David Moyes
Dwight McNeil made a surprising return to Everton’s lineup in their thrilling victory over Newcastle, marking his first appearance since a collapsed transfer to Crystal Palace. The midfielder’s inclusion came after a period of absence following the deadline day chaos, during which his partner criticized Crystal Palace’s handling of the situation. McNeil played a pivotal role in Everton’s first two goals, contributing significantly to the team’s success.
David Moyes said: “Well, the club pays his wages, so I don’t think we should really need to support him too much. I don’t treat him any differently than I would treat any other player. I just told him to get on with it and he has done so. He’s trained really well this week and deserved the opportunity to start the team.”
Moyes’ straightforward approach to McNeil’s situation highlighted the manager’s belief in the player’s resilience and ability to move past the disappointment of the failed transfer. McNeil’s performance on the pitch justified the manager’s decision to include him, as he was instrumental in both halves of the game. He initiated the move that led to Jarrad Branthwaite’s opening goal and took the shot that resulted in Beto’s goal following a spill by Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Nick Pope.
David Moyes said: “It was just something I’d forgotten to say to him, but all the messaging was done, obviously, prior to it. It was just a small point I wanted to message him. He hits the target with his shot, Dwight, he got caught on the ball a bit too often in the first half, but overall really pleased with him.”
McNeil was one of four changes made by Moyes following Everton’s loss to Manchester United, with Vitalii Mykolenko, Beto, and Jake O’Brien also stepping up to deliver commendable performances. Moyes expressed satisfaction with the contributions of the players who came into the squad, particularly highlighting Beto’s impact.
David Moyes said: “[Jake] did a really good job. So did the [other] boys who came in. I expect it… Away from home, we’ve tended to find a winning solution, or maybe not a solution, but we’ve been able to get better results away than we have at home. I think the players did a great job today, I was really pleased. Beto gets his goal and did a good job all round.”
Beto, who replaced Thierno Barry in the lineup, proved to be a constant threat throughout the match. Although he missed a chance to seal the game by hitting the bar in the second half, his overall performance was praised by Moyes. The manager noted that Beto’s opportunity arose after Barry’s recent struggles, emphasizing the need for players to perform well consistently.
David Moyes said: “You have to do well. We accept that you don’t always score goals, but you need to do really well for the team, and hold the play, hold the ball up, and join in, and be creative. So we just saw that there’s been a couple of games Barry’s been a little bit off it, so we went with Beto.”
Everton’s victory over Newcastle not only showcased the team’s depth and adaptability but also reaffirmed Moyes’ tactical acumen in making strategic changes that paid off handsomely.
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