£15m ace finally scores first goal one year after Manchester United exit

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James Garner finally scored his first Everton goal in the Carabao Cup victory over Aston Villa one year on since his £15 million move from Premier League giants Manchester United.

Given the nature of James Garner’s finish – lashing home first-time after an intricate through ball from Amadou Onana – casual observers would have been forgiven for assuming the England U21 international is a regular on the Everton scoresheet.

Not so.  This was, in fact, his first Toffees goal. At the 25th time of asking, no less.

But, back in his favoured central midfield role after impressing wide on the right in the early weeks of the current campaign, the Manchester United academy graduate showcased another side of his game as Everton stormed into the fourth round of the EFL Cup, timing his run into the penalty area brilliantly before converting like a prime Tim Cahill. 

James Garner shining after Manchester United exit

“I think (Garner) has been terrific,” Sean Dyche beams, the Birkenhead-born 22-year-old also winning the most duels (11) of any player on the Villa Park pitch (Everton website).

“He’s shown adaptability. I’ve said many times that (Garner and our other young players) are learning about what they’re doing all of the time. He can be adaptable. He can play in a number of different positions and massive credit to him.

“I thought he was very, very good again tonight.”

Everton could meet Man United later in Carabap Cup

Garner found the net eight times in 61 games on loan at Nottingham Forest before joining Everton on September 1^st last year, and more well-taken finishes like the one he smashed past Robin Olsen on Wednesday would not go amiss in Everton colours.

Goals, after all, are often in short supply for Dyche’s men.

The Toffees will now face Burnley in the fourth round on October 30^th. The prize for victory could be a reunion with Garner’s old employers, Carabao Cup holders Manchester United hosting Newcastle in a repeat of last year’s final at Wembley.

Erik ten Hag’s Casemiro-inspired side cruised past Crystal Palace on Tuesday.