Injured club captain Seamus Coleman delivered a key speech as Everton turned around a half-time deficit to register their first Premier League win of the season against Crystal Palace on Saturday.
Coleman, 35, has been at Goodison Park since 2009 and though currently out with a calf issue the Irishman remains a valuable influence around the dressing-room.
Two-goal hero Dwight McNeil revealed the turnaround during the interval. ‘It was a bit of both between the gaffer and the lads talking with each other,’ he said.
‘Skip (Seamus Coleman) had a big part in that as well, coming in and talking to everyone.
‘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.’
Seamus Coleman delivered a key speech to inspire Everton’s comeback against Crystal Palace
Dwight McNeil netted twice in the second half to secure Everton their first win of the season
Coleman has also been instrumental in helping McNeil get off to a flying start in front of goal this season. McNeil’s brace in a 2-1 win on Saturday took his tally to four – already outstripping the three he got during the whole of the last campaign.
Part of the success has come from playing more central role having built his name as a winger, and part because of Coleman’s encouragement.
‘It’s funny because me, Skip and Tarks (James Tarkowski) talked in the pre-season about getting my stats up and how I can do that,’ added 24-year-old McNeil.
‘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.’
Everton climbed out of the relegation places with their maiden victory to complete a positive week in which it was revealed American businessman Dan Friedkin is in advanced talks over a takeover which should be completed in December.
