Tom Cannon and Stanley Mills empathetically respond to…

Tom Cannon and Stanley Mills empathetically respond to Frank Lampard Everton request

As Demarai Gray headed over to the away end to apologise to supporters, the inquest into Everton’s latest League Cup exit was already underway.

Not for the first time, there was a lot of finger pointing. But Frank Lampard and members of his squad took the brunt of the anger.

Just why did the Blues boss feel the need to make 11 changes? And where do certain members of his squad now stand after their performances at the Vitality Stadium?

Those were just two of the many questions being asked by supporters. And it was easy to see why, given what many had just witnessed from some in Everton shirts.

The performances of many who started on Tuesday will have done nothing to improve their chances of becoming a starter under Lampard. The reaction from the Blues boss post-match suggests some may find chances even more limited moving forward.

But 24 hours on from the Bournemouth horror show, and a glimmer of hope arrived. Not enough hope to suggest Everton will be able to return to winning ways this weekend, but enough to suggest brighter times could be on the horizon.

As Tom Cannon ran away celebrating after firing his Everton under-21 side ahead against Paris Saint-Germain, the goal, from the penalty spot, capped off a memorable 24 hours for the youngster.

Less than 24 hours earlier, the Aintree-born forward was handed his first-team debut by Lampard after he replaced Neal Maupay with just nine minutes remaining at the Vitality Stadium.

The win over PSG not only maintained Everton’s unbeaten start to their Premier League International Cup campaign, but also further highlighted the great work Paul Tait and his coaching staff are doing.

Cannon stole the headlines after his brace secured the 2-1 win. His first-half goals came after Ismael Gharbi fired the visitors ahead.

But the performance of Stanley Mills also caught the eye. The talented 19-year-old played a key role in both of Cannon’s goals.

He was also, like Cannon, brought off the bench by Lampard in the closing stages of Tuesday’s 4-1 defeat. But his appearance wasn't a surprise.

Mills, who joined Everton's academy from Leeds United aged 14, was called into the first-team squad for the pre-season tour to the USA in July 2022 and featured in matches against Arsenal and Minnesota United, before playing in friendlies back home against Blackpool and Dynamo Kyiv.

Days after the teenager was named on the bench for Everton's Premier League opener against Chelsea at Goodison Park, he signed a new three-year contract until the end of June 2025. His footballing idol is none other than Frank Lampard.

And it is easy to see why. Not only is the attacking midfielder full of energy, but he is also capable of creating and scoring goals - just like the Everton boss.

Cannon, on the other hand, is a natural forward. Strong with an impressive turn of pace, he certainly knows where the back of the net is, as his 11 goals in 15 games so far this season shows.

"It is important to reward them and it was nice to see them on the pitch, even if the circumstances were difficult," Lampard said when asked about the pair after Bournemouth.

"The ideal is you do that when we're winning or you're comfortable but the reality is that we're not in that position at the minute as a club - to be able to play young players in that way.

"So they have to go and keep doing what they're doing in the under-21s and whenever they get a sniff of a chance, or in training, show us what they can do."

And that is exactly what the pair did on Wednesday night, they showed Lampard in the best possible way just what they can do. It was the perfect way to res[ond to a message from the first-team manager.

Whether Saturday’s game has come too early for the pair remains to be seen, but there is no doubt Cannon and Mills have given the Blues boss food for thought moving forward.

But whether the pair are involved or not on Saturday, evidence suggests regular first-team opportunities aren't too far away.

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