David Moyes hailed the "superb professionalism" of Phil Neville as his first goal for three years helped Everton to an 3-0 win at Wolves.
Neville has this week seen his elder brother Gary Neville officially take up a punditry role with Sky Sports.
But the midfielder showed that he has still a major role to play for the Toffees who extended their unbeaten run to six games from which they have collected 14 points.
Moyes said: "Phil, with his level of professionalism, means that whatever he does in life after football, he will be a success.
"He is so dedicated and does everything he can to be a success. Any that he gets, he deserves. He works really hard at everything he does.
"Mind you, it was a surprise to see him score. I think he was crossing the ball! I don't think I've ever seen him score in training, never mind in games.
"But in all seriousness he has been a great signing for me and is someone everyone likes."
Jermaine Beckford opened the scoring and looked unhappy when substituted early in the second period.
But Moyes said: "I was upset because I said I wanted him to run more in the second half.
"He scored a great goal but in the second half I told him I needed him to work harder.
"I told him if you play at Everton, that's what you do. But he played really well for 45 minutes and his movement for the goal was great."
Moyes does not believe Everton can clinch a European spot but believes this victory at Molineux banishes any lingering fears of relegation.
He said: "With the way the league is going to unfold this season, with probably only five league places being up for grabs for a European place, I don't think we can make it.
"Today we kept away from the teams that can catch us and this win means I don't think we will be relegated.
"It is important we continue to show that Everton are a big club and, if we can do that again, it is as good as we can probably do."
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy believes his side need three more victories to have a realistic chance of staying in the top flight.
He said: "We're in the bottom three at the moment so we are not one of the best teams in the league.
"But we will keep going until May 22. We've still got the opportunity to win three games, 50 per cent of what we've got left.
"It would be a great record but it is there to be done.
"For 20 minutes we were terrific and I think it was David Moyes who feared the worst.
"But to concede the first goal from their first cross was hugely disappointing."
To add to McCarthy's woe, striker Sylvan Ebanks-Blake limped off with a hamstring problem to add to the absence of Kevin Doyle.
McCarthy said: "I'm not one to bemoan my luck with injuries but in addition to Sylvain, Steven Fletcher has got a sore calf.
"We are hoping that Sylvain has a chance for the Fulham game in two weeks."
Wolves are without a match next weekend as their scheduled opponents Stoke will be on FA Cup semi-final duty.
McCarthy said: "The two weeks break will drive us mad. We want to play next week but there is nothing we can do about it."
Diniyar Bilyaletdinov added the third goal for Everton who cemented seventh spot in the table.
