minutes later when Faal was able to prod home after a scramble in the Everton penalty area.

Despite that setback, the Blues continued to look the more purposeful team. Joshua Hosie on the right found Dobbin, who came agonisingly close to restoring Everton’s lead.

Everton remained in command throughout much of the first half and 15 minutes before the interval, they were back in front.

Excellent work by Dobbin on the edge of the area drew a foul challenge. Hughes put the ball down and curled a lovely free-kick past Jamie Emery in the West Brom goal.

After the break, the Baggies hit back and forced the resolute visiting defensive performance from which Tait drew enormous satisfaction.

"I thought Reece Welch in the middle of the defence did really well," said Tait. "Some great defensive work I was really happy with. We dug in and stuck at it, but always looked a threat as well."

Despite West Brom having much of the second period, the young Blues continued to carve out goalscoring opportunities.

Excellent counter-attacking football opened up the hosts, with both Dobbin and McAllister going close.

A late flurry from the Baggies was repelled by more terrific defensive resistance as the Blues clung on to earn a hard-fought victory in the Midlands.