Everton boss Sean Dyche lists positives from the draw against Crystal Palace
Everton managed to secure a point from their trip to Selhurst Park. Although the draw and Leicester’s win against Wolves puts Everton in the drop zone, manager Sean Dyche will be content with some positives that the Toffees took home from their South London trip.
Everton have had an abysmal away record with just one win in 16 away games this term. A trip to Selhurst Park was never going to be easy, especially when the Eagles are riding on the new manager bounce. Prior to the Everton game, Palace had won three consecutive games, since the appointment of Roy Hodgson.
On the other hand, Everton had lost their spark under Dyche in the last two games, losing to Fulham and Manchester United. The problem was not the two losses but how the Toffees failed to replicate the intensity that they showcased under Dyche. With the league moving towards its business end, Everton need to get results in their favour or they run the risk of relegation.
Everton boss Sean Dyche lists positives from the 0-0 draw
The Toffees couldn’t muster any chances in the first half against Palace and it was a bland first half but they showed some grit and intensity in the second half. Mason Holgate, who replaced Ben Godfrey at right back, was shown the red card in the 80th minute, reducing Everton to 10 men for the final 10 minutes of the game.
Dyche spoke to the media post Everton’s draw and listed the positives from the game. Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s return is one of the biggest positives. He not only started the game, he lasted for 90 minutes on the pitch and looked fit. Jordan Pickford also managed to keep a clean sheet, his seventh of the season.
"“It’s a point earned. The sending off is not easy, great to get Dom [Calvert-Lewin] through and he played more minutes than we thought. He did well, so a mixed bag with a clean sheet against the in-form team in the division.“The first half was a flat game, in the second we reacted a bit better. The fight is there, the work ethic and the shape of the team was pretty good and we limited them to a few chances.“We got into some good areas but that’s been the story. Dom is only just getting back so there are positives but a lot of work to do – a clean sheet down here is not always that easy.” (via BBC)"
Calvert-Lewin had a couple of half chances but he couldn’t find the back of the net. With more game time, his match sharpness is just going to improve. Everton face Newcastle United next weekend at Goodison Park and securing win against a top four side will be a big boost for the Merseysiders.
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Was a draw a satisfactory result against Crystal Palace?