Paul Tait was relieved after Everton Under-18s edged through to the fifth round of the FA Youth Cup with a 3-1 win on penalties at Stoke City.
Keeper Harry Tyrer was the young Blues’ hero at the bet365 Stadium, superbly saving three spot-kicks in the shootout after Everton had surrendered an early two-goal lead to draw 2-2 as Stoke levelled in the 93rd minute.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better start but then when we got to 2-0 up we panicked,” said Everton Under-18s manager Tait. “They came at us and pressed us and we stopped playing football.