It's been a long time coming for Everton fans, but David Moyes' side finally got back to winning ways against Fulham on Saturday afternoon at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
Goals from Idrissa Gueye and Michael Keane earned the Toffees all three points in the Premier League for the first time in four games, and only the second time since August, as the Blues also kept their first clean sheet since September in the process.
But while the performance gave plenty of reasons for fans to be encouraged that the team may have turned a corner ahead of the international break, two decisions from the manager may have already put the writing on the wall for two players and their time at the club.
Moyes Gives Zero Minutes to Dibling and McNeil
tyler dibling
The summer transfer window on Merseyside was a relatively busy one, as Everton brought in nine new faces for Moyes, including the arrival of Dibling from Southampton and Carlos Alcaraz's loan move from Flamengo being made permanent.
But while there was great excitement about the talented winger's £42m arrival at the club, things have not gone to plan at all for the teenage sensation.
Following the win over Fulham, Everton have played 11 games in the Premier League this season. But Dibling has featured just four times, and started just once, for a total of 63 minutes of action so far. That may have been understandable in games where the team were looking to be defensive, but for the most part they have struggled for goals and Dibling's attributes would surely have helped.
It suggests that the manager isn't entirely keen on the player right now, and considering he didn't even bring him off the bench in a relatively comfortable win at home ahead of an international break makes you think something else may well be going on behind the scenes.
Dwight McNeil in action for Everton
The same can also be said for someone better known around Merseyside in Dwight McNeil, who has gone from key player under Sean Dyche to barely seen under Moyes.
The former Burnley man, who joined the club for £20m in 2022, has managed just 51 minutes of Premier League action this season, and much like Dibling, was left to sit on his hands against Fulham despite the team cruising to victory. It raises the question as to whether Moyes genuinely wants them as part of his setup going forward.
The lack of game time and rotation in the attacking midfield positions suggests he doesn't, and with the January transfer window approaching, it wouldn't be out of the realms of possibility to suggest a potential exit being on the cards.
Neither will be short of interest from around the top-flight, and if they're not playing at all then there is no reason for them to want to stay put either. One saving grace could be the fact that Illiman Ndiaye is set to head off to AFCON for a month over the festive period, which could provide opportunities of game time, but if it's only because Ndiaye isn't available then how useful is that really?
It seems that, whether intentionally or not, the writing is now on the wall for both Dibling and McNeil at Everton under Moyes. They're way down the pecking order and the manager clearly has no interest in keeping them happy, even with pity minutes. An exit away may be best for all involved.