Alan Irvine has said Tyler Dibling took his chance during Everton's 1-0 win over Wolves and believes the club's small squad is stepping up.
Everton edged into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a late win over Wolves at Hill Dickinson Stadium, as Charly Alcaraz scored the decisive goal 10 minutes from time.
The Toffees had been frustrated by former goalkeeper Joao Virginia until Alcaraz collected Dibling's pass, fooled Toti Gomes with a feint, and fired home.
The winner was Dibling's first assist for Everton and capped an encouraging night for the 20-year-old, who is yet to feature in the Premier League this season.
Dibling also created another good chance for Brennan Johnson, and Everton assistant Irvine said the winger made the most of his opportunity. Irvine also praised Alcaraz for his attitude amid limited minutes and said it's important that Everton's small squad prove they are all capable of contributing.
“He’s really looked as if he’s a lot more comfortable since the start of pre-season. It was a big move for him last year, and sometimes it takes that little bit of time for younger players to settle, away from home and things," Irvine said of Dibling to evertonfc.com.
“I’m absolutely delighted for him. He’s been training well. I spoke to him before the game and said, ‘You’ve been waiting for a chance. Now it’s important that you perform well, take it, and give the manager a big decision about who plays in that position’.
“He’s done that, and I’m absolutely thrilled for him. He’s been training well since we came back for pre-season and it’s brilliant for him to be involved for the goal, and fantastic for that goal to be scored by Charly, because Charly’s been waiting patiently as well. He trains well every day, so I didn’t feel as if he’d be struggling to get up to speed with the game.
“We need every player [to step up]. We have a small squad, and as a result we need every player to be usable within that squad and be able to make a contribution. I think that’s what we’re seeing from the boys. They’re all capable of playing in the team, not weakening the team, and certainly making a contribution."
Read more - Sloppy Sluggish Blues shown how to finish by Charly Alcaraz
Reader Comments (6)
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2 Posted 17/09/2026 at 09:39:06
The only way these fringe players can step up is if they're given regular gametime.
At least they've given him some reassurance that they can do a job.
I also thought Obrian did very well last night.
3 Posted 17/09/2026 at 09:56:14
All this against a Championship side though, so there's a pinch of salt to be thrown in.
Of course they'll publicly praise him, it's good management to do so - he'll also get some game time in the league regardless, purely because our squad is so small and we'll pick up injuries/fatigue.
I'm still yet to see him do anything meaningful in a league game, which is the real test of whether he's getting any better.
4 Posted 17/09/2026 at 10:01:46
Also it's difficult to see him do much in a league game as he'd have to be on the pitch
5 Posted 17/09/2026 at 10:40:04
The message on training well and having the sharpness to hit the ground running was also interesting. (for both of them) I beleive the intensity in training is working its trick.
One observation was that he got stronger as the game went on. A big plus that Moyesy left him on and he lasted 90 mins.
I noticed that he took up all sorts of different positions and angles. Underlaps, Inverted, overlaps, in between the lines. This worked well with the movement and runs of AMN and Hackney, creating triangles.
He showed he can go on the outside and with a driving dribble through the middle it looks promising that he can get back to his best and grab some goals. He has historically got a very good shot - lets hope we see a lot more of this.
Lastly his calmness on the ball, viison and excellent passing to Charly and Johnson was another key feature.
I'm not sure he has scintilating pace but on the recovery run and tackle, the player was ahead and he caught up with a keen show of pace.
Lets hope he gets at least 30 mins off the bench Saturday. Perhaps even a start?
6 Posted 17/09/2026 at 10:42:31
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1 Posted 17/09/2026 at 09:38:41
I know when he was younger Dibbling went to Chelsea but was homesick and returned to Southampton, so maybe he has taken time to settle into a new club in a new city. I am sure with Armstrong, George and Barry all about the same age will have been a help to Dibbling to help in settle. There is no doubt he put in some scintillating performances for Southampton but has been way off those levels since signing. I am hopeful that he is feeling more settled and we will see the very best of him.