Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s impressive performances going under the radar, feels David Moyes | OneFootball

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has had a massive impact on Everton in the short time he’s been here already and manager David Moyes feels the summer signing’s impressive performances may be “going under the radar” a wee bit.

Signed from Chelsea, Dewsbury-Hall has operated as an advanced midfielder and has been crucial in helping the Blues build up and in dictating play in the final third. He’s developed great chemistry with Jack Grealish on the left and along with Iliman Ndiaye, these three players have been responsible for most of Everton’s offensive forays this season.

Dewsbury-Hall had his best performance in an Everton shirt in the recent game against Fulham. He was instrumental in the Blues’ 2-0 victory over the Cottagers and picked up the Man of the Match award.

Speaking about Dewsbury-Hall, Moyes said, “He's made us a much better footballing team; he's made us much more careful in how we build and how we play.

“He's done an awful lot of really good things, and I thought he'd get a goal in the first half as well, but it was ruled out, wasn't it? Just generally, I think he's done really well for us.”

Dewsbury-Hall lies second behind only Grealish for Everton’s Premier League assists (two), shot-creating actions (34) and goal-creating actions (four), while also ranking in the top 10 across the division for key passes (18).

“He’s made such a difference to the team,” Moyes continued. “He’s made us more creative and, sort of, cultured in the way we play.

“He might be going under the radar a wee bit – he’s playing so well. He does the work; he covers big distances for us. He’s an intelligent boy, as well. He wants the team to do well, and he’s certainly helped us play better.”

Reader Comments (28)

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Paul Hewitt 1 Posted 18/11/2025 at 13:41:21

He been ok. But I think he'd be more effective if he dropped back and plays as an 8. Let Alcaraz play as the 10.

Dave Abrahams 2 Posted 18/11/2025 at 13:50:22

I think Moyes needs to go to Specsavers if he thinks Dewsbury-Hall has made a massive difference to Everton's performances this season.

He was very noticable v Fulham because he looked like a completely different player to the one who has been playing for us this season. Let's hope he keeps it up.

Paul Murray 3 Posted 18/11/2025 at 13:52:41

Very good signing and good player but definitely agree: he’s a Number 8 with Alcaraz or Ndiaye as Number 10. He’s not a Number 10 and admits it himself.

I still think Ndiaye's best position is Number 10 but understand playing him wide as he is so good. I’m a big fan of Dewsbury-Hall though; he was a really good signing.

Christy Ring 4 Posted 18/11/2025 at 14:46:39

Dewsbury-Hall was definitely MotM against Fulham, but in his previous three games he should have been subbed early.

Hopefully he'll keep playing to that standard.

Conor McCourt 5 Posted 18/11/2025 at 14:46:51

Moyes must think we came up in a bubble. His constant fawning over this player even after many of his poorer games is because he was clearly handpicked by the manager and would lead me to believe there may have been some resistance from above.

Dewsbury-Hall is certainly not a bad player but was clearly an unnecessary signing which has prevented us from addressing more pertinent areas. Furthermore, I feel he forces Jack to play on the left and Ily on the right which is to the detriment of the team because it slows down our attack and is a key reason why we are so toothless. I think we would be so much more productive with Grealish as a Number 10.

Moyes has nailed his colours to the mast on this player and I feel it will either make or break him. My gut feeling is the latter.

Mike Gaynes 6 Posted 18/11/2025 at 16:52:52

Conor #5, according to public comments by both player and manager, Moyes gives Grealish freedom to roam.

I believe Grealish plays on the left because he likes playing on the left. He naturally gravitates there. He likes the space he finds near the touchline and the chance to cut back on his right.

Conor McCourt 7 Posted 18/11/2025 at 17:41:27

Mike, in my opinion, it's irrelevant whether he's allowed to roam or not. Grealish and Dewsbury-Hall both hold on to the ball too long and allow defences to get set.

Jack hasn't got the pace to go on the outside and hasn't the ability to come inside and shoot. He also makes Mykolenko look a poorer player because he often has to underlap and take up positions where he's just not comfortable. This was especially evident against Spurs. Either this or he stays at home. Fulham was the exception.

Jack’s best form came at Aston Villa when played as a Number 10; when Carsley played him there for England, he excelled and Jack said he did so because it was his best position.

Having Ndiaye left would give us better balance and also stop us being double-marked so easily on both sides as happened against Villa. This is why most teams play with inverted wingers.

Jack is our most creative player and playing centrally would open up both sides of the pitch. Dewsbury-Hall often plays too deep and too far left and very seldom switches the play to the right.

We are very easy to play against because of our tactical set-up. It's why our strikers don't get early service from midfield and why we are so reliant on in the individual brilliance of Ndiaye.

Managers have sussed us out and that’s why our goal return has been so poor since the Brighton and Wolves victories.

Mike Gaynes 8 Posted 18/11/2025 at 20:19:52

Colin, your memories and mine of Jack's best work at Villa differ sharply, but I'm not sure it's relevant anyway since it was 7 years ago.

I 100% agree with you that he stands on the ball too long, and that wouldn't be my choice of style for a #10. Jack might be better there than Dewsbury-Hall, might not, but in my opinion neither is a natural for the position -- in Jack's case because he's just happier on the flank.

Kevin Molloy 9 Posted 18/11/2025 at 20:20:19

I think we have to take the manager's word for it, given he sees ten times what we do when Everton play. I would agree that he's been key to the sea change in the way we play.

We are now a possession team rather than a hit on the break team. He clearly works very hard, and is a good passer. It's funny that we've not enjoyed him more, given we've not had a midfielder comfortable on the ball like him for years.

I think it's cos we've got now pace, so we hold onto the ball very elegantly, but are still struggling to hurt teams more. If he's happy with him, that's good enough for me.

Dave Abrahams 10 Posted 18/11/2025 at 20:40:15

Kevin (9)

How does Moyes see 10 times more than us when Everton play?

If Dewsbury-Hall is the sea change in how we play, how come he's only had one very good game since he came here?

That's in my opinion and I think a few more on here,

Kieran Kinsella 11 Posted 18/11/2025 at 21:11:21

Dave,

On his iPad, Moyes has 10 little Dewsbury-Hall camera angles showing a 360° view of his every move.

I have to agree with you. There's been a few times I thought he did well though ultimately he came up short. For example, almost making a good pass, almost getting a good shot away.

Sort of like 90% of Leon Osman's career in that respect. I don't think it helps us having him as Number 10. As Koeman said of Barkley in that role: "We need more productivity."

Kevin Molloy 12 Posted 18/11/2025 at 21:18:16

Dave,

We have no idea what instructions Dewsbury-Hall is working under. How he obeys tactics, where he stands, when he runs. If he was doing everything Moyes asked of him, we wouldn't be aware of that.

Also, speaking for myself, I have no knowledge really of modern training: what's in, what's out. Moyes has been doing this every day for 25 years.

Annika Herbert 13 Posted 18/11/2025 at 21:31:24

Kevin @ 12,

Moyes may have been doing this for 25 years, but he has no clue regarding modern training methods.

He still relies on the same methods he started out with. Defend first and hope to snatch a goal. Then defend even deeper.

Dave Abrahams 14 Posted 18/11/2025 at 21:32:58

Kieran (11),

You're having me on right? He's standing up most of the game looking as bewildered as the rest of his coaches.

Against Spurs in the second half, he was clapping his hands like a seal and it looked like he was shouting, “Come on, lads!”

So going by that last line in my post Kevin @12, it doesn't look like he's learned much over those last 25 years.

Mind you, he's become a very rich man doing what he does and it must count as a very successful career although in my eyes he's a very average manager, very average indeed.

Each to their own opinion I think.

Kevin Molloy 15 Posted 18/11/2025 at 22:03:51

Dave,

he's not perfect, but he's at least 30% better than any other manager we've had since he left. So that'll do for me.

Conor McCourt 16 Posted 18/11/2025 at 23:15:30

"We are now a possession based team."

Our highest possession this season was against Spurs where we had 53% and that is because they purposely set up to counter. Hardly a percentage-based team.

We don't know what we are. In midfield, we endlessly pass the ball where our strikers, who got such early passes from Alcaraz last season, don't get played to their strengths. We don't go on the outside and hurt teams with the exception being Fulham.

Yet our defence is normally chosen based on their physical and defensive attributes rather than technical and we predominantly play direct from the back or we just give it to Grealish where possible.

We are neither a possession-based team nor a counter-attacking one.

You can trust Moyes if you desire, Kevin, and can take his word for everything he does but the evidence is that we have won 3 games with Dewsbury-Hall in the team. Two against Fulham and Wolves and the other where we had the rub of the green against Brighton.

Moyes telling us we are better with Dewsbury-Hall is hardly borne out by facts.

Si Cooper 17 Posted 19/11/2025 at 01:13:54

In my opinion, he has sufficient ability and willingness to graft to be a welcome addition to the team but his actual output hasn't been consistent. Still, overall, a promising start to his Everton career.

The willingness to work is obviously key to David Moyes. Any other specific traits he is so obviously admired for don't really get spelt out.

I would still like to see the manager using more players in each and every game to vary the style of play and keep the players fresh and competitive.

Kieran Kinsella 18 Posted 19/11/2025 at 04:08:22

Dave,

Yes, I was having you on mate. Not sure what Kevin is watching

Steve Brown 19 Posted 19/11/2025 at 05:04:25

Dewsbury-Hall has done okay, and better than most in the team.

Think we should see him in his preferred position at No 8 before judging. He is a central midfielder.

It is part of the manager's DNA to play more experienced players out of position ahead of younger players in their natural position.

Hence we have a centre-back or defensive midfielder at right-back, a central-midfielder as an attacking-midfielder and an attacking-midfielder or second striker on the right wing.

All while Röhl, Alcaraz and Dibling develop their game by sitting on the bench and watching the match.

Dave Abrahams 20 Posted 19/11/2025 at 09:22:44

Kevin (15) Fair enough Kevin we all have different opinions.

Kieran (18) You had me wondering there Kieran—- for ten seconds!

That Fulham game has me changing my mind about KDH I hope he keeps it up along with most of the players with that performance v Fulham— Man.Unt. on Monday will be a different kettle of fish,as long as we don’t surrender most of the pitch to United and have a real go at them I’ll be happy—-United are still giving plenty of goals away but if you don’t attack how the fuck are you going to score.

Ajay Gopal 21 Posted 19/11/2025 at 11:04:03

When we signed KDH, I was happy but puzzled. We have a similar player in Dwight McNeil, who was very productive for us before he got injured Plus, we had an upcoming youth player who plays that position in Harrison Armstrong. I thought that while we recruited some very good players - Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, Dibling, Rohl, Alcaraz, the whole transfer strategy felt disjointed. So, if Grealish, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall are all undroppable, where does that leave the rest of our attacking /midfield players - Alcaraz, Dibling, McNeil, Rohl, Armstrong (when he comes back next season)?

Mark Murphy 22 Posted 19/11/2025 at 11:21:27

Its all opinions but I don't see any resemblance at in KDH to McNeil, who, in MY opinion, is no longer good enough for us.

I think the recruitment in midfield has been excellent tbh. We've got good cover.

When Afcon robs us of two midfielders I think we'll see a lot more of Dibling, Rohl and Alcaraz. Personally I'm a big fan of the latter and would like to see him in the number 10.

Pickford

Garner O'brien/Tarks Keane Myko

Rohl KDH

Dibling Alcaraz Grealish

Barry

Isn't a bad side in the absence of our Senegalese duo.

Jimmy Carr 23 Posted 19/11/2025 at 11:26:24

KDH is a far better number10 than the guy he replaced, and that is borne out by the facts and underlined by our position in the league table, so I'm not unhappy with the choice of him for the role, I think he's been a decent acquisition. Our passing and ball retention has improved and he's played his part in that, neither of these were Doucoure's strengths. But when KDH has not been effective - Sunderland away for example - the manager has been too slow to try something different. I don't think that's going to change any time soon. That's not down to KDH, that's down to Moyes and his 'pragmatism first' approach. We knew all this when he was appointed. It is what it is.

We're well capable of beating Man U. I hope we go into the game on the front foot.

Steve that is something I hear often on these pages but he would frighten the life out of me if he played there. Against Fulham when he was dropped back Stach began to run riot as Dewsbury Hall hasn't got the defensive awareness, the physicality and due care on the ball to play as an 8. He gets caught out with sloppy or risky passes that would leave us exposed to counter attacks.

The penalty that day came about because he switched off and two other big chances fell to his opposing player as Dewsbury Hall lost him. All in a twenty minute or so cameo.I agree that he was probably bought to play there yet Moyes hasn't trusted him since probably realising that decision cost us the game. This is why I feel the manager is constantly bigging him up to justify his importance to the team. On his current positioning I agree with Moyes.

Dewsbury Hall in the championship played his best football as a 10 and against weaker teams his quality shone through. This has continued this season where his best games were against Fulham and Wolves and he was decent against Brighton and West Ham. In every other game he has been either on the periphery, gone missing for long periods or flat out woeful. A flat track bully who shines when we are on top but when we are up against it especially away from home is completely anonymous and becomes a liability.

I feel he can be used as an important squad player but I would question Moyes over valuation and reliance on him.

26 Posted 19/11/2025 at 12:20:43

Conor, I like Alcaraz and think he's been unlucky with a lack of minutes this season, but Moyes obviously prefers KDH. Alcaraz's impact last season was based on a limited number of games though, I don't think he's without his flaws, he seems to play a little more 'off the cuff' and I'm not sure that's what Moyes wants, but as I said in my original post, Moyes has been too slow (in my opinion) to make attacking changes and consequently Alcaraz and others have missed out.

About Doucoure, there's no doubt for me that KDH is an upgrade in the ten role, regardless of numbers. Doucoure lost possession through poor control or poor passing too many times and our attacks were prone to breaking down. I know he covered ground and popped up with the odd goal, but for us to improve as a cohesive attacking team he had to be moved on.

Michael Kenrick 27 Posted 19/11/2025 at 14:21:08

Just reading that Grealish has created 19 further chances in his seven league games since August, none of which have been converted. That is 19 times Grealish has teed up a teammate, only for them to spurn the opportunity to stick the ball in the back of the net.

They claim Grealish is going about his business at a high level, having become the first player in the Premier League this season to register four assists and create 20+ chances. Grealish is in desperate need of strikers who can convert chances, which is becoming a serious issue for David Moyes to solve.