🔗 Share this article

Match official Michael Salisbury had only just sounded the full-time whistle to seal Everton's dramatic late win over the Eagles when the Merseyside outfit changed the bio on their social media.

Below the team's iconic badge were displayed three words: England Needs Grealish.

It is almost a year since Jack Grealish last sported a England shirt in a 3-1 Nations League win over Finland in Helsinki under caretaker manager the former coach.

And it will be some time before the 30-year-old receives the chance to play for his national team again after being left out from the England boss's latest squad for a exhibition match against Wales next Thursday, followed by a qualifying match in the Baltic nation on 14 October.

However, one aspect remains crystal clear: Grealish is doing everything he can to play his way into the manager's plans for next summer's World Cup.

Having delivered four assists in his initial half-dozen Premier League appearances for the Blues, the midfielder netted the late winner to seal his side's comeback victory after the Palace keeper had saved the striker from point-blank range.

Timed at the 92nd minute, it was the club's latest home league winning goal since spring 2022 against Newcastle - deep into added time.

"Do you know what's mad?" said the star, in an interview with Sky Sports after the match.

"Our recent matches we've played here we've been tied and I've said to myself in the 85th minute, 'come on Jack, go and score. Imagine if you scored now'.

"I thought it against Aston Villa, and I didn't score. I repeated it against West Ham and I didn't score.

"This time, I actually said the exact words again and I put it in. I ran to where my mum and dad were, so it was nice."

• Late Grealish strike for Everton ends Crystal Palace unbeaten run
• 'Better than I thought' - Moyes praises maverick Grealish after win

'Not playing for England isn't deep'

The weekend's game was the midfielder's last for three weeks - having only recently to put together six straight league starts for the first time in nearly two and a half years.

He is ineligible to face his parent club City when his loan side resume play after the international break on 18 October.

It's over eight months before the start of the global tournament. Will Grealish be on board the England plane?

"Honestly," he told the radio station after the Crystal Palace game, "it's not as serious as people make out."

"Ultimately, you want to play for the England side but people are performing strongly in my role. I'm doing well also, but the people selected previously did really well in the two games so I accept that with me.

"That's the manager's decision and I completely understand that."

Grealish added: "I'm focused on playing for Everton because that's who showed faith in me and believed in me, so I'm thoroughly loving it here."

However, former England striker the legendary forward told BBC Sport that Grealish's form for Everton will be creating the England boss a "headache".

"The only thing for him is continue performing what he is doing, obviously scoring a winner today," commented the pundit, who scored 53 goals in 120 appearances for England.

"I'm sure if he keeps doing that he will be there or thereabouts come the summer.

"Should he feature, his talent will shine through, so I'm sure he'll be posing the national coach a headache."

'In the right place'

Tuchel maintains the opportunity exists for the playmaker, who has numerous international appearances and four goals for his country, in terms of the global competition next season.

"There is always a route back into the camp," the England boss said on Friday.

"He is aware that I see how impactful he is for Everton and that he is on his way to be the top form of himself."

During his seven Premier League games since arriving on a temporary deal from City, he has played significant game time, had five goal involvements, created 17 chances and had several attempts.

"He's been excellent again," remarked manager the coach after his side's initial victory since late August.

"I've been pushing him to get goals. He is always in the right place.

"Iliman Ndiaye's cross was fantastic and the forward should have buried it. But Grealish is in and around to score the goal."

Moyes disclosed Grealish had skipped training during the week because of a slight issue, noting: "He has had to miss the odd day of training but he is doing a lot of good things."

Grealish was not the only player excluded from Tuchel's England squad who succeeded to score this round of fixtures.

Marcus Rashford scored once more for the Spanish giants - although they were defeated 4-1 at Sevilla - while Mason Mount got a goal in United's victory over the Black Cats on the weekend.