Everton’s talented collection of 16-year-old players were the stars after Everton came from 2-0 down to beat PSV in the Premier League International Cup.
The u21 tournament has already seen Real Madrid brush aside Everton 2-0 at Goodison Park, but the second game of the tournament was more promising for the u21s side.
Malik Olayiwola has been a promising talent for the u18s in the last few months and has scored four goals in eight u18 appearances from midfield this season. He was brought on at half time and it was his driving run and clever through ball that released Omari Benjamin, who pulled it back for Olayiwola to score his first u21 goal for the club.
Fellow 16-year-old Shea Pita, who has been at Everton since 2017 after signing from Llandudno’s academy, then won a penalty with a driving run into the box before converting it himself. Pita has always been highly rated in the Everton academy despite injury issues last year.
The pacey winger, who has Welsh youth caps to his name, has played 11 times for the u18s this year, scoring once and assisting three times. He has been employed as a makeshift right back for the u18s but his natural position is an attacking one.
Everton were also boosted by another superb midfield appearance from Demi Akarakiri. The midfielder is only 17 but it is not the first time he has impressed at u21 level after making his debut as a substitute last month.