Barkley praises Everton youngsters as momentum grows

Everton midfielder Ross Barkley has praised the impact the club’s youngsters have made this season, as Ronald Koeman’s side aim for a top-six finish in the Premier League.

Eighteen-year-old Tom Davies opened the scoring after 30 seconds in the Toffees’ 4-2 victory over Leicester City on Sunday, which also saw fellow academy graduates Mason Holgate and Matthew Pennington feature.

Players purchased, such as Ademola Lookman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin, have also demonstrated that the future looks bright at Goodison Park, – with the Everton of the present finishing their campaign strongly.

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Their win over the Foxes was their seventh in a row at home and after Arsenal’s defeat at Crystal Palace on Monday, they are now behind the sixth-placed Gunners only on goal difference.

Barkley said: “They have been a breath of fresh air joining in with the lads. Early on in the season they were joining in training and they have gained confidence from being around us on a day-to-day basis.

“I know exactly what it’s like from being in that position. When you are younger you don’t have any fear and you just want to enjoy your football, exactly like you do with the Under-23s or youth teams.

“You just follow that through and learn from playing games, which they are doing in a short space of time. You can see the progression they have made since their debuts.

“Our main aim is to get in the top six – it is going to be difficult but nothing is impossible.”