The world is at Evan Ferguson’s feet.
The teenager from Bettystown had one of his best days yet when he scored a hat-trick for Brighton and Hove Albion in their 3-1 win over Newcastle at the Amex Stadium.
The Republic of Ireland international scored his second, third and fourth goals of the Premier League season as he became the fourth youngest player, behind Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Chris Bart-Williams, to have scored a Premier League hat-trick.
Still a couple of weeks away from his 19th birthday, Ferguson became just the fourth Irish man to have netted a Premier League hat-trick, following in the footsteps of Robbie Keane, Jonathan Walters and Leon Best.
The sky certainly seems to be the limit for the Meath man, who was given high praise by Gary Lineker and Ian Wright on BBC’s Match of the Day.
“I do see a hint of Haaland about him, his stature, his movement, his youth and stuff like that,” said Lineker.
“He’s just getting better,” added Ian Wright.
"I do see a hint of Haaland." 👀
"He's just getting better." 💪@GaryLineker and @IanWright0 are both big fans of Evan Ferguson 🙌#MOTD pic.twitter.com/VAurajHghD
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 2, 2023
Ferguson, who now has 13 goals and four assists in 33 appearances for Brighton, and is widely regarded as one of the hottest prospects in world football, was hailed by his manager Roberto De Zerbi after the game.
“Evan Ferguson, hard work. Trust me, he’s really working hard to become a top player — not just on scoring goals.
His qualities are enough to become a great player,” added De Zerbi, “He can become one of the best, the top scorer in Europe. He was born in 2004, he’s 18. I don’t know how many players are young, that score like him.”
Meanwhile, Ferguson said it was a ‘great day,’ and, in an interesting coaching sidenote, also praised his dad for the role he has played in his development.
Don't worry, @Evan_Ferguson9 – you can see all your goals again on #MOTD, tonight at 22:30 BST! 😉 pic.twitter.com/j7RzZRZzmc
— Match of the Day (@BBCMOTD) September 2, 2023
“Dad was one of those who would stand in the corner on the sideline with his jacket on and hood up, saying nothing – that helped me,” he said.
“It is fresh so it is hard to take in, but as a kid you want to score as many goals in the Premier League, so when you score a hat-trick it is a good day,” he told Sky Sports.
“It is good [result], bad result last week [loss against West Ham] and we needed to bounce back we came out flying this week and we got that good luck in the end.
“I didn’t know if I was going to be offside or not, you have just got to try finish it.
“I think it is hard when you’re in training to position yourself sometimes you have got to try sniff it out.
“It is one of them you have got to ready for it at all times, first half I could have turned and drove a bit more so first one I got I tried to run at them and take a shot.”
Related links:
- Evan Ferguson linked with “British record transfer” as Jamie Carragher praises Ireland star
- Gary Lineker makes interesting Evan Ferguson suggestion as he scores on Premier League opening day
- Evan Ferguson labelled”incredible” by former Chelsea and Spurs man
