Everton fans have been sharing their joy in Tom Davies’ excellent performance against Huddersfield, as the academy star stepped into the boots left by Idrissa Gana Gueye.
Gueye was an absentee on Tuesday night, with the club ruling the Senegal international unfit to play with a minor injury.
That claim came about just hours after the Toffees were forced to deny they had received a formal letter from the 62-cap international, asking them to sanction his transfer to Paris Saint-Germain.
Regardless of Gueye’s situation, though, Davies was handed just his seventh start of the Premier League season, and first since the 6-2 defeat to Tottenham, when again Gueye was also absent.
The two performances, however, were a stark contrast to each other, with Davies excelling at the John Smith’s Stadium, recording a total of 28 accurate passes while playing in a more forward position.
⭐️ | Tonight’s Man of the Match, as voted for by you, is… Tom Davies! ???? #EFCawayday pic.twitter.com/eg3LX0kVAr
— Everton (@Everton) January 29, 2019
The 5 foot 9 academy graduate also completed one successful dribble, won an aerial duel, and notched four interceptions against Jan Siewart’s new side, enough to be voted the Toffees’ Man of the Match.
As well as earning the MOTM award from the fans, many shared their joy in his display…
Defo mate…played with heart and determination and looked like a player who knows what it means to wear that blue jersey.Made up for him.
— joph (@joemc1878) January 30, 2019
Once Gueye is confirmed as gone, Davies should be the natural replacement between now and the end of the season. Brilliant tonight. Great chance for him
— Morgan (@MorganEFC) January 29, 2019
Idrissa Gana Gueye will be a big loss for us but there is hope in the likes of Tom Davies and Beni Baningime to fill the void left, I’ve just about given up on Schneiderlin at this point though #COYB
— TOPCLASSBOXING ™ (@TOPCLASSBOXING) January 30, 2019
Davies proved everyone wrong yesterday including me. Showed everyone how good be can be. Just wish he could play like that every game. If Gueye goes he needs to get a lot more game time.
— DuffyEFC ???????? (@Duffyyyy_) January 30, 2019
Tom Davies stepping up like a boss tonight. Gueye will be missed but Davies can fill the role
— Mr Latimer (@mrclatimer1985) January 30, 2019
I can count on one hand the number of centre mids who have been the finished article at 20. He’s had a succession of managers with different ideas and he’s not playing a fixed role. Everyone raves about Lookman who is older and less consistent. Give him space.
— Justified Getting Ancient (@tax_meat_loads) January 29, 2019
Idrissa Gueye has Tom Davies posters on his wall
— Matty (@JoeRootSZN) January 29, 2019
Watched the whole match here in Aus this morning and he thoroughly deserved MOM!!
— The Happy Welshman (@ghevans1958) January 30, 2019
Well done Tom???????? Fair play to you mate showed some ⚽️⚽️ last night????????????????
— Dave.Carr (@davecookiecarr) January 30, 2019
We start a game with 2 Scousers in the team and we show some serious battle for once. Not much quality but at least heart.
— Chris Laffey (@laffey31) January 29, 2019
Showed more bottle tonight than any Everton player has shown all season. Keep him in the squad!
— ???? R_Dubya ???? (@Rjward93) January 29, 2019
Rightly so, full of energy which the team desperatly needed.
— Paul Bruns (@BrunsypPB) January 30, 2019