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Everton took the honours in the first Merseyside Derby of the season, the U18s running out comfortable 4-1 winners over Liverpool at Kirkby.

Two goals from the impressive Antony Evans - who turned 18 just a day earlier - and Daniel Bramall proved decisive for Kevin Sheedy's side with Yan Dhanda replying for the Reds.

The Blues dominated the start and finish of the game with Liverpool wresting the advantage in the middle and it was two goals in two minutes in the second half which settled the result.

It was the visitors who settled quickest with Liverpool looking rather under-sized and out-muscled in midfield.

Evans grabbed his first within nine minutes slotting home confidently after a good through ball from the excellent Beni Baningime.

It was all Everton and great work from Evans almost sent Bramall away but Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher was quickly off his line while Manasse Mampala headed a Bramall cross just over.

Eventually Liverpool stirred and they should have been level after 24 minutes, captain Connor Masterson somehow heading Dhanda's free-kick wide.

Two minutes later and Rhian Brewster was upended in the box but referee Lewis Smith waved away Liverpool's claims for a penalty.

Brewster, 16, was looking Liverpool's chief threat and his volley after Toni Gomes's run had to be brilliantly tipped away by Blues keeper Chris Renshaw.

With Everton leading 1-0 at the break, Liverpool came out determined to fight back in the second period and they were level within five minutes of the restart.

Good work from Liam Coyle and Rhian Brewster brought the ball to Gomes and when Renshaw spilled his shot, Dhanda nipped in to tuck away the equaliser.

The Reds were on top at this stage but proved the masters of their own downfall in two minutes of madness which settled the game.

Young Jordan Hunter will no doubt learn from the experience but he was caught in possession twice in quick succession and it proved costly.

Evans took advantage on 67 minutes to fire in his second with his left foot after exchanging passes with Shane Lavery before Bramall's deflected effort looped off George Johnston's tackle and over Kelleher just two minutes later.

That effectively sealed the game though there was still time for more good work from Baningime to reach the byline and square for a simple tap-in for Bramall's second.

Reds substitute Glen McAuley hit the post with a header in injury time while there will be concern at Liverpool for the fitness of wing-back Adam Lewis who was stretchered off in injury time with what looked like a recurrence of an ankle injury.

Overall it was the Blues' day and the watching Joe Royle was no doubt pleased with what he saw.

Liverpool : Kelleher, Johnston, Parker, Lewis, Masterson, Hunter, Coyle, Dhanda (Glen McAuley, 67), Brewster, Camacho (Owens, 67), Gomes (Simmonds, 82)

Everton : Renshaw, Morris, Harrington, Baningime, Lees, Feeney, Bramall, Kiersey (Hornby, 81), Lavery, Evans, Mampala (Duke-McKenna, 39)

Goals : Liverpool Dhanda (50)

Everton : Evans (9, 67); Bramall (69, 77)