Ferguson's sweet strike will make the Toffees take note

Just a few days after he enhanced his growing reputation with a goal against Arsenal Meath's Evan Ferguson will look to add to his strike tally when Brighton & Hove Albion take on Everton in the Premier League this evening.

Ferguson, who is from Bettystown, said he was "buzzing" after he found the net against the Gunners on New Year's Eve and that's as you would expect.

He has yet to start a Premier League game but Brighton manager Roberto De Zerbi has indicated he could get the nod against Everton at Goodison Park.

"He is a very good player with very important qualities. He is strong and he is ready to play in the first eleven. 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 eleven," De Zerbi said.

Ferguson is unlikely ever to forget the moment he found the net against the Arsenal, his first ever goal in the Premier League. He netted his debut strike for the club last August against Forest Green Rovers in the EFL Cup but getting past the Gunners' defensive cover was special.

It ensured Ferguson who is now, at just 18, one the youngest Irish players to score in the Premier League.

Last February Ferguson made his Premier League debut when he made an appearance for Brighton in a 3-0 defeat to Burnley. He has steadily progressed since then.

The young Bettystown man showed tremendous determination and physical strength to muscle Arsenal defender William Saliba off the ball. He then stroked the ball under the legs of Aaron Ramsey in the 77th minute before 31,647 spectators at the Amex Stadium.

The strike couldn't save Brighton from going down to a 4-2 defeat but it will give Ferguson tremendous confidence. It also represents another major milestone in the career of the young player who made his debut for Bohemians in the League of Ireland in a friendly against Chelsea when he was just 14.

Ferguson notched up another notable achievements last November when he made his senior international debut for the Republic of Ireland against Norway coming on as a late substitute. He described the experience as "unbelievable."

He did the same against Malta a few days later playing for the last 13 minutes of the match, which the Irish won 1-0. He will be hoping the game-time he is getting at Brighton will help him secure a more permanent place on the Stephen Kenny's team.

Time is certainly on Ferguson's side.