Sean Neave broke the deadlock for the hosts after collecting Thomas Bryant’s pass before turning inside the box and firing home before the pair combined again within the opening minute of the restart, with the former forcing the ball home at the near post.

Newcastle added a third in the 50th minute as Guy Bloomer drilled a close-range effort into the net from another pass by Bryant before Johnny Emerson, a representative of Scotland at under-18 level, added gloss to the scoreline in the closing stages, with the Carlisle-born winger converting from the penalty spot after Rory Powell was fouled inside the box.

United’s hopes of a clean sheet were dashed in stoppage-time following Lucas Davis’ header and Charlie Stewart’s strike but the two goals would only prove mere consolations for the Toffees’ teenagers as Graeme Carrick’s side got their 2023/24 league campaign off to a victorious start.

Newcastle United Under-18s: Adam Harrison, Rory Powell, Thomas Bryant, Anthony Munda, Carter Milmore, (Henry Johnson 89), Logan Watts, Guy Bloomer (Jude Cogdon 76), Alex O’Donovan (Jake Durrant 89), Sean Neave, Johnny Emerson, Matheos Ferreira (Matthew Taylor 60).

Subs not used: Aidan Harris.