Dowell Inspired By DaviesSat inside Goodison Park on Sunday watching one of his oldest friends outrun and outgun Manchester City, Kieran Dowell admits he couldn’t help but be inspired.
Accompanying Tom Davies’ mother Diane, father Tony and elder brother Liam, he was there, too, to support a fellow local lad with whom he has risen through the ranks since the age of 11.
Just over 24 hours later, Dowell was on the same pitch himself, representing Everton Under-23s and producing a goal to match the quality - if not the drama - of his good pal’s.
“Me and Harry Charsley were sat in the stands against Manchester City with Tom’s mum, dad, brother and brother’s girlfriend and it was just unbelievable,” explained Dowell after Monday's 3-0 victory over Reading. “I felt like crying when he scored. It was so emotional because we’ve been through so much together since we were kids. It was brilliant.
“That was the sort of team talk we had from Unsy. He was saying follow suit from what the first team had done the day before and we did that really well.
“They were three great goals and we’re delighted with the win.”
With the Under-23s leading 1-0 through winger Nathan Broadhead’s early header, Dowell ran from well inside his own half before arrowing a shot low into the bottom corner to extend the Blues’ advantage on 52 minutes.
Harry Charsley then netted for the second successive game three minutes later to move on to six goals for the campaign, level with leading scorers Calum Dyson and Oumar Niasse.
“I seem to have the habit of scoring worldies but Harry’s got the habit of finding space in the box and getting it away,” said Dowell. “He’s a great finisher in and around the box and that’s what he’s always been like over the years. He’s so reliable and he’s played right-back before, centre-mid, right-mid, left-mid - you can put him anywhere and he’ll do a job.
“The first goal was a great ball from Jonjoe [Kenny] and we’re made up for Broady on his first start because it was a great header. I’ll have to watch mine back but I think it was around halfway and it’s just opened up for me and, thankfully, when I took the shot it went in. I don’t think it beats the chip [against Southampton last season] but it’s definitely up there with my best.”
The performance marked a welcome return to form for the 19-year-old, who admits he is open to going out on loan this month if Unsworth feels it will benefit his development.
“This season, for whatever reason, it’s been up and down for me,” he said. “Obviously you can’t always be in great form but I’ve worked hard and I’ve had the backing from the coaches and they’ve really helped me. I’m feeling good and I’m feeling fit at the moment.
“It’s up to the Club first of all but, if it’s the right move, the right club, then definitely I’d like to get that experience [out on loan]. From speaking to the senior pros, like Ross [Barkley] for example, most of them have done it where they’ve come from lower down or they’ve dropped down to go on loan and then came back up.
“Callum Connolly has just gone to Wigan as well and scored two on his debut, so it shows the experience you can get. I was watching Soccer Saturday and it was great to see. I was made up for him.”
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