U18s edge Fulham in seven-goal thriller

Everton U18s came back from a tough 3-1 deficit, turning the game around in the final minute, thanks to a goal from Bobby Carroll to win this Group C Premier League Cup clash at Motspur Park.

Three late second-half strikes from Lewis Higgins, Reece Hughes and Bobby Carroll turned the contest on its head as the Young Blues claimed back-to-back wins in the competition.

Joshua Hosie cancelled out an early Fulham opener on 22 minutes; however, the home side hit back convincingly to lead 3-1 shortly after the break. But Carroll's added-time winner completed a terrific turnaround from Everton.

Fulham had started the brighter and took an early lead. The hosts pressured the Blues' goal in the opening stages, with Jack Barrett being called into action almost immediately. Unfortunately for the young keeper, after a string of fine saves, there was nothing he could do about the opener, Terry Ablade giving the hosts a deserved 12th-minute advantage.

Everton soon got a foothold in the game, though, as Hosie levelled the scoring. The right-back was nearly on the scoresheet last week when his powerful shot went agonisingly wide but made no mistake here, latching on to fellow full-back Sebastian Quirk's deep cross to even it up.

Fulham's double response came either side of half-time. First, Ollie O'Neill found room in the Blues' half and crossed for Sylvester Jasper to tap home just before the interval. O'Neill then got one of his own seven minutes after the restart, driving the ball into the corner after a scramble in the Everton penalty area.

With just 12 minutes of the match remaining, Higgins gave Everton a lifeline. After an excellent tackle to deny Carroll, the substitute seized on the loose ball to fire home.

Just one minute later, Everton were level. Higgins once again drove at the Fulham defence, his eventual cross struck the hand of Idris Odutayo, and that left Hughes to haul the visitors level from the spot.

And, with time ticking away, Carroll nonchalantly glided through the Fulham defence before curling a shot high into the top corner, sparking wild celebrations. Everton now sit atop Group C, two points ahead of final opponents Norwich City.

Everton U18s: Barrett, Hosie, D Thompson (71' Jon Anderson), Welch, Hagan, Hughes, Warrington, Carroll [Y], Cannon [Y] (90+2' Lowey), Hunt (68' Higgins), Quirk.
Subs not Used: Leban, Butterfield.

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