What a week in the life of Bettystown's Evan Ferguson.
The 18-year-old - fresh off scoring his first Premier League goal on Saturday - tonight scored one goal and assisted another one as Brighton thrashed Everton 4-1 at Goodison Park.
It was Ferguson's first Premier League start and it will be a night he'll never forget.
In doing so, Brighton and Ireland's youngest Premier League scorer has become the youngest Premier League goalscorer to score in consecutive games in 14 years.
Everton may be a beaten docket but Ferguson caused absolute mayhem against a very established Everton defence that featured Conor Coady and James Tarkowski.
Fergie Time is properly underway.
2⃣ in 2⃣ for @Evan_Ferguson9! 🔥⚽️ pic.twitter.com/VClc99ZRd0
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 4, 2023
Evan Ferguson's game by numbers vs. Everton:
24 touches
4 shots
3 x possession won
1 foul won
1 assist
1 goal
18 years old. ✨ pic.twitter.com/iE0dr0ernS— Squawka (@Squawka) January 3, 2023
Evan Ferguson in the Premier League so far this season:
👕 3 appearances
⚽ 2 goals
🅰️ 1 assist
Flying out of the blocks. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/oXZT6zCGKP— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) January 3, 2023
18 year old Evan Ferguson is turning out to be everything Brighton fans were hoping for already. Proper striker’s instinct, powerful, uses his physicality well, and a decent finisher. Two goals in 2 games. Making a big impression already. #bhafc
— Jules Breach (@julesbreach) January 3, 2023
Evan Ferguson isn't the Irish Erling Haaland. Haaland is the Norwegian Ferguson.
— Wogan (@CathalWogan) January 3, 2023
READ HERE: "You Only Get These Talents Once Every 10 Years" - Evan Ferguson's Youth Coach On His Brilliance
Brighton manager Roberto Da Zerbi said after Ferguson's debut goal Saturday that the former Bohs player would a bigger role in Brighton's attack this season and he was not lying.
“He is a very good player, with very important qualities. He is strong and he is ready to play in the first XI. I will decide but he gave me a good answer. I think he gave the answer that he is ready to play in the first XI. In the next games, he can start.”
De Zerbi opted to rest established players like Leandro Trossard and Adam Lallana and trust Brighton's youth amid the post-Christmas fixture glut. He was rewarded with one of the most enthralling Brighton performances of the season.
It was a huge night for Irish football as De Zerbi also handed a Premier League debut to former Bray player Andrew Moran. The 19-year-old replaced Solly March in the 79th minute.
It was a result that could bring down the curtain on the ill-fated Frank Lampard era at Everton. Amazingly, Ferguson made his professional debut with Bohs as a 14-year-old in what was Frank Lampard's first game as Chelsea manager.
10 July 2019; Evan Ferguson of Bohemians in action against Lewis Baker of Chelsea during a friendly match between Bohemians and Chelsea at Dalymount Park in Dublin. Photo by Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile
Just four years later, Ferguson has already made a mark on the Premier League.
