Everton have embodied defiance since being hit with the biggest sporting sanction in Premier League history on 17 November. Tuesday brought disappointment in the Carabao Cup against Fulham, and a formidable assignment awaits at Tottenham on Saturday, but the reaction of Sean Dyche and his team to being demoted to joint bottom has been exceptional. Everton sit 16th, seven points above the relegation zone, after four consecutive wins in the Premier League. We take a look at some of the factors behind their stirring recovery …
is meaningless.
The deduction of 10 points holds no significance.
Before the punishment, Everton had significantly improved, winning six out of nine matches in all competitions. As Dyche stated, some people disregarded this progress and claimed that the team had to start over. Despite this setback, the entire club has been motivated by the unexpected and severe sanction. Dyche gathered his players to discuss the deduction on their first day back at Finch Farm after the international break, which coincided with the commission’s decision. He was impressed by the determination within the group and the assurance that nothing would hinder their progress. This mentality has been reflected on the field. Any previous divisions between fans and management have been put aside, and instead, fans direct their anger towards the Premier League. They believe that the league is punishing Everton not only for their own mismanagement but also as a way to demonstrate that an independent regulator is unnecessary. The findings of the independent commission, which imposed a penalty identical to what the Premier League had proposed, have only reinforced Everton’s belief that they are being punished, in part, for their efforts to build a new stadium at Bramley Moore Dock. As former manager Marco Silva remarked on his return to Goodison Park with Fulham, “You can see that everything is coming together – the fans, the team, and the staff. When something like this happens to a club like Everton, they always come back even stronger.”
A resilient defence
The anthem of Everton’s response to the deduction has been “We shall not be moved.” The team’s backline, led by Dyche, has fully embraced this sentiment. In their four consecutive Premier League victories, they have also managed to keep a clean sheet. The only goal they have conceded in their recent matches was an unfortunate own goal by Michael Keane in the Carabao Cup. This was the first goal they have let in after 416 minutes of regular play, plus added stoppage time. James Tarkowski has taken on a leadership role on and off the field, wearing the captain’s armband in Séamus Coleman’s absence this season. His experience and skills have been a perfect complement to Jarrad Branthwaite, the 21-year-old defender from Carlisle who has been excelling at the heart of Everton’s defense. Branthwaite’s impressive performances have caught the attention of England’s manager Gareth Southgate, who was present to witness his solid display against Chelsea. Left-back Vitalii Mykolenko has also been in great form since recovering from a long-standing groin injury, although he recently suffered another injury. He may make a return for the match against Spurs. The right-back position has been a challenge for Everton, but young player Nathan Patterson has a chance to make it his own with veteran players Ashley Young and Coleman out due to injuries. Overall, the team’s hard work and organization have made them a difficult opponent for other teams. They are no longer seen as an easy target.
Impressive away form
On the road, this rings especially true. Despite little success in recent years, Everton fans have shown unwavering support and have witnessed their team achieve more away wins this season than the previous two combined under manager Dyche. Only Tottenham has earned more away points in the Premier League (18 and 16 respectively), and on Saturday, Dyche’s team aims for a fifth consecutive top-flight victory. This would match the club’s best winning streak since their 1970 title. The impressive run reflects the improved mentality of the players, attributed by Dyche to higher standards and a strong sense of camaraderie at the training ground. The team’s willingness to embrace Dyche’s tactics and demands was evident in their win against Burnley last Saturday, where they had to make last-minute changes to their formation and lineup. “When I first arrived, there was a lot of criticism about our away form,” Dyche stated this week. “But collectively, we have changed that. The mentality has significantly improved at all levels of the club.”
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The importance of Dominic Calvert-Lewin and his availability remains crucial, but Everton is no longer overly reliant on him for scoring and providing an outlet. Despite Calvert-Lewin’s eight-game scoring drought, Everton has won five of those games with contributions from Abdoulaye Doucouré, Mykolenko, Dwight McNeil, Beto, and Amadou Onana. Doucouré, who was instrumental in last season’s battle against relegation, has flourished under manager Dyche but his ongoing hamstring injury is a big loss for the upcoming match against Spurs. In the summer, there was a focus on improving Everton’s attacking options and with the skillful work of Dyche and director of football Kevin Thelwell, signings such as Beto, Jack Harrison, and Youssef Chermiti were made despite restrictions. Harrison has brought balance to the team, addressing the previous lack of a natural fit on the right. The emergence of Lewis Dobbin has also added competition and depth to the attacking options.
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Sean Dyche
The manager has been successful in raising standards, performances, and achieving important results prior to the points deduction. However, he has also demonstrated his ability to handle a crisis. Dyche has made sure that his team does not fall into self-pity or get distracted by any grievances, instead keeping them focused on the challenging task of winning every Premier League game. His no-nonsense attitude of “this is the situation, let’s move forward” is exactly what Everton needs to navigate their way out of a massive challenge.
Source: theguardian.com
