David Moyes made sure to substitute Dwight McNeil with ample time for Everton fans to acknowledge his efforts during the 2-0 win over Burnley on Tuesday.
The Everton No.7 received a rapturous round of applause and a standing ovation from those inside the Hill Dickinson Stadium after a superb performance against his former club.
It was a lovely moment for a player who has been through some tough times of late, after Crystal Palace backed out of a £20m deal on deadline day even despite the fact the 26-year-old had passed a medical.
There was a risk of Dwight McNeil not getting the standalone recognition he deserved on Tuesday night as David Moyes lined up a double substitution involving Idrissa Gueye, but after rewatching the game, the Glaswegian seemed to make a point of staggering the changes on purpose.
Just how good was this man against Burnley? 🔥
You've got to give credit where it's due… 👏
An overview of Everton's Dwight McNeil and his performance vs Burnley.
Credit: Getty Images/Richard Martin-Roberts – CameraSport.
David Moyes appeared to stagger substitution to deliberately put spotlight on Dwight McNeil
Typically, a double substitution would occur at the same time with both players jogging over to the bench together.
However, it looked like Moyes deliberately chose not to tell the fourth official who his other substitution was only until McNeil had deservedly soaked up the adoration from supporters on his own, without having to share the limelight.
Footage shows the fourth official turning back to the Everton bench after holding up the electronic board for that change, to ask a member of the backroom staff what the other substitution was.
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It was Moyes himself who kicked off the round of applause for McNeil, pointing at the winger before enthusiastically clapping his hands to show his appreciation for the performance.
Handling the substitutions in this staggered manner also allowed Gueye to be acknowledged by the Hill Dickinson Stadium faithful as well after a strong display.
A less experienced manager might not have understood the significance of the moment and how to extract the most from this situation, but Moyes used all of his vast know-how to ensure two players who have been criticised of late received a timely boost.
Dwight McNeil likely to be playing his final games for Everton
Despite signs of a resurgence at Everton with impressive displays in wins over Newcastle and Burnley, it still looks likely that the man from Rochdale will leave the Toffees this summer.
The Athletic have already reported as much.
Everton News columnist Alan Myers also expects McNeil to leave this summer, by which point he will only have 12 months remaining on his contract.
The Athletic explain how – unlike situations involving Gueye and Vitalii Mykolenko – Everton do not have an option to extend McNeil’s deal by a further 12 months, so a sale is likely or else the Toffees risk losing a £20m asset for nothing in 2027.
What impressed you most about that win against Burnley? 👏
James Tarkowski of Everton celebrates after scoring their side's first goal during the Premier League match between Everton and Burnley
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse.
Nevertheless, that detail, and the upset caused by his failed move to Crystal Palace, only make his excellent performance against Burnley all the more admirable.
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