ALKMAAR - Everton were left saluting their bright young things as they ended AZ Alkmaar's unbeaten home record in Europe stretching back over 32 matches.
James Vaughan, 19, stepped off the bench to score the winner in the 80th minute after being set up by Victor Anichebe.
It means Everton finished the group stages of the UEFA Cup with a 100% record after four games.
No-one will fancy facing them in the last 32 when the draw is made in Nyon tomorrow, given the form the Goodison side are in.
Even though manager David Moyes decided to leave a number of senior players at home, they managed to extend their unbeaten run to 13 games in all competitions.
Everton got off to a perfect start and took the lead after just 63 seconds in Holland.
Andrew Johnson shook off the attentions of David Mendes da Silva to score at the near post.
It was the striker's fourth goal of the season - he was also on target in the victory against West Ham at the weekend.
AZ hit back in the 12th minute when Demmy de Zeuw strode forward - but his effort cleared the bar.
However, they equalised in the 17th minute with a swift counter-attack when Graziano Pelle clipped a shot into the corner after good work by Simon Cziommer.
AZ were looking dangerous on the break and Ruud Vormer sent his effort narrowly over the bar in the 32nd minute after being released by Moussa Dembele.
Everton then won a free-kick in the 39th minute when Steven Pienaar was bundled over by Gretar Steinsson.
James McFadden tried to squeeze his effort inside goalkeeper Boy Waterman's near post but only succeeded in sending it wide of the target.
Everton regained the lead two minutes before half-time when Phil Jagielka headed home after Steinsson had cleared Joleon Lescott's shot off the line.
It was the defender's first goal for the club after his £4.5million move from Sheffield United in the summer.
Jagielka wheeled away in delight and was immediately mobbed by his Everton team-mates.
Moyes' men almost added a third goal in the 51st minute when Lee Carsley got on the end of McFadden's corner, only to send his header narrowly over the top.
Waterman then fumbled the ball into Johnson's path in the six-yard box but the striker was crowded out as he shaped to shoot.
Everton kept up the pressure and Pienaar saw his effort on the hour blocked by Waterman.
AZ, however, drew level for the second time in the 66th minute when Kew Jaliens was left unmarked when substitute Julian Jenner swung in a corner - and the skipper beat Stefan Wessels at the far post.
But Everton regained the lead and made sure of four wins from four in group A for the third time in the 80th minute when Vaughan showed a cool head to send his effort into the corner after being set up by Anichebe.
A minute later 16-year-old defender Jack Rodwell made his debut, coming on for Thomas Gravesen.
AZ should have drawn level in the 85th minute but substitute Kemmy Agustien dragged his effort wide from a good position and Everton saw the game out for a superb victory.
