Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall turned the frustration of a morning England rejection into an emphatic on-pitch answer, scoring in Everton’s 3-1 comeback win over Coventry City at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Friday. The Everton midfielder had hoped to be named in Thomas Tuchel’s Nations League squad but was left out, with Borussia Dortmund teenager Jobe Bellingham chosen instead. The Dewsbury-Hall England snub could have unsettled him; instead, his thunderous strike helped lift Everton to fifth in the Premier League table.
Speaking to Sky Sports after the match, Dewsbury-Hall admitted the news had been hard to take. He described it as a massive dream to represent his country and said he knew he had been close to selection, adding that he felt sad but was proud of how he responded. The 28-year-old vowed to keep delivering strong performances in the hope of eventually earning a call-up.
A career built on persistence
Dewsbury-Hall is accustomed to taking the longer route. He did not make his Premier League debut for boyhood club Leicester City until he was 22, having spent earlier seasons on loan at Luton Town and Blackpool in the English Football League. When he finally broke into the Leicester first team, the club was in a turbulent period that ended in relegation from the Premier League the following season.
He then played a key role in Leicester’s Championship-winning campaign under Enzo Maresca, which led to a £30m move to Chelsea. Regular Premier League minutes proved elusive at Stamford Bridge, with most of his appearances coming in cup competitions. A summer 2025 transfer to Everton at 26 appears to have given him the platform he needed. Since the start of last season, he has scored 11 Premier League goals for the Toffees and provided seven assists.
Dewsbury-Hall credits his current form to the freedom he enjoys in David Moyes’ setup. He described his role as hybrid, allowing him to pop up across the pitch, and said he is thoroughly enjoying his football. Tuchel noted on Friday afternoon that Dewsbury-Hall had been very close to selection and had enjoyed a very good season with Everton. The midfielder’s response was simple: he has the mentality to keep pushing.
Barry's double and dance
Dewsbury-Hall was not the only Everton player making headlines. Thierno Barry scored twice within five minutes early in the second half to complete the comeback. The 24-year-old French forward, who struggled for form and confidence after arriving from Villarreal last summer, has now reached double figures in all competitions this season, surpassing the eight goals he managed last term.
Only Erling Haaland, with 14 goals, has scored more in all competitions than Barry’s 10 for Moyes’ side. Barry has also become known for celebrating with viral dance moves, and Friday was no exception. He told Match of the Day he had seen an NFL player perform a celebration on TikTok the previous day and had planned to copy it with teammate Tyrique George, but ended up doing the dance alone because George was too shy.
Barry also revealed his admiration for Haaland, saying he watches videos of the Manchester City striker and tries to replicate his actions. If he can stay close to Haaland in the scoring charts until the end of the season, Barry said he would try to challenge for the Golden Boot.
Moyes reaches milestone
The win capped a landmark night for Moyes, who equaled Harry Catterick’s record for the most games as Everton manager with 592 matches. Catterick managed the club from 1961 to 1973. Moyes said he was proud of the achievement and spoke of how much Everton has meant to him and his family, noting that his son and father have shared the journey with him. He added that he will always try to do the right thing for the club.
For Everton, the evening offered further evidence that their season is gathering momentum. Back-to-back Premier League wins have lifted them into fifth, and Dewsbury-Hall’s personal disappointment has only sharpened his determination to force his way into Tuchel’s plans before the next international break in March.
