Sean Dyche is finally getting the best of Everton winger Dwight McNeil, with the 23-year-old putting in yet another stellar display at Brighton last night.
The £20m summer signing had a slow start to life on Merseyside, but is blossoming in recent weeks and should he continue with his current form, he could fill that Richarlison-shaped hole that has been left at Goodison Park.
The Brazilian moved to Spurs last summer in a £60m deal and Everton have struggled creatively in his absence, though McNeil’s performances in recent weeks have indicated that he is ready to become Goodison’s attacking outlet, and at just 23-years-old he has plenty of room for growth.
McNeil has transformed both himself and Everton in recent performances
His endeavour throughout last week’s 2-2 draw at Leicester City was instrumental in Everton earning a point on the road, though last night’s performance at Brighton was by far his best in Blue so far.
Bagging himself an assist for Abdoulaye Doucoure’s second goal to put Everton 2-0 up inside 30 minutes, McNeil then indirectly made it 3-0 to the Toffees as his cross found its way into Brighton’s net via goalkeeper Jason Steele.
The 23-year-old then put Everton in dreamland on 76 minutes, making it 4-0 with a superb piece of footwork to round Brighton goalkeeper, then celebrating his goal before it actually found its way into the net.
MORE EVERTON STORIES
The former Burnley man wasn’t done there however, as Brighton pulled a goal back through a fortunate Alexis Mac Allister goal, McNeil’s left-footed drive in the 96th minute found the top corner of Brighton’s net, putting an exclamation point on a superb display.
Indeed, Dwight McNeil is beginning to look like the player Everton paid a strong transfer fee for last summer and if Sean Dyche can continue to get the best out of the attacker, Everton could finally have the Richarlison replacement the Toffees so desperately needed.