Dyche's Call To Continue Key Trait For Newcastle Test

Sean Dyche has reiterated the importance of his Everton side "finding different ways to win" – and believes victory last time out could provide a collective confidence moving forwards.

After earning their first Premier League victory of the season last weekend – a 2-1 home win over Crystal Palace – the Toffees now welcome Newcastle United to Goodison Park on Saturday for a 5.30pm (BST) kick-off.  

Two second-half strikes from Dwight McNeil turned the game around for the Blues against Palace, coming from a goal down to earn an important three points.

Asked what made the difference for Everton in that game, Dyche – speaking in Thursday’s pre-match press conference, responded: “Seeing the game through. We didn’t play as well in the first half, particularly. I thought we were strong in the second half, and we looked a threat when we needed to and took our chances.

“We were strong for the early part of the second half – and that’s quite apparent with two very good goals and we provided a good performance. It was more seeing the grit side and seeing the game through at the end.

“It’s as much the determination to do the basics – the shape of the team and the hard yards as I call it; the bit that not everyone notices but certainly your teammates do and myself and the coaching staff do.

“[There was] organisation and will and desire to make sure we looked after ourselves and make sure we made good decisions when they were needed.”

Everton enjoyed a strong finish to the 2023/24 campaign, earning victories in four of their final six league games.

Dyche recognises the result over Palace could act as a reminder for the Blues’ winning results last season, when his side showcased an “ability to operate in different ways.”

“We’re trying to re-piece together – because we showed it as a group at the end of last season – that ability to operate in different ways,” he explained. “Sometimes you have to see a game through by shutting it down, which we hadn't done as well this season until last week.

“Sometimes you can play open, sometimes it’s drop back and absorb. How many different ways do you need in the Premier League? Well, usually you need lots of them.

“We’ve shown very good signs in other games, where we’ve attacked well and maybe not defended as well. Now it’s about bolting it together and doing it for 95 or 97 minutes – whatever the game offers and finding different ways of operating to make sure we look after ourselves and win games.

“I was pleased with that, overall, against Palace – using those different ways of working to look after ourselves. Obviously, we have to do that again moving forwards.

“There were players who played very well in previous games that we hadn’t won, so they'll actually be confident about their own performance. But I think winning brings that whole team and whole collective mentality, where everyone feels a bit better about life.”

Earlier in the day, the Premier League confirmed McNeil had been nominated for September’s Player of the Month and Goal of the Month awards.

Operating in a new central role, the midfielder has recorded three goals and two assists across six Premier League games so far this season.

Discussing McNeil’s impressive form, Dyche said: “He’s affected himself. It’s not just us who’ve affected him. He continues to mature as a player. He knows we speak to him about other things that we think he can [improve on].

“Changing position was something we’ve talked about a lot since I’ve been at the Club and when and where we could do it, and the reasons for doing it. So far, it’s been productive. I still think he can play right across that middle band of the pitch.

“But so far, he’s done very well, and it looks like to me he’s enjoying his role, as well.”