Sean Dyche must address in-game issue at Everton, only West Ham have taken longer this season

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Sean Dyche is working hard to address Everton’s issues in front of goal, with the squad currently away during a three-week Premier League break.

It’s been a frustrating 2024 for the former Burnley boss. There have been several occasions where he’s seen his side firmly in games, with plenty of shots to show for their efforts.

However, the lack of a clinical edge has cost Everton since the turn of the year. Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Manchester United was another example of Dyche’s side failing to turn promising positions into goalscoring chances.

On the Old Trafford performance, Dyche said: “You think back to the Tottenham game away, I think it’s almost impossible, West Ham at home, Man United I have never been with a team who have dominated like that at Man United. That’s just three, and there’s other performances as well.”

Hopefully, during this three-week break, the Everton boss can pinpoint precisely what is going wrong for his side in front of goal.

There are also areas of in-play management that need to be addressed.

Everton substitute statistic appears

Due to the Toffees’ inability to put the ball in the back of the net, they are often left chasing games late into the second half.

Everton have failed to win a game from behind this season and have picked up just three points from losing positions. Dyche isn’t quite getting something right when changing the game.

Opta Analyst have taken a deeper dive into the substitutions made in the Premier League this season, and it proves for fascinating reading.

Firstly, according to Opta, only West Ham United have taken longer to make a substitution during the 2023/24 season. Dyche is taking until the 63rd minute to alter his starting XI.

Brighton and Sheffield United take the least time to alter proceedings, 52 and 48 minutes, respectively. Furthermore, Brighton have made 26 substitutions before the half-time whistle, compared to Everton’s ten.

The intrigue starts when you dive into how effective Roberto De Zerbi’s changes are. According to Opta, Brighton’s subs are the most effective, scoring 12 goals during the season.

As for Everton, only Burnley have seen their subs prove less effective. The figures seem to suggest that Dyche is taking too long to introduce fresh faces.

Giving them longer on the pitch could increase their chances of making an impact, as Brighton and De Zerbi’s fortunes demonstrate.

This is another aspect for the Goodison Park coaching staff to consider as they look to end their woeful form in front of goal.