IN a game of three penalties, Everton under-18s had to settle for a point in a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Netherton on Saturday. Paul Hopkins scored for the seventh successive FA Premier Academy League match from the spot. But after Liverpool had scored from a spot-kick themselves to level the match, Hopkins missed a chance to give Neil Dewsnip's side all three points from another penalty. Everton also had goal-keeper Sean Lake stretch-ered off. He had to have stitches in a stud wound in his thigh and he is struggling to be fit for this Saturday's match at Manchester City. Dewsnip's side took the lead in the 11th minute when Hopkins smashed the ball home for his 10th goal of the season after a penalty was given for a hand-ball by Liverpool defender Danny Smith. But the visitors came back and drew level just before half-time as the referee pointed to the spot once more. Everton felt aggrieved about the award because although captain Mark Hughes did foul Paul Barrett, the offence appeared to occur outside the box. On the hour 17-year-old goalkeeper Lake was injured in a challenge with Liverpool striker Karl Noon and was forced off on a stretcher. In his absence under-15s goalkeeper Michael Jensen made his U18s debut and managed to keep a clean sheet for the final 30 minutes. Everton had a glorious chance to win the match but Hopkins missed from the penalty spot after 65 minutes. Dewsnip was a little frustrated with Everton's disjointed performance. He said: "It was a good game and we started well with the early goal but then we stopped playing. "I was not pleased with the first-half performance as it was probably the most disappointing 45 minutes of the whole season. "But credit to Liverpool. Though they didn't threaten our goal too much, they did okay. In the second half after a little bit of a chat, we came out and did a lot better. We pretty much dominated the second half. Liverpool did have the odd chance but that's all." EVERTON UNDER-18s: Lake (Jensen 60); Wright, Holt, Hughes, Boyle; Fowler, Vidarsson, Kearney (Wilson 80), Seargeant; Hopkins, Anichebe (Vaughan 80). Subs: Martland, Davidson. | 
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