Everton U18s 6-0 Sunderland U18s
Sunderland under-18s endured a testing afternoon last Saturday at Everton as they slipped to a defeat in the Premier League.
Ellis Simms was at his clinical best for the hosts, striking four times while Bobby Carroll and Korede Adedoyin also chalked up goals to move the Toffees up to third and above Manchester United, who were held to a 2-2 draw against rivals Manchester City.
Paul Bryson made a host of changes from the side that drew at Man United at the start of April. Under-16 attacker Ryan Gooch, who struck the dramatic leveller at Carrington, retained his starting place while there were also starts for young duo Jonathan Krakue and Liam Miller.
Ryan Leonard, who has featured a lot for the under-23s a lot in recent times too, also started on the flank.
Sunderland were put to the sword throughout at Finch Farm as Simms handed the Toffees the advantage after just 14 minutes.
Carroll made it 2-0 shortly after before Simms netted his second of the afternoon minutes before the midway interval.
Sunderland came out in the second 45 looking to keep things tight and to their credit they managed just that until the 57th minute, when Adedoyin found a fourth to assert the hosts’ dominance once more.
Simms then completed his hat-trick before netting a fourth moments later to put the Toffees out of sight with 20 minutes left to play on Merseyside.
The result sees Everton move up to third, with Simms taking his tally to a remarkable 31 for the season. Sunderland remain at the foot of the Premier League table.
Sunderland U18: Newman, Smith, Ord, Derbali, Almond, Krakue, Wonbelle, Gooch, Leonard, Miller, Slack
Subs: Dichicco, Cameron, Baggs, Jones, Watts
