BLACKBURN Rovers’ impressive start to the Under-18s Premier League continued on Saturday when they stretched their unbeaten run to five matches with a 2-1 triumph at home to 10-man Everton.
First-half goals from top-scorer Lewis Mansell and Joe Rankin-Costello inflicted a first defeat of the season on Everton who had half-time substitute Anthony Evans sent off on the hour mark for a headbutt on Lewis Travis.
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Rovers boss Billy Barr, whose second-placed side head to Newcastle United this Saturday, said: “It wasn’t our best display as we were wasteful in possession, we kept giving the ball back to them.
“It is the first time we’ve played against 10 men and we panicked a little bit. We were trying to protect the lead rather than taking advantage of the extra player which led to a few nervy moments.
“But we’ve shown them the game to ensure that it won’t happen again.”
After their now customary fast start Rovers went in front in the ninth minute when a long throw into the box found Mansell, who evaded a couple of challenges before finding the bottom corner with a clever left-foot finish.
But they were pegged back in the 25th minute when defender Matty Platt could only divert a Callum Lees cross into his own net.
However, after Mansell missed a great chance, Rankin-Costello scored what proved to be the winner in the 38th minute with a superb chest trap and volley that dipped into the net.
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