Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall left over 50,000 fans impressed after making his debut for Everton in the 1-0 loss to AS Roma at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
One of the standout players on the pitch, he looked at ease pulling strings in the middle of the park, dictating play for David Moyes’ side and also created chances. Such was his impact on his maiden appearance that Dewsbury-Hall was greeted with an ovation when he was subbed off the pitch at the hour-mark.
“It all started from the reception that me and the team got. It was pretty overwhelming to be honest,” he said after the end of the game.
“It was a special moment for me. From that second, I was like: ‘Yes, I need to try show something for the fans and do what I can,’ and credit to them, it was an enjoyable moment.
“I feed off that energy. That’s what you want as a footballer, it brings out the best in you and makes you want to fight for the team – I’ve got scratches all over me.
“That’s part and parcel of it. I’m happy with that and hopefully that can continue.
“The result today is not the most important thing, it’s getting minutes in the legs for the team. But results will come, I’m 100% sure.
“I’ve grown up since I was a kid watching Match of the Day and you watch Everton every week on it playing and hearing the song before the lads go out, it’s iconic. It’s massive, I don’t care what anyone says, it’s a massive club.
“Everyone sees it, so it's a really nice feeling and I need to repay that now. They've put their faith in me, and I need to show them why they're giving me the nice reception. So, you'll have seen little glimpses from me today, first minutes, but there's way more to come.
“I am humbled to be here and I’ll never take that for granted, so every time I step on the pitch, you’re going to get the best version of me, whatever that is, whether it’s on the ball or off the ball, I’m just going to do whatever I can to help the team.”
Dewsbury-Hall’s performance against Roma also drew praise from his manager, who tried to rope in the player during the January transfer window, albeit unsuccessfully.
He is here now after the Toffees paid close to £29million, including add-ons. Dewsbury-Hall hopes that the club can get a few more players in before the transfer window shuts in a few weeks’ time.
“We had the conversation that the manager wants to make a lot of signings. If it’s possible, then we would like to add a couple more.
“If it comes up and the club can do it, then they will. That will put us in a great position with the squad we’ll have with the depth and will catapult us nicely going into the Premier League.
“The new stadium was obviously a selling point to coming to this club. It would have been amazing to play at Goodison Park, I know how iconic that is, but the way the club is going with all this new stuff, it is exciting.
“It makes players go: ‘Wow, this is a project that hopefully in the next couple of years, starting now, is going to be exciting.’ When it came about, it was an easy decision.”
Reader Comments (37)
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2 Posted 10/08/2025 at 11:58:27
3 Posted 10/08/2025 at 11:59:36
Apparently Chelsea supporters didn't want to see him go; l can see their point.
Good to see someone who makes a difference to the game!
4 Posted 10/08/2025 at 12:32:51
Grealish and Tyler Dibling would help a lot, even if they needed to settle in. Don't leave it too late, Everton.
5 Posted 10/08/2025 at 13:10:38
6 Posted 10/08/2025 at 13:11:57
7 Posted 10/08/2025 at 13:48:06
Boss, the Plane, the Plane ! :-)
8 Posted 10/08/2025 at 14:07:10
9 Posted 10/08/2025 at 14:46:34
10 Posted 10/08/2025 at 14:59:13
11 Posted 10/08/2025 at 15:20:03
12 Posted 10/08/2025 at 15:29:22
The other standout pros joining Dewsbury-Hall on the day were Gana & Roma's left back, who I've never heard of but I would sign him in a heartbeat.
13 Posted 10/08/2025 at 15:34:43
I also read about Harrison getting booed by the Leeds fans, it also said it was about something his mother said about the club. Anyone know what she is supposed to have said?
15 Posted 10/08/2025 at 16:44:02
16 Posted 10/08/2025 at 16:55:58
If you don't have players without those characteristics, you'll just get destroyed. Its why the last 25 managers have played with a low block.
But yeah, blame Moyes - yawn again..
17 Posted 10/08/2025 at 16:58:24
And he's well better
18 Posted 10/08/2025 at 17:04:44
And he's well better
19 Posted 10/08/2025 at 17:14:37
20 Posted 10/08/2025 at 19:36:18
Looks like Satan has taken the day off, Long may it continue.
21 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:05:38
22 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:18:15
23 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:29:27
Discuss…
24 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:33:17
25 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:36:38
Who did the exorcism? I know a guy who’s one of the top exorcists in the Vatican. Worth a short for such high stakes?
26 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:44:53
27 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:45:04
Without the goal threat it will always be difficult to get three points and Moyes ploy has always been shut up shop and hope for the one goal that wins the game.
Unfortunately that usually backfires.
One hopes he is able to get some better offense soon because we all know things can go pear shaped pretty quickly starting with a tough one at Leeds.
Beto, Chermitti and Barry don't look like the answer at present and so it will need sharper finishing from the likes of Alcaraz, Ndiaye, Garner and MacNeil when the opportunities arise. We know Alacaraz and Ndiaye are capable but the other two are no danger for the most part in a forward role.
The new lad Dewsbury-Hall will be an asset but there has to be someone else to make a difference.
The new left back looked a bag of nerves yesterday which was understandable.
Time will tell.
28 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:59:59
29 Posted 10/08/2025 at 21:32:54
Because that's my opinion and nothing you say will change it,
30 Posted 10/08/2025 at 21:33:13
I don't think all of them played with the now-called low block. Having had it explained to me, I still interpret it as defenders closing and pressing the ball, getting in the way of it or making a tackle? That's defending.
Harsh to criticise Moyes this time around. I can understand the pessimists when he was re-appointed. I was quite a vocal one; a Leopard never changes its spots.
However, he turned it around. Yes ,there were flashbacks in certain matches, hanging onto a narrow lead. But we won a few matches by attacking and came back from behind to earn a few valuable points.
32 Posted 10/08/2025 at 22:55:00
33 Posted 10/08/2025 at 23:58:17
I said, "Crystal Palace haven't spent £500M and still beat your shower of shite, so fuck off."
34 Posted 11/08/2025 at 01:28:14
So so I. If we could get similar quality players in for £25m each at RB, RW and DM, we'd have the makings of a decent team at least until Afcon comes.
In contrast, the Saints site, although resigned to losing Dibley to someone, were not exactly waxing lyrical. He is more promise than reality at the moment, they reckon he basically disappeared for the second half of last season. Oddly enough, its Fernandes they are desperate to keep.
35 Posted 11/08/2025 at 01:58:15
Yeah Chelsea have gone on a wild spending spree so spoilt for choice but it's telling Maresca thought KDH was worth bringing with him.
36 Posted 11/08/2025 at 06:06:54
He barely played with any defence at all!
37 Posted 11/08/2025 at 06:14:08
Chelsea's midfield includes Enzo, Caicedo, Santos, Neto and Lavia. £100 millions of fees invested.
I am surprised KDH went there and the same will apply to Delap. We should show him we are still interested as he may be ready to exit in 12-18 months.
38 Posted 11/08/2025 at 06:44:49
He asked me yesterday how he got on, and I gave him the positive feedback. He told me general consensus at Stamford Bridge, is that he was highly rated, but didn't get a consistent run.
It's one game, it was a friendly, but initial thoughts are that this is a positive signing, that bolsters and enhances the midfield.
39 Posted 11/08/2025 at 08:51:18
I expect he will be first name on the team sheet already and soon transforming our play, just like Cahill, Arteta and James did. Raising standards and getting more out of those around him.
He is an Everton player. Quality without the flash.
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1 Posted 10/08/2025 at 11:33:46