Everton youngster Tom Cannon must be utilised by Frank Lampard after stunning freekick
Tom Cannon continued to bang down the door to the Everton first-team with a spectacular freekick for the Under-21s on Friday evening (6 January).
The Blues fell to a 2-1 defeat to West Ham, but the major talking point was Cannon’s moment of magic in the 80th minute, further reaffirming his quality to Frank Lampard and the Toffees hierarchy.
Stepping up to a freekick from 20 yards out and on the left-hand edge of the area, the Liverpool-born attacker unleashed a scorching strike which sailed into the top left corner of the Hammers’ net.
In reply to the 20-year-old’s video of the goal, Liverpool Echo journalist Joe Thomas was left questioning just how far the striker can move through the Everton ranks throughout the second half of the season.
He said: “Tom Cannon, picking up where he left off for the U21s pre-Christmas. Looking forward to watching his development these next few months.”
The baffling question now is, how hasn’t Cannon had the opportunity to ply his trade for the Everton first-team, considering the goal drought they are experiencing this season?
Their attacking deficiencies have been so great that the Merseyside club decided to recall Ellis Simms from his fruitful loan spell at Sunderland, but continued to leave the Under-21s top scorer with the academy team.
After netting seven goals in 11 Premier League 2 appearances and five goals in five EFL Trophy games, Cannon simply can’t stop scoring right now.
The striker’s fearlessness would be extremely useful for Lampard right now, and in a team devoid of confidence, his potency in front of goal could help turn the first-team’s fortunes around.
His freekick scored on Friday is the sign of a player brimming with belief, and it was a huge surprise to see him left out of the FA Cup third-round tie against Manchester United on the same evening.
Neal Maupay, Dominic Calvert Lewin and Simms were all preferred to Cannon that night, but it can only be a matter of time before he starts to climb up this pecking order.