Unsworth - It was a dream script

Interim Everton manager and Under-21 side boss David Unsworth was very pleased with the performance he got on the pitch yesterday. Unsworth was named stand-in gaffer alongside Club legend Joe Royle after Roberto Martinez was sacked late last week.

Goals from James McCarthy, Leighton Baines and Kevin Mirallas, as well as a clean sheet in defence, marked an emotional but appropriate send off for goalkeeper Tim Howard who is moving to the MLS with Colorado Rapids in the offseason.

"I'm very, very proud. I was delighted the team could put that performance in and get the win. I was even more delighted that we got the clean sheet for Tim Howard.

"If there was a script and I could have written it last night, it would have been exactly what happened today. From the first minute to the last, I thought we were fantastic.

"It was a fitting ovation for Tim on the pitch at the end and the players have just done the same in the dressing room as well, which was a lovely touch.

"He's been a great servant and we all wish him well in his future."

He talked about the effort he saw on the pitch today -

"It was the perfect afternoon, all credit goes to the players, they were fantastic.

"They took on board what we've done in two days - a real plus point from them that they have done that, I thought we were brilliant from start to finish. We got the goals, a clean sheet, and worked at a tempo that was outstanding for 90 minutes.

"There are some tired bodies in there and quite rightly so, that's how you should feel and I'm just delighted for the boys and delighted for the club that we can put a smile on the faces of everybody connected with Everton on their way home tonight because it has been a difficult week."

Former Everton player Unsworth, who won the FA Cup in 1995 under Joe Royle, has been in charge of the U-21s for the last two years, and included seven Academy players in the matchday squad. Tom Davies and Kieran Dowell made their first senior starts, while Jonjoe Kenny came on for the injured Matthew Pennington to make his first senior team appearance.

"I thought the young lads were terrific. Matty Pennington started really well but unfortunately had to go off with a hamstring injury. There was no problem bringing Jonjoe Kenny on though because he's been Under-21s captain all last season - and I thought he was outstanding as well.

"Kieran Dowell showed flashes of genius and the quality that he's shown with the Under-21s all season, while Tom Davies' performance was probably worthy of Man of the Match.

"I thought Tom was everything we want from an Everton centre midfielder: all action, good on the ball, spots danger - it was a great performance."

Unsy, as he is known fondly by the fans, ended by saying that he hoped whoever Everton appoint as the full time manager over the offseason continues to utilize the talent coming through from the youth ranks.

"I've been saying for a couple of years that there's not just a couple of players in each age group; we've got an abundance of quality. We probably have seven or eight players who, in my opinion, are either ready now or will be ready in 12 months' time.

"That will be the skill of the manager: can he blend top, established players with a new generation of unbelievable talent? Tom and Kieran and Jonjoe and Matty - their pedigree is of the highest level. They've played for England all the way through the age groups. All they needed is the opportunity and they've got that today and they've certainly taken it.

"If you watched that performance, you know that Kieran, Tom, Matty and Jonjoe are here to stay, and you build a team around that."