Everton beat Brighton & Hove Albion 5-1 to move out of the Premier League relegation zone today, and attacker Dwight McNeil was one of the bright performers.
The former Burnley winger was electric, netting twice and assisting another for the Toffees.
Everton raced into the lead after 34 seconds. Dominic Calvert-Lewin spun Lewis Dunk before setting up Abdoulaye Doucoure to score.
Doucoure got his second in the 28th minute, slamming home a McNeil cross to double the lead at the Amex Stadium.
Seven minutes later, McNeil forced Brighton keeper Jason Steele into an own goal after combining with Doucoure again.
Brighton tried to respond, and teenage striker Evan Ferguson threatened with a shot that went just over the bar. Alexis Mac Allister also crashed a header off the crossbar.
However, McNeil ensured the win in the second half after collecting Alex Iwobi’s pass, sitting Steele down, and scoring into an empty net.
Kaoru Mitoma and Mac Allister combined to pull one back for Brighton. It was the 2022 World Cup-winning star’s tenth league goal of the campaign, but it was too little too late.
In the dying minute, McNeil grabbed his second. He raced through and rifled his effort into the top corner.
McNeil is now up to seven Premier League goals this season. He has assisted three more.
The winger has hit form at just the right time for Everton. He has bagged three goals and two assists in his last five games.
Manager Sean Dyche had nothing but praise for the 23-year-old following his superb performance.
Everton’s victory moved them two points clear of the relegation zone. Leicester City lost to Fulham and are down to 18th in the standings.
The Toffees have three games left against Manchester City, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Bournemouth.
