The Toffees midfielder helped put title-chasing Manchester City to the sword 4-0 on Sunday, at Goodison Park.
When Mark Clattenburg blew the opening whistle at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon, few could have expected such an eyebrow-raising final scoreline on Merseyside.
As Everton crushed Manchester City 4-0 to inflict Pep Guardiola’s heaviest defeat during his managerial career, the Toffees to-a-man proved their credentials as one of the toughest away trips in the Premier League.
Everton’s Tom Davies scores their third goal
It was the efforts of one man however who shone and following a third impressive league showing in a row, Tom Davies has become the talk of the city.
At just 18 years old, Davies came on as a substitute away to Hull City on the penultimate day of 2016. To the untrained eye, the chorus of ‘whose this guy?’ went up across the land.
Indeed after coming on, making somewhat of a rash challenge on Tigers man Robert Snodgrass within nine minutes of his appearance debut, few could have expected the calm and assuredness of the teen’s remaining 20 minutes on show that evening.
Everton’s Tom Davies in action
Having made just four other cameos this term, The booking Davies received at the KC Stadium seemed a watershed moment. At least, it could be.
Starting against both Southampton last weekend and against Guardiola’s men on Sunday, Tom Davies has played every minute in the heart of the Everton midfield – with stalwart Gareth Barry even making way before full time.
Not conceded a goal on his watch in 180 minutes, the teen notched an assist versus the Saints, before capping off an impressive display versus the Citizens with a finely crafted goal – cutting in from the right deftly, before chipping Claudio Bravo with aplomb.
His showing has come at a pivotal time for Everton with Idrissa Gueye on African Cup of Nations duty. Now however, Davies has Toffees fans wondering what could be become of the born and bred Evertonian.
Everton’s Tom Davies celebrates scoring their third goal with fans
His numbers against Manchester City may not indicate a clear presence in any particular area, but are nevertheless crucial elements for a Ronald Koeman side who mere weeks ago, were struggling for wins.
Despite his relative youth, Tom Davies is not a man to be bullied off the ball. As per Whoscored, the midfielder was the most fouled played against City.
Davies has clearly learnt from teammate Barry and his eye for long-ball distribution in the middle of the park is not wavering either, making four long balls passes on Sunday – just one shy of both Barry and the improving Ross Barkley.
Curiously it is on the subject of Everton’s former golden boy that Tom Davies could learn much going forward.
Everton’s Ross Barkley
It was just a few years ago that Barkley was touted as a Paul Gascoigne-esque figure of hope for club and country, only for the huge wave of expectation to dampen the former teen prodigy.
Tom Davies will now come under the same category. Happily for his chances of rising to the top, there will be less pressure in a more defensive role.
Nevertheless, Everton fans now have a new star to pin their hopes to. With names likes Gary Speed, Paul Rideout, Steve Watson and the ever-present Barry being touted in his direction, Davies could yet go far on Merseyside.
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