da betsul： Everton’s campaign has yet again been filled with misery, as last season’s fan favourite Frank Lampard struggled to convert his passion for the club into tangible results.
da betway： He was admittedly hung out to dry by the hierarchy at the club, but despite being handed the bulk of the £60m fee received for Richarlison to reinvest he failed to secure a viable replacement.
Last season the Brazilian hit double figures in the league as he dragged the Toffees to safety, but as they once again sit in the relegation zone as March approaches, there are few figures who are expected to stand up in a similar fashion.
Their loss against Aston Villa over the weekend was a particularly disappointing one, especially considering how they largely dominated the opening exchanges. Whilst there were few positives to take from the result, the performance of Dwight McNeil suggested that perhaps he could be the one to shoulder that burden.
The Lampard signing was creative and confident and looked a far cry from the shy wide man who looked beleaguered under the previous regime. Perhaps the reunion with old boss Sean Dyche could see him now become reborn as the new saviour at Goodison Park.
Can McNeil save Everton from relegation?
Whilst the 23-year-old has seldom excelled for his actual goals and assist output since bursting onto the scene at Burnley, what he offers is a constant threat and a wicked left-footed delivery that makes him a decisive asset.
Even journalist Andy Jones recognised him as a “special player” back in 2021 after he had scored a stunning winner, coincidentally against the Toffees.
Throughout Saturday’s match, he terrorised Matty Cash and had there been a striker in the right areas they would have feasted on the teasing balls McNeil was offering.
Boasting 67 touches, the winger recorded an impressive four key passes and was successful in six of his seven attempted dribbles. This was only further supplemented by his nine duels won and two tackles too, via Sofascore.
It was a typical workmanlike display from the former Clarets man, but this time he actually paired it with a cutting-edge in the final third. Finally, he seems to have struck the balance that Dyche had previously praised him for, as he once claimed he was: “recognising the opportunities to get wide and run forwards because when he does that he is a real threat.”
With two goals and two assists this season, it has hardly been a sparkling campaign for McNeil. But, should he find consistency with displays like that against Villa, he could prove an important factor in Everton’s survival.
The continued absence of Dominic Calvert-Lewin hurts the whole team, but arguably none more so than the £25k-per-week gem. His creativity craves a focal point, and should the hulking striker return, McNeil will surely become a huge catalyst in avoiding the drop.