Andy Dunn's weekly column for Liverpool ECHO Premium subscribers focuses in on David Moyes' joyous reaction to Everton's last-gasp equaliser at Brighton & Hove Albion
David Moyes celebrates Beto's equaliser for Everton at Brighton & Hove Albion on Saturday(Image: Ben Peters/MB Media/Getty Images)View Image
Considering he was prone to a spot of self-congratulation himself - remember the two-armed salute of an advantage call that led to a Tottenham Hotspur goal - Mike Dean was a stickler for enforcing the rules on celebrations.
And to this day, he has no regrets about booking Sergio Aguero for the shirt removal and twirling after that title-winning goal in 2012.
The same will go for Chris Kavanagh when he reflects on the yellow card given to David Moyes for his inelegant indulgence following Beto’s late equaliser at Brighton last Saturday.
And as much as Moyes and the rest of us despair at the pettiness of Kavanagh’s sanction and the mild punishment of someone innocently enjoying a nice moment, the referee had no choice.
Managers cannot be allowed to go onto the field of play during a game, simple as that.
Remember, Jurgen Klopp was fined eight grand for his intrusion after Divock Origi’s bizarre derby winner at Anfield in 2018.
Talking of Klopp, managers need no second invitation to get out onto the pitch as soon as the final whistle has gone and that should be the limit of their time amongst the players.
Had Moyes not been booked, it would have been a green light for spotlight-loving managers to join the post-goal melees.
And no-one wants to see that.
But Moyes’ brilliant reaction to the equaliser at Brighton is what Everton fans want to see.
In a few fantastic moments, Moyes showed what the job still means to him, what the club still means to him. After all, as dramatically late as it was, it was ‘only’ an equaliser at Brighton.
Moyes is an elder statesman of elite football. He turns 63 in April. As a manager, he is a veteran of well over a thousand games.
His return to Everton has re-energised the club but it has been impossible not to wonder what the owners’ long-term plans will be.
The move to Hill Dickinson Stadium and the Friedkin Group takeover has represented a modernisation of the grand old institution.
Moyes has consistently moved with the times but the age profile of Premier League managers has changed.
Last season, Arne Slot was 46 when he won the title and the likely winner this season, Mikel Arteta, will only turn 44 next month. At the age of 41, Liam Rosenior has taken charge at Chelsea.
But Moyes has consistently moved with the times and his zest for the challenge at modern Everton is unmistakable.
His reaction at Brighton was testament to that.
When he rejoined, Moyes signed a two and a half year deal, so that means his current contract expires at the end of next season.
There will clearly be no rush to begin talks over an extension. Performances have been mixed this season but there has been enough promise against blue-chip opposition to suggest a summer of wise investment can bring better results going forward.
After so long as a manager, it was hard not to wonder if Moyes would retain his enthusiasm and passion for the job.
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But it is clear he does. It is clear the Everton job means something special to him.
And don’t be surprised if the club and the manager are already making plans for beyond 2027.