We were in the house that Jack built (Hayward) but this was the night that Jack Harrison stepped up to produce his most-encouraging display of what has generally been a difficult campaign for him at Everton. Whether it’s ‘second season syndrome’ or just a tough run of form, things haven’t quite come off for the attacking midfielder so far since returning again from Leeds United.
In what now looks like something of a masterstroke of psychology, Blues boss David Moyes called for more end product from his wide men when asked about them in his pre-match press conference and the pair replied.
Going into this fixture, neither Harrison nor fellow loan man Jesper Lindstrom – who joined last summer from Napoli – had a goal or an assist between them and their gaffer proclaimed: “Let’s be fair, you won’t have longevity if you’re not going to get me assists and you’re not going to get me goals. You have to find ways of coming up with those numbers, it’s just the world that we’re in.”
An opportune time to step up then and Harrison, who had already picked out Beto for an inviting chance, showed that he can still finish by latching onto Lindstrom’s cross, albeit with his shot taking a big deflection.
Given that the 28-year-old found the net four times last term and once hit double figures in all competitions in Leeds’ first season back in the Premier League, we know he’s got in in his locker so hopefully there’s more to come from him and his Danish colleague throughout the run-in as Moyes admitted that neither Iliman Ndiaye or Dwight McNeil are on the horizon when it comes to returning to fitness.
