Young Everton midfielder Antony Evans describes perfect week

Young Everton midfielder Antony Evans has described his first international week away with England as ‘perfect’.

The Fazakerley-born youngster made his England Under-18s debut against Austria during the recent international break - coming on as a second half substitute.

In the next match on Easter Sunday, Evans started against the Republic of Ireland, capping off the performance with his first international goal in a 4-1 win.

“It was really good to get a debut against Austria,” Evans told evertontv. “To get my first start against Ireland, and then to get my first goal - it was perfect.”

Evans believes the good start against Ireland set the team up for the rest of the match.

“We took an early lead, then they got a penalty - which they missed. I felt as though that made the game easier for us – and then we battered them.”

The move that lead to his first international goal was started by an Everton Under-21s teammate.

“Tom Davies pinched it off them at the half way line, played it to our striker, and he rolled it back to me, so I took a touch, and placed it to the bottom right corner,” he recalled.

Having his Everton teammates Davies and Nathan Holland helped Evans settle in around the players, and the Everton connection didn’t stop there - with former Everton academy coach Neil Dewsnip leading the England Under-18s coaching setup.

“Having Nathan and ‘Davo’ there really helped,” continued the 17-year-old. “I just sat with them and eased my way in, but once I got to know the lads, it was so much easier.

“Neil said he was proud of me, since I had known him since I was small. He helped me settle in as well, with a bit of banter – which the lads laughed at. He is a really good coach.”