Young Toffees put Preston to the sword

Preston North End 0-3 Everton
The FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON
Fifth Round Proper
7pm, Thursday 4 February 2010
Deepdale, Preston North End FC
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Everton booked their place in The FA Youth Cup sponsored by E.ON Sixth Round with a comfortable 3-0 win over Preston at Deepdale.

Neil Dewsnip named a strong Everton side with six players having sampled first-team action and their experience clearly told as they cruised their way to victory.

Goals from Shkodran Mustafi, Shane Duffy and Ross Barkley rounded off an impressive display and ensured the Toffees reached the last eight for the first time since 2002.

Everton opened the scoring on the half hour mark when a free-kick fell to Duffy who headed the ball towards goal and Mustafi deflected the ball past the Preston keeper.

The Merseyside club grabbed a second on 68 minutes after Hallum Hope was brought down inside the box. Duffy made no mistake striking the spot kick past Preston keeper Dominic Comrie.

Everton put the game beyond Preston when they added a third on 76 minutes when Barkley fired home from close-range and they will now face Blackburn in the quarter-final stage.