Joao Virginia came to Everton’s rescue during their 0-0 draw with Tottenham’s U23 side, with Spurs coach Wayne Burnett left rueing a “fantastic” performance by the Portuguese goalkeeper while talking to the club’s official website.
If the Toffees were worried a miserable loan spell at Reading would destroy the confidence of their highly rated shot-stopper, they needn’t have worried.
The 21-year-old is rebuilding his reputation at Finch Farm with a man of the match performance against Tottenham offering a reminder of Virginia’s vast potential.
The one-time Arsenal youngster, who made his Everton debut in September’s EFL Cup clash with Salford City, was unbeatable at Southport’s Pure Stadium.
“I thought we played well and had some really good spells in the game,” Burnett said.
“Certainly in the first half we had some really good chances and their goalkeeper produced two fantastic saves – one from Brooklyn, one from Elliot.
“It’s always difficult here against a tough Everton team but we feel a little disappointed tonight that we haven’t come away with all three points.”
The always upbeat David Unsworth agreed with Burnett’s assessment, telling the Echo that Everton would have come away with nothing if it hadn’t been for a virtuoso performance from Virginia.
“Joao kept us in the game tonight,” the Everton U23 boss said. “He’s a top-class young goalkeeper, as he’s shown tonight.”
While Jordan Pickford’s increasingly erratic displays may have given Virginia hope of a Premier League chance in the near future, the deadline-day loan signing of Sweden international Robin Olsen appears to have pushed the youngster further down Carlo Ancelotti’s pecking order.
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