“what I did differently to help us with our first win in 14 games” Sean Dyche says Everton deliberately played in a strange manner against Burnley

Sean Dyche, the Everton manager, has openly discussed the tactical approach his team took in their recent match against Burnley at Goodison Park, which resulted in a much-needed victory for the club.

Dyche admitted that his strategy was to secure a win by any means necessary, even if it meant playing a less aesthetically pleasing style of football. He described the game plan as “long and strong,” a deliberate choice to disrupt the rhythm of a Burnley team that is struggling near the bottom of the league standings. This approach was partly influenced by Everton’s previous difficulties in converting solid performances into wins.

The game itself was tense and lacked the smooth, flowing football that fans often enjoy. Dyche recognized the performance was not the most polished, citing a palpable nervousness on the pitch. However, he expressed satisfaction with the outcome, especially considering the team’s lengthy stretch of 13 games without a Premier League win.

The only goal of the match came from an error by Burnley’s goalkeeper Arijanet Muric, whose failed clearance led to Dominic Calvert-Lewin scoring just before the halftime whistle. This pivotal moment shifted the momentum in a game where Everton had been struggling to make their mark.

Post-match, Dyche reflected on the necessity of the win and the tactics employed. He emphasized the importance of the victory, stating, “We looked at the idea of how well we had played this season and not won, so we deliberately tried to make the game as awkward and ugly as possible and get an ugly win and it worked.”

In the second half, Everton had opportunities to extend their lead, particularly after Burnley’s Dara O’Shea was sent off, giving Everton a numerical advantage. Despite creating more chances, Dyche noted that his team needs to be more clinical in front of goal to avoid the anxiety that comes with close scorelines.

Dyche also mentioned the need to improve on capitalizing on breaks and finding the final pass or shot, a recurring challenge throughout the season. He praised his team’s ability to control the game defensively, even if they weren’t dominating possession, and to maintain focus to ensure the win.

When asked about his halftime talk, Dyche revealed that he encouraged his players to keep faith in their game plan and to continue pressing Burnley, which ultimately led to their success in securing the win.