Everton fans leave Paul Merson stunned with ‘ballistic’ Dwight McNeil reaction v Crystal Palace
Paul Merson has questioned why Everton fans went “ballistic” on Dwight McNeil during the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.
Fans were not pleased to see McNeil halt a counter-attack when there was no obvious route through to goal.
However, Merson believes the winger did the right thing by keeping hold of the ball in Monday’s (19 February) Premier League clash.
“I’m not blaming the fans, but they need to start doing what they did last time,” he said on Sky Sports News [20 February 7:25pm].
“There was a moment when McNeil gets the ball on the counter, there’s nothing on so he does what you should do by coming back.
“The fans went ballistic. I was like ‘wow’. He did everything right but they went mad. They pay good money and they’re good fans.”
Merson added: “I’d be shocked if they didn’t get out of trouble. To stay up, you need that shock result.
“Everton will beat someone and you’ll think ‘I didn’t see that coming’. I don’t think Luton will do that, especially not away.
“The fans kept them up last year. They got together and thought ‘we’re not very good, we need to take over here’. It became a nightmare place.”
Everton fans must play their part at Goodison Park
Goodison Park was a tense place to be for the Palace match, with supporters aware of what was on the line.
In some ways, Jordan Ayew’s goal released some of the pressure and Everton finally then went for it and responded through Andre Onana.
As Merson says, the fans played a huge part in getting the Toffees over the line last season with their support both home and away.
Sean Dyche’s side are indeed capable of pulling off a big result, or going on a run of wins, but that has not happened for a long time now.
Quite simply, if results do not turn soon, there will be no escape this time around as Luton Town will be staying up at Everton’s expense.
With Nottingham Forest, Burnley and Sheffield United all still to visit Goodison Park, supporters must get behind the side in each and every game.
In other Everton news, Andy Burnham sent a two-word response when asked about an interview with Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher.
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