Everton Under-18s coach Paul Tait says he is “proud” of his players, despite the young Blues being narrowly beaten by Chelsea in the semi-finals of the Premier League Cup at USM Finch Farm.
The young Blues went into the game on the back of a hard-fought league victory over Liverpool - and had reached the last four of this competition after dispatching Fulham in the quarter-finals.
However, a single goal from Marc Guehi 10 minutes before the break saw Everton hopes ended by the runaway leaders of the Under-18 Premier League southern section.
Tait’s side had their work cut out for much of the opening 45 minutes, with the visitors dominating possession from the off.