I'm close with Jarrad Branthwaite - He's massive for Everton and I know how frustrated he's been

Dwight McNeil has spoken of his delight after Jarrad Branthwaite made his long-awaited first appearance of the season for Everton against Crystal Palace. The defender had been sidelined with a groin injury.

Branthwaite was the subject of two bids from Manchester United this summer and failed to feature in any of the Blues' pre-season games. And after missing Everton's first five Premier League matches of the season, Branthwaite returned for Saturday’s 2-1 home win over Crystal Palace.

Huge cheers from the Goodison Park crowd greeted Branthwaite as his name was read out over the PA ahead of kick-off. And although he was powerless in preventing the Blues from keeping a clean sheet, he was instrumental in helping them pick up their first league victory of the season thanks to Dwight McNeil's second-half brace.

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“I’m close with 'Jazza,' and I know he was frustrated when he was injured,” the Everton matchwinner said. “It maybe took him a bit longer than he wanted to, but the main thing is he’s young and a massive part of our squad.

“I’m happy to see him back. He’s a massive player and has a massive future ahead of him.

"When people are injured or ill, it's always difficult for any team. Us now having a fully fit squad coming back is good for the lads.

“It adds that healthiness within the group and people fighting for places, which we need because that brings out performances as well.

“Now we've got to step on, and it's just the start. We know we need to put more points on the board if we want to improve.”

Everton were booed off at half-time after another disappointing 45 minutes against a fellow winless team. Winger Jesper Lindstrom was the first to pay the price as he was replaced at the interval by Jack Harrison. However, McNeil believes that the team showed the type of character required to come from behind and claim all three points.

“In past games where we've lost, I think we've played well, but in the Premier League it's all about putting points on the board because it's the hardest league in the world,” he said.

“You can play well, but if you don't get points, there's nothing to show for it. Today we did the not-nice side of the game really well. We defended really well in the second half and managed to hold on for the three points.”

The victory lifted Everton out of the bottom three, and McNeil added: "We just take it a game at a time and focus on the opposition we're playing.

“We're not really too interested in the table because it's still early on in the season. We've just got to work together every day, get better, and put more points on the board because that's the most important thing in the Premier League.

“We were playing well in the previous games but not picking up any points, and that can be the most frustrating thing. But the Premier League is not forgiving.

“It's all about points on the board. It's a ruthless league, and that's what we've done today. We've got to take the performance and keep getting wins because we want to win as many games as we can this season.”