Dwight McNeil had another solid outing as he continues to seize his opportunities following a failed January move to Crystal Palace.
Had things worked out differently, Dwight McNeil would now be preparing for a new life in South London. Crystal Palace agreed a deal to sign the winger on loan with an obligation to buy on transfer deadline day. The paperwork never arrived. The move collapsed. McNeil and his family were left frustrated.
Instead of dwelling on what might have been, McNeil has done something far more impressive. He has played himself back into Everton’s starting XI and produced back-to-back performances that have reminded everyone why the club signed him in the first place.
From deadline day disappointment to standing ovation
McNeil started both of Everton’s victories last week. He had a hand in the first-half goals at Newcastle, then produced his best display of the season against his former club Burnley on Tuesday night. The 26-year-old was everywhere against the Clarets, receiving the ball under pressure, carrying it forward, beating defenders and working relentlessly out of possession.
His most telling contribution came in the build-up to Everton’s second goal. Under pressure from Hannibal, McNeil maintained possession following a one-two with Beto, then swept a cross-field pass to Iliman Ndiaye, who fed Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall to score. It was a moment of quality and composure that showcased everything good about his game.
When McNeil was substituted in the 86th minute, 50,000 supporters rose to give him a standing ovation. David Moyes noticed. “They nearly gave him a standing ovation coming off, so that tells me that everybody in the house is watching him and they all thought he played well and he did,” the Everton manager said.
Moyes added: “Dwight did great and I’m really pleased for him because he’s probably had a tough time with all the different things going on. I think the difference tonight in Dwight, I think it was very noticeable in his other performances. His other performances were never at the level that he played tonight, so he played much, much better and I’ve been saying he’s training better and he’s getting more confidence.”
Teammates and fans appreciate the turnaround
James Tarkowski, who scored the opening goal, was equally effusive in his praise for his teammate. “I’m so proud of Dwight and pleased because he’s had a tough time,” the defender said. “He’s not played a lot, nearly leaves, ends up staying. He’s had so much going on, but he’s dealt with it so well.”
Tarkowski highlighted the improvements that have caught everyone’s attention. “His training levels have been through the roof and that’s why he’s in the team. I thought he was terrific at the weekend and he stepped up another level tonight. The way he received the ball, carried it, his work rate. The way he was beating people. It was the Dwight I’ve known for five or six years, but it’s nice people got to see him tonight get back to the player I know he can be.”
David Moyes had earlier noted that McNeil’s performance at Newcastle was very good, and that he built on that against Burnley. “The players came into tonight full of confidence and with a lot of belief,” he said. “Dwight’s performance at Newcastle was very good. He built on that and took that into tonight’s game.”
McNeil’s contract runs until 2027. His price tag remains around £20m, but if he continues performing at this level, Everton may have no desire to sell. For a player who was seemingly on his way out two months ago, that represents quite the turnaround.
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