Anthony Gordon insists that Everton are 'too good' to be relegated

Anthony Gordon was overjoyed but, for some reason, he felt obliged to offer an explanation as to why his emotions were running away.

‘I live and breathe this — unfortunately,’ said the Everton midfielder. ‘It affects my life daily. I cannot sleep after games like Burnley (last Wednesday, which Everton lost 3-2), especially when I feel I could have done better. I couldn’t sleep, but we recovered. It is part of being a footballer.’

Unfortunately? He seemed to be implying it was a bad thing to care too much, that he needed to clarify — apologise, even — why he has been such bad company as Everton’s results have nosedived. 

Gordon is a boyhood Blue whose first thoughts of the day are centred on Goodison Park. So it was refreshing to hear a footballer speak from the heart.

There is nothing wrong with caring and the attitude he showed during his post-match media duties was what separated him from many on the pitch. Gordon’s deflected shot was the reason Everton secured a priceless 1-0 win over an impoverished Manchester United but it was his scampering, tackling and desire to keep working that was so endearing, putting far higher- profile individuals in the shade.

Everton players ran themselves to a standstill. Fabian Delph was cramping under the physical strain, Seamus Coleman pushed himself to the limit after a two-week absence with Covid and Alex Iwobi’s attitude and perseverance was a shining light.

But it was Gordon who embodied the defiance in the stands. The 21-year-old never flinched as he accepted the pressure of trying to lead Everton away from the drop zone. He has been the undisputed shining light of this campaign and simply will not accept the possibility they will be relegated.

‘It was never my thought (we could