Moyes during the game with Sunderland (Photo by Michael Driver/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

David Moyes said his surprise move to bring Dwight McNeil on against Sunderland was due to the midfielder’s performances in training.

The Blues boss was forced into an unwanted change around the hour mark when star man Iliman Ndiaye limped off after receiving treatment on the pitch. He appeared to pull up after a firm challenge but Everton left the Stadium of Light hoping his issue was just cramp.

The 25-year-old had opened the scoring in a game that Everton dominated for half-an-hour before losing control. After Granit Xhaka’s second half equaliser, the hosts looked the most likely to find a winner.

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Amid that search for a foothold in the game, Moyes turned to McNeil when Ndiaye had to exit. It was a call made despite McNeil having barely been used this season, at one point having to turn out for the club’s Under-21s to gain competitive minutes.