EVERTON Under-18s bounced back from their demoralising FA Youth Cup exit to record an impressive 5-1 win over Crystal Palace last Saturday.

A 4-2 defeat against Norwich at Goodison saw the young Blues bow out of the cup a fortnight ago, but they responded emphatically.

Kevin Sheedy’s side dominated proceedings at Finch Farm and, despite entering the interval 1-0 down, found their clinical touch in the second half to fire five past visiting Palace.

A brace from striker George Waring and a goal apiece from Harry Charsley, Jonjoe Kenny and Courtney Duffus earned Everton all three points as they catch up on games in hand in the Barclays U18 Premier League Elite Group.

Boss Sheedy was delighted with the performance. He said: “We played very well in the first half but didn’t get on the end of crosses.

“I think we must have had about 70% of the possession so when that free-kick went in, we couldn’t believe it.

“We went through things at half-time and I told them to get more bodies in the box. We were getting four or five in there after the break and that gives you a far greater chance.

“After the Norwich result, I had told them to emulate what the first-team did after their FA Cup exit to Wigan. They were brilliant against Manchester City and our lads were brilliant today. It can be difficult to react to such disappointment but we are very pleased with the attitude they showed.”