PL2 Champions

All the best pictures and reacton as the Under-23s lifted the league title.

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In front of a bumper crowd of 18,000 Evertonians, David Unsworth’s Under-23s celebrated months of hard work and excellent football by lifting the Premier League 2 trophy at Goodison Park.

That they lost their final game of the season 2-1 to bitter rivals Liverpool was immaterial – the young Blues could rightly be proud of a campaign that had seen them prove themselves as the best crop of youngsters in the country.

There had been highs and lows along the way – from the convincing wins over the likes of Manchester United, Arsenal, Tottenham and Manchester City, to suffering frustrating defeats to Liverpool and Sunderland.

Such has been their form, the likes of Jonjoe Kenny, Joe Williams and Matthew Pennington – all Under-23s stalwarts – have earned places in Ronald Koeman’s first team squad.

Their deserved celebration couldn’t have come at a better place – the Grand Old Lady rose as one to applaud and acknowledge their accomplishment as captain Kenny lifted the trophy aloft. For all concerned, it was an unforgettable night and an equally memorable campaign.

DAVID UNSWORTH, UNDER-23s COACH

“I’m immensely proud. We were disappointed to lose the game. It wasn’t like us. But when you look at the season as a whole, I am very proud of this group of players.

“It was a great moment to see the lads lift the trophy at Goodison. It was a great evening but we’re sorry we couldn’t get the result we all wanted for all the fans who came out. Their support means everything to me and the lads and I can’t thank them enough. The fans have supported us throughout the season and to have that turn-out at Goodison was terrific.”