The pressure was on for Everton's U23s in a number of ways on Wednesday night.
Not only were they chasing another trophy to end their campaign in fantastic fashion, but there were a number of big names at the club to try and impress at Goodison Park.
Farhad Moshiri , Bill Kenwright , Denise Barrett-Baxendale, Marcel Brands and Marco Silva The unseen moments at Goodison Park which show Everton are finally a united front to watch David Unsworth's side take on Newcastle United in the final of the Premier League Cup - along with a few thousand supports in the Upper Bullens brimming with anticipation.
It was a chance for every youngster to impress, but one in particular proved he is ready for the next step after helping his side to a 1-0 win.
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Antony Evans was perhaps a surprise inclusion in the young Blues side on Wednesday - having spent the second half of this campaign on loan with Blackpool.
After making 12 appearances in League One, nine of those from the start, the forward returned to his parent club and made it very clear to his manager that he wanted to be involved as Everton's U23s chased a potential double.
Unsworth told the ECHO following the game: "He came back from his loan and came straight back into training and asked could he be involved.
"Nathan Broadhead got a little knock and Anthony Gordon’s got a knock. He slotted into that left-side midfield role really well.
"He hadn’t played a lot of 90 minutes so fatigue at the end I had to bring him off. He was terrific."
The manager wasn't wrong.
Evans looked fast, energetic and sharp for the majority of his time on the pitch - certainly seeming like he had earned a lot from his loan spell in League One.
His link-up play with Brendan Galloway was crucial for Unsworth's side throughout the match, but especially towards the end of the first half as the young Blues really threatened to take the lead.
The 20-year-old's eye for a pass, however, was the big thing that stood out about his game - as he was able to feed particularly Josh Bowler on the opposite flank with a number of opportunities.
And, of course, it was Evans' second-half free kick which eventually proved to be the turning point, finding Morgan Feeney unmarked in the box to power home and earn Everton a 1-0 win in the final.
So, it now begs the question of what comes next for the youngster.
This was an impressive return to the U23s, but Unsworth doesn't want to be working with Evans again next term.
"I hope not. I hope he’s in somebody's first-team. Hopefully ours, if not someone else’s on loan," the manager told the ECHO.
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"He’s done his time now in the under-23s and he’s done me proud. I love him. He’s technically outstanding and I hope he has a really great career."
With the likes of Brands and Silva watching on, the chance was certainly there for Evans to potentially make a lasting impact.
Unsworth knows he's ready for the next step - but it will be intriguing to see whether that comes at Everton or not.
