Gordon's brace gets his Young Lions career off to a fine start

That should do his confidence the world of good and hopefully keeps him ahead of Iwobi at Everton

Coleman was superb for Ireland tonight, hardly gave Ronaldo a sniff playing in a 3-man defence.

Reminds me a bit of both McNeill, and Harvey Barnes and I think he can emulate their success in their respective first teams.

Really look forward to when he gets his first Everton goal.

Hopefully the first of a wave of young players to enter from the academy.

He probably still won't make it, because that is how Premier League standards are, but he has enough about him to have a shot at it. I hope Rafa gives him a decent run so we at least find out.

At the very least, he has a bigger potential upside than some of the alternatives which is why he deserves his chance.

One key to a young player's ultimate ceiling is how quickly and consistently he "steps up", and Gordon seems to be passing that test. I see more of a Premier League player in him than I ever did in Kieran Dowell for example.

It would be a refreshing change if we didn't write him off prematurely. I think he has the makings of being a good player.

I know squads are bigger and the game has changed but seriously if players like Jonjoe Kenny and Tom Davies haven't nailed down a blue shirt in the 1st team by now it isn't going to happen. We need to start looking at Branthwaite, Gordon, Simms starting soon, otherwise they'll end up like a Dowell, or Baningime. These kids need to sink or swim.

And Brands should be looking to bring in the next versions of Saka, Loftus-Cheek, Smith-Rowe, Bellingham. It's the only way we'll ever challenge again. No more Walcott, Iwobi, Rondon type signings. No-one will come to Everton because you won't get game time and our future will be the same as the past 5 years. Give the kids a run.

Whisper it quietly but maybe this lad has appeared so far to have a sensible head on his shoulders, something of a rarity in today's younger footballers.

He needs strongly advising now by good people at the club that the hard work has only just begun and he needs total dedication to his profession.

I've liked what I've seen of him this season and would agree with Mark Taylor and Mike Gaynes. He's coming through and doing well, so hopefully in time he can establish himself more consistently and regularly. I'm normally one for wanting players, especially wide ones, to play on their natural side, but I've seen enough of Gordon to see either side doesn't phase him.

The pace thing doesn't concern me either. He's no Usain Bolt, but what he does have is good feet and a quick change of pace. That is often more decisive in beating a defender than trying to win an out-and-out sprint with them in my view.

I think I know what you're saying Andy, but that's not the only way we will challenge. All the top teams are packed with signings from elsewhere and complimented by a few home grown players. I agree on the players you call out, but we just need to get our transfer strategy better as well as improving the output of the academy. But realistically, based on history, most clubs can only expect ones and twos to become first team regulars. Even more difficult these days where it's very much a squad game.

I hope the manager "manages" him accordingly. And as frustrating as that will be for some, it's going to mean him being rested for periods as he continues to develop. But hopefully, he can make that decision more difficult for the manager and be rested less frequently.

Anyway, finishing on a positive, really pleased for the young man, just bottle it up and bring it back for next week.

Had we had both Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison fit and firing, we might have been talking about Gordon having 5 or 6 goal assists already this season. As it is, we have been largely toothless in the centre-forward position in Calvert-Lewin's absence.

Later in the game, he drove into the box took the full back on then dragged the ball back leaving the full-back on his back but the keeper made a save, but in all honesty, Anthony will be disappointed not having scored a hat-trick on his debut.

Anthony isn't yet the finished article but he is improving game on game and we all hope he keeps on progressing the way he is. I think most of us are always pleased to see a local boy come through the ranks.

The game was different 40 years ago, many young players were thrown in the deep end then. These days, you have many established players that are big and physical, they would knock 17- to 20-year-olds over like skittles.

I don't think Gordon has improved his skills since we first saw him, he has always had them but you are correct he has improved, considerably, his physical development, confidence and more importantly his work rate, which has only come since Benitez took over.

In the past Anthony, like Dowell, could sparkle and get you off your seat, then go missing in the same game for long periods, his ability was never in doubt but other elements of his game made you wonder if he could reach the top.

Now he looks much better and I believe he continue to improve the more he plays, he now wants the ball more and goes looking for it, he was even shouting instructions to his team mates last night, although he looked spent in the last 10 minutes.

I think if he continues to listen to Benitez, he will learn more and could save Everton a lot of money in the future, I used to say to young lads I sent down to Notts Forest, the most important thing to use, in coaching sessions, are your ears, use them and you will learn.

He's not had many appearances, I think Preston included it's something like 32 outings all in all?

Hopefully before this season is finished he's got at least three or four goals to his name.

I am hoping for the same, preferably starting with all three or four on 1st December around 8:15 pm.

Personally I'd like to see him get more game time in rotation with Richarlison and Gray. He certainly brings a different dimension to our play.

He will learn a lot from Rafa but needs the boo boys to stay off his back when he goes through a bad patch. They have all but ruined Tom and a weaker personality than Dom has would have gone the same way.

Let's get behind Anthony and enjoy his progress.

He is a little bit more robust, but can still be too easily nudged off the ball at times. To counter that, what we are seeing more effectively from him this season is him doing the dirty work of helping to defend and getting back and winning the ball.

As for his pace, in cricketing terms he is what can be classified as fast-medium. He doesn't have 'Whoosh!' pace, but he does have that quick short burst of pace that can – and does – carry him beyond his defender which opens up opportunities for both himself and his colleagues.

What he also has as a very useful asset is good control at pace. He can also pick out a pass into and around a crowded penalty area. Increasingly we are seeing him play some smart 1-2s on the edge of the opposition's penalty area which pulls players out of position, unable to pick up runners. He has also played in some lovely deliveries from the flanks that have resulted in goals and near goals.

With a smidgen of luck, he could have scored one or two goals by now. On some chances he has snatched at shots rather than compose himself to ensure it hits the target.

Developing nicely, is Anthony.

The likes of Foden are few and far between and, yes, it would be nice to see Gordon hit the top, Everton's failing as a team just now doesn't help his progress.

Everything is a mess at the moment and, until Rafa sorts it out (if he ever does), I cannot see young hopefuls like Gordon getting a proper run out.

This season Gordon has matured physically through hard graft in the gym and in training, to me looks mentally stronger and more determined. It’s all coming together.

I’ll echo what Dave says above, get behind him support him through thick and thin and above all enjoy his progress.

Given he's not fully developed yet, thoughts on him also being used in the number 10 role? In the middle of the 3 with Richarlison and Gray / Townsend either side?

I'm not making direct comparisons, but it's just that a former player of ours, who didn't necessarily have blistering pace done this. As well as holding legendary status (in my head!) as a wide left midfielder, he also done a very good job in what we would now call the number 10 role for a period and on occasions.

Don't worry, I'm not getting carried away and about to proclaim the next coming of Kevin Sheedy!!!! I wish. Then again, I might resent them for not being Kevin Sheedy!!!

Just a thought.

Dave Abrahams, I like that (the ear thing). In a similar way, when I brief on management and leadership, I like the analogy that we were born with 2 ears and 1 mouth. So theoretically, we should listen twice as much as we speak.

I've got to agree. Whilst the game is different, it's the only chance we have of getting to the top. I can't believe Kenny, Davies, Branthwaite are worse than we have and surely only potential to get better. Calvert-Lewin confounded most his critics – but they have to play.

The knock-on effect is that young players of potential will be desperate to join Everton as you get a chance.

This should be the model and clear direction – but this must come from the top. Maybe needs must will dictate this given the dire straits financially we are in – seriously we must be the most mis-managed club in the Premier League.

I honestly don't know about the possibility of Gordon playing in a Number 10 role. For the moment, he's learning about playing wide at Premier League level so maybe best for now to give him time at that.

I have to agree, it's a bit premature to be thinking about playing Gordon in the Number 10 role, when he has yet to establish himself in the side. That's not a criticism of what Danny was suggesting – just a bit too early in his development at the moment.

Regarding the Number 10 role, I think Demarai Gray is tailor-made for that role-playing just behind Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin.

But I think it looks like Benitez wants 2 midfield players supported by 2 wide players playing behind Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison. My dislike of that system is when the middle 2 are Allan and Doucouré and 1 of them go and join the attack, it leaves a massive hole in midfield.

Now that Delph is back fit I would like him to play Delph in between Doucouré and Allan, then when either go forward you still have cover, and I would play Gray just behind Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison.

I think one of his weaknesses, is similar to Iwobi, he's not very good when facing his own goal and can sometimes hit a poor pass which puts his defence in trouble. Given his age and lack of experience, he had a good game last night, the trick for him is to find the consistency of performance, Carsley will be a good manager for him in that respect, and he's certainly worth a place in the Everton squad, if not quite ready to be an automatic choice in the starting line-up.

Peter, I don't yet know enough about Branthwaite other than a lot of people are talking about him. I think Davies has developed into a very decent squad player over the past 2 seasons for where we are now, although I'm beginning to think Benitez doesn't rate him as much as the previous managers. Many (myself included) still drool at Rodriguez's pass to Richarlison in last season's derby. But Tom's swivel on the edge of our box, carry forward, look up and early ball into the path of Richarlison that led to the penalty was one example of what he can do on his day.

As for Kenny, I'll have to disagree with you having watched him quite closely and really wanting him to succeed. But for me, he's not better than a stand-in Holgate or an out-of-position Ben Godfrey or a twilight Seamus Coleman. Unfortunately, as much as we want these kids to succeed, and to do so at Everton, it's not the case in most cases.

This all goes back to what standard the academy is producing. There's a circular debate. If we don't play them, we don't know if they're good enough versus if they're not good enough, managers won't risk them.

So far, and to me, it looks as though Gordon has been managed well. And to be fair, it looks as though Benitez has seen something he likes, because he just seems to have stepped up this season. Although I imagine a lot of what we're seeing now was happening last season to develop his all-round game, mentality and physicality. These things never happen over night. Ready-made players like 16-year-old Rooney are a serious rarity. Alex Ferguson's "Class of 92" are freaks of nature.

But I agree with the sentiment of improving the standard of output from the academy. It's just not the sole answer in my view.

Gordon could be similar. He won't set the world alight every match, but that's part of his development. But if we're patient and supportive, while giving the correct training and discipline, he could really step up and be a top top player.

When Calvert-Lewin was 20, he was written off as Championship fodder. But hard work and persistence has made him an indispensable player and England international. So things look good for young Anthony.

Hopefully he''ll serve as an example to Onyango, Dobbin, Simms, Cannon and Co. And also his performance can give confidence to management in giving young lads a chance.

In a squad that is desperately short of goalscorers, he will be an asset in the near future.

Of course I hope you're right that Gordon makes it. There is probably not a lot between our judgements. I think he has a real chance but, on the balance of probability, won't... but it's not that far to your position, just the other side of the centre line.

For sure he has a better chance than Dowell, who never struck me as likely to make it. My comment here is really a reflection of just how hard it is to crack the Premier League, bearing in mind that even Dowell is ultra-talented in absolute terms.

The important thing for me is that he's given a chance. He's plenty good enough to deserve that right now and it is pretty clear he has much more possible upside than an Iwobi or even a Townsend.

It's perhaps true he tended to be a bit peripheral in his early days but he does seem to be getting more involved and paying more attention to defensive duties.

We all know that Carlo made more kids disappear than the Pied Piper, but I was at a total loss as to why he sent this boy out. Especially when we were nosediving down the table.

Anyway, seemingly no harm done. He has made 5 appearances under Rafa and worra ya know. The potential we had all witnessed in the first place is once again on display in a blue (and white) shirt.

Joins Calvert-Lewin and Davies in the first-team squad and will oust an expensive signing from Arsenal in the not too distant... Dobbin and Simms surely to follow

Well in, Rhino lad. Keep 'em coming!

Lee Carsley - future Everton manager?

On this segment from The Athletic, it talks about his pace. I would like to see more of that:

In the absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin through injury, only Ben Godfrey is consistently quicker in training ground sprint drills.

“My playing style is really quick and explosive,” Gordon said in a virtual media session on Monday. “The manager (Benitez) was completely right. I've been working on it for a while and working hard in training to keep on improving."

I see Antony Evans is back in the UK playing for Bristol Rovers. Surely he’s too good for that league? Had some promising cameos in the Bundesliga. Shame it never worked out for him. Scored the winner again today. 3 goals and 5 assists already.

“He always had potential, but he wasn’t always a high-flyer.

"He went through what a lot of the young boys do, when they have growth spurts and start growing into their body.

"That can affect you and sometimes you can lose a little bit of confidence. That’s something Anthony never lost.

"He always had belief in his own ability. We always felt, once he matured physically, we would have a player on our hands. He’s done that now.

"I believe he is one of the quickest at the club over 10 and 30 metres, so physically he’s got all the attributes.

"And I always felt he had that Premier League quality in terms of his in-possession work – he can go past players and he can finish. He always stood out in that regard."

Gordon had a difficult loan spell at Preston North end last season but look at the spin Tait puts on it:

"Sometimes you need to go through those things to build that resilience as a young player.

"Every loan is a good loan. Even if you don’t play a lot for whatever reason, that’s where you build that resilience.

"I think that’s given him that extra bit of fight and hunger to maybe prove a few people wrong and say, ‘Look, I am a good player and I deserve to play in the Premier League’."

I don't buy that, 'Every loan is a good loan.' Very self-serving that these guys can do no wrong in their decisions for the young players when it's obvious that some loans have not been at all successful.