'I'm tranquilo' - Alex Iwobi describes how he stayed…

'I'm tranquilo' - Alex Iwobi describes how he stayed cool in 'wild' Everton moment

Alex Iwobi has detailed what was going through his mind as he scored the most important goal of his Everton career so far.

The midfielder popped up in the 99th minute of a home clash with Newcastle United back in March, with the Blues down to 10 men thanks to Allan's controversial red card, and slotted in the winner to spark bedlam at Goodison Park. The victory proved crucial to the Premier League survival of Frank Lampard's side in what was generally a dismal campaign.

It was the biggest moment of Iwobi's time on Merseyside and helped propel him into now being a fan favourite. And, speaking in a lengthy chat with evertontv, the 26-year-old described his thoughts before the goal and his calm emotions after putting the ball in the back of the net.

He remarked: "Seamus (Coleman) has won the ball and given it to me and I see a 6"20 guy, Dan Burn, running at me! I saw him and went, 'woah', but I had to get past him. I tried to feed Dom (Dominic Calvert-Lewin) to go and score, but his touch took him this way and I knew I had to keep going in case he gave it back to me. Dom saw me run, played me, and I knew I had to stay composed to place it with my weaker foot.

"I don't know how I didn't go wild, I'm not a person that goes wild! I did my signature thing and Anthony Gordon's going, 'ahhh!', I wish I was that sort of guy but I'm tranquilo.

"I don't know but it was a mad feeling, seeing all the fans celebrating was mental. It was a key goal to keep us up, get three points - it was a big memory for me."

The atmosphere at Goodison was incredible that evening, and that continued to be the case throughout the closing stages of the campaign as fans took it upon themselves to help the side as much as they possibly could. Iwobi described the effect that has had on the squad as the mood has continued through into the current campaign.

He added: "I feel like, especially towards the end of last season, the fans turning up in numbers to the training ground even definitely helped us a lot. If they believe, why shouldn't we believe?

"That feeling which has carried on into this season, it's a togetherness that we enjoy. When they started coming out in numbers everyone on the bus and in training thought it was like we were in a movie!

"Obviously when you get out onto the pitch you have to stick to the gameplan, but everyone gets psyched up, it's things you love to see. It's like going to war not just for yourself but for everyone here supporting."

A number of players are experiencing the Goodison Park atmosphere for the first time this season after joining the club in the summer. James Tarkowski and Conor Coady in particular have already fashioned a strong partnership together in defence and are impressing supporters with their performances and leadership.

The latter is a quality that is obvious in the dressing room too, as Iwobi makes clear. "You'd think Con and Tarky had been here for years, you know," he said. "The way they talk to everyone, they're basically like the parents of everyone here!

"Two grown dads at the back, and I'll say it to them as well. I'll call both of them dads! I know they won't like it but I'm saying it with my chest."

Everton are looking to take their positive attitude throughout the campaign as they search for their first Premier League win of the season. And the hope is that the side can put the memories of last season behind them and push up the table this term.

Iwobi concluded: "Looking forward, obviously last season wasn't great so we're trying to push up from there. We know we have the quality to achieve more, so we're trying to finish higher up the table.

"It's a great club with a lot of history, and we're trying to create more history. The players we've brought in have a lot of quality, it's competition for places so that's good."

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