Tom Cannon's impressive pre-season continued as he struck twice to help Everton Under-18s to a 4-0 friendly win at Tranmere Rovers Under-18s on Saturday.

The young Blues were made to work hard by their resolute hosts in a goalless first half before Cannon broke the deadlock shortly after the break.

Cannon, who hit a hat-trick against Preston North End in an earlier pre-season outing, then doubled his and Everton's tally on the hour mark, with Charlie Whitaker and Seb Kristensen also getting on the scoresheet as Paul Tait's side completed a convincing victory.

"The morale is good and we're pleased with where the lads are at," Tait told evertonfc.com. "We knew where they were with training but we didn't know where they'd be with the games [after not playing since March due to the coronavirus outbreak].

"The last couple of games we've had, we've got up to speed a lot more in terms of our fitness and intensity.

"Tranmere sat in early on and made it difficult for us to break them down and their keeper has made a couple of good saves.

"But Tom Cannon got the goal and it was one-way traffic from there, really.

"We've got a couple more pre-season games now before the season kicks off.

"We've had no injuries, which has been fantastic, and the players' work rate and desire has been second to none, so we're delighted with where they're at, physically and mentally."

Everton Under-18s: Stewart, Hagan (Lowey 46), Welch, Thompson (Kristensen 46), Small (Campbell 46), Price (Warrington 60), Butterfield, Whitaker (McAllister 60), Kouyate, Cannon, Mills.