Evan Ferguson may have started Brighton's Premier League opener on the bench, but the 18-year-old Irish sensation was yet again on the scoresheet come the end of the Seagulls' 4-1 victory over Luton Town.
Danny Welbeck and new signing Joao Pedro were both preferred to Ferguson from the off by manager Roberto de Zerbi, with Pedro getting on the scoresheet from the penalty spot for Brighton's second goal.
The arrival of Pedro from Watford will no doubt put extra pressure on Ferguson if he is to nail down a place in the Brighton team this season, but the Meath man’s explosive cameo off the bench will certainly have helped his case.
Ferguson was introduced with 11 minutes to go in regular time and, in the following 18 or so minutes (including injury time), he was desperately unlucky with a shot which careered off the post, was involved in the buildup for Simon Adingra's debut goal, and finally got on the scoresheet himself with a sliding finish deep into injury time.
Ferguson continues to impress fans week-in-week-out with his Premier League performances, and he earned the praise of English legend Gary Lineker, who suggested that Tottenham Hotspur should fork out for the Irishman to replace the outgoing Harry Kane.
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Evan Ferguson: Gary Lineker picks Irishman as ideal Harry Kane replacement
The departure of Harry Kane to Bayern Munich for upwards of £86m was confirmed on Saturday morning. The striker signed for Bayern on a four-year deal, on the eve of Spurs' opening match against Brentford on Sunday afternoon.
Though Brazilian forward Richarlison will likely move into a more central role in Kane's absence, the Englishman undoubtedly leaves a gaping hole in Spurs' squad, and club legend Gary Lineker believes Brighton's Evan Ferguson would be the ideal replacement.
Lineker took to Twitter after Ferguson's latest blockbuster Premier League appearance on Saturday afternoon to say he would take a punt on the "born goalscorer" if he were in charge of Spurs' recruitment.
Evan Ferguson scores in Fergie time. He’s a born goalscorer. If I was in charge of recruitment at @SpursOfficial I’d take a punt on him as Kane’s replacement. Apologies to @OfficialBHAFC fans.
— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) August 12, 2023
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Given Brighton have commanded a fee of more than £100m for Ferguson's teammate Moises Caicedo, and given the huge fees paid out for young strikers such as Rasmus Hojlund in recent months, it is unlikely the Irish international would be available on the cheap - especially with Brighton in full knowledge of how much Spurs have received for Kane.
Brighton fans will hope to cling on to their up-and-coming superstar for the season ahead at least, but you do feel as though a big move is just around the corner for Evan Ferguson.
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