Jack Grealish opened his account for Everton as he continues to reach heights of old for the Toffees. The 30-year-old scored the winner in their 2-1 win over Crystal Palace to go into the international break on a high
Everton hero Jack Grealish showed his class as he admitted that he felt Adam Wharton should have received the Player of the Match award over him. The 30-year-old ended Crystal Palace’s unbeaten record with his late winner and extended the Toffees’ perfect start to life after leaving Goodison Park.
They had to come from a goal down as second-half goals from Iliman Ndiaye and Grealish ensured that David Moyes’ side moved to within three points of the Champions League places. Daniel Munoz fired Palace ahead before the break and it looked like they were heading for a record-extending 18th match unbeaten.
However, 14 minutes from time Tim Iroegbunam was brought down in the box and Ndiaye restored parity. In stoppage time, Beto saw his header brilliantly saved by Dean Henderson but Grealish followed up to block the clearance, which ricocheted into the back of the net.
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His match-winning moment saw him snap up the Premier League’s Player of the Match award but Grealish conceded that he wasn’t deserving of the accolade.
“That’s what you always want to as a winger, I have one goal and four assists in the Premier League this season,” he told Sky Sports.
“That’s what I want to do, it’s difficult to do against such a good team, they have unbelievable players.
“I think Adam Wharton today, I can see the Man of the Match award there, I think that’s coming to me but that should’ve gone to Adam Wharton because in my opinion he was the best player on the pitch today.
“It’s a third one this season so I’ll take it.”
Both Grealish and Wharton were two of the high-profile absentees from Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the forthcoming international break.
The 30-year-old has refound his form after joining Everton on loan while Wharton has established himself as one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.
The former Blackburn Rovers star has even courted speculation over a big-money move last summer and has been billed to face increasing interest at the end of the season, with Liverpool and Manchester United linked.
Wharton reacted to Grealish’s admission saying: “I worked hard. I try and give my best for the team every single game to try and help us win.
“That’s what I try to do every single game.
“Jack’s a top player. He’s obviously kicked on since he moved here. He played well and scored the winning goal, so it’s a good game from him.
“I’m not too fussed about any award. I just want to win every game. Unfortunately, we didn’t do that.”
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