What The Papers Say - 16 December

The views on this page are taken from the local and national media and do not necessarily reflect the views of Everton.

Everton's goalless draw at Arsenal is the main focus of Everton's coverage in Monday's media.

Manager Sean Dyche was full of praise for his side's defensive performance, as they kept a fourth clean sheet in five matches to secure a point.

Quoted by the Daily Mirror, he said: "The players put a big shift in. The commitment to doing the basics as I call it, pressing and recovering and staying true to it for 90 minutes. I was proud of the players. They ask questions, they probe, in the end they tried to cross it to force something which shows how defensively solid we were.

"You have to know how to work it without the ball. It's difficult at these grounds to think you'll have the ball therefore you have to do the other things well.

"They're a fine side, we know that. They often dominate the ball, they often dominate chances, I don't think we gave them too many. Jordan made a big save to his left."

 

Jordan Pickford was also pleased with the result, and hailed the Blues' discipline in the match.

Speaking to the BBC afterwards, he said: "It's about how we apply ourselves - stick to the game plan and suffer. We suffered a lot without the ball. We dug a point out.

"Two defeats in 10 or 11. The discipline is there. Against Arsenal you'd smash and grab a point all day long.

"I made some good saves at good times. The lads made some brlliant blocks. A good performance from everyone."

Meanwhile, Sky Sports cover Everton Women's 2-1 victory over Manchester City at Walton Hall Park.

Lucy Hope and Honoka Hayashi both struck in the first half as Everton recorded an excellent win over title-chasers City in the Women's last game before Christmas.