Everton beat Nottingham Forest on Saturday, and Dwight McNeil made a big impact off the bench for the visitors.
David Moyes masterminded another brilliant result for the Toffees, who won 1-0 at the City Ground.
It was always going to be a tough game, with Forest having been a surprise package in 2024/25. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side are pushing for the Champions League, and have recorded some brilliant results this term.
But Everton went to the City Ground and put in a great performance.
In the end, it was Abdoulaye Doucoure who got the winner for Everton in the 94th minute of the game.
Doucoure – whom Moyes suggested is underappreciated – finished off swift counter-attack, taking the club up to 38 points in the table.
The man who supplied the Mali international was Dwight McNeil, who sent a message to Everton fans after the game.
Dwight McNeil reacts with four words after Everton beat Nottingham Forest
It has been a frustrating 2025 so far for McNeil.
The star started the season well and was one of the standout performers when Sean Dyche was in charge.
But he picked up an injury in December which sidelined him for four months.
McNeil made his return to match action against Arsenal recently, and on Saturday he featured off the bench again for Everton.
He only played a minute. But that was all he needed.
McNeil brilliantly picked the pocket of Murillo, before playing Doucoure in to score.
It was a sweet moment for the 25-year-old after his recent frustrations with injury, and he took to Instagram on Saturday night to check in with fans.
He wrote: “Fantastic win on the road 💙”
A few of his Everton teammates replied, including:
- Abdoulaye Doucoure – ‘Assist 🤴 🔥
- James Garner – ‘Welcome back brother 👏’
- Joao Virginia – ‘He is back 😍’
Everton have missed McNeil despite results
Everton may have had some brilliant results so far in 2025 since Moyes returned.
But it can be argued that McNeil has still been a miss for the Toffees.
He had been really good up until his injury, scoring four goals and supplying five assists (now six).
Moyes has spoken positively about Jack Harrison and Jesper Lindstrom in recent weeks, but the pair just don’t bring the quality that McNeil does.
He made an instant impact against Forest, and if anything it was just a reminder of how much more threatening Everton are when he’s playing.
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