Jack Grealish's pick for Player of The Match Award during Everton's win over Crystal Palace has spoken out following the match.
On Sunday afternoon, Everton claimed a massive win at their new Hill Dickinson stadium as they beat Crystal Palace 2-1, putting an end to the Eagles 19-game unbeaten run.
Despite taking the lead shortly before half-time thanks to Daniel Munoz, the visitors failed to hold on to their advantage in the closing moments of the game as a foul from Maxence Lacroix allowed Iliman Ndiaye to equalise with a penalty.
But Everton weren't prepared to stop there as only seconds before the final whistle star summer signing Grealish found the back of the net to secure the win, earning himself the Player of The Match Award in the process.
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However, when he received the award post-match, Grealish he admitted that he believed one Crystal Palace player would have been a more deserving recipient.
Since his arrival at Everton on a season-long loan from Manchester City in August, Grealish appears to have once again found the form that saw him make the £100million move to Pep Guardiola's side back in 2021.
Although he has assisted four goals across his nine appearances for Everton so far, Grealish's goal against Crystal Palace was the first for his new team, but he doesn't believe it was enough to deserve the Player of The Match Award.
Speaking post-match, Grealish admitted: "That's what you want to do as a winger, I have one goal and four assists that's what I want to do. It was difficult to do that today against such a good team. They have some unbelievable players.
"I think Adam Wharton today, I can see the Man of the Match award there, I think it's coming to me but I think it should go to Adam Wharton because, in my opinion, he was the best player on the pitch today."
Having played alongside the Crystal Palace midfielder for England, Grealish is no doubt fully aware of the talents that has led to Wharton becoming one of the London club's most beloved players.
But his national teammate's kind words wasn't enough to make up for what was a disappointing end to the game for Wharton, who took to social media to share his thoughts.
Posting on his Instagram story, he wrote: "Frustrating result, travelling support was top once again."
Given their impressive performances so far this season, many would have expected Grealish and Wharton to once again share the pitch during England's upcoming matches against Wales and Latvia.
However, England boss Thomas Tuchel decided against including either man in his squad for the matches, meaning they will have to continue to impress if they hope to be a part of the team travelling to North America for the World Cup next summer.
Topics: Jack Grealish, Everton, Crystal Palace, Premier League, Football
Ben McCrum