Our Everton FC Correspondent Connor O'Neill with the talking point after David Moyes' side claimed a 3-1 Premier League victory over Coventry City on Friday night
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
View 2 Images
It looked like it might be one of those nights for Everton. Perhaps a step too far, given this was their third game in eight days and David Moyes had no choice but to select the same players.
When Yann Gboho poked the ball past Jordan Pickford seven minutes into the second-half, Blues supporters would have been forgiven for thinking that was that. The goal was no more than Frank Lampard’s side deserved, and in truth, Everton were lucky to reach half-time level.
But even the most optimistic Evertonian could not have predicted what would come next.
READ MORE: What Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall said about Everton mentality as fresh Thierno Barry verdict delivered
READ MORE: David Moyes disagrees with Frank Lampard as ex-Everton boss fumes over three decisions
Coventry City’s supporters were celebrating when Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall picked up the ball on the halfway line.
And off he went. Charging down the pitch with the South Stand goal in front of him, he soon played the ball out to Tyler Dibling.
It looked like the chance might have gone when Dibling’s ball into the box eventually found its way to Vitalii Mykolenko, but the left-back’s cross was headed home by Thierno Barry.
And just like that Everton were level. But more importantly David Moyes’ side were awake. They were alive and they smelt blood.
Thierno Barry celebrates after scoring Everton's first goal against Coventry City
View 2 Images
A second goal for Barry followed five minutes later before Dewsbury-Hall decided he would settle the contest.
Understandably, the midfielder was disappointed on Friday morning when he discovered he hadn’t made Thomas Tuchel’s latest England squad. Perhaps he used some of that frustration to hammer the ball past Carl Rushworth.
But not for the first time in his short Everton career Dewsbury-Hall stepped up when it mattered most. Had he not decided to grab the game by the scruff of the neck with his side trailing.
Without doing so there would have been no comeback. No dancing from Thierno Barry and no jokes from David Moyes about Erling Haaland being concerned that his only centre-forward was closing in on his tally for the season.
When it mattered most Dewsbury-Hall demonstrated his qualities. And in the absence of Jack Grealish he has grabbed the responsibility to drive Everton forward.
You would normally whisper it quietly, but there is no need to because everyone watching the former Chelsea man at the minute knows they are watching a possible future Everton captain.
Make sure you never miss the latest Everton news and opinion by makingLiverpool Echo one of your Google preferred sources.
That’s because he’s already won the hearts of Everton supporters. They know a good player when they see one and they also know a good lad when they meet one.
Taking to social media back in March 2022, Dewsbury-Hall wrote: "Play for the name on the front, and they will remember the name on the back.."
Because of statements like that Everton came from behind to beat Frank Lampard’s side on Friday night.
Also because of statements like that, Everton supporters continue to sing, “The greatest of all, Super Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall.”
Team-mate Barry might have deservedly grabbed all the headlines, but this was another night when you were left wondering how Everton got away with only paying an initial fee of £25million for the midfielder.
[Liverpool Echo Icon
GET MORE FROM US
Choose Liverpool Echo as a 'Preferred Source' on Google News for quick access to the news you value.
Google Preferred Source Badge](https://www.google.com/preferences/source?q=liverpoolecho.co.uk)
Google Preferred Source Badge