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Referee Michael Salisbury had barely blown the final whistle to confirm Everton's last-gasp win over the Eagles when the club updated the bio on their X account.

Below the club's famous badge were displayed three words: Grealish for England.

It's nearly a year since Jack Grealish last wore a England shirt in a 3-1 international win over Finland in the Finnish capital under caretaker manager the former coach.

And it will be some time before the 30-year-old receives the chance to play for his country again after being omitted from Thomas Tuchel's most recent squad for a exhibition match against the Welsh next Thursday, followed by a World Cup qualifier in Latvia on the 14th of October.

But one thing remains perfectly evident: the playmaker is doing all in his power to play his way into the manager's plans for next summer's World Cup.

Having delivered several key passes in his initial half-dozen top-flight appearances for the Blues, Grealish scored the late winner to seal his team's comeback victory after Dean Henderson had denied the striker from point-blank range.

Timed at 92 minutes and 21 seconds, it was the club's most recent home Premier League winning goal since spring 2022 against the Magpies - deep into added time.

"Do you know what's mad?" said Grealish, speaking to Sky Sports after the game.

"Our recent matches we've played here we've been tied and I've thought in the 85th minute, 'push yourself, go and score. Think about scoring a late goal'.

"I thought it against Villa, and I didn't score. I repeated it against West Ham and I didn't score.

"This time, I actually said the same thing again and I put it in. I sprinted towards where my parents were, so it was nice."

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'Not playing for England isn't deep'

The weekend's game was the midfielder's last for three weeks - having only recently to string together six straight 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.

It's 249 days before the kickoff of the global tournament. Is Grealish likely to be on board the national team flight?

"Honestly," he shared with BBC Radio 5 Live after the Palace game, "I don't think as deep as people make out."

"Ultimately, you want to play for the England side but others are doing well in my role. I'm also performing also, but the people selected previously did exceptionally in the recent matches so that's fine with me.

"The coach makes the choices and I completely understand that."

He continued: "My priority is playing for Everton because that's who put their trust in me and believed in me, so I'm thoroughly loving it here."

But, ex-international the legendary forward told the media that Grealish's form for Everton will be giving Tuchel a "selection problem".

"The only thing for him is continue performing what he is achieving, obviously getting a winner today," commented Rooney, who netted over fifty strikes in 120 appearances for the national team.

"I believe if he keeps doing that he will be in contention come the summer.

"Should he feature, his ability will shine through, so I'm confident he'll be posing the national coach a headache."

'Johnny-on-the-spot'

Tuchel insists the opportunity exists for the playmaker, who has numerous international appearances and several strikes for his nation, in terms of the global competition next season.

"There is always a way back into the camp," the England boss said on last week.

"Jack knows that I recognize how impactful he is for the team and that he is on his way to be the top form of himself."

During his several league games since arriving on a temporary deal from City, he has played significant game time, had five goal involvements, created 17 chances and had 10 shots.

"Jack's done great again," remarked manager the coach after his side's initial victory since late August.

"I've been urging him to get goals. He is always in the right place.

"The winger's cross was fantastic and the forward should have buried it. But Grealish is positioned well to score the goal."

The manager revealed Grealish had skipped training during the week because of a minor injury, noting: "He's needed to miss the odd day of training but he is doing a many good things."

Grealish was not the only player excluded from the manager's England squad who succeeded to find the net this round of fixtures.

Marcus Rashford netted again for the Spanish giants - although they were beaten 4-1 at Sevilla - while Mason Mount got a goal in United's 2-0 win over the Black Cats on the weekend.