Grealish for England? Everton Borrowed Star Providing Tuchel a Headache
'Grealish has contributed enormously' - Everton Boss
Referee Michael Salisbury had only just sounded the full-time whistle to confirm the Toffees' last-gasp win over the Eagles when the club updated the bio on their social media.
Below the club's famous badge appeared a short phrase: England Needs Grealish.
It is almost a year since the attacking midfielder last wore a England shirt in a three-one Nations League win over the Finns in the Finnish capital under interim manager Lee Carsley.
And it will be some time before the 30-year-old receives the chance to represent his country again after being omitted from the England boss's latest squad for a friendly against Wales next midweek, followed by a qualifying match in the Baltic nation on the 14th of October.
But one thing remains perfectly evident: the playmaker is doing everything he can to play his way into Tuchel's plans for the upcoming World Cup.
After providing several key passes in his first six Premier League appearances for the Blues, Grealish netted the 93rd-minute winner to seal his team's comeback victory after the Palace keeper had saved the striker from close quarters.
Recorded at the 92nd minute, it was the club's latest home league winning goal since March 2022 against the Magpies - deep into added time.
"Can you believe this?" said the star, in an interview with Sky Sports after the match.
"Our recent matches we've played here we've been tied and I've thought in the 85th minute, 'come on Jack, go and score. Imagine if you scored now'.
"I said it against Villa, and I failed to find the net. I repeated it against West Ham and I couldn't convert.
"Today, I actually said the exact words again and I put it in. I ran to where my parents were, so it was nice."
- Late Grealish strike for Everton ends Crystal Palace unbeaten run
- 'Better than I thought' - the manager lauds maverick Grealish after win
'England omission not a big deal'
Sunday's game was Grealish's last for a few weeks - having only recently to put together six successive Premier League starts for the initial occasion in nearly two and a half years.
He is not allowed to face his owning team City when Everton resume play after the fixture pause on October 18.
There are 249 days before the start of the World Cup. Is Grealish likely to be included on the England plane?
"Honestly," he shared with the radio station after the Crystal Palace game, "it's not as serious as people make out."
"At the end of the day, you aspire to play for the national team but people are performing strongly in my role. I'm also performing also, but the people picked previously did exceptionally in the two games so that's fine with me.
"That's the manager's decision and I fully respect that."
Grealish added: "I'm focused on playing for Everton because they are the ones that showed faith in me and believed in me, so I'm really enjoying it here."
But, former England striker the legendary forward informed BBC Sport that Grealish's form for the Merseysiders will be creating Tuchel a "headache".
"All Jack can do is continue performing what he is doing, obviously getting a goal today," commented Rooney, who scored over fifty strikes in more than a hundred games for England.
"I'm sure if he maintains that he will be in contention come the summer.
"If Jack plays, his talent will show, so I'm sure he'll be giving the England manager a dilemma."
'Johnny-on-the-spot'
Jack Grealish featured in several Premier League games last season - he's begun half a dozen since moving to Everton in August.
Tuchel insists the door remains open for the playmaker, who has 39 caps and several strikes for his nation, in terms of the global competition next season.
"There is always a route back into the squad," the England boss stated on last week.
"He is aware that I recognize how influential he is for Everton and that he is on his path to be the top form of himself."
During his seven Premier League games since joining on a season-long loan from Manchester City, he has logged significant game time, had five goal involvements, created 17 chances and had 10 shots.
"Jack's done great again," remarked Everton boss the coach after his side's first win since late August.
"I have been pushing him to get goals. He is always in the right place.
"The winger's cross was incredible and the forward should have buried it. But Jack is in and around to score the goal."
Moyes disclosed Grealish had skipped training during the week because of a minor injury, noting: "He has had to miss the odd day of training but he is doing a many good things."
Grealish was not the sole individual left out from Tuchel's England squad who succeeded to score this round of fixtures.
The forward netted again for Barcelona - although they were defeated four-one at Sevilla - while the midfielder scored in United's victory over Sunderland on Saturday.