Everton's assistant manager Alan Irvine and Tyler Dibling in action for Everton
Alan Irvine and Tyler DiblingTony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography, Imago

How Alan Irvine inspired Tyler Dibling's best game in an Everton shirt vs Wolves

James Barker

Senior Correspondent AUTHORITY Senior sports journalist with editorial experience at Football League World. FOCUS Statistical analysis and long-form opinion across the Breaking Media network. THE INSIGHT James utilises data and a network of club contacts to deliver verified, expert analysis. He provides the statistical depth and editorial judgment behind the stories to ensure fans get the full picture.

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Tyler Dibling played perhaps his best game in an Everton shirt against Wolverhampton Wanderers.

The 20-year-old didn't quite hit the ground running as an Everton player last season.

Following his £40million move from Southampton, many expected the versatile forward to instantly become a key player for the Toffees.

However, after 17 appearances without a goal contribution to his name, the England youth international underwhelmed.

With David Moyes adding the likes of Jack Grealish and Brennan Johnson to his squad this summer, Dibling has been pushed to the Everton fringes.

But his display against Wolves in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday night should serve to put him right back in Moyes' thinking.

What did Alan Irvine say to Tyler Dibling before Everton vs Wolves?

Everton assistant manager Alan Irvine is a wise and experienced coach, and clearly knows exactly what to say at certain times too.

Having yet to make a Premier League appearance this season, Dibling's chances to impress have been sparse.

Prior to Wednesday night, his only minutes of the season came in the second round of the Carabao Cup against Preston.

So, upon being named in Moyes' XI against Wolves, Irvine felt it was the right time to pull the winger aside and impart some quality advice.

As quoted via Telegraph writer Dominic King via X, Irvine said: "I said to him (Dibling) beforehand 'you've got your chance, now you must take it.

"You've got to give the manager a decision to make' - he looks like he belongs here now."

A simple, straightforward instruction: make sure to take your chance, but just how good was Dibling in the 1-0 win over Wolves?

Everton's assistant manager Alan Irvine and Tyler Dibling in action for Everton
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Where Dibling led all players in Everton vs Wolves

Dibling didn't just take his chance against Wolves, as his performance was on the lips of every Evertonian leaving Hill Dickinson Stadium.

As per FotMob, no player on the pitch completed more successful dribbles than his three.

Meanwhile, he also completed 90 per cent of his pass attempts successfully and created four chances, two of them being big ones.

Dibling also played six passes into the final third, made five recoveries, won three tackles, three fouls and won nine of his 14 ground duels.

As a result, it wasn't just an attacking clinic that Dibling put on, as he flashed his ability to do his defensive duties as well.

There is a lot of competition for places across Everton's forward line, but performances like this will make it impossible for Moyes to ignore Dibling.

So, it will be fascinating to see what the Toffees boss does when Ipswich come to Hill Dickinson Stadium this Saturday.

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