Two goals from Nathan Broadhead and Thierry Small's second strike in as many games helped Everton Under-23s extend their unbeaten run to six matches with a hard-fought 3-1 victory at Derby County.

David Unsworth’s side, who remain fifth in Premier League 2 but close the gap on leaders Blackburn Rovers to three points, were in charge for large parts of the game but a second-half equaliser threatened to swing the momentum in the hosts' favour.

Attacker Broadhead grabbed the opener with a well-taken finish on 22 minutes and capped off a fine individual performance with his second of the game 19 minutes from time.

Small added his name the scoresheet in the closing minutes to complete a solid team performance.

Everton came close to breaking the deadlock twice in the opening 10 minutes.

Left-back Small, fresh from a whirlwind 24 hours last week when he followed a First-Team debut by scoring in the Under-23s' 4-2 victory at Leicester City, fired an effort into the side netting from a tight angle.

Rhys Hughes was next to try his luck, scuffing an effort wide of the post from eight yards.

Derby's first presentable opportunity came when forward Cameron Cresswell intercepted a ball in the Everton half and strode forward to direct an effort wide of the target.

Emboldened, Derby came again and Everton goalkeeper Nico Hansen made a fabulous, flying fingertip save to repel Bobby Duncan's curling free kick from 30 yards.

A neat piece of improvisation from Joe Anderson set Broadhead away to break the deadlock.

The defender's lofted ball from midway inside his own half beat the Derby backline and Broadhead completed the job, cutting inside from the left and stroking the ball into the bottom corner. 

Hansen denied Cresswell for a second time to preserve Everton's lead, the Derby player's 20-yard shot kept out by a smart, low save.

Everton’s opening goalscorer missed a chance to extend his side's lead on the stroke of half-time. Broadhead was alert to seize on a mistake by Joe Bateman, the Derby centre-back, but sent his finish agonisingly wide of the far post.

Derby almost responded at the beginning of the second half when centre-forward Duncan slid in at the far post but couldn’t quite meet Tyree Wilson’s cross with an outstretched leg.

Midfielder Wilson equalised for the Rams 20 minutes into the second half with a brilliantly-taken goal.

He received the ball on the edge of the Everton penalty area and spun before hitting a precise shot into the top corner, leaving Hansen with no chance.

Everton needed only six minutes to restore their advantage and it was Broadhead again dampening Derby spirits.

Tyler Onyango showed his physicality to win back the ball in the midfield and provide the decisive pass for Broadhead. The Welshman made no mistake, calmly passing the ball into the bottom corner from close range.

Reece Welch nearly scored on his Under-23s debut but miscued a header from close range, enabling Derby goalkeeper Louie Moulden to make a comfortable save.

Small capped off a wonderful team display with his second goal in as many games, 60 seconds from the full-time whistle.

Broadhead was denied a hat-trick from close range by Moulden in the first instance but 16-year-old Small was there to poke home the rebound and secure all three points.

Manager Unsworth's side return to action on Friday when they visit third-placed Manchester City.