Everton U23s head coach David Unsworth has waxed lyrical about Stanley Mills after he scored a screamer in a 3-1 Premier League Cup win over Sheffield United [Evertonfc.com].
18-year-old Mills has been a regular for the Toffees U23s in the Premier League 2 this season, often playing on the right.
However, on Thursday evening, he was deployed in a more central role against the Blades and it worked a treat.
He scored twice in an impressive comeback win at the Technique Stadium.
Everton U23s beat Sheffield United
After a 26th-minute header from Kaita Kouyate cancelled out an early goal from the hosts, Mills finished well on the stroke of half-time following a corner to put Everton 2-1 up.
His best moment was still to come, though. Four minutes into the second period, he picked up the ball just inside his own half and surged forward, before firing a powerful effort into the top right corner from around 25 yards out.
It was an impressive goal and it, as well as the teenager’s overall performance, earned praise from Unsworth after the match.
Unsworth raves about Stanley Mills
“Stan’s playing well and scoring goals and he just needs to keep going and stay fit,” he said [Evertonfc.com]. “He’s got great finishing ability and it was good for him tonight because he played inside [in midfield] in a three, which will help him.”
“For his first goal, he got in around the back, which he does really well, and his second was just a fantastic hit.
“He’s learning all the time. To play centrally was different for him and he did well. He’s a great lad and I love working with him.”
Clearly, this was just one match. However, Mills’ influential display from a central role may have Unsworth considering using him there more regularly.
He’s only netted twice in 15 PL 2 appearances so far this season, but perhaps his cup exploits will fill him full of confidence and he’ll be on the scoresheet more regularly over the second half of the season.
The U23s’ next fixture is a PL 2 clash against Crystal Palace on Monday night.
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