Toffees have got a bit of Sean shine
EVERTON ........ 1 ARSENAL ........ 0
SEAN DYCHE has given Everton their identity back.
Under the axed Frank Lampard and Rafa Benitez before him, it was often hard to work out what the Goodison side were trying to achieve.
Under Dyche, there’s no such confusion – they have the Sean identity.
Against an Arsenal side who are top on merit – and who hadn’t lost a Premier League match since the first week in September – the Toffees produced a pulsating display of fire and brimstone, underpinned by a tactical plan of flawless clarity.
Dyche had less than a week to devise his blueprint but he had seen enough of this Everton side to know his biggest task was to remind his players of their quality.
After James Tarkowski’s goal gave him a winning start as boss, he said: “They are good footballers, sometimes we forget that.
“They are here for a reason and sometimes you have to remind them of that. It is Everton Football Club and you are not here unless you are a good player.”
The new gaffer was helped by the fact man-ofthe-match Dwight McNeil and goalscorer Tarkowski knew his system well
enough from their days together at Turf Moor.
But putting Idrissa Gana Gueye back into his favoured position, while allowing Abdoulaye Doucoure and the hugely impressive Amadou Onana to use their athleticism to drive forward, changed Everton’s momentum.
Dyche added: “I have a way of operating and it starts with the base.
“What you saw was the base requirement of what I believe is right for the team, any team.”
Gunners gaffer Mikel Arteta left his old stomping ground gutted they’d failed to show why they are title favourites.
But the Spaniard is adamant Saturday’s shock defeat won’t derail their bid for silverware – with Manchester City’s loss softening the blow.
He said: “We didn’t control the energy they got from the crowd.
“The best way to react is to understand who we are and how we got into this position. We have to manage games better.”