ACADEMY NEWS

Under-18s Ready For In-Form City Challenge

Everton Under-18s will look to return to winning ways this Saturday (12pm GMT) when they make the trip to the Academy Stadium to face Manchester City.

The points were shared when the two young teams faced off in the Blues' first home outing of the 2021/22 season.

A second-half strike from Martin Sherif cancelled out Rico Lewis’ opener, with Everton Under-18s boss Paul Tait hailing his team’s “character and personality” following the full-time whistle, adding that his side were unlucky not to pick up all three points.

The Blues will need to match that impressive performance against City from earlier in the season if they are to travel back from Manchester with a positive result.

The Citizens have been in fine form, last tasting defeat in the league in early December, and have scored 24 goals in their past five outings, including a 5-1 win against Manchester United last weekend.

Everton, meanwhile, head into the clash determined to bounce back from two consecutive defeats.

Tait's side has enjoyed success at the Academy Stadium in recent times, having knocked City out of the Youth FA Cup in April last year.

They will be hoping to enjoy similar success when the action gets under way at midday in Manchester.

Keep an eye on evertonfc.com for a full match report and highlights from the contest.