Everton were left saluting their bright young things as they ended AZ’s unbeaten home record in Europe stretching back over 32 matches with a 3-2 win.
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 on Friday, 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.
AZ 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.
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.
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.
