2016 Premier League 2: Sunday's U23 Results, Latest Rankings, Updated Fixtures

Liverpool won the Merseyside mini derby by beating local rivals Everton 2-0 at Prenton Park in Birkenhead on Sunday.Brooks Lennon and Harry Wilson scored the goals to move the Reds up to second in the Premier League 2 Division One standings, just two points shy of leaders Everton, who stay top despite their derby setback.The day began with Sunderland and Reading battling to a 1-1 draw at the Eppleton Colliery Welfare Ground.Here are the scores from Sunday's matches:Here's what those results mean for the standings:For the full standings, visit the Premier League's official site.Here are the updated fixtures: RecapLiverpool fielded a strong side, featuring centre-back Mamadou Sakho and creative midfielders Wilson and Cameron Brannagan. Meanwhile, Everton gave playing time to a host of fledglings.James Pearce of theLiverpool Echo detailed both starting lineups:Understandably for a derby, there were plenty of full-blooded challenges during heated early exchanges. One particular robust tackle caused emotions to spill over, per the Liverpool Echo's Phil Kirkbride:For all Liverpool's industry in midfield, American forward Lennon took a more direct route to open the scoring early in the second half. His powerful header gave the visitors the lead, even though Everton had created the better chances during the opening half.The junior Toffees wasted a great chance when 19-year-old forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin couldn't find the target from close range.Lennon's goal prompted Everton academy chief David Unsworth into a forward-thinking change:Liverpool were inviting pressure, ceding possession and content to sit deep. It seemed like a risky strategy, but the Reds' intent soon became clear when Wilson finished a sudden and swift break to double their lead.Another sweeping counter should have earned Liverpool a third goal, but Brannagan's terrific strike bounced off the crossbar.Earlier, George Honeyman smashed in an equaliser late in the first half to cancel out Omar Richard's opener for the visiting Royals. Ethan Robson and Swedish attacking midfielder Joel Asoro carried Sunderland's fight for a winner, with both going close inside the final 10 minutes.Midfielder Honeyman was handed a contract extension back in April and is held in high regard at the club. The 22-year-old has some brief first-team experience and did his chances of more time with the seniors no harm with this busy display.The stalemate is enough to keep the Black Cats fifth in Division One, but Reading benefited more from the point, moving above both Manchester United and Chelsea into sixth.Liverpool have done their bit to shake things up at the top. They'll now hope Southampton and Manchester City share the spoils from the battle between third and fourth on Monday, while Arsenal's trip to Manchester United highlights the next round of fixtures.
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