BBC pundit credits Dyche ‘masterstroke’ decision for inspiring Doucoure

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BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks was impressed by Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure on Saturday. 

Everton got their first win of the Premier League season with a 3-1 triumph over Brentford on Saturday. Abdoulaye Doucoure opened the scoring against the Bees, before James Tarkowski and Dominic Calvert-Lewin rounded off the scoring.

This strike marked Doucoure’s second of the season, and capped a fine all round display from the 30-year-old in the middle of the park. According to WhoScored statistics, Doucoure managed to win two aerial duels, got two shots on target, and completed 45 passes.

Since arriving at Goodison Park from Watford in a £20 million deal in 2020, the twice-capped Mali international hasn’t always been a regular starter for the Toffees. However, he has been a key figure whilst Sean Dyche has been at the helm for the Merseyside club.

The player rewarded the manager’s faith in him against Brentford. BBC Sport pundit Garth Crooks was also impressed by his performance. Writing in his Team of the Week column, Crooks said, “Brentford may have only lost one of their previous 18 home league games but that didn’t cut any ice with Everton. The nod down by Tarkowski was precise but the finish by Doucoure for Everton’s opening goal was superb.”

“I’ve seen the Mali international sky opportunities like that before but not on this occasion. It would appear a masterstroke by manager Sean Dyche to move Doucoure further up the field where his height and presence is clearly proving to be a problem for the opposition. It certainly did against Brentford.”

Doucoure to play a key role for Everton

Dyche certainly deserves plenty of credit for his use of Doucoure, allowing the midfielder to make the most of his attacking instincts whilst knowing that Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gueye are on hand to protect the space in midfield behind him. 

If the £120,000-a-week player can impress consistently this season then he could play a huge role in potentially steering the Toffees clear of another fraught relegation battle. However, Everton’s lack of midfield depth means that it is vital that Doucoure is able to stay fit.

Everton need to take heart from this win and use it as a platform to build a solid run of form on. They know that they can score goals now, and defend diligently. Dyche must ensure that they are able to do so on a consistent basis.