Michael Ball hints in his Liverpool Echo column that Anthony Gordon will now be a relieved man after scoring for Everton as it must have been ‘so frustrating’ lacking an end product.
Gordon sealed the Toffees a shock win over Manchester United on Saturday with the only goal of the game. He struck a fortuitous effort toward David de Gea’s net after 27 minutes, with the ball taking a cruel deflection off Harry Maguire to wrongfoot the Spanish stopper.
Everton welcomed the Red Devils to Goodison Park on the back of letting a 2-1 lead slip to lose 3-2 at Burnley in midweek. The Turf Moor result left the Blues in a nervy position just one point above the Clarets and the relegation zone. But Everton now sit four points clear.
Results have proven extremely challenging for Everton to claim since hiring Frank Lampard to replace Rafa Benitez. Beating Ralf Rangnick’s Old Trafford outfit returned just their ninth points from 10 games, losing seven of their prior nine under the England and Chelsea icon.
Gordon has started nine of Lampard’s top-flight fixtures as Everton boss, plus one from the bench at West Ham United. Yet he had not scored or assisted in seven games ahead of the Red Devils meeting, with his only prior goal and assist under Lampard both against Leeds.
Everton ace Gordon must have found it ‘so frustrating’ not scoring, Ball claims
Ball believes Gordon’s lack of end product will have frustrated the Everton winger given he has been their key player. While his goal was fortuitous against Manchester United, he was a constant force trying to get the Toffees going and created a team-high two key chances.
“Gordon has been the shining light for Everton this season,” Ball said. “His ability, his work rate and his desire to help his teammates out. But also when he gets the ball to try and create opportunities, deliver set-pieces.
“He’s getting the ball deep and running at defenders, he’s getting fouls – he’s everywhere. He’s shown the willingness and desire that we’ve wanted from the majority of the other players.
“It must be so frustrating game after game, not getting a win or a goal, that after all the work that you’ve put in, you’ve got nothing to show for it.
“It shows how strong his mentality is to keep going, to keep learning and listen to the manager, as well as the senior pros around him, to add to his game.”
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