Analysis from Everton's 3-1 win over Coventry City at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Friday night
Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrates (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrates (Photo by Richard Martin-Roberts - CameraSport via Getty Images)
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It would have been understandable if Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall had been left feeling sorry for himself ahead of facing Coventry City.
Having put in a number of eye-catching performances in recent weeks, the midfielder had been tipped to earn a maiden England call-up ahead of the November international break.
Yet on Friday morning, his name was missing from Thomas Tuchel’s latest squad as the Three Lions boss instead handed first call-ups to Fulham’s Joshua King and Jobe Bellingham for Borussia Dortmund.
With Everton in action only hours after the England squad was announced, Dewsbury-Hall did not have to wait long to send the perfect response. Rather than feel sorry for himself, he instead demonstrated exactly what Tuchel is missing.
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In truth, like most of his team-mates, he endured a frustrating first half against the Sky Blues. But with David Moyes’ men swiftly turning things around after the break to claim a 3-1 win, Dewsbury-Hall played a central role in this comeback victory.
Linking up well with match-winner Thierno Barry throughout, he wrapped up the three points late on when running onto the striker’s through-ball. In truth, he had no right to score from such an acute angle but left Carl Rushworth no chance with the most ferocious of finishes.
His wild celebration told its own story. Dewsbury-Hall is desperate to represent his country and has made no secret of that. And he is doing all he can to catch Tuchel’s eye.
Continuing to be overlooked will only motivate him further - as this second half showing against Coventry proved.
Evertonians will be left scratching their heads that the in-form midfielder continues to be denied international recognition. But clearly still carrying this point to prove, it is only good news for Moyes and the Blues.
Dewsbury-Hall might still be left waiting, but surely on this form, he cannot continue to be overlooked for long.
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Barry’s ballin’
Thierno Barry was a sheepish figure as he was pushed forward to take in the applause of Everton supporters following the final whistle at The Hill Dickinson Stadium. They were left singing his name long into the night.
The striker’s incredible start to the season reached new heights against Coventry, with the 24-year-old a testament to the phase, ‘If at first you don’t succeed, try, try again.’
He had been a frustrated figure in the first half as his touch let him down at times. Played in by Tyrique George, a good shooting chance went begging as he took one chance too many.
When a free-kick fell to him from close-range, he ultimately handled it as a good chance went begging.
With Coventry then taking the lead after the break, it threatened not to be the Blues’ and Barry’s night, only for the striker to grab the came by the scruff of the neck.
Twice he rose at the far post to convert past Carl Rushworth. While his equalising header was a lot less crappy than his scrambled second strike, it matters little how it goes in as long as the ball goes in the back of the net.
That’s 10 goals for Barry already this season, with six coming in the Premier League. Only Erling Haaland has scored more. It has taken him just 10 games to better his total from the entirety of his maiden campaign on Merseyside.
Then adding an assist to his name with a stunning through-ball for Dewsbury-Hall, Barry was the difference on Friday night.
Plenty was made about Everton’s failure to sign a striker in the summer after sanctioning Beto’s exit. At least with the 24-year-old in this form, it has not been costly.
And with Moyes admitting the Blues took a gamble when signing the forward last year, it is certainly one that continues to pay off.
Come back, Jack
As Everton supporters made their way to the Hill Dickinson Stadium on Friday night, reports were starting to break that Jack Grealish would return to first team training with Everton next week following his recent exile for a breach of discipline.
On the evidence of the first 55 minutes of the Blues’ clash with Coventry City, they would be forgiven for thinking his return cannot come soon enough.
Against the newly-promoted side, the Blues were initially left lacking in attack, devoid of creative spark - at least before Barry helped turn things around.
With Tyler Dibling struggling to impose himself on proceedings and take on defenders, Everton were screaming out for a player of Grealish’s quality.
Fortunately, falling behind woke the Blues up and enabled them to turn things around to make it three wins in a row. But not at their best despite the scoreline, it is clear what an on-form Grealish can add.
David Moyes’ side had coped well without the England international in truth, claiming impressive back-to-back wins against Newcastle United in league and cup.
But given the size of Everton’s squad, they cannot afford to turn their nose up at quality players. The return of Grealish, a player capable of opening up the toughest defences, to proceedings will be a welcome sight.
Now, after a 3-1 win, rather than being the saviour, the England international can instead be a valuable addition to a stretched squad that continues to exceed expectations.
Dibling despair
Many had expected to see David Moyes name an unchanged side against Coventry following Monday night’s win at Newcastle. Yet the Scot - overseeing his joint-record 592nd game in charge of Everton - opted to switch things up with one attacking switch.
Tyler Dibling came in for only his second Premier League start of the season, stationed on the right with Merlin Rohl dropping back to right-back.
But the England Under-21s international ultimately failed to make the most of his opportunity.
The winger struggled to impose himself on proceedings and offered little in the final third before being withdrawn in the 73rd minute.
He rarely looked to take on his full-back, failing to complete a dribble with one cross to the far post for Tyrique George the limit of his contributions.
He will no doubt have been left frustrated at his performance, and it will not be lost that Everton arguably looked more fluid offensively following his withdrawal.
It was a surprise to see him start against the Sky Blues, but it would be a bigger surprise if he were to retain his place against Brentford when club football resumes - especially with Grealish back in the mix.
At 20 years old, Dibling is still young enough to forge a successful Everton career. He will not be written off on the back of one underwhelming night.
But having seen Moyes make it clear that players needed to deliver when brought into the starting XI ahead of facing Coventry, this was very much an opportunity missed for the youngster.