Everton forward Dwight McNeil has credited pre-season conversations with captain Seamus Coleman and former Burnley teammate James Tarkowski for his recent surge in goalscoring form. The 24-year-old’s contributions helped Everton secure their first win of the season, as they came from behind to defeat Crystal Palace 2-1 at Goodison Park.
McNeil scored twice in quick succession after half-time, turning the tide for his team. Just 77 seconds into the second half, he curled a long-range strike from 25 yards to equalize. Minutes later, he netted again from a Jack Harrison cross, securing the win and doubling his goal tally to four in six games — already surpassing his total from last season.
Reflecting on his improvement, McNeil revealed that preseason discussions with his teammates played a role. “It’s funny because me, Skip [Coleman] and Tarks [Tarkowski] talked in the pre-season about getting my stats up and how I can do that,” McNeil said.
The forward attributed his progress to multiple factors, including a shift in mentality and confidence. “A lot of it’s mentality, having confidence within myself and when you’ve got confidence with the lads around you who believe in you, the manager, and the coaching staff,” he added.
Another key change has been his position on the pitch. McNeil, traditionally a winger, has been deployed in a more central role this season, which he believes has helped him make a greater impact. “Playing centrally as well, being more involved in the game, has helped get my stats up, but there’s a long way to go and I know there’s a lot of improvement,” he admitted.
Despite his personal success, McNeil remains focused on team goals. “For me, I’m happy with what I’ve got so far but I want more. I want to kick on more. I want to learn more about the game, improve, and help the team as best I can.”
The win against Crystal Palace was particularly significant for Everton, marking their first Premier League comeback since October 2022 and their first victory of the season. McNeil emphasized the importance of building on this result: “The main thing was getting the three points on the board and the first win of the season at Goodison — but we’ve got to kick on.”