EVERTON under-18s bounced back from a Merseyside derby defeat in midweek to beat Huddersfield 3-2 at Finch Farm on Saturday to go top of the of the FA Premier Academy League Group C table.

It was a welcome boost for Neil Dewsnip’s side who had suffered probably their most disappointing week of the season. After being knocked out the FA Youth Cup at Blackburn, Everton missed two chances to go top.

Last week’s draw with West Bromwich Albion was followed by Tuesday’s exciting, but ultimately painful 4-3 defeat to neighbours Liverpool at Finch Farm.

Yet despite going 2-0 down midway through the first half two goals from Jose Baxter and one from Hope Akpan allowed Everton to hit back at the weekend.

With previous leaders Manchester United drawing 1-1 with Newcastle, Everton are top by a point.

Dewsnip said: “We played very well and it was good to get the win. We have gone from maybe being the most boring and predictable side in the Academy League, winning without conceding goals to being one of the most exciting. If there was a youth match of the day we would be first up every week. We drew 2-2 with West Brom, had a really exciting game with Liverpool in midweek and then Saturday was another great game.”

He added: “It was great the lads bounced back to go top.”

Everton will now travel to Middlesbrough this Saturday (kick-off 11am) bidding to keep the chasing pack at bay in the Group C table.

EVERTON UNDER-18s (v Liverpool): Davies, Nsiala, Garbutt, Mustafi, Duffy, Donegan, Craig, Wallace, Akpan (Orenuga 55), Baxter, McAleny (Forshaw 55). Subs: Hope, Roberts, Bidwell.

EVERTON UNDER-18s (v Huddersfield): Davies, Nsiala, Garbutt, Mustafi, Duffy, Forshaw, Craig, Wallace, Akpan, Baxter, McAleny (Hope 60). Subs: Orenuga, Roberts, Bidwell.