Why 'Humbled' Dewsbury-Hall Feels Better Than Ever At 'Special' Everton

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall says the "humbling" love he has received from Evertonians is helping him feel "the best I've ever felt" after the Blues' 3-0 win over Nottingham Forest.

The Toffees' summer signing once again played an instrumental role as David Moyes' side made it four wins from their past five games with victory at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday.

Dewsbury-Hall provided the cross that was turned in for an own goal inside two minutes, before sealing the result with a perfectly-struck low drive in the second half.

Speaking afterwards, the 27-year-old said: "I think, apart from the blip against Newcastle, it feels like we're playing some good stuff and we're really clicking. Credit to the lads because I thought today we were really good today, apart from 10 minutes in the first half. I thought we were the dominant team and they didn't cause us many problems and we were aggressive and created chances. 

"It's been a great week – two wins, two clean sheets, so you can't ask for much more.

"I came to Everton for a reason. I saw something that looked pretty special to me. It's a nice project and I'm glad that it's starting to feel this good now. 

"Obviously, joining a new club you want to fit in and now I'm starting to feel like I'm really settled. I'm feeling the best I've ever felt, so long may that continue and I'm just happy that I'm contributing to the team getting points and getting up the table."

Asked why he holds those feelings, Dewsbury-Hall continued: "I'd say because of the way I've been treated since I came through the door. The way the fans have taken to me has been so humbling and I'm really thankful to them – and also the manager and the players. 

"They want me to go and express myself and that's what you want as a player – get in that flow-state of confidence and I feel like I'm in that space now. Now it's about keep making sure that I'm doing the right things, keeping level-headed and keeping it going."

Everton move up to fifth – at least temporarily – in the congested Premier League table with the triumph over Sean Dyche's Forest, one point behind fourth-placed Chelsea.

Discussing changing ambitions – and aiming for European competition – Dewsbury-Hall said: "Of course [European competition] is a realistic ambition – I wouldn't have come to the Club if I didn't think it was. The size of the Club, the stadium, the ownership, everything shouts European football so it'd be wrong and a lie for me to say that isn't a goal because it is – but we know there is a long way to go. 

"We're not even half way through the season, a lot can happen but we're making positive steps. The past couple of years here has been tough, but we're hoping that we're turning a corner, there's a mentality shift and we're trying to push further up the table."

In-form Dewsbury-Hall registered his fourth goal of the campaign against Forest but insists Thierno Barry's maiden strike for the Club gave him as much joy as anything on the day.

"It's fantastic [for Barry]," he added. "I'm so, so happy for him. That's probably the biggest positive from today. 

"You see in the past five or so games how hard he's worked – he's been tireless for us, so to get his reward today, it's definitely deserved. I'm hoping now that kick-starts him and he can go on now and score more because he deserves it. He works hard every day and when a player does that, they deserve good outcomes. I'm so happy for him today and hopefully that continues."