TOO SOON FOR TOSUN

But Cenk now ready to shine says Sam

SAM ALLARDYCE says £27million striker Cenk Tosun is not an emblem of Everton’s failure but a top-class goalscorer who will show his worth next season.

The Turkey international arrived amid much fanfare in January when he became the club’s third-most-expensive signing of all time.

But he disappeared without trace, lasting just an hour of his disastrous debut at Spurs, where the Blues were thrashed 4-0, before being dumped on the bench for six weeks as he struggled to adapt.

The former Besiktas forward finally made a third start for his new club at Burnley last week and, though Everton were booed off at the end of another defeat, Tosun played well and grabbed his first Everton goal.

Boss Allardyce, asked if the Turk has suffered because he’s a symbol of what has gone wrong at Everton since the turn of the year, said: “We can’t put that pressure on him – there is too much on him at the minute. He is a striker who has the knack of getting on the end of things. At Burnley he found a lot of space in a crowded area to get the header on target.”

Allardyce (right) has always argued that the striker needs time to adapt to the Premier

League and won’t be a true force until next season.

But the goal at

Turf Moor was enough to convince the manager there is more to come this season and Tosun will again start against Brighton today in a contest Allardyce says is vital to his chances of remaining Everton boss.

“The lads have to know that when we get into wide areas, if we produce quality balls then he will get on the end of them,” he added.

“The players are realising that if we put quality balls into the box for him. then he can finish, as long as he focuses on his game and concentrates on what he is good at.”

Tosun’s first goal for the Blues was completely overlooked because of the calamitous defeat at Burnley, and Allardyce believes that is a shame for a player who can still prove a big hit with the Everton fans.

“It’s a pity because he got the goal we were looking for him to get – and it got us in front – but we didn’t get the result.

“It was a performance that shows he is getting better, which we are pleased about.

“It was a very good header from him and hopefully he will continue to improve.”

Everton have Leighton Baines and Phil Jagielka back for the visit of Brighton, but Ashley Williams is suspended.

TURF LUCK Cenk scores his first Everton goal in the 2-1 defeat at Burnley