Everton’s unbeaten run extended to three Premier League games following Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Stamford Bridge, as one big change within the Everton squad becomes apparent since the appointment of Sean Dyche.
The mentality of the Everton squad has without doubt improved since Sean Dyche’s February appointment, as the Blues have begun to pick up crucial points against tough opposition in the scrap for Premier League survival.
Everton twice led Nottingham Forest in the 2-2 draw earlier this month at the City Ground, where Steve Cooper’s side were unbeaten since last September, and while the Toffees had to settle for a point, Everton scored more than one goal on the road for the first time since October.
Welcoming Brentford to Goodison Park as the Bees were looking to extend their 12-game unbeaten run, Everton ran out 1-0 winners in a tense must-win fixture, scoring inside the first minute, and while the visitors enjoyed 67% possession, Sean Dyche’s defence remained resolute.
A trip to Stamford Bridge followed to face a resurgent Chelsea, who had recorded three connective wins for the first time in six months prior to Everton’s visit last weekend.
The Toffees record at Chelsea is poor, having failed to win a league game at the Bridge since 1994, but Sean Dyche’s side fought hard and twice came from behind to earn an invaluable point on the road.
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Five points from the last three games has lifted Everton to 15th in the Premier League table, and though just two points separate the Blues from the relegation zone, Sean Dyche’s side now appear up for the fight.
Shift in mentality under Dyche is the key to PL survival for Everton
It is a sentiment echoed by top goalscorer Demarai Gray, who highlighted a ‘mentality shift’ under Sean Dyche.
Speaking with the official Everton website following Saturday’s draw with Chelsea, the 26-year-old said: “I think we’ve shown our mentality over the past few games.
“The 1-0 against Brentford, we had our backs to the wall for a lot of that second half but rode it out and got the win… over the past few weeks I think there have been a lot of improvements.
“Our reaction [against Chelsea] shows the character shift and mentality change – and I think as long as that continues we’ll be a problem for any team.”
Indeed, it was a complete lack of character throughout the earlier part of the campaign that cost Everton needlessly dropped points, and ultimately Frank Lampard his job.
Just one win between October and February saw Lampard relieved of his duties, and it is hard to see where any points would have come from had the former Derby County boss remained in charge.
There is still a long way to go before Evertonians can feel secure, but at least we now have a team that looks up for the scrap.