Dwight McNeil looked set to leave Everton on transfer deadline day but he has won his place back in the side and on Tuesday produced his best performance of the season
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - MARCH 03: Everton's Dwight McNeil applauds supporters after being substituted during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 03, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Jon Super/Everton FC) ============================================= Use the following embed code to publish this image online: More info: at https://smartframe.io/embedding-support/
View Image
Everton captain James Tarkowski has spoken of his pride for team-mate Dwight McNeil after he was given a standing ovation by the home fans at Hill Dickinson Stadium for producing his best performance of the season in the 2-0 win over his previous club Burnley.
McNeil joined the Blues from the Clarets following their relegation in 2022 but was set to move to Crystal Palace on loan on transfer deadline day of the winter window with an obligation for the Eagles to pay a similar fee for him in the summer.
However, the deal collapsed at the 11th hour at the south London side’s end and the 26-year-old’s partner Megan Sharpley hit out at the way he was treated, claiming McNeil had been “toyed with.”
Author avatar
Author avatar
READ MORE: 'Had a tough time' - David Moyes makes Dwight McNeil admission after starring role in Everton win
After being left out of Everton's squad for the next two matches, he was on the bench against Manchester United and has now started in the back-to-back victories over Newcastle United and Burnley.
Deployed as an inverted right winger, McNeil excelled in the success against Scott Parker’s relegation-threatened side, playing a pivotal role in the decisive second goal and he was applauded off the pitch when substituted in the 87th minute.
And Tarkowski, whose header opened the scoring, said: “I’m so proud of Dwight and pleased because he’s had a tough time.
“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.
“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.
“The next challenge is to do it week in, week out but he should be really pleased and proud of himself too.”
Manager David Moyes insisted he had no problem with the player, initially citing that while mental health is paramount, there are lots of professional footballers who have to deal with transfers that don’t come off and then, on his recall, maintaining that it’s Everton who pay his wages. Asked whether McNeil had needed an arm around the shoulder, Tarkowski said: “Yeah, a little... we’re pals so we’re always chatting.
“Sometimes I give him a bit of love, sometimes a stern word if I need to. When you’re close pals, you can do that.
“But his training levels have been terrific since then (deadline day) and he’s really kicked on and dealt with it really well. He’s shown us what he’s all about.”
*Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source.Click here to activate or add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings.*