‘Devilment’ might finally mean Dibling has cracked it at Everton

They do say that a week’s a long time in football.

This time last week, Evertonians were left to ponder why, when he took Brennan Johnson off with around 15 minutes plus stoppage time to go against Tottenham, with the scores locked at 0-0, David Moyes did not turn to Tyler Dibling to come on at right wing.

Instead, Moyes called on Hayden Hackney, playing the former Middlesbrough man out of position, ahead of an out-of-position Jake O’Brien, and seemingly opting to settle for a point.

Now, maybe Moyes would always have done something like that — even if he did fully trust Tyler Dibling. Maybe it’s just too ingrained in his nature to be anything other than pragmatic and conservative. 

But hopefully, the past week has demonstrated to Moyes that he can, in fact, trust Dibling — whether that’s when chasing a game, pushing on to turn a draw into a win, or even to hold out a result.

There has been plenty of criticism directed at Moyes for his handling of Dibling last season, and some of it is definitely fair. However, for all Moyes’s pragmatism, he did say, back in February, that what he really wanted to see from Dibling was more attacking intent, more bravery in possession — a direct approach.

Everton perhaps mis-profiled Dibling if they thought they were getting a winger who would always be running to the byline and stretching teams. It’s not that he can’t do it, it’s just that he is also very adept at keeping possession and he usually wants to slow the game down before he uses his turn of pace to beat his man.

Dibling, though, had a bright pre-season, and it felt like a sign of things to come when he started the final friendly, at home against Lille.

Yet a week later, when Crystal Palace visited Hill Dickinson Stadium in the Premier League opener, Dibling was on the bench, and he didn’t come off it — even when Everton had a comfortable lead late on. 

Dibling played an hour against Preston North End, and was okay, going close to his first Everton goal, but it definitely felt like he had more to give. 

He didn’t come on in the draw at Bournemouth, even with Everton chasing a goal. It was the same against Manchester United, and then again against Spurs.

But in the space of two games, Dibling might well have begun to turn the ship around.

He was Everton’s standout performer against Wolves, with assistant coach Adam Irvine full of praise for the 20-year-old after the game, but clear that this was about time Dibling really took his chance.

But more impressive was that Dibling followed it up with a superb cameo against Ipswich Town at the weekend. He came on and showed great attacking intent, creating a brilliant chance that Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall should have put away, and having three shots himself.

“I’m smiling when you mention his name now... Suddenly we’re beginning to see somebody who’s got more devilment in him, so let’s hope that can continue,” said Moyes in the post-Ipswich press conference.

Moyes has to play his part in that. He can’t be turning to central midfielders to play on the flank instead of Dibling, who showed his discipline, too, to help Everton get over the line against Ipswich.

If Moyes keeps handing Dibling his trust, then Dibling’s confidence will hopefully continue to grow, and with it, the “devilment” that Moyes and his staff want to see.

A week’s a long time in football, but as far as weeks go, then Dibling’s had a pretty good one.

 

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