DESPITE taking the lead Everton under-18s suffered a blow to their title hopes as they could only draw 1-1 at Sunderland on Saturday.

With just three games left Neil Dewsnip’s side top the Group C section of the Barclays Premier Academy League. But they are now only three points ahead of neighbours Liverpool, who have two games in hand.

Johan Hammar gave Everton the lead at Sunderland on 20 minutes, crashing home following Anton Forrester’s header back across goal from Tom Donegan’s free-kick. But Everton missed several chances to increase their lead with Forrester twice going close.

They were made to pay for their profligacy when the home side drew level when Jordan Barrow unfortunately headed into his own net as he tried to clear just three minutes after the break.

Forrester and strike partner Hallam Hope both went close to putting Everton back in front but in the end they had to settle for a point.

Coach Dewsnip said: “We played really well, and again the character and resilience was excellent when Sunderland drew level. I don’t know where it comes from but it is immense. We ran Sunderland into the ground with pressure, but we just couldn’t find a way to score that goal.”

He added: “ I am not disappointed with the performance but with the score as we did enough to win. But last week we won a game we shouldn’t have. So it is swings and roundabouts and that is football.”

Everton have three matches left, starting with a trip to Manchester United this Saturday (kick-off 10am). They then face Liverpool at Finch Farm next Tuesday (KO 11am), before their final match at Leeds United a week on Saturday (KO 10.30am).

EVERTON UNDER-18s: Roberts, Higgins, Bidwell, Hammar, Dyer, Donegan, Molineux, Barrow (O’Brien 80), Thomas, Hope, Forrester. Subs: Fitzgibbon, Toure.