The verdict as Everton were deserved 1-0 winners over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium
David Moyes and Jack Grealish celebrate the win
David Moyes and Jack Grealish celebrate the win(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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As the Everton supporters lingered inside the Vitality Stadium, they burst into a rendition of the song they have dedicated to David Moyes.
It made its return in emphatic fashion on the south coast in January, when the return of the Blues boss brought an important win in the first away game of his second stint at the club. Eleven months later it echoed around another venue as the travelling fans celebrated another incredible victory at another venue that has haunted them for years. His hair may now be grey, not red, but he inspires passion on and off the pitch; immediately after leaving the supporters singing Moyes’ name, match winner Jack Grealish told TV cameras he ‘loved’ the Scot to pieces.
There is a case to be made that both Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche’s Everton tenures effectively ended at Bournemouth. Here, Moyes’ reign received another shot of positivity - a valuable salve to the frustration that had followed the terrible defeat at home to Newcastle United.
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That match was testimony to the speed at which fortunes can change in football. The glory of a first win in a generation at Manchester United had given way to the disappointment of the reality check at the hands of the Magpies.
Moyes has repeatedly warned this will be a rollercoaster of a season as progress butts against the ceiling created by years of poor decisions that will take time to unravel at Hill Dickinson Stadium and Finch Farm. Just 72 hours after the season hit its nadir, it rose to another glorious crescendo.
When Grealish slid on his knees in front of a jubilant away end after giving Everton the lead, he sparked an outpouring of emotion built through years of torment in this part of the world. Too many arduous journeys home have been made against the backdrop of chastening defeats to Bournemouth.
The release of emotion as Everton’s fortunes changed was immense. Three winters ago, under Lampard, players in Royal Blue argued with supporters after a second horrendous defeat at Bournemouth in a week. On Tuesday night, the same away end stayed late into the night to sing their bespoke version of Jingle Bells as, once again, they witnessed ‘Everton win away’.
Amid the melee that followed the late winner, Grealish spotted the placard held aloft by a young supporter desperate for the playmaker’s shirt. Some 15 minutes later, after he had fought back to help protect what would turn out to be his match-winning goal, he returned to that fan and handed him his jersey. Never fall in love with a loan player, they say. It is too late for that.
This was another statement win for Everton, their second away from home in eight days. What will have satisfied Moyes most is the manner in which it was achieved. Everton deserved this.
This was a brave, composed, intelligent performance that was an impressive reaction to the hurt inflicted by the 4-1 loss it came after. Missing key players, Moyes had to rely on his squad against an opposition that has made the top half of the Premier League its home over recent seasons. They fought for everything in his name. They won most of their battles.
At the heart of it was Tim Iroegbunam. Hooked at half-time against Newcastle, his place in the starting XI came courtesy of Michael Keane’s injury.
He could have let the devastation of the weekend seize his emotions. Instead, he laid siege to this game, showing bravery to seek out the ball when his teammates were in trouble and putting in a series of important challenges - none more crucial than the perfectly-timed lunge that halted Antoine Semenyo as he threatened to launch a dangerous counter attack midway through the second half. He picked up his fifth booking of the season in the first half and will be missed against Nottingham Forest.
Carlos Alcaraz was finally given an opportunity to shine, albeit out of necessity. He displayed the guile and guts that made him so influential in the second half of last season and had the patience to hold onto the ball long enough to take the retreating Tyler Adams out of the game before setting Grealish free for the goal.
Jake O’Brien produced the sort of dominant display at centre back that was further evidence he can make the switch to his preferred role whenever Moyes decides the time is right. Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, again, won countless energy-saving, respite-inducing free-kicks to cap an excellent month of performances.
And then there was Thierno Barry. He is still yet to break his Everton duck but now has his first shot on target after latching onto a through ball that was smothered by Dorde Petrovic. A breakthrough is surely coming for the 23-year-old.
The ride will not stop for Everton. They face another tough match at the weekend - another game in which a small squad will be forced to call upon its reserves against a team that is several cycles ahead in its project towards progress.
This will be a season of highs and lows. But it is shaping into a campaign of incredible memories - nights like this deserve to be savoured. And Moyes and his players deserve credit for delivering them.