Andros Townsend says Salomon Rondon got his just reward for “fighting for every ball and giving his all every day” after the striker scored his first Everton goals in Thursday night’s 2-0 FA Cup victory over Boreham Wood.
The Venezuelan clinically slotted home the Blues’ opener 13 minutes after half-time before heading in Townsend’s cross late in the piece to seal Everton’s place in the quarter-finals.
The Toffees will face Townsend's former club, Crystal Palace, in the last eight at Selhurst Park, with the tie to be played on the weekend on 19/20 March.
Townsend hailed Rondon’s spirit, determination and work-ethic – and believes his brace can provide a springboard for the 32-year-old to enjoy a strong finish to the season.
“Anyone who has played with Salomon for six months and trained with him on a daily basis knows he always gives his all,” Townsend explained.
“He fights for every ball, and he’s been a credit to himself.
“Maybe he’s not had the credit on the outside, but we fully appreciate him and we know, when he plays, we have got a good outlet – and he proved that tonight.
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“Whenever he gets the opportunity again, hopefully he can keep slotting them away.”
Prior to Thursday’s tie, National League Boreham Wood had not conceded in their FA Cup run and proved stubborn opposition at Goodison Park.
After a frustrating first half, Everton upped the ante after the break and Rondon’s opener came after a spell of sustained Toffees pressure.
The striker’s second goal came after Anthony Gordon and Richarlison forced superb saves from Boreham Wood goalkeeper Taye Ashby-Hammond, while the Brazilian also saw a strike ruled out by the VAR for handball.
Everton finished the game having had 23 shots to the away side’s one.
Townsend added: “Some people might have been expecting it to be four or five-nil but, having watched their game in the previous round, we knew we had to be at our best if we wanted to break them down.
“Nowadays, every team is fit, every team can run and they are tactically aware.
“It took us to 50 or 60 minutes to get the breakthrough and then we put on a quality showing. Credit to Boreham Wood, they showed amazing fight. Thankfully, in the end, we prevailed.
“We knew it was going to be tough, but we got the job done and we’re through to the quarter-finals. That’s the main thing.”
