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Dyche's Verdict On Sheffield United Draw

Sean Dyche is confident his Everton side will continue to produce decisive "moments of clarity" in attack but says they must work to cut out basic errors after recording their first Premier League point of the season with a 2-2 draw at Sheffield United.

The Blues trailed at half-time at Bramall Lane after Abdoulaye Doucouré's opener was cancelled out by Cameron Archer's debut strike and an excruciatingly unfortunate Jordan Pickford own goal.

Arnaut Danjuma netted 10 minutes into the second period - his second goal in four days after opening his account in the Carabao Cup victory over Doncaster Rovers in midweek - to ultimately earn Everton a share of the spoils.

Speaking afterwards, boss Dyche believes the Blues - who, according to Opta, produced an xG of 2.58 to the Blades' 1.24 and created twice the number of 'big chances' (four) than the hosts (two) - were made to pay for details at both ends of the pitch.

"We have to do the basics better because most of our performance was spot on," he said. "Again, we've been done on silly basics where we should be doing better. We've been done in the other games where we've created lots of chances and we've been caught with two moments today that we should do better with. A lot of our performance was correct.

"We had so many breakaways in good positions and we didn't make the most of them. In the first half, in particular, the game should have been killed off. I could also say that about two of our other three league games this season. 

"That's the difference - finding the moment and having clarity at the top end of the pitch. I think it's coming and I think there was a sign of that today with two goals away from home. 

"The mentality is good, the physicality is good but it's just the details. The details - at both ends of the pitch - are vital and we're getting them wrong at the moment. 

"The rest of the performances, aside from the Aston Villa game, have been generally good."


Everton now have a two-week break before their next Premier League contest, the visit of Arsenal at Goodison Park on Saturday 16 September (5.30pm BST).

Dyche says work will continue to sharpen up in those key moments, as well as physical work, with the manager hopeful Dominic Calvert-Lewin and summer signing Jack Harrison will be ready to return when domestic action returns.

"The hardest thing in the world as a coach is to make players execute the final moment, that's the hardest thing of all," explained Dyche. "We're getting into the right areas, getting bodies in the right areas, we were good on transition today, good on the ball today, affecting them, shifting their shape, getting into good areas... The final moment is about giving them belief, letting them play and going to explore what it is to score goals because it will come. We got two today. 

"We've created a lot of chances, with good quality and we're doing that more and more but, equally, while you're doing that, the back has to be kept firm and well and truly closed. 

"We got done on what were pretty basic details, in my view, so we'll work on that with the players as much as anything."

Dyche added: "It was good for Arnie [Danjuma] to get his first league goal. It was Beto's first full game today as well - he worked hard and he's a good player. He's got a real rawness and an edge to his game. I think he'll improve over time. 

"After the break we'll get other people fit as well. There is a lot to look forward to."