Anthony Gordon was overjoyed but, for some reason, he felt obliged to offer an explanation as to why his emotions were running away.
‘I live and breathe this — unfortunately,’ said the Everton midfielder. ‘It affects my life daily. I cannot sleep after games like Burnley (last Wednesday, which Everton lost 3-2), especially when I feel I could have done better. I couldn’t sleep, but we recovered. It is part of being a footballer.’
Unfortunately? He seemed to be implying it was a bad thing to care too much, that he needed to clarify — apologise, even — why he has been such bad company as Everton’s results have nosedived.