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The Liverpool Echo provides reaction to last night's defeat for Everton Under-18s in the FA Youth Cup.
The Blues fought well, but their journey in the competition was cut short in the fifth round as Manchester United ran out 4-1 winners at Old Trafford.
Nevertheless, there were plenty of positives to take with reporter Adam Jones discussing some of the stand-out performers.
"Everton's goalscorer (Francis Okoronkwo), for example, was impressive in the first half once more - having put in a fantastic display against Sheffield United at Goodison Park in the previous round," he wrote.
"Okoronkwo's goal again showed his attention to detail, ability to be in the right place at the right time, and his confidence to find the bottom corner to finish a chance that was far from easy.
"Jensen Metcalfe's only grew [as the game went on].
"The central midfielder got himself on the ball a lot more, constantly looking for passes from his defence and attempting to drive Everton forwards.
"He might have got on the scoresheet on another day, with his rasping long-range effort clipping the woodwork after a misjudgement from Manchester United's goalkeeper to pull out of an attempt to save the effort.
"The performance of Ishe Samuels-Smith is certainly worth a mention, too.
"He's one of very few out-and-out left-backs in the entire setup at Everton right now.
"But the 15-year-old was solid throughout, not scared to get up the other end of the pitch to create chances and looks a very interesting prospect for the future.
"Up front Martin Sherif showed glimpses of some great tenacity, strength and technical ability. Stanley Mills, Matty Mallon and Luke Butterfield are players that anyone who watches the uUnder-23s on a regular basis will know well.
"Exiting the FA Youth Cup will no doubt hurt this squad for the next few days, but it should also give them the drive and determination to aim for more throughout the rest of the campaign.
"Many showed the right qualities they need to progress through Everton's ranks throughout this cup run. Let's see where that takes them in the future."
In other news, Steve Hitchen is rumoured to be the Club's first choice candidate to fill the vacant Director of Football role, according to the Daily Mail.
Hitchen left his role at Tottenham Hotspur last week and is said to be a favourite amongst the Everton board to succeed Marcel Brands who left the Blues in December.
Former Wolverhampton Wanderers sporting director Kevin Thelwell has also been linked with the job.
Finally, Wayne Rooney has refused to rule out the possibility of managing Everton in the future.
Speaking to talkSPORT, the former Blues forward admitted that one day he would like to return to Merseyside and possibly Manchester United to take the reigns in the dugout.
“Of course Everton and Manchester United are two clubs who one day in the future I’d love to manage," he told the station.
"I’d love to go in there and challenge myself at two great clubs.
“I’m doing a job at Derby. My focus has to be on that because it’s a day to day job. I have to give it all my attention to make sure I get the best out of myself.”
