Everton favourite celebrates 'dream come true' after dramatic return and eight-month injury hell

Tom Davies opened up on his “amazing feeling” after his injury nightmare ended with a dramatic late winner for Sheffield United.

The Everton graduate, who left Goodison Park 18 months ago after more than 150 Premier League appearances for the Blues, has endured a torrid time with injury at Bramall Lane.

But he was celebrating with the home fans after his 84th minute strike gave his side a 1-0 win in a top of the table clash with Sunderland on Friday night.

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He said after the game: “It was an amazing feeling. It is something I have been thinking about for a long time now. I have had plenty of time out to watch the games and I just wanted to get back out there. Today I have been able to do it in a fashion that is a dream come true. I haven’t played much at Bramall Lane in front of the fans and with the team, so with the support they have shown me, and the team, staff and manager have shown me it is nice to give something back in such a big game.”

It was an emotional moment for Davies, on what was just his 11th appearance for the Blades. His latest injury saw him sidelined for eight months, the 26-year-old making his return against Oxford United in midweek before his heroics against Sunderland.

Of his long road to recovery, he said: “I feel really good. It has been a long process, I have been out for a while and I missed pre-season. The manager, physio staff and coaching staff have been really good with me. I don’t want to rush myself back in and get myself back in the same situation so if I can come on and make an impact like this and slowly build into helping the team on a more permanent basis and getting more gametime, that is the way it will go… You get a great high and that is the stuff you play football for, it is about creating moments like that and being part of moments like that.

"That is great for the mental side… this is the best I have felt in a long time and the happiest I have felt. I think that has showed when I have been playing, I definitely feel it when I am playing I feel a lot more free.”