Everton winger Theo Walcott delivered in front of Gareth Southgate in one last bid to reach the finals in Russia.
Having failed to significantly lift his performance level after joining Everton, Theo Walcott’s chances of appearing for England at the World Cup seemed to have dissipated.
But against Newcastle United on Monday night, with Gareth Southgate in attendance, the former Arsenal wide man starred.
Southgate was presumably there to watch Jonjo Shelvey and Jamaal Lascelles, while keeping an eye on Jordan Pickford and Michael Keane, but he cannot fail to have been impressed by Walcott.
The 29-year-old fared well against Newcastle in his Arsenal days and he was the standout performer at Goodison Park, netting the only goal of the game with a clinical finish.
Walcott last played for England in 2016 and a call-up still seems a long shot, but he may at least be back in the conversation.
He retains blistering pace that few others can match and has proved he can score goals at the highest level, even if his consistency is not always there.
As an impact substitute, he is cetainly an option, while his ability to play on either flank – as well as through the middle – is likely to have impressed Southgate.
Walcott’s chances remain slim and his time is running out, but he timed a match-winning performance just right to give the England boss something to think about.
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