Sean Dyche says the best is yet to come from ‘terrific’ Everton match-winner Dwight McNeil

McNeil’s emphatic second-half finish sealed Everton a morale-boosting 1-0 Premier League win in Saturday’s evening kick-off, which lifted them off the foot of the table.

Dyche, reunited with the 24-year-old after their time together at Burnley, said: “I think the early part of his Everton career there were a few question marks. Since I’ve been here he’s been terrific.

“His work ethic, we do ask a lot of all our players, particularly our wide players, so his work ethic for the team and I know he’s got ability.

“I’ve known him a long time and I think he showed that today, not just with his goal, which was a fine strike, but other parts of his game.

“His control and his understanding is improving all the time and his positional sense.

“He will do the hard yards for himself and the team. They’re good qualities to have.”

It was Everton’s first victory since being deducted 10 points for breaching the Premier League’s financial rules and came a day after submitting their formal appeal against the severity of their punishment.

It was also their third in five league matches and left them two points from safety.

They had slipped to bottom place earlier on Saturday following Burnley’s win against relegation rivals Sheffield United.

Dyche confirmed striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed out due to a minor calf injury, but could return to contention for Thursday’s home game against Newcastle.

Forest were booed off at full-time after a third-straight league defeat and back-to-back home losses.

They have won just one of their last 10 league games and the pressure is mounting on boss Steve Cooper.

Cooper said: “There will have been lots of emotions from supporters walking out of the stadium. Whatever that emotion is, it will only have come from support and love for the club.

“We all show it in different ways – like the players and the staff, including myself, will. That’s because the club is supported as well as it is.

“I have no problem with any emotion that supporters show because it will only come from the heart, of supporting and wanting the best for the football club. I’ve absolutely no problem with anything.

“We’ve lost three on the bounce, two of them at home. There’s no hiding away from that. We need to own it, talk about it, don’t deflect.”

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