Everton continued their unbeaten run in the Premier League on Saturday, holding West Ham United.
The Toffees were minutes from defeat having trailed in the game to a Tomas Soucek goal.
But Jake O’Brien popped up in injury-time to score, and preserve Everton’s unbeaten run.
It was O’Brien’s second goal for the club, after he recently equalised against Brentford.
He was on hand to head home after a fantastic cross by Idrissa Gana Gueye.
It wasn’t the greatest performances by Everton, but ultimately, that fighting spirit was there and it was yet another point on the board under David Moyes, who applauded both Everton and West Ham fans after the game.
After the game, O’Brien took to social media to send a message to fans.
Jake O’Brien sends message to Everton fans as Kalvin Phillips responds
Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
Photo by DARREN STAPLES/AFP via Getty Images
O’Brien has gone from strength to strength under David Moyes.
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O’Brien admitted recently that he was unhappy under Sean Dyche playing so little, but the Scot has given him a new lease of life.
He’s been playing at right-back which was something of a curve ball. But O’Brien has adapted really well and has been deserving of all the minutes he’s played recently.
After yesterday’s game, O’Brien took to social media to check in with fans.
He wrote: “Let’s keep this momentum going after the international break, thank you for your support Toffees 🤙🏼💙 #UTT.”
Hundreds of fans replied to the Irishman, as well as a few players.
And there was also a message left by Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips, who commented something that many will agree with: ‘Unbelievable brother’.
O’Brien continues to make Sean Dyche look foolish
This was another great performance from O’Brien who is very obviously relishing the managerial change at Everton.
To see this level of performance from him, and in an unfamiliar position too, is fantastic to see.
While Everton’s defence was actually relatively solid under Dyche, it can still be argued that his reluctance to play O’Brien more often was strange, given what we are seeing from him now.
Jake O’Brien under David Moyes
Appearances – 11
Minutes played – 905
Goals – 2
Not only is he rock-solid, but he’s also proving himself to be a goal threat, and obviously that was a major issue for Everton under the previous manager.
It will be very interesting to see what happens with O’Brien next season, and whether he will perhaps move inside and start playing more as a centre-back.
But whatever happens, he is making a very good case to continue as a regular starter.