Troy Deeney says ‘underrated’ player was nervous under Sean Dyche but is thriving now at Everton

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Everton jumped up a place in the Premier League table at the weekend thanks to a 3-1 win over Fulham.

The Toffees recovered from a fairly poor first half, to go on and take all three points against a Fulham side pushing for Europe.

Raul Jimenez gave the hosts the lead when he outjumped Jarrad Branthwaite to score a header.

But Vitality Mykolenko levelled just before half time, scoring via a deflection off Andreas Pereira.

Everton then really improved, and goals from Michael Keane and Beto handed the visitors a great win down in the capital.

Beto is now up to 10 goals for the season, as his great form continued under David Moyes. Following that latest strike, Beto has his sights on scoring 10 goals in the Premier League, which hasn’t been done by an Everton player since Richarlison in 2022/23.

And another player who has really looked a lot better under the Scot is Everton’s first goalscorer on Saturday, Vitaliy Mykolenko, who has come in for praise from Troy Deeney.

Vitaliy Mykolenko branded ‘underrated’ after struggling under Sean Dyche at Everton

It has been a very interesting season for Mykolenko.

The Ukraine international was one of many who was regularly criticised earlier in the campaign when Dyche was in charge.

Michael Ball had once branded Mykolenko a weak link in Everton’s team, and there had also been some speculation that he could be sold.

But, as has been the case with several players at Everton, Mykolenko has improved under Moyes and on Saturday, he made an important contribution.

And that contribution has landed him a place in Troy Deeney’s latest Premier League Team of the Week.

The pundit said of him: “He came up with a goal. He’s a really underrated player this guy, but under David Moyes, he seems to have found his stride and his patterns.

“A few times under Sean Dyche, you could see an element of nervousness. You don’t see that any more. I think he’s transformed himself into a really good player.

Mykolenko deserves credit for turnaround

Mykolenko has been a lot more consistent for Everton in recent weeks and discussions are now being had within the fan base regarding what should happen with him.

Certainly, there are a lot less people pushing for him to be sold now.

Under Moyes, the star just seems more confident and seems to be offering more of a threat going forward.

Under Dyche he made zero goal contributions. Under Moyes, he now has two.

Some will probably say that Everton should still look to sign an upgrade on him this summer. That would be advisable, but Mykolenko is certainly showing at the moment that he could do a job next season.

Mykolenko recently stated he was happy at Everton and suggested he wanted to stay, a stance that will likely be welcomed by Moyes.