David Unsworth said the young Blues' Checkatrade Trophy clash with Oldham Athletic will have provided “a great lesson” for his players after they were edged out 3-2 at Boundary Park.
A superb low drive from Nathangelo Markelo and a well-worked goal from Shayne Lavery put the Toffees 2-0 up at the break but the League Two outfit hit back in the second half.
Former Everton player Peter Clarke got the Latics’ first, before Ishmael Miller levelled things up.
Jonathan Benteke, younger brother of Crystal Palace striker Christian, then completed the turnaround late in the piece.