Frank Lampard said young star Isaac Price has put himself 'into the first team equation' with his performances during the club's trip to Australia.
The 19-year-old played the full 90 minutes against Celtic and Western Sydney Wanderers, impressing in both Sydney Super Cup fixtures. His displays were all the more significant due to the lack of recognised senior central midfielders around him. Abdoulaye Doucoure lasted just the first half against Celtic, though managed most of the 5-1 win over Wanderers.
Lampard praised all of the youngsters after six academy stars finished Wednesday's match on the pitch. They included goalscorer Tom Cannon and Stanley Mills, whose break into the box and shot created Cannon's goal.
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Price made his Premier League debut in the final game of last season, playing for the last 12 minutes at Arsenal. He travelled with the Everton squad to the US for the club's pre-season tour and has trained regularly with the first team since.
The teenager has shown composure and courage in his displays at the heart of midfield. Lampard said: "I thought Isaac was great. He's had a great trip. He has matured a lot and he has deserved to play because of the way he has trained and the way he has played for the Under-21s so he's thrown himself into the equation for the first team now."
Cannon's goal came after he made his senior debut in the Carabao Cup and then his Premier League debut, both against Bournemouth, earlier this month. It was created by Stanley Mills and both could have added to the club's tally.
Reece Welch, Joe Anderson and Sebastian Quirk were on the pitch by the end as Lampard sought to give them first team experience.
Of the youngsters, Lampard said: "The young boys have come on a really good trip. They are low maintenance, they train, they enjoy it here. They want to play for Everton, and I was delighted to get them all on the pitch. Tommy gets his goal, he is a goalscorer, which is a nice breed that is fairly rare, and he naturally gets in areas and he is quick and he's hungry, Stanley Mills as well and Seb and Joe getting on the pitch. Those are nice things to be able to give young lads the opportunity to play for a club the size of Everton."
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