VICTORY over Manchester United has moved Everton under-18s back into pole position ahead of today’s crunch derby clash with Liverpool at Finch Farm (kick-off 11am).

Neil Dewsnip’s youngsters had gone into Saturday’s match in Manchester sitting in second place on goal difference after Liverpool had gone above them with a midweek win over West Bromwich Albion.

But goals from strikers Hallam Hope and Anton Forrester in each half sealed the points in a 2-1 victory over United as Everton went back on top of the Group C table in the Barclays Academy Premier League.

Everton began brightly and after 25 minutes when Hope came in from the left and fired into the bottom corner.

Adam Thomas went close as Everton looked to extend their advantage. But on the hour Forrester turned in Jake Bidwell’s cross from close range to double the advantage.

Despite dominating Everton had to hang on after United reduced the arrears with 10 minutes left. Although Dewsnip’s youngsters went closest t scoring late when Tom Donegan crashed an effort onto the crossbar from 25 yards out.

Dewsnip said: “Today’s game was a strange one as Manchester United played a very mixed team.

“Their youth team are currently on tour, so they had a mixture of both old and young boys playing. Essentially the pressure was then on us to win the game. But overall we’re glad to have won and move on to what’s now become a bit of a title decider.”

Everton will now look to beat Liverpool and give themselves a real chance of finishing top of the Group C table. After today’s derby clash at Finch Farm Everton will complete their regular campaign with their final match at Leeds United on Saturday (KO 11am).

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