Season › 2024-25 › News “It’s a bit overwhelming,” says Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall after Everton debut Anjishnu Roy 10/08/2025 37comments | Jump to last 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) Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer () Pat Kelly 1 Posted 10/08/2025 at 11:33:46 This guy is future captain material. Mike Powell 2 Posted 10/08/2025 at 11:58:27 He was our best player by a mile, hope he keeps it up going into the season. Terry McLavey 3 Posted 10/08/2025 at 11:59:36 We've bought a few duds over the years, Dewsbury-Hall definitely isn't in that category, a great buy! 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! Derek Knox 4 Posted 10/08/2025 at 12:32:51 Totally agree with the positive comments on Dewsbury-Hall, we need more of his ilk. Not saying in his position, but across the whole team where our deficiencies are. Grealish and Tyler Dibling would help a lot, even if they needed to settle in. Don't leave it too late, Everton. Joe McMahon 5 Posted 10/08/2025 at 13:10:38 This guy is a top bloke. Phil Roberts 6 Posted 10/08/2025 at 13:11:57 Be good if we also had KDB alongside KDH Derek Knox 7 Posted 10/08/2025 at 13:48:06 Phil @ 6, Now that is Fantasy Island stuff !Boss, the Plane, the Plane ! :-) Robert Tressell 8 Posted 10/08/2025 at 14:07:10 Really pleased for this guy. Should become a really popular player for us. Ed Prytherch 9 Posted 10/08/2025 at 14:46:34 He was exciting to watch. Every time he received the ball, it looked like he could make something happen. He has found the right club. George Cumiskey 10 Posted 10/08/2025 at 14:59:13 For me, it doesn't matter what forward we sign — if Moyes doesn't commit more players forward when we attack, it will be the same old problem about the strikers being isolated… and Moyes isn't known for all-out attack. Michael Fox 11 Posted 10/08/2025 at 15:20:03 Harrison was booed by Leeds fans when he came on in Dublin last night. Eric Haworth 12 Posted 10/08/2025 at 15:29:22 This guy is a proper professional footballer.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. Billy Bradshaw 13 Posted 10/08/2025 at 15:34:43 Michael # 11, 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? Annika Herbert 15 Posted 10/08/2025 at 16:44:02 George @ 10, I agree with all you said Ian Bennett 16 Posted 10/08/2025 at 16:55:58 Or players are more likely to venture forward if we can retain the ball for more than 2 passes, or that they don't have the running power to run past the striker.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.. Liam Mogan 17 Posted 10/08/2025 at 16:58:24 Glad we now have a player with three initials, KDH, to replace DCL.And he's well better Liam Mogan 18 Posted 10/08/2025 at 17:04:44 Glad we now have a player with three initials, KDH, to replace DCL.And he's well better James Marshall 19 Posted 10/08/2025 at 17:14:37 In other news this Charity Shield penalty shootout is fun. RS are useless at pens :-) Edward Rogers 20 Posted 10/08/2025 at 19:36:18 James, Looks like Satan has taken the day off, Long may it continue. Jimmy Salt 21 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:05:38 Been saying for ever our midfield is crap, this guy is a step in the right direction. George Cumiskey 22 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:18:15 Ian at 26, OMG did I and Annika have the audacity to criticise Moyes I'm so very very sorry I don't know if Annika is but please try to forgive us. 😇🤣 Scott Hamilton 23 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:29:27 James (19) - In other news, I’ve heard on the grapevine that Kopites are in fact ‘gobshites’.Discuss… Colin Glassar 24 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:33:17 It’s a genetic ailment they all suffer from, Scott. Sadly, my youngest is one of them. I’ve tried everything on him from shock treatments to exorcisms. Nothing works. Kieran Kinsella 25 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:36:38 ColinWho did the exorcism? I know a guy who’s one of the top exorcists in the Vatican. Worth a short for such high stakes? Mal van Schaick 26 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:44:53 Great effort by KDH in that friendly lots to like and lots to look forward to. Tom Bowers 27 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:45:04 The squad is nothing we decided would be a big threat this coming season despite some new faces.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. Howard Don 28 Posted 10/08/2025 at 20:59:59 Ian (16) spot on. Annika Herbert 29 Posted 10/08/2025 at 21:32:54 Ian @ 16, I obviously didn't realise we had to run our opinions past you before we posted.Because that's my opinion and nothing you say will change it, Danny O'Neill 30 Posted 10/08/2025 at 21:33:13 Ian @16, I'm assuming you are being slightly sarcastic there. You made me check that out and 25 managers (not including caretakers), takes us back to Theo Kelly in the late 1940s!!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. Dale Rose 32 Posted 10/08/2025 at 22:55:00 Couple of points, very impressed with KDH, and his comments about the club. Feel sorry for Harrison getting booed. He was a grafter, but no real end product. With regard to koppites, all twats, gobshites far to kindly. Colin G, I feel your pain. I have one in the family as well. Oh for the days of communist brainwashing.... Mike Powell 33 Posted 10/08/2025 at 23:58:17 Been arguing with a few RS ex mates — don't know why I even talk to the gobshites. They're telling me KDH is crap and wouldn't get any where Chelsea first team. I said, "Crystal Palace haven't spent £500M and still beat your shower of shite, so fuck off." Mark Taylor 34 Posted 11/08/2025 at 01:28:14 It's always worth reading about the fan sites of clubs we're buying from to see what they think. The general view seemed to be KDH was never given much of a chance, Chelsea suddenly went into overdrive spending hundreds of millions on midfielders, but they think we have picked up a good 'un, especially for the price.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. Kieran Kinsella 35 Posted 11/08/2025 at 01:58:15 Mark,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. Steve Brown 36 Posted 11/08/2025 at 06:06:54 Roberto didn’t play with a low block.He barely played with any defence at all! Steve Brown 37 Posted 11/08/2025 at 06:14:08 Kieran @ 35, spot on.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. Danny O'Neill 38 Posted 11/08/2025 at 06:44:49 I talk to my cousin (Chelsea) a lot. He wasn't happy when they sold him to Everton. 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. Richard Duff 39 Posted 11/08/2025 at 08:51:18 Watching on Saturday. It was one game, it was a friendly, it was 60 minutes. He is immediately our best midfielder.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. Add Your Comments In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site. » Log in now Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site. How to get rid of these ads and support TW © ToffeeWeb