Dyche has myriad problems to solve if Everton are to overcome poor start

Everton supporters were desperately hoping their team could make a good start to the new campaign. Instead it was just like so many disappointing times over the last few years.

The Toffees were in the end second best and although they had the usual hard luck story of a good claim for a penalty turned down, the truth is the Blues failed to create enough chances and once again were found wanting in front of goal.

There were chances made in the first half in particular, but as so often recently, those went begging and after going one and then two goals down, Everton left themselves with a mountain to climb.

As well as that long-standing struggle in front of goal, the Blues also found it increasingly difficult to keep any control of the game, despite starting well and on the front foot. While misplaced passes let them down too and led directly to one Brighton goal.

In the Premier League you simply cannot afford to give away possession cheaply to slick and well-drilled teams like the Seagulls.

Defensively, Everton were also more vulnerable than they had been for the majority of the previous campaign.

That was due in the main because of the absence through injury of Jarrad Branthwaite, which meant Sean Dyche had to turn again to the player Branthwaite replaced early on last season: Micheal Keane.

Although he did not have a terrible game, Keane looked a little rusty at times and there was an appreciable sense of increased uncertainty in the centre of defence. The fact that James Tarkowski has also just returned from injury did not help.

Let us hope that Branthwaite can return by next Saturday and give us something to feel more reassured about there.

In addition, the injuries to Seamus Coleman and Nathan Patterson, meant Dyche was forced to rely on Ashley Young at right-back.

Young was second-best to Brighton's Kaoru Mitoma all day long and the Japanese star was the visitors chief threat during the game.

Eventually, a frustrated Young lunged at him and was sent off with little question that he deserved to be. That was the final nail in the home side's coffin yesterday afternoon.

So, what can Everton do to recover from this horrendous start to the new campaign?

In some senses this can be written off as simply a bad day at the office, we hope!

But, a good start is so important in the Premier League and Everton just do not seem able to get one.

I was surprised Jesper Lindstrom - who I thought might well start - did not feature at all for the Toffees and was not brought on even when there was still a chance to get back in the match.

Surely, Dyche must give his Swedish international forward a game at Spurs and maybe move Jack Harrison inside to the number ten position where he has looked much more influential than out wide.

Or give Iliman Ndiaye a start in that position behind the centre-forward. At any rate the manager needs to show more attacking intent and make use of his new signings to provide more creativity and goal threat.

I also think Abdoulaye Doucoure should be dropped to make room for these new players.

Tim Iroegbunam was the one bright spot for the Blues yesterday and continued the fine form he has shown in pre-season. He deserves to keep his place in midfield.

The other big headache once more is right-back and who will replace the now suspended Young?

Dyche has hinted that Mason Holgate - who came on against Brighton - will have to continue in that position when the Toffees travel to North London and play Spurs next weekend.

But this is hardly likely to reassure Evertonians given his defensive frailties and the fact he was sent off at Crystal Palace playing that role.

As always the Blues are unlucky with injuries as James Garner - who is the obvious alternative to fill in there - is also of course hurt and unavailable.

One other option is to switch to a back three, either moving Vitalii Mykolenko inside or bringing Jake O'Brien in and play Harrison and Dwight McNeil at wing-back/wide midfield.

But Dyche has shown very little inclination to change his preferred back four (when does he ever show any tactical flexibility!) and so I would be surprised to see it at Tottenham.