Everton draw shows Armstrong’s promise but Grealish error hurts

Everton’s 1-1 draw with Wolves at Hill Dickinson Stadium was a night of contradiction — frustration mixed with promise — as a teenage debutant impressed while an experienced star let his team down.

On a chaotic evening that ultimately felt like two points dropped, Everton found encouragement in the emergence of Harrison Armstrong, even as indiscipline and familiar problems at both ends of the pitch again undermined progress.

One of the few clear positives was Armstrong making his first Premier League start — and doing so with a maturity beyond his years. The 18-year-old, who turns 19 later this month, looked entirely comfortable among top-flight opposition.

Under David Moyes, Everton lined up in what resembled more of a 4-3-3 than the manager’s usual 4-2-3-1, with Armstrong operating as the most advanced of the three central midfielders.

Moyes has a long history of polishing raw talent — from Tim Cahill to Joleon Lescott — and Armstrong showed signs he could be next in that lineage. His movement, awareness and passing range stood out, suggesting a sharp football brain and a player capable of adapting to multiple midfield roles.

There remains a possibility Armstrong returns to Preston North End on loan if squad depth improves, but this performance showed he may already be closer to Everton’s long-term plans than expected.

While Armstrong thrived, Everton’s attacking struggles again surfaced. Thierno Barry endured a frustrating night, summed up by a bizarre late cross-shot that sailed harmlessly wide.

Barry came into the match on the back of improved form, having scored three times in his previous six games after breaking his duck. He even admitted to studying footage of Romelu Lukaku, Everton’s record Premier League goalscorer. Yet against a Wolves side anchored to the bottom of the table, he barely threatened.

At the other end, concerns are growing defensively. Captain James Tarkowski looked shaky once more, and with Michael Keane now facing suspension, Everton’s centre-back situation is becoming precarious.

The continued absence of Jarrad Branthwaite, who has yet to feature this season, only heightens the anxiety.

If Armstrong showed intelligence and restraint, Jack Grealish did the opposite.

The former Manchester City treble winner was sent off for sarcastically applauding referee Thomas Kirk, a moment of needless dissent from a senior professional who should know better.

Everton supporters have embraced Grealish since his arrival, appreciating the quality and creativity he brings — something badly missed in recent seasons. But with attacking options already limited due to injuries to Iliman Ndiayeand Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, his dismissal left teammates exposed late on.

Statistically, the moment was historic for the wrong reasons. As noted by EFC Statto Bradley Cates, Grealish became just the third Everton player to be sent off for two yellow cards for dissent, after Duncan Ferguson in 1996 and Kurt Zouma in 2019.

This was Everton in microcosm: youthful promise, attacking frustration, defensive concern and avoidable self-inflicted damage. Armstrong’s composure offered hope for the future, but Grealish’s lapse served as a reminder that intelligence must extend beyond technique.

Moyes will take encouragement from the teenager’s performance — but he will also demand far more responsibility from those who should be leading by example.

Everton now face selection headaches and suspension issues, but Armstrong’s emergence may ease midfield concerns. Whether the positives outweigh the persistent flaws remains to be seen.

Should Harrison Armstrong now be trusted with a sustained run — and can Everton afford more moments like Grealish’s?