🔗 Share this article

Match official Michael Salisbury had only just blown the final whistle to confirm Everton's last-gasp win over Crystal Palace when the Merseyside outfit changed the bio on their X account.

Underneath the team's iconic badge appeared a short phrase: Grealish Deserves England Call.

It is almost a year since the attacking midfielder last sported a England shirt in a three-one international win over the Finns in Helsinki under caretaker manager the former coach.

And it will be some time before the veteran player gets the chance to play for his national team again after being left out from Thomas Tuchel's most recent squad for a exhibition match against Wales next midweek, followed by a World Cup qualifier in Latvia on 14 October.

But one thing remains perfectly evident: Grealish is doing all in his power to play his way into Tuchel's plans for next summer's World Cup.

Having delivered four assists in his first six Premier League appearances for the Blues, Grealish netted the late winner to seal his team's comeback victory after the Palace keeper had saved Beto from close quarters.

Recorded at 92 minutes and 21 seconds, it was Everton's latest home Premier League winning goal since March 2022 against the Magpies - 98 minutes and 20 seconds.

"Can you believe this?" remarked Grealish, speaking to Sky Sports after the game.

"The last games we've played here we've been drawing and I've said to myself in the 85th minute, 'push yourself, go and score. Think about scoring a late goal'.

"I said it against Aston Villa, and I didn't score. I repeated it against the Hammers and I didn't score.

"This time, I actually said the exact words again and I scored. I sprinted towards where my parents were, so it was special."

• Grealish 93rd-minute winner for Everton ends Palace unbeaten run
• 'Exceeding expectations' - Moyes lauds maverick the attacker after win

'England omission not a big deal'

The weekend's game was the midfielder's last for three weeks - having just managed to put together six successive league starts for the first time in almost 30 months.

He will be not allowed to face his owning team Manchester City when his loan side return to action after the international break on 18 October.

It's over eight months before the kickoff of the global tournament. Will Grealish be on board the national team flight?

"You know what?" he shared with the radio station after the Crystal Palace game, "I don't think as serious as everyone says."

"Ultimately, you aspire to play for the national team but people are doing well in my position. I'm doing well also, but the players picked last month did exceptionally in the two games so I accept that with me.

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

Grealish continued: "My priority is playing for this club because that's who showed faith in me and believed in me, so I'm really enjoying it here."

But, former England striker the legendary forward told BBC Sport that Grealish's form for Everton will be giving the England boss a "selection problem".

"All Jack can do is keep doing what he is doing, obviously scoring a goal today," commented Rooney, who scored over fifty strikes in 120 appearances for England.

"I believe if he maintains that he will be in contention come the tournament.

"If Jack plays, his talent will show, so I'm confident he'll be giving the national coach a dilemma."

'Johnny-on-the-spot'

Tuchel maintains the door remains open for the playmaker, who has 39 caps and several strikes for his nation, in terms of the global competition next season.

"There's invariably a way back into the squad," the England boss stated on Friday.

"Jack knows that I see how impactful he is for the team and that he is on his way to be the best version of himself."

During his seven league games since arriving on a season-long loan from Manchester City, he has logged 556 minutes, had five goal involvements, created 17 chances and had several attempts.

"He's been excellent again," said manager the coach after his side's first win since late August.

"I've been urging him to score more. He is Johnny-on-the-spot.

"The winger's cross was fantastic and the forward should have buried it. But Grealish is in and around to get the goal."

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

The midfielder was not the only player excluded from Tuchel's national squad who managed to find the net this round of fixtures.

Marcus Rashford scored once more for Barcelona - although they were beaten 4-1 at Sevilla - while Mason Mount scored in United's 2-0 win over the Black Cats on the weekend.