Dwight McNeil feels Saturday’s 1-0 victory over in-form Brentford could give Everton the belief they need to keep picking up important wins for the rest of the season.

The Blues winger sent the hosts into the lead after just 35 seconds at Goodison Park when he fired a left-footed shot past keeper David Raya from 25 yards out.

McNeil continued to play his part in a dominant first half for the Toffees, before contributing to the endless amounts of hard work and resilient defending to ensure Everton could see out the result to claim three points and move up to 15th in the table.

Speaking after the game, McNeil labelled the victory as “massive” and believes the win could prove vital for the squad for the rest of the campaign.

On the Toffees triumph, McNeil said: “It’s a massive win. I thought we were outstanding in the first half. We created a lot of chances and could’ve gone in with more at the break.

“We knew in the second half they were going to give everything, and they did. We defended well and got a massive three points. I thought the fans and the lads were brilliant throughout the 90 minutes."

The Everton winger fired the Blues into the lead in the first minute, and the goalscorer described his match-winning strike.

“Doucs (Doucoure) had it and I was in space," added the in-form summer signing from Burnley. "He knew where to find me and it was just about getting the touch out of my feet, and then cutting across the ball. It was a nice feeling for it to go in. It’s good to start on the front foot, especially at home.”

Everton were dominant in the first half, registering nine shots as they constantly pressed for a second goal. An abundance of chances and a disallowed Demarai Gray goal left Blues around the ground believing they should’ve had a greater lead at the interval.

On the missed chances, McNeil revealed: “We could’ve scored two or three in the first half.

“In the second half, we were resilient, and we held on in the end. In the moment, you’re just focused on the game but we have to be more clinical in front of goal. We worked well as a team and got the three points.”

Goodison Park provided an incredible atmosphere once again, and McNeil appreciated every moment and every decibel of the support.

“It’s huge," he added. "It shows the togetherness between us and the fans. We now want to kick on and move forward.

“We know we have a big game at the weekend now against Chelsea, so we have to prepare for that one. Today’s a confidence boost and we have to go into next Saturday with belief.

"It’s massive to get out of the relegation zone with the three points today, but we have to be focused and go again.”