What David Moyes has fired into Everton as Leighton Baines role in Jake O’Brien change revealed

Jake O’Brien was speaking following Everton’s 1-1 Premier League draw with West Ham United

Jake O’Brien after scoring for Everton against West Ham United(Image: (Emma Simpson/Everton FC))

Jake O’Brien hailed his side’s fighting spirit as he spoke of the importance of giving Everton supporters something to look forward to ahead of the move to Bramley-Moore Dock. The Blues moved to nine games unbeaten in the Premier League on Saturday when O’Brien headed home a cross from Idrissa Gueye a minute into stoppage time.

Everton had fallen behind just after the hour mark when Tomas Soucek collected Jarrod Bowen’s pass into the box before finishing past Jordan Pickford. And it looked as though Moyes’ reunion against the club he left in the summer was going to end in defeat.

But Republic of Ireland international O’Brien popped up just like he did against Brentford earlier this month to ensure the Blues would come away with what he believed to be a deserved point.

He said: “I think we definitely deserved a point. We were flat for 20 minutes and they got their goal, but we stuck at it and got the equaliser, which we more than deserved.

Interview with Tina O’Brien

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“There is definitely a positive vibe. Even when we’re not playing good, it is important we come away with something. It is a sign of a good team. Even when we’re not at our best, we come away with something.

“The manager has been excellent. He has fired that into us that we are going to be a hard team to beat. We have shown it because we are nine unbeaten now.

“It is very important to carry this into the next few games, and it’s good the fans have something to hold onto and be proud about as well. It is a good thing.”

Everton are now a huge 17 points clear of the relegation places and, barring some sort of collapse, will be playing top-flight football in their new Bramley-Moore Dock ground. There are also now just four games left at Goodison, and O’Brien believes it is important the Blues can continue to dig in between now and the end of the season to continue to climb the table.

“If you asked everyone here if we’d be happy to stay in the position we’re in now, they would say no,” the defender said.

“It is important everyone digs in and tries to get as far up the table as we can because we are a good team.

“I think we are more than good enough to push on and put pressure on the teams above us. I think win as many games as we can, bring that positive vibe to the fans, which we can also bring into the new stadium next week.”

O’Brien once again started at right-back, even though both Nathan Patterson and Seamus Coleman were named on the bench. And the 23-year-old from Cork has revealed that Leighton Baines is playing a big part in helping his side improve their attacking play and him adjusting to life as a full-back.

“We are not just doing it collectively but individually after training with coaches,” O’Brien replied when asked about Everton improving their attacking play.

“That is part of the training we are working on, getting into the final third and creating chances. I think we have shown that today we are just unlucky we didn’t finish them.

“Leighton (Baines) has been a big part of it; all the coaches have been part of it, getting a few players in, attacking and defending, working on different things.

“I think it showed in glimpses today. The more games I play, the more comfortable you become. You adapt to and I have good lads and coaches around that helps.”