Everton youngster Harrison Armstrong cemented his place in the hearts of Derby County supporters as he capped a sensational week with a sublime goal. Eight days ago, the Championship outfit were cut adrift in the bottom three and facing the prospect of an immediate return to League One.
But three wins in seven days have lifted them to within a point of safety after a remarkable surge in form - one that has been inspired by Everton’s teen star.
Armstrong had started to earn the trust of new manager John Eustace after he took over from Paul Warne just days after the former boss had brought him on loan from the Blues.
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But he has sprung into life this week, providing performances that have led to Rams supporters hailing him - and Everton - for their role in a dramatic revival.
Armstrong was named man of the match in the win over Blackburn Rovers last weekend - the first three points of Eustace’s reign. He then played 90 minutes as Derby sealed a win over Frank Lampard’s high-flying Coventry City.
After starting at relegation rivals Plymouth Argyle on Saturday, Armstrong hammered in his side’s second goal in what would become a crucial 3-2 victory.
The strike, the 18-year-old’s first goal in senior football, was a sublime volley that had the club’s social media account purring: “Harrison Armstrong's first career goal is a BELTER. It's another long throw and when it falls to the 18-year-old on the edge of the box, he volleys home beautifully with the inside of his right foot!”
The goal ended another remarkable week in an extraordinary season for the box-to-box midfielder, who has become the face of Everton’s academy - his picture now one of the first things on show at the club’s Finch Farm training ground.
The teenager was picking up traction in the Blues’ academy but shot to attention when an injury crisis led to him playing an active role in the club’s pre-season matches.
After earning the faith of then manager Sean Dyche, Armstrong made his senior debut in the final stages of the trip to Tottenham Hotspur.
His first start came in the Carabao Cup penalty shoot-out defeat to Southampton and further cameos followed - most notably the man-of-the-match performance in the FA Cup third-round win over Peterborough United.
Armstrong grabbed the headlines after his vision created the opening goal in that game and he headed out on loan in search of sustained first team football weeks later. This week also saw him recalled to the England youth setup after he broke into the Under-18s squad earlier this season.
