Stanley Mills scored the penalty that he won during Everton Under-21s’ defeat to Leeds United
Everton youngster Stanley Mills scored in his comeback game following more than a year out injured. The 21-year-old slotted in from 12 yards in the second half of the Blues’ Under-21s match against Leeds United.
He had won the penalty himself after drawing a foul from Reuben Lopata-White. It was not enough to spark a comeback at Southport’s Big Help stadium, with Paul Tait’s side losing 3-1 on Friday night.
But it was a significant occasion for Mills, who returned to action just over 12 months after suffering an horrific knee injury while on loan at Oxford United.
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The winger was stretchered off during the club’s FA Cup third-round tie with Coventry City, an injury that forced him to miss the rest of Oxford’s promotion-winning campaign and the first half of this season.
It was a major setback for a starlet whose reputation had been growing with his first taste of sustained senior action while with the then League One club.
Mills had first caught the eye of former Blues boss Frank Lampard, who took him on first team trips to the USA and Australia and gave him his senior Everton debut against Fleetwood Town in the Carabao Cup two seasons ago.
Mills had returned to full training last month as he entered the final weeks of his recovery, building towards his role in the starting XI against Leeds.
Alongside him was forward Coby Ebere, who also made his first start of the season after overcoming a hamstring injury.
