Anthony Gordon has described his emotions at being introduced into a cacophonous Goodison Park atmosphere in Wednesday night’s Carabao Cup quarter-final, saying it “felt like I was in heaven”.
The 18-year-old forward made his home Everton debut in the clash with Leicester City, coming on as an 84th-minute substitute with the Blues hunting a late equaliser.
Roared onto the pitch by a feverish crowd, Gordon saw Leighton Baines score a stunning stoppage-time goal to send the game to a penalty shootout.
The Academy graduate admitted losing the match on spot-kicks was gut-wrenching but revealed how experiencing such an occasion has intensified his desire to establish himself as a first-team Everton player.
“I’ve probably been thinking about that moment [playing at Goodison for Everton] since I was about five, even before that,” he said.
“As a kid, that’s what you dream of and, for it to come true, I just want more.
“Once I heard the crowd, I was getting goosebumps. It felt like I was in heaven. I just want more and more and I want to keep playing and keep getting better.
“It’s what I’ve always dreamt of, coming on in an environment like that. Obviously, in the dreams you usually score the winner, but unfortunately I couldn’t do that. Hopefully it’ll happen soon enough though.
“The crowd was the best I’ve ever been a part of.
"It was an unbelievable match. The lads showed incredible character to come back into the game against such a tough opponent but it was such a devastating way to lose.”
Gordon has been regularly training with the Everton first team this term, having been a standout performer for the Toffees’ Under-23s side.
The teenager’s sublime close control, explosive dribbling and ruthless finishing ability have consistently seen him shine for David Unsworth’s reigning Premier League 2 champions.
Gordon explained how competing alongside experienced international players on the training pitch at USM Finch Farm has served to progress his game – and helped to ensure he was not fazed by performing in front of a vociferous sold-out Goodison crowd.
“Before I came on, [Duncan Ferguson] said to me just to show a bit of magic, give the fans something to be excited about and prove myself - prove why you’re here,” Gordon added.
“I’ve been ready. I’ve been working as hard as I can in training, taking advice from the senior players and just been champing at the bit to get my opportunity.
“I think training with the first team gets you up to their speed of play. The advice they give you just settles you right into the game.”
Gordon made his senior Everton debut back in December 2017 in a 3-0 Europa League win at Cypriot side Apollon Limassol.
Having now made his Goodison bow, he insists there is no prospect of him taking his foot off the gas.
“Every day you’ve just got to come into work, train as hard as you can and just get better,” Gordon explained.
“You’ve got to set yourself some goals - mine would be to get more minutes.
“I’m confident I’ll work hard enough to do that. Then it’s to push into the team and become a more consistent player in the [matchday] squad.”
