Everton were far from spectacular against Sheffield United yesterday afternoon, but remained as comfortable as ever to preserve their sparkling home form to end the season on a high.
Their 1-0 win in front of a sun-kissed Goodison Park marked their fifth straight victory at the ground, all of which were claimed without conceding.
It is a remarkable turnaround from how they started the term, struggling to put away sides who created far less than them.
But as Sean Dyche has insisted all season, only they can change the story, and at last we seem to have reached a more positive chapter of the book.
His work in masterminding that turnaround deserves so much acclaim.
Match of the Day pundits laud Sean Dyche
Speaking on BBC’s Match of the Day last night, both Alan Shearer and Micah Richards were effusive in their brief praise heralded towards Everton.
Unsurprisingly given they were last on the schedule, with their 1-0 home victory over an already-relegated Blades side not boasting enough excitement for a higher billing, they were awarded far less analysis.
However, they did manage to get a few good words in, particularly about Dyche, who has worked miracles this season amidst all the turmoil.
Gary Lineker would introduce the topic by detailing where the Toffees would be without the points deduction, leading to Alan Shearer to claim: ‘What a job he’s done this season, really difficult circumstances. Brilliant job.’
His adulation was directed at Dyche, and prompted Micah Richards to join in: ‘Remarkable. With all the teams around them.’
Everton would be soaring without points deductions
Dyche deserves far more praise than he has received this season, after navigating Everton through some of the toughest times in their recent history.
Especially given his side have been dealt with two different points deductions in just one campaign, a landmark ruling that has never happened in the history of the Premier League before.
The division was constantly lobbying for the Toffees to be pegged back, and the cumulative eight-point penalty would have been a whopping 17 had Richard Masters and co gotten their way.
Ironically enough, even that maximum deduction would have not relegated Everton, who are currently 14 points clear of 18th-placed Luton Town.
Were it not for these controversial sanctions, Dyche’s side would actually sit 11th in the table and just one win away from Brighton and Hove Albion in tenth.
The lack of praise received was no greater exemplified than the Manager of the Season nominees, in which he was absent despite all he has gone through.
But this fanbase won’t care, and likely neither will the former Burnley boss. Everton stayed up, and for now, that is still simply all that matters.
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