“GET OFF HIM” – Thierry Henry Praises Everton’s Dwight McNeil for Unprecedented Feat vs Nottingham Forest
In a thrilling Premier League clash at the City Ground on April 12, 2025, Everton secured a dramatic 1-0 victory over high-flying Nottingham Forest, thanks to a stoppage-time goal from Abdoulaye Doucouré. While the headlines rightfully celebrated the match-winner, it was another Everton player who caught the eye of Arsenal legend and pundit Thierry Henry for doing something he claimed he had “never seen before.” That player was Dwight McNeil, and Henry’s passionate cry of “GET OFF HIM” during the analysis encapsulated the winger’s sensational contribution.
With the game poised at 0-0 and the clock ticking into the 94th minute, Everton were pushing for a breakthrough against a resolute Nottingham Forest side, who sat third in the Premier League table. Forest’s Brazilian centre-back Murillo, typically a composed figure, found himself under pressure deep in his own half. Enter Dwight McNeil, who had only been on the pitch for a matter of minutes after coming off the bench.
McNeil, displaying relentless energy and sharp anticipation, pounced on Murillo’s hesitation. With a burst of speed and tenacity, he dispossessed the defender just inside Everton’s half, robbing him of the ball in a moment of pure opportunism. As Murillo scrambled to recover, McNeil surged forward, driving towards the Forest penalty area with purpose. Spotting Doucouré’s well-timed run, McNeil threaded a perfectly weighted diagonal pass, splitting the Forest defence and allowing his teammate to slot home the winner past goalkeeper Matz Sels.
It was a sequence of play that sent Everton fans into delirium and left Henry, watching from the Sky Sports studio, in awe. “GET OFF HIM!” Henry exclaimed as he broke down the moment, his voice brimming with admiration. “I’ve never seen a substitute come on and change a game like that in such a short space of time. The awareness, the aggression, the precision—it’s something special.”
Henry’s praise wasn’t just about the assist, though it was undoubtedly a moment of quality. What made McNeil’s actions so remarkable in the eyes of the former Arsenal star was the combination of attributes he displayed in those crucial seconds. At 25 years old, McNeil is known for his technical ability and crossing, but this was a different side of his game—one defined by hunger, intelligence, and game-changing instinct.
“Murillo’s a top defender, one of the best in the league this season,” Henry noted. “To nick the ball off him like that, in that moment, when the game’s on a knife-edge? That’s not just skill—that’s mentality. And then to have the composure to pick out Doucouré with that pass? I’m telling you, I’ve not seen many players pull that off.”
McNeil’s impact was all the more impressive given the context. Everton, under the revitalised leadership of David Moyes, had dominated much of the game but struggled to convert their chances against a Forest side chasing Champions League qualification. The Toffees had restricted Forest to half-chances, with Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski nullifying the threat of Chris Wood, but a lack of cutting edge in attack had threatened to leave them with just a point. McNeil’s introduction, however, flipped the script.
This wasn’t the first time McNeil has shown his value to Everton since his move from Burnley in 2022, but it may well be the defining moment of his season. The winger has often flown under the radar, overshadowed by the club’s struggles in recent years and the inconsistency of those around him. Yet, under Moyes’ second stint, McNeil appears to be thriving, with his work rate and versatility aligning perfectly with the manager’s demands.
Henry’s comments also highlighted McNeil’s growth as a player capable of influencing games at the highest level. “He’s not just a winger who crosses the ball,” Henry said. “He’s got that dog in him, that fight. You saw it when he went after Murillo—he wasn’t letting him get away. Players like that win you games.”
For Everton, the victory was a statement of intent. Having faced the Premier League’s top two sides in the previous week, they went toe-to-toe with third-placed Forest and came away with three points. The result lifted the Toffees further away from the relegation zone and showcased their resilience under Moyes, who has instilled a renewed sense of belief at Goodison Park.
Henry’s effusive praise also sparked discussion about McNeil’s potential to reach new heights. At 25, he’s entering his prime, and moments like this suggest he could be a key figure for Everton moving forward. Some fans even speculated about whether McNeil’s display might catch the eye of England manager Thomas Tuchel, though Henry was quick to temper such talk. “Let’s not get ahead of ourselves,” he laughed. “But if he keeps doing this, who knows?”
The former France international also drew parallels between McNeil’s cameo and the kind of game-changing moments he himself used to produce. “It’s not about being on the pitch for 90 minutes,” Henry reflected. “It’s about making the difference when it counts. That’s what separates good players from great ones.”
On social media, Evertonians were quick to echo Henry’s sentiments, with many hailing McNeil as the unsung hero of the match. “Dwight McNeil doesn’t get the credit he deserves,” one fan posted on X. “That tackle and pass were world-class. Thierry’s spot on!” Another added, “When even Henry’s shouting ‘GET OFF HIM,’ you know McNeil’s done something special.”
The victory capped a memorable day for Everton, who had travelled to the East Midlands knowing a positive result could shift the narrative around their season. For McNeil, it was a reminder of his ability to turn games on their head, earning him not just the plaudits of his teammates and manager but the admiration of one of football’s all-time greats.
As Everton look ahead to their next fixtures, they’ll hope McNeil’s magic moment is a sign of things to come. For now, though, his audacious robbery of Murillo and pinpoint assist will live long in the memory—proof that, in the words of Thierry Henry, he’s a player capable of doing things others simply don’t.
