LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 04: Dominic Calvert-Lewin of Everton scores his team's fourth goal whilst under pressure from Craig Dawson of Wolverhampton Wanderers during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Wolverhampton Wanderers FC at Goodison Park on December 04, 2024 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
For the second time on the night Dominic Calvert-Lewin forces an own goal from Craig Dawson to seal Everton's 4-0 win over Wolves (Image: Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Is Ashley Young the ultimate ‘competitive dad?’ The former England international cranked up the pressure on Peterborough United boss Darren Ferguson - someone who knows what it’s like trying to live up to his old man’s reputation - by posting on social media the night before this game that the FA Cup third-round draw could throw up “Young versus Young,” for a “goosebumps moment” and “dreams might come true”. Young's 18-year-old son Tyler is part of the League One side’s squad but has only played 27 minutes of senior action in a Bristol Street Motors group game back in August.
Having talked the talk, Ashley Young walked the walk here. Despite a nightmare start, having been sent off in a 3-0 home defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion on the opening day, the right-back was already being considered by many as being Everton’s most-consistent performer so far in what has been a hugely challenging campaign.
Against Wolves though, Young took things to a new level as he rolled back the years with his first Premier League goal at Goodison Park since he bagged a brace to hit a stoppage-time winner when playing as a left winger for Aston Villa 16 years ago this month.
This strike also ensured he became the oldest goalscorer in Everton history at 39 years and 148 days, overhauling whippersnapper Wally Fielding who was a mere 38 years and 305 days when he netted in a 3-2 win over West Bromwich Albion at the Hawthorns back on September 27, 1958.
Mangala triumphs again adversity – again
Orel Mangala has come back stronger from far bigger disappointments than merely being the fall guy for a goal being disallowed for offside. Characters of less substance might have gone into their shells after being the figure to blame when referee Michael Salisbury went over to his pitchside monitor to deem that the Belgium midfielder was interfering with play when James Tarkowski headed in at the back post from a [Dwight McNeil](http://Dwight McNeil) cross, but not Mangala.
Following last month’s final international break of the calendar year, Mangala spoke to the ECHO about being hit by a car when chasing a football when he was just two years old. Doctors told his distraught father that the tot, who already had a passion for the game, would never walk again, but as he defiantly told this correspondent with a beaming smile: “Today, I can run again in the Premier League.” The interview highlighted Mangala’s huge determination and positive mindset, and he pledged to bring “some real joy” for Evertonians in the coming months.
Like with Young, actions speak louder than words though and the 26-year-old, who netted once in each of his previous Premier League seasons with Nottingham Forest, is now up and running in a royal blue jersey. Given the technique he showed with his finish, hopefully there will be more.
Dom denied
Dominic Calvert-Lewin had to endure two goals being taken off him in two separate matches against Tottenham Hotspur during his 23-game scoring drought last season but here he was denied a brace in even stranger circumstances. In Everton’s 2-1 defeat in north London on December 23, 2023, their number nine fired past Guglielmo Vicario, only for VAR to disallow the effort because Andre Gomes applied the level of force on Emerson Royal of a maitre d ushering you to your table in a restaurant.
Then, in the reverse fixture at Goodison on February 3, his close-range goal-bound effort took a final touch off team-mate Jack Harrison. Against Wolves though, it was opposition players who were taking strikes off the Yorkshireman.
While fellow son of Rochdale, McNeil, was Everton’s biggest supply line of chances, Wolves centre-back Craig Dawson – the only Englishman in the visitors’ starting XI – was finishing them on Calvert-Lewin’s behalf, beating him to the punch not once but twice for an unfortunate duo of own goals. To add to the number nine’s frustrations, he was also deemed to have fouled keeper Jose Sa in the build-up to Iliman Ndiaye’s disallowed effort, which looked very soft.
Evertonians must hope that their man for the big occasion is saving himself for Goodison Park’s last-ever Merseyside derby in the Premier League on Saturday.