Much of Everton’s successful turnaround is owed to the continued form of Dwight McNeil, who has maintained his fine run of scoring and assisting through thick and thin.
After all, following a torrid start to the campaign, losing their opening four Premier League matches, their ability to turn things around must be admired.
Everton manager Sean Dyche deserves credit for this, and they have since amassed eight points, now going unbeaten in their last four.
Dwight McNeil has been the consistent throughout this resurgence, as quite comfortably their best player this campaign.
Dwight McNeil battling with Cole Palmer for Premier League statistic
And now, his exploits are actually being recognised by more than just the Goodison Park faithful, with the Premier League revealing a statistic which puts into perspective just how important the 24-year-old is for Everton.
Moving into a new number ten role, having previously occupied the wide spaces for the bulk of his career, this newfound space seems to have unlocked a fresh impetus for the former Burnley man.
As such, he is actually competing alongside Cole Palmer for this particular record, with it reading: ‘Dwight McNeil has been involved in six of Everton’s nine Premier League goals this season (3 goals, 3 assists – 67%); only Cole Palmer for Chelsea (11/16 – 69%) has been involved in a higher proportion of his side’s goals in the competition this season.’
Seamus Coleman revealed that McNeil is emerging as a leader within Everton’s dressing room, with this newfound confidence certainly owed to such fine form.
Dwight McNeil is enjoying the season of his life for Everton
With this numerical evidence, McNeil’s importance for Everton is exemplified.
However, that was already abundant for those who have watched him all throughout the season thus far.
Whilst he struggled to make his mark against Brighton and Hove Albion and Tottenham Hotspur, losing 3-0 and 4-0 respectively, he then starred in their loss to AFC Bournemouth by assisting their second, before scoring and assisting in the following defeat to Aston Villa.
He was powerless to stop the collapse in both of those matches, but was then more than pivotal in their first Premier League win of the campaign.
Going into the break against Crystal Palace 1-0 down, his second-half brace dragged them to a much-needed three points, and has seemingly sparked their season into life.
For comparison, McNeil’s best goalscoring season in the English top flight came during his first in royal blue, scoring seven during the 2022/23 term.
His best creative campaign then came the following year, matching his 2019/20 tally by assisting six last season.
With 30 games to go, already he is just four off matching the former and three away from the latter. It is poised to be the best-performing campaign of his career thus far.
And yet, Dyche has told McNeil that he must improve in one area, as to keep his progression ongoing.
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