Everton 3 Leeds 0: Five ways Toffees lifted the Goodison gloom

Anthony Gordon is fast becoming Everton’s iconic wonderkid

4. Gordon is now impossible to drop

It is now becoming a regular ritual around Goodison Park, Anthony Gordon’s number comes up on the subs board, the home crowd rise as one and chant his name.

Once again against Leeds on Saturday Gordon had that happen to him, and quite rightly to. His performance again was outstanding, energetic, willing to do anything, chasing any Leeds player with the ball and linking up positively with all around him.

A goal, somewhat fortuitously, and an assist also meant Gordon is now getting end product to his full on and intense displays. Earlier in the season he was keen and producing good performances but with a lack of end result. As Everton’s predicament has got worse over the last few months Gordon has been the teams most consistent player.

Even taking on the task as the main set piece taker shows how important Lampard and his staff believe Gordon is to Everton now. The delivery for Keane’s goal was superb, low flight, out-swinging and dialled in straight to where three Everton attackers were.

Gordon should have scored in the first minute when running through and being found brilliantly by Calvert-Lewin, but delayed and Ayling just got back. He was everywhere though and had Everton’s first shot on target from distance minutes later.

For the first Everton goal Gordon was instrumental in the build up by playing a pin point ball through the defence for Van De Beek to cross to Calvert-Lewin, which then spun up off the defender for Coleman to nod home.

Gordon was everywhere and capped his display with a goal, clipping off his heel after Richarlison had burst with the ball to the edge of the area and produced a good left foot shot.

Soon after that ritual happened again, and then the cameras caught Gordon smiling widely on the bench as news that the third goal was his. No one could begrudge him that either. Even esteemed football journalist Henry Winter found himself getting involved:

Certainly Lampard has increased the effectiveness of Gordon’s play already, but I think you have to give the player so much credit too as during difficult circumstances he has established himself in the first team.

Gray might be back next week, Alli is on the bench, but there is no question if Gordon is available he simply has to start every game at the moment.