Sean Dyche praised his Everton side for their defensive efforts in Sunday afternoon’s 1-0 defeat to Arsenal, but insists a need to amend the details in both boxes is needed.
Leandro Trossard fired the visitors into the lead in the 69th minute at Goodison, the Belgian's effort, a first-time strike which followed a well-worked corner routine, proving the game’s only goal.
For the majority of the match, the Blues defended resolutely, limiting the Gunners to just four shots on target. Dyche was pleased with his side’s defensive resilience, but recognises the areas in which his players fell short.
“I don’t think we were a million miles away today,” said Dyche, speaking after the game. “We just played a really top side, and they came out on top. But the details kill you in football; the details at both ends of the pitch. We’ve been guilty at both ends, quite obviously, but that’s the effective part of football.
“The defensive side worked very hard to limit their chances, but on the attacking side, we were never really near.
“We can talk about styles and ways of playing, but at the end of the day, the two boxes are most important, and we’re getting punished in one and not taking advantage in the other."
Sunday’s visitors to Goodison Park rank fourth in the Premier League for passes completed, and Dyche, expecting to concede possession to Mikel Arteta’s side, had planned for a counter-attacking game plan.
However, the Everton manager admits he was disappointed with his team’s quality and decision-making while on the ball.
“We defended resolutely with the shape of the team, and you often have to give up possession against these sorts of teams,” said Dyche. “They’re a very good side and we know that, but we never really got to grips with the ball.
“You have to get the first pass away on a turnover, and you if can’t get that away, then the team can’t play effectively on the counter, and we thought today would be a counter-attacking game.
“Against these sides, your biggest chance to put them on the back foot is when you turn the ball over, but we gave it away and played into their hands so many times. When we did get a chance to get the ball and play, we played it backwards, so we didn’t ask questions.”
Despite his frustrations with aspects of his side’s performance, Dyche believes the Blues were unlucky to have not been awarded a penalty.
Just after the half-hour mark, Abdoulaye Doucoure flicked the ball beyond Declan Rice. He then made an ambitious charge into Arsenal’s 18-yard-box, before being brought down by William Saliba.
“I think you still need a bit of a rub of the green,” said Dyche. “I think it was a penalty on Doucs.
“Their centre-half gets booked in the second half against Beto for bodychecking him. Doucs goes into the box and gets bodychecked, and nothing is given.”
The Toffees' next outing will see them travel to take on Brentford on Saturday 23 September (5.30pm BST kick-off).
