Sean Dyche says Everton’s positive underlying numbers are a promising sign for his team, but insists the onus is on his squad to “make it happen” by taking their chances to win games.

Everton welcome Bournemouth to Goodison Park on Saturday, with the Blues hoping to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat to Luton Town.

During that game, the hosts recorded the most shots (23) they have had in a game this season, while also totalling their highest expected goals figure (2.89).

Dyche believes the Toffees’ next fixture provides another opportunity to “change the noise” and return to winning ways, after impressive victories at Brentford and Aston Villa heading into last weekend.

Speaking during Thursday’s pre-match press conference, the Everton manager assessed his team’s display against Luton, while acknowledging the frustration of not matching positive performances with winning outcomes.

“It was a strong performance [against Luton] and dominant in so many metrics,” said Dyche. “But we didn’t win and I’m well aware the business is about winning games. That’s something I’ve always been acutely aware of.

“People sometimes ask me: ‘Why do you play like this? Why do you play that way?’ Ultimately, you have to win football matches. We’ve delivered the performances, but we’ve not won enough games. That’s got to change, quite obviously.

“[We’ve had a] big step forward and then a big step back. We had a very good opportunity, and the performance was there, but the outcome wasn’t. The story could’ve changed very quickly, and can again.

“I think there’s a good mindset towards it. It’s just frustrating that every time we’re on the cusp of changing the noise, we take a step back again. We have to change that.”

So far this season, Everton have recorded the fifth most shots in the Premier League, while also registering the seventh highest non-penalty expected goals figure, and conceding the sixth fewest shots on target.

Dyche reiterated such numbers are a promising indication towards an upturn in form for his team, but insisted it is up to them to “take opportunities and to take control”.

“The stats suggest we’re creating a lot,” said Dyche. “I don’t like trusting in stats, but even I have to at some point. The xG is very, very high. It’s the highest it’s been here for eight seasons, so we have to bear that in mind. We are creating things and it’s an attacking format that we try to use.

“They’re only a guideline measure, I must make that clear. But when you get those stats right, then historically over a long period, they pay you back.

“The point is, you have to make it happen. I was talking to the players just today about that – stats and facts, and all the rest of it – we have to make it happen. That’s a big thing for me.

“I think the last big thing we have to change is taking opportunities and taking control. The best way you can control is scoring goals and keeping clean sheets. It’s a frustrating one where we’re so close, but so far away to changing that story and changing that rhetoric.”

Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been a reliable source of goals for the Toffees. The Everton striker has scored three in his past three and is just one away from reaching 50 Premier League goals – a feat  achieved previously by only Romelu Lukaku, Duncan Ferguson and Tim Cahill.

Dyche believes Calvert-Lewin is returning to his finest form following positive displays in recent outings.

“He’s getting to true total fitness, if you like,” said the Everton manager. “I think the best I saw him was down at Brighton last year, when I thought his all-round game was excellent.

“He’s shown signs of that recently. Scoring goals is, obviously, a good habit. I think he’s getting to the end point of being totally fit - clear of mind, clear of body, and doing what he does best, which is creating and scoring goals."