Our Everton jury return to have their say on the Premier League victories over Newcastle United and Burnley and react to Dwight McNeil's impressive displays
Dwight McNeil in action for Everton against Burnley
Dwight McNeil in action for Everton against Burnley(Image: (Paul ELLIS / AFP via Getty Images))
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Everton boosted their hopes of qualifying for Europe by beating Newcastle United and Burnley over the past week. The Blues claimed a 3-2 win over Eddie Howe’s side on Saturday, with Jordan Pickford producing an outstanding save to ensure his side returned to Merseyside with all three points.
Then, on Tuesday night, David Moyes’ side won at home for the first time this calendar year. Goals from James Tarkowski and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall secured the Blues all three points against the Clarets.
And with both wins in mind, our Everton jury have returned to have their say on a big few days for the club.
Paul McParlan
With spring in the air and sunny days on their way, it was only fitting that Everton should finally cast off the winter gloom after a run of underwhelming home performances.
It was on December 6, 2025, against Nottingham Forest that we last savoured a home win and a clean sheet at Hill Dickinson Stadium, so that comprehensive victory over Burnley on Tuesday evening was long overdue.
It has been nearly three months since home supporters were able to celebrate at the end of a game, it’s been far too long! It was no surprise that David Moyes kept the same team that had won convincingly at Newcastle United.
I was also pleased, and I may be in a minority here, to see Dwight McNeil keep his place in the side. He has struggled at times this season, but on his day, he is still one of the most skilful players at the club.
His touch and pass that formed the pre-assist for our second goal was the sign of a player full of confidence again. It does make you wonder how well he would perform in his favoured left-side role.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrates with Vitalii Mykolenko after scoring during the match between Everton and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 3, 2026
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall celebrates with Vitalii Mykolenko after scoring during the match between Everton and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 3, 2026(Image: Jon Super/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
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Also, it was encouraging to see Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye returning to their best pre-AFCON levels. James Garner was outstanding again, and Beto, despite not scoring, led the line well.
We now have a number of options on the bench, and so it was slightly frustrating that they weren’t used until the 83rd minute. With nine games left, the likes of Tyrique George, Harrison Armstrong, Merlin Rohl (remember him?) and others will have a part to play.
This was the perfect occasion to give them at least 15 minutes to show what they can do, especially as our starting eleven had all played on Saturday.
It was a comfortable win, in which the margin of victory could have been bigger. The game should have been out of sight, but if it hadn’t been for that brilliant save in stoppage time by Jordan Pickford, Burnley might well have pulled a goal back.
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We have six points and five goals from our last two fixtures and lie in eighth place with, once again, a European place within our grasp.
Our home form will play a decisive role in this. We have some tough fixtures coming up, with Chelsea, Liverpool and Manchester City still to visit, so it was important to pick up three points against Burnley. As I am sure Mr Slot will confirm, it is not always easy playing against the teams in the drop zone!
It has been a long winter for fans with some grim displays at our new stadium to endure. But with a first home win of the year under our belts and the spring sunshine shimmering on the banks of the Mersey, maybe, just maybe, we can finish the season there on a high?
Mark McParlan
I ended my last jury with the statement that, although it was something I hoped not to write again, I’d have to question David Moyes’ long-term position if we failed to secure a win against Newcastle United or Burnley.
But he has turned it around in sensational fashion with five goals and six points in four days, firing us right back into the chase for Europe. Against Burnley on Tuesday we saw a return to the confident, commanding home performances unseen since the Fulham or Forest wins in November and December. It’s been a brilliant week to be an Everton fan.
We’ve seen Jordan Pickford producing Hollywood saves with regularity, underlining his status for club and country as an elite goalkeeper. Jarrad Branthwaite back playing regularly (and at centre-back!) has been joyous. We have even been treated to the Dwight McNeil renaissance. He was magnificent on Tuesday and looked almost touched by the standing ovation as he came off. I could namecheck many more accomplished performances.
Dwight McNeil and Seamus Coleman after the match between Everton and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 3, 2026
Dwight McNeil and Seamus Coleman after the match between Everton and Burnley at Hill Dickinson Stadium on March 3, 2026(Image: Tony McArdle/Everton FC Official Photography Library/SmartFrame)
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Yes, Burnley were utterly hopeless and the worst side to play at Bramley-Moore this season, but we looked so assured. The second goal, involving a McNeil run and pass, an Iliman Ndiaye assist, and a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall finish, was the kind of flowing attacking football we want to see at home. Ultimately, this is a decent Premier League team, producing the best points return we’ve seen for half a decade. It was nice to finally see some of that quality in front of our home crowd again.
The only minor personal sour note was seeing the ground mostly empty before the full-time whistle. I appreciate not everyone lives in north / central Liverpool, but surely you’d want to savour a home win after such a long time. The only thing we can actually do as fans to influence the fortunes of our club is to cheer and support the players, making them feel like their efforts are appreciated. They clearly care.
Our next four fixtures are more challenging, so I’m tempering expectations, but it’s just a great feeling to be potentially dreaming of European football next season, instead of looking over our shoulder after a horrible five years. Hope the lads enjoy their warm-weather break – this time it’s definitely deserved.