Dwight McNeil names two Everton players who have played hidden role in goalscoring upturn

Dwight McNeil has revealed how pre-season talks with Seamus Coleman and James Tarkowski have played a role in his upturn in goalscoring form. The Everton winger has also opened up on the role the club's captain played in helping inspire Saturday's second-half comeback against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park.

Without a win in their opening five Premier League games of the season, Everton’s poor start to the campaign looked set to continue when Marc Guehi poked the ball past Jordan Pickford after just 10 minutes. However, a quick-fire double from McNeil helped turn the game on its head.

His first goal arrived two minutes into the second half when his drive from range curled past Dean Henderson and into the far corner of the Gwladys Street net. The 24-year-old then secured all three points for the Blues seven minutes later when he converted from close-range after controlling Jack Harrison's cross.

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READ MORE: What Everton players were told at half time as inspiration for comeback revealed

And asked about what was said at half-time, McNeil revealed: “It was a bit of both between the gaffer and the lads talking with each other. Skip (Coleman) had a big part in that as well, coming in and talking to everyone. But sometimes it shouldn't need to get that point. We should take ownership ourselves.

“We knew the first half we didn't play well, so it was just about doing the basics well, working together as a team, and chances would come.

“I think Jack coming on for the second half made a big difference as well, and I thought Youngy (Ashley Young) was amazing again.”

The brace against the Eagles helped McNeil take his tally to four goals for the season, already beating last season’s total of three. And the former Burnley man has revealed how conversations with Coleman and Tarkowski during the summer have helped him make tweaks to his game.

“It's funny because me, Skip, and Tarks talked in the pre-season about getting my stats up and how I can do that,” he said. “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 help the team impact games as best I can because I want to improve for myself, help the team, and see where it takes me.”

McNeil also opened up on playing in the No.10 role, saying: “I enjoy playing inside because I'm always involved in the game.

“I just want to help the team when I can, and I think it helps that I have a good relationship with Dom (Dominic Calvert-Lewin) off the pitch as well. I'm still learning and want to learn from the players around me and work and improve my game.

Before he added: “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 and the manager and coaching staff.

“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.

“I want to learn more about the game, improve, and help the team as best I can. The main thing today was getting the three points on the board and the first win of the season at Goodison, but we've got to kick on.”

The victory came after a huge week for the football club both on and off the pitch. It was confirmed on Monday that the Friedkin Group had agreed a deal to buy Farhad Moshiri’s 94.1% shareholding.

But despite the deal appearing to bring an end to a long-running takeover saga that has been a cloud over the club, McNeil admits the players' focus is just on getting things right on the pitch.

He said: “On the pitch, we just try and focus on what we try and focus. Today was a massive win for everyone, for us and for the fans.

“Now we've got to look back on it and what we did well, what we didn't do so well, and take it forward going into the game next Saturday.”