Sean Dyche may have found key to Everton Premier League survival after what Dwight McNeil did
Everton finally managed their first Premier League win of the season against Crystal Palace in a 2-1 victory at Goodison Park on 28 September.
With thanks to Dwight McNeil’s “incredible” performance, Sean Dyche’s men managed to jump up to sixteenth in the table.
Fans such as Tony Bellew even compared the former Burnley man to Lionel Messi after his two goals.
McNeil playing centrally could even be the answer to the Toffees’ Premier League survival this term.
Dwight McNeil is an Everton hero
Since the start of the 2024/25 season, both McNeil and Iliman Ndiaye have been used centrally and on the flanks.
While the latter of the two has played as a shadow striker or number 10 for most of his career, when used on the wing for Everton, it feels as if the Senegal international is much more free.
His added pace to the flank alongside his keen eye for a pass are two things that make the former Sheffield United man one of Dyche’s best additions from the summer window.
Across the season so far, McNeil has managed to create 21 chances in the top flight for Everton, the highest of anyone in the Premier League [Fotmob].
Dejan Kulusevski and Bukayo Saka are closely following behind him with 20 but when you look at the gulf in quality between the three teams, that stat becomes a little more impressive.
Everton has plenty of talent within their ranks to retain their Premier League status this season and, if McNeil is used in a more central role for the remainder of the campaign, it’s hard to see how they don’t scrape enough points together to survive once again.
In other Everton news, an update has emerged on the fitness of Alexander Isak ahead of the Toffees’ game v Newcastle.
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