Dwight McNeil was due to leave Everton at the end of the transfer window but has received praise for returning to David Moyes' plans after his move to Crystal Palace fell through
Dwight McNeil was “lost for words” after being applauded off the pitch in the closing stages of Everton’s win over Burnley. The midfielder was lauded from all sides of Hill Dickinson Stadium after helping the Blues to a 2-0 victory over his former club Burnley.
McNeil was involved in both goals just days after he returned to David Moyes’ starting line-up for win at Newcastle United.
That start at St James’ Park was the 26-year-old’s first taste of action since the collapse of a move to Crystal Palace in the final minutes of the winter transfer window. His partner, Megan Sharpley, later claimed McNeil had been “toyed with” by the London club.
Sharpley claimed the prospect of a transfer ended without “explanation”, writing on Instagram: “For it to be torn away from you at the last second, with absolutely no explanation. Going from everything - to radio silence, no phone call, no communication and be left, broken hearted with nothing but confusion, has hurt more than I can say.”
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McNeil missed several games in the aftermath of that deadline day saga and his return to the first XI in the north east last weekend came as a shock. He was involved in the first two goals in Everton’s 3-2 victory and earned a second successive start on Tuesday night.
On the applause that greeted his exit in the closing stages against the Clarets, McNeil said: “It's massive. I've loved playing for Everton, ever since I signed – from day one.
"I know how passionate the fans are and getting that reception from them was a really nice moment for me. I'm lost for words. It's been an emotional evening for me and my family.
"I also want to thank the lads for how they were after what happened – and my partner, Meg, because I know she struggled as well afterwards but she was with me every step of the way. Having all of that support around me has been massive, and it's given me that confidence back.
"I'm really happy. It's been a difficult month but, for me, it was just about getting my head down, getting my head around it – it took me a couple of weeks to fully understand what went on – but I've just cracked on and tried to train as well as I can every day.
I've been fortunate enough to start the past two games and I'm just happy to play well because I've missed that feeling. It's nice to be back doing what I love."
McNeil was a prominent part of Sean Dyche’s Everton and was part of the squad that helped the club avoid relegation during some of its most challenging years.
He has featured less under David Moyes but now looks set to play a role in a run-in that could take the Blues into Europe.
That is the ambition, McNeil said, telling Everton club media: "It's been difficult since I joined the club – fighting relegation, but this season we're looking up and that's something I want to be part of going forward.
"I want to help the team get into a European spot. It's definitely good [to have that new objective].
"It's a massive three points. We got a good result [over Newcastle] at the weekend and we knew this game was going to be massive to put us towards where we want to go this season.
"The gaffer told us how important it was, so now we've got to kick on again."