A SHOCK defeat to Leeds United on Saturday mean Everton under-18s lost must wait to be confirmed as Group C winners of the Barclays Premier League.

Neil Dewsnip’s youngsters ended the regular season on a disappointing note with defeat in their final league match in Yorkshire on Saturday.

They now hope Wolves can at least take one point off rivals Liverpool, as Sheffield United did on Saturday, in this week’s two clashes between the sides to stay ahead of their Mersey rivals.

Everton are now five points ahead of Liverpool, but the Reds have two games left to play.

Following Everton’s superb 4-0 victory over Liverpool at Finch Farm in midweek, they couldn’t grab another win that would have confirmed their table-topping status.

Without John Lundstram and Hallam Hope, who are on international duty, Everton lost to a single goal 10 minutes into half. Anton Forrester had headed over the only real chance of note in he first half, while Connor Roberts saved well at the other end. And after the break both Forrester and Tom Donegan were denied by the Leeds keeper.

Everton pressed for an equaliser and saw one effort rebound back oft the bar while substitute George Waring, on his U18s debut, was also denied by the Leeds keeper. But it wasn’t to be.

Dewsnip said: “Obviously Tuesday was a terrific occasion and we played very well. I don’t think we took anything for granted. We prepared properly. But Leeds had a right go at us – very competitive, very combative and all those dour Yorkshire qualities that exist, they threw at us.”

He added: “It is still all on. It was disappointing to end with a defeat. The team has changed but it has been a great squad effort and if it is to end, I would say they have had a great season.”

Hope and Lundstram are away on international duty with England U17s.

EVERTON UNDER-18s: Roberts, Browing, Bidwell, Hammar, Dier (Johns 80), Barrow Garbutt (Waring 60), Donegan, Thomas, Higgins, Forrester. Subs: Fitzgibbon, Harris, Heneghan.