ALBION Under-18s' outstanding FA Premier Academy League (Group C) form continued on Saturday as they thrashed fifth-placed Everton 4-1 to leapfrog them in the table.

The Baggies stormed into a 2-0 lead within 20 minutes thanks to Chris Wood's tenth goal in six games and Romaine Sawyers' strike.

The Toffees gave themselves a lifeline by pulling one back before the break and put Michael Appleton's men under pressure after the break.

But a wonder-strike by England Under-16s international George Thorne and a Lateef Elford-Alliyu finish completed the rout.

"We took the game to them from the off and didn't let them settle," said Appleton.

"Woodsy took advantage of some indecision by their keeper and centre-half and showed bravery to nip in and score.

"The second goal was as good as you'll see at any level, let alone youth level.

"We won the ball back about 20 yards inside our own half and right-back Dwayne Samuels made an 80-yard over-lapping run to pull the ball back for Romaine Sawyers to score.

"After that we got a bit sloppy and didn't take further chances because of wrong decisions in the box.

"We let them get back into the game with a good goal before half-time.

"We were still a little bit scrappy in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

"But the lads are beginning to understand games better, soaked up the pressure and were fantastic in the remainder of the game.

"We scored two great goals as George Thorne struck one from 20 yards and we made around ten passes in the build-up to the fourth goal."

The Baggies visit Stoke on Saturday (ko 11am).

ALBION (4-3-3): Allsop; Samuels, Clarke, Downing, Saeid; Thorne, Lovell, Sawyers; Lake-Gaskin, Wood (Lynch 75), Elford-Alliyu. Subs not used: Carlin (gk), Knight, Waghorn.

PIC: BY GEORGE...Thorne hit corker against Everton