Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s strike was remarkable and it calmed Everton in their clash with Crystal Palace.
Yet as impressive as the finish proved to be, that moment also resulted from what occurred during the approach play, when Harrison Armstrong dispossessed Daniel Munoz.
Seeing that intervention from the young player pleased me greatly – while everybody else was responding to the penalty appeals, he took charge, he showed initiative, he forced the issue and it proved worthwhile.
It proved such a crucial moment in the contest and after a shaky beginning, it altered the atmosphere Everton had been conceding opportunities during that opening 40 minutes but after Armstrong and Dewsbury-Hall linked up, they took command.
That is what I wish to witness more frequently from Everton, particularly on home soil. The home performances have troubled the club for some time, whether at Goodison Park or Hill Dickinson Stadium, and I believe much of this stems from the absence of early intensity on the field.
We witnessed examples of this once more on Saturday, when Everton initially permitted Crystal Palace too much latitude to control the play and establish the rhythm. Adam Wharton is an excellent player and he caused no end of problems early on, including when he found Eddie Nketiah for one of the visitors’ three clear-cut openings. Fortunately, we possess England’s number one between the sticks and it was a magnificent stop from Jordan Pickford.
I felt anxious when Palace enjoyed those early opportunities. I had arrived at the match with nerves, wavering between the optimism and concern that different friends had expressed to me beforehand.
After Jean-Philippe Mateta struck the post with his second major opportunity of the encounter, I thought something had gone wrong. I wondered if this would be another of those campaigns, had we taken nothing from last season?
I want Hill Dickinson to be inhospitable for visiting teams, I do not want opposition sides to be capable of travelling to the banks of the Mersey and dominating matches.
So when Armstrong punished Munoz, I was delighted to see Dewsbury-Hall capitalise – and pleased that, from that point onward, Everton discovered the belief to play with greater command.
Once Everton moved ahead, they controlled proceedings and pressurised Palace in a fashion that satisfied me. I felt Hayden Hackney was especially impressive.
The second goal provided a welcome boost and another illustration of what I wish to observe more from Everton. As part of the drive to gain the initiative, I want to see Everton’s wide players reach the byline more often.
We have witnessed inverted wingers become the norm but, as a full-back, that was what I relished seeing. I was content if a winger chose to cut inside and deliver lofted crosses into the area – it was simpler for me to handle and easier for my central defenders to manage when the ball did arrive.
It posed greater difficulty when wingers looked to reach the byline and deliver outswinging deliveries that defenders had to contend with on the back foot or facing their own goal.
That is precisely what Iliman Ndiaye achieved for the second goal and Everton gained the reward – Thierno Barry’s header felt reminiscent of traditional Everton.