Everton academy star Lewis Gibson has fans calling for Marco Silva to hand the Under 23s centre-back further first-team minutes, after he scored his first senior goal for the club during Saturday’s friendly defeat to 1.FSV Mainz 05.
The Blues were in Germany as part of Mainz’s Opel Cup, and the boss fielded a mixed eleven against our Bundesliga opposition, with James McCarthy and Tom Davies joining reported Galatasaray target Morgan Schneiderlin in midfield.
Gibson, meanwhile, lined up alongside Mason Holgate, Lucas Digne and Seamus Coleman at the back, while Nathan Broadhead took to the right-wing with Kevin Mirallas back in Royal Blue on the left following his return from a loan spell in the Serie A with Fiorentina.
Former Newcastle U18 ace Gibson started the game confidently by launching a long pass across the field to find Coleman in attack, before foiling Mainz’s promising forward Jonathan Burkardt as he beared down on Jonas Lossl’s net.
Robin Quaison’s experience gave him the advantage against Gibson later on as he evaded the England youth international to carve out an opening, but our £6million man atoned for his error in the second-half with a calm strike nestling into the net to give Everton a lifeline at 2-1.
It was a personal milestone for Gibson as the 19-year-old had never scored a senior goal for the club, and fans are now longing to see Silva place his faith in him again once the competitive campaign commences next month.
The 6ft U19 Young Lion has never played for the Blues in a competitive fixture.
Here’s how these fans responded when Gibson reflected on his personal milestone…
Had a great pre-season Lewis, well done mate! You’ve really impressed, big season ahead ????????????
— The Toffee Blues (@EvertonNewsFeed) July 28, 2019
U r our future lb, rb was jonjoe , well that was me opinion for last year today 🙁
— Everton County Road (@EvertonRoad) July 28, 2019
Your the reason am not gunna be gutted if we dnt sign a cb think u could step up and end the season next to Keane as r starting 2
— huytontoffee (@Huytontoffee) July 28, 2019
Best player throughout Pre Season, should have a big season ahead of you!!
— zak kechil (@Zak_kechil) July 28, 2019
Impressed with you and Anthony Gordon in pre season hopefully you get some 1st team action in the coming season
— The Tennessee Stud (@Billbonny) July 28, 2019
Well Played Lewis I hope you get a few chances in the first team this season.
— Issy Potter (@Isswiss49) July 28, 2019
Well done @LewisGippa3 ???????? great to see things going so well for you ⚽️
— Liam Bramley (@LiamBramley) July 28, 2019
Couldn’t have done anymore than you have Lew you deserve that goal keep working mate
— tony edge (@edgyt10) July 28, 2019
Well in Lewis! First team footy soon I hope
— Paul (@pabb85) July 28, 2019
Reckon this lad has a big future @Everton glad you signed from Newcastle pal coz it’s our gain ???? UTFT
— Graham Caton (@GRAHAMCATON) July 28, 2019
On the up and up Gippa, really pleased it’s working out for you at Everton ⚽️⚫️⚪️
— Steve Beharall (@stevebeharall) July 28, 2019