In-form Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is looking forwards to facing his previous club Chelsea for the first time since he left them for Everton in August
In-form star Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall insists he’s confident against anyone right now as Everton look for their first Premier League win at Chelsea in his lifetime. The Blues haven’t picked up three points at Stamford Bridge for over 31 years – their longest such drought – since they triumphed 1-0 in Joe Royle’s first away game in charge thanks to Paul Rideout’s 39th-minute header on November 26, 1994.
Back then, Charles and Diana were still married, the first National Lottery draw had taken place the weekend before, while that month the Daily Telegraph became the first national newspaper in Britain to launch an online edition although only 600,000 people – little more than 1% of the population – had access to the internet in their homes at this point.
However, having netted the winner as David Moyes’ men became the first team to taste victory in a Premier League victory at Old Trafford after having a player sent off, and then ran the show in Everton’s maiden Premier League success over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium, Dewsbury-Hall, is looking forward to helping his team get another monkey off their backs.
The midfielder, who joined from Chelsea for an undisclosed fee understood to be £25m in August said: “It’s definitely a huge game for me and I’ve got a point to prove. I’m so excited by it.
“It would be nice to go there and win. I have to say that the Chelsea people have been lovely to me ever since I left. I’ve got a lot of respect for them, but obviously now I’m playing for Everton so my main focus is going there, playing as well as I can and getting three points.
“I had a great year there, winning two trophies, but of course I’m going there wanting to show what I can do for the opposition, and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t thinking about that and there’s no reason why I can’t.
“I’m probably feeling the best I’ve ever felt and the way I’m playing is up there with the best I’ve played.
“I’ll be honest, I’m confident going against anyone in the Premier League at the moment and it’s a nice place to be.”
Dewsbury-Hall arrived on Merseyside having lifted the UEFA Europa Conference League and FIFA Club World Cup during his time at Stamford Bridge.
Although he played more times in the former competition than he did in the Premier League for Chelsea, he has no regrets about following manager Enzo Maresca to west London last summer.
So, does the 27-year-old feel like he’ll benefit from some insider knowledge on Saturday from his time in the capital?
He said: “It gives me a little bit of an advantage. I know more about them than these lads, some of their tendencies because I’ve trained with them every day and stuff, but every football game is unique.
“I’m sure I’m going to be on it from minute one, whoever is playing against me and I’m hoping that it can be positive.”