Fringe benefits for Everton on Charlsey’s debut

IRELAND U-21 international Harry Charlsey made his firstteam debut for Everton, but it was another youngster – Ademola Lookman – who grabbed the headlines as Everton ended a woeful Europa League campaign on a winning note in Cyprus.

A pre-arranged medical appointment meant new manager Sam Allardyce was not in Nicosia to witness the win, but he will receive a positive assessment of his fringe players and youngsters from stand-in manager Craig Shakespeare. The most glowing review will be reserved for 20-year-old Lookman, who scored two goals in seven first-half minutes, the second of which was a blistering strike from range to cap off a 26-pass move.

Nikola Vlasic added the third goal with a low finish in the closing stages.

Everton’s XI was the youngest an English club had selected for a European group-stage fixture since 2009, when Everton named an even more youthful line-up, having already secured their passage to the last 32.

Shakespeare also brought on three teenagers for their bows, including 16-year-old Anthony Gordon.

Lookman, who came through at Charlton and was making his 22nd Everton appearance, headed home the first on 22 minutes.

If that featured some good play in the build-up, it was nothing compared to the Toffees’ second goal.

Every Everton player touched the ball in the build-up, including goalkeeper Joel Robles.

Lookman could have put the game to bed in the 57th minute when he jinked into the box only to see his left-footed effort, that would have given him a perfect hat-trick, saved.