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Dyche: We're Building A Mentality

Sean Dyche says Everton's crucial 1-0 win over Brentford is more evidence that the positive mentality is growing in his squad.

The west Londoners came into Saturday's Goodison Park contest flying high after racking up a 12-game unbeaten Premier League run.  

However, the Blues flew out the blocks and were handed a dream start when Dwight McNeil struck a stunning strike past Brentford’s David Raya to put the hosts ahead inside 35 seconds for the fifth fastest Everton Premier League goal.

That goal acted as a springboard for a dominant first-half display in which Dyche’s men smothered the visitors and went into the break unfortunate not to extend their advantage.   

Brentford fought back in the second half, though, forcing Everton to produce a dogged defensive display that, in the opinion of Dyche, typified the growing mentality in this group of players.   

“It was a game of two halves,” admitted the boss. “We were very strong first half, we had two or three golden chances to be up in the half. We dealt with a lot of their threat well.   

“Second half, they came at us. They are a good side. We didn’t deal with it as well, we didn’t deal with the ball well. We gave it away far too many times.   

“But the resilience of the side is growing, the mentality is growing and sometimes you have got to fight against a side who are unbeaten in 12. We have delivered a performance that deserved three points.”  

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WATCH VIDEO 03:17

DEPARTING MAIER & SEVECKE THANK BLUES

Defender duo Leonie Maier and Rikke Sevecke reflect on their final Everton match as the pair are set to depart the Club this summer.


It appeared Everton had doubled their lead just before half-time. Pickford delivered a free-kick into the area from the halfway line where James Tarkowski headed across the goal. An attempted clearance then hit Gray from two yards out before looping into the net.
 

Goodison celebrations were cut short, though, when a long VAR check ruled that the forward had handled the ball before bundling home.  

“It’s a surprising one to me,” said Dyche on the decision. “It’s come at him at close range. Dimi hasn’t got a chance to move anywhere, really. His hands aren’t in an unnatural position. He has tried to chest it in.   

“You’d like to see those calls go your way, but it didn’t. That possibly could have had a bigger impact on us being calmer in the second half."   

Dyche admitted not getting that goal did make the second period more difficult for his side, but he was keen to focus on the positives from the display. 

“[Brentford created] no really golden chance, apart from the one Jordan made a great save,” said Dyche. “He was quick across his line and reacts to it.    

“We are building a mentality. It takes time but they are delivering. On the physical side of the game, make sure they are doing the hard yards.   

“First half, we were good with the ball, we pressed, we broke up the game and we were effective.”  

He added: “Ten points from seven games. It’s a step in the right direction, but for different reasons. As I said, we played well with the ball in the first half. We were effective and asked questions of the opposition.   

“Second half we ground it out, and sometimes you have to do that. That’s part of the mentality we have had a shift in.   

“We can still play better with the ball, and we weren’t as effective in the second half. Credit goes to the opposition as well. They kept playing long, they kept hurting us with long balls. I have no problem with that. Their set-pieces, they work hard on them.  

“They have proved they are a tough side to play against and we expected a reaction from them [in the second half], and they gave one. But our mentality and belief is growing. And to get another clean sheet is pleasing.” 

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WATCH VIDEO 02:14

MCNEIL ON GIVING EVERTON KEY DREAM START

Match-winner reflects on vital 1-0 victory over Brentford at Goodison.