Leon Osman has told talkSPORT that he finds it ‘incredible’ that Anthony Gordon has often been the one Everton star showing he has the character to pull the club clear of relegation.
The Toffees’ troubles continued on Wednesday night with a devastating defeat at Burnley. Frank Lampard’s side had come from behind to lead at Turf Moor. Yet errors from Jordan Pickford and Ben Godfrey gifted the Clarets their late avenue to win a possible six-pointer.
Burnley now sit just a point behind Everton after claiming only their fourth Premier League win this season. Sean Dyche’s 18th-place side also have the superior goal difference to the Toffees in 17th. An aspect Lampard will strive to overturn over the Blues’ final nine games.
Gordon has featured in 26 and started 17 of Everton’s 29 top-flight games so far this term. He also boasts three goals and two assists, but has not influenced the scoring in any of his last seven. Yet his efforts did set the example for the Toffees to follow away at Turf Moor.
Leon Osman finds it ‘incredible’ Anthony Gordon is the one carrying Everton
Everton hero Osman finds it astonishing Gordon is the one taking ownership of leading the Blues’ survival bid. The 21-year-old had only played 14 Premier League games entering the current campaign. He also only had one assist and had not scored before December 2021.
“You’re already falling behind in games, then you’re wondering who’s got the character to get on the ball and try and make things happen,” Osman said.
“For the majority of this season, that’s fallen on the shoulders of young Anthony Gordon, which is incredible to say for a guy who’s just broken into the team.
“Really young in age, really young in [his] career. [Yet he has] carried the fight of such a huge club of such history of characters.”
Lampard has far more experienced stars to call on to avoid the Toffees dropping out of the division. Of those who started at Burnley, Pickford, Mason Holgate, Abdoulaye Doucoure, Alex Iwobi, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison have all played 100+ top-flight matches.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
