Sean Dyche admits he was disappointed in his players’ reaction to conceding the second goal in their 3-1 defeat to Fulham on Saturday and feels the same proved pivotal in flipping the momentum of the contest.
After going 1-0 down to Harrison Reed’s early strike, Everton responded with an impressive equaliser from Dwight McNeil midway through the first half. From there Everton pilled on the pressure chasing a second goal and created a number of golden opportunities.
But then early in the second half, the visitors went ahead against the run of play and the Blues failed to rally and find a response thereafter.
Speaking to evertontv after the loss, Dyche admitted that was a big frustration for him: “At half-time, we came out looking really bright, but their goal changed that.
“It’s a poor goal, a really poor goal. Just a lump into the box and we don’t get across. They do, and they run after it. It’s the basics of football and then they get a finish.
“I was really disappointed more than anything with the reaction to that because we never really got a grip of the game again. We never really came back into the game.
“We’ve done better since I came here and that was a step backwards, for me. The goals can go against you, but it’s how you react to that.”
Despite the disappointing result, James Garner’s strong performance in his first-ever Premier League start provided a glimpse of positivity. He partnered Idrissa Gana Gueye in the centre of midfield and played the full 90 minutes.
Impressed by the 22-year-old’s performance, Dyche praised Garner, as well as another Everton midfielder. “He’s worked ever so hard today,” Dyche responded when asked about Garner’s debut.
“It’s not easy going into the Premier League in your first start. He’s worked hard and I thought Alex Iwobi was terrific as well today. His energy, his will, and his demand on himself to impact the team was terrific. But there were a lot of performances that were under par today.”
Hoping to return to winning ways, the Toffees return to action next weekend, when they take on Crystal Palace on April 22 (3pm BST) at Selhurst Park.
