'Incredible to say' - Leon Osman makes Anthony Gordon claim amid damning Everton criticism

Former Everton star Leon Osman believes youngster Anthony Gordon has 'carried the fight' at Goodison Park this season as his former club face a battle for survival heading into the latter stages of the campaign.

The Blues currently sit just one point clear of the relegation places following Wednesday's defeat to Burnley at Turf Moor. It was another disappointing night for Frank Lampard 's side as they find themselves in a dangerous position.

Everton have nine games left to secure safety and ensure they remain in the Premier League but they face a difficult run of fixtures with a trip to Anfield to take on Liverpool and clashes with Manchester United, Chelsea, Leicester City and Arsenal still to come.

Osman, who made more than 400 appearances for the Blues during his playing career, has questioned the leadership in the squad. And he says the task has largely fell on Gordon's shoulders, despite the 21-year-old truly only breaking into the first-team picture this season.

“The money Everton have put in, you expect the club to making forward steps,” Osman told talkSPORT. “Not finding the club languishing at the bottom of the Premier League, struggling for points, struggling for form, struggling for any kind of performance really, so it’s a very worrying time for the club.

“I think that’s been a criticism of this team all season, you’re looking around and you’re wondering who are the characters? Who are the leaders? You’re already falling behind in games, then you’re wondering who’s got the character to get on the ball and try and make things happen.

“And for the majority of this season that’s fell on the shoulders of young Anthony Gordon, which is incredible to say for a guy who’s just broken into the team, really young