Everton correspondent Joe Thomas with some moments from behind the scenes at the Vitality Stadium
Jack Grealish celebrates his winner for Everton
Jack Grealish celebrates his winner for Everton(Image: CameraSport via Getty Images)
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Everton earned a hard-fought but deserved victory over a Bournemouth side that had made life hell for the Blues on recent trips to the Vitality Stadium.
It was star man Jack Grealish who produced the match-winning moment. But this was a game built on the work of a team that provided a brave response to the disappointment of the humiliation at the hands of Newcastle United in midweek.
They consigned that difficult night to the past with a second statement away win in eight days - success on the south coast coming in the week after the first win at Old Trafford in 12 years. Here are some of the moments from behind the headlines of a memorable performance.
Celebrations in the home end after Jack Grealish strikes
The press box at Bournemouth is set within the home end and it was clear throughout this match that there were plenty of Everton supporters in the posh seats. There were the sharp intakes of breath as the home side broke forward and the gentle humming to the songs of an away end that once again made itself heard.
But all cover was well and truly broken when Grealish opened the scoring on Tuesday night. As he wheeled away towards the jubilant travelling support, at least one figure in the crowd behind the dugouts leapt to their feet in celebration before quickly checking themselves.
‘Go on Jack’
Another moment that saw passions rise came in the first half was when Grealish squared up to Cherries full-back Alex Jimenez. The pair were engaged in battle throughout this match and tempers flared in the opening stages. As they did, there was an audible cry of “go on Jack” - again from inside the home end.
Grealish did not just attract support when the game was being played. As he warmed up with his teammates before the match, two schoolboy Bournemouth supporters succeeded in getting the 30-year-old’s attention. He shared a nice moment with them after deciding to go over and have a quick chat with them before the team broke into structured training regimes - the Manchester City loanee proving he is a hit with supporters from most clubs.
James Tarkowski leads the way with players and mascot
Also setting a good example was Everton captain on the night James Tarkowski. The centre back gave his training jacket to the young mascot he walked onto the pitch with, choosing to keep them warm over himself. It is not unusual for such acts of kindness from the former Burnley defender.
As his teammates prepared for kick-off he carried out one more act of duty - it was notable how he went through to each player to give them support just before the start of the match. During the pre-match warm-up, he also gathered the other members of his defensive unit together for what looked like an intense briefing before they moved onto dealing with balls directed at them by assistant manager Leighton Baines. With James Garner and Jake O’Brien switching positions, this may well have been useful.
David Moyes delays post-match press conference
David Moyes was understandably delighted when he entered the media suite for his post-match press conference. In the same seat where predecessors Frank Lampard and Sean Dyche faced questions over their future, he found himself able to heap praise on his players for a determined performance and valuable win.
Reporters were made to wait to hear his thoughts on the occasion though - he entered as the TVs in the room showed former Blue Anthony Gordon getting ready to take a penalty for Newcastle United against Tottenham Hotspur in Tuesday’s late kick-off. Moyes asked to be able to watch Gordon step up before launching into his question and answer session - though there was laughter as his view was ultimately ruined by a photographer stepping in front of the screen in the crucial moments.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s reaction to another big win
As Moyes was preparing for his own media duties, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had his own message as he made the walk from the pitch to the home dressing room. The 27-year-old, who produced another impressive display after being asked to sit deeper in the absence of Idrissa Gueye and with Garner moved to the back four, referenced the pain of the Newcastle defeat by stating: “That is how you bounce back.”