Everton suffered in the January transfer market as they scrambled to secure the elusive striker that Farhad Moshiri promised.

It was a position that everyone could see needed bolstering, with the Toffees having scored only 15 goals in the Premier League before this weekend, yet it seemingly took until deadline day to spark them into action, ultimately to no avail.

Sean Dyche was left without any additions of his own, burdened with a relegation-threatened squad desperately lacking confidence.

Despite that, yesterday saw him mark his return to management with a famous win at Goodison Park over league leaders Arsenal. His team were resolute and disciplined, with James Tarkowski's powerful header the difference between the two sides.

He may instil a tireless attitude and some much-needed defensive security, but again Everton require a consistent finisher if they are to comfortably pull away from the relegation mire.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin's 62nd-minute substitution was indicative that he is not yet truly fit following a spate of injuries, and with Dyche's preferred 4-4-2 formation, the 25-year-old will need a reliable partner should he even remain available.

Neal Maupay somewhat lacks the physical assets needed for Dyche's system, ranking in the bottom 21% of strikers in Europe's five main leagues for aerial duels won. Meanwhile, Ellis Simms is expected to play an improved role, but it does leave the Toffees without a viable backup at centre-forward.

It seemed like they had one in Tom Cannon, who had hit a vein of unstoppable goalscoring form for the youth team before being sent out on loan to Preston North End last month.

To recall him and offer him some well-earned senior experience could be the answer to Everton's transfer howler, which has left them light in a position of huge importance.

Even with yesterday's win, the Toffees have still scored just 16 goals in 21 top-flight games, while the 20-year-old alone boasted seven goals in just 11 Premier League 2 matches, and he seemed poised to demolish his eight-goal tally from the 2021/22 season before his loan exit to Deepdale.

Cannon's youth coach Paul Tait had predicted where his career might be heading early in the new year, praising the prolific forward and outlining what he could offer teams by saying: “I think the next part of his journey and pathway will probably be a loan, I would imagine. He certainly didn’t do himself any harm showing his finishing power with that strike.”

Clearly drawing the attention of numerous Championship clubs, Preston was elected as his chosen destination. He may well thrive at Deepdale, but he could also have done so at Goodison Park to quell Everton's toothless form.

Dyche may have come in too late to prevent the club from making a howler in January by loaning Cannon out, but the 51-year-old can put that to rights by unleashing the youngster properly on Merseyside later this year.