Sean Dyche admitted he was pleased to gain clarity after Everton’s points deduction was reduced from 10 to six earlier this week - and believes his group must now use the boost as a platform to push on. 

Monday's announcement, which saw the Blues reinstated with some of the points that had initially been taken back in November, meant Dyche's side climbed up to 15th in the Premier League table and five points clear of the relegation zone. 

Reflecting on the news in Thursday's press conference to preview this weekend's clash at Goodison Park against West Ham United (3pm KO GMT), Dyche admitted: “I think everything that gives a lift of any kind is good news. I think performances have stayed solid. We haven’t got the wins we want, obviously, but I think performance levels have been solid.

"Adding the detail is important but getting four (points) back gives some form of – I don’t think a boost is the right word - I think it’s an adjustment to the table that is now apparent, and it was needed because I think everyone felt that 10 in the first place was harsh. I’m always greedy, obviously, but some would argue that maybe we were expecting more back. 

“But I would say, it’s done now, and that’s all we were looking for. We obviously wanted points back, but the main thing was to bring clarity for us and for everyone, who I thought found it all a bit of an interesting period, let’s say. So, I think it brings that moment of clarity.

Dyche added: “Adding on the points going back, and then adding a win on that (this weekend against West Ham), then it’ll be a very good week.”

Having finally heard the Appeal Board’s conclusion, Dyche was keen to pay tribute to his players for the way they’ve dealt with the upheaval ever since the original induction was imposed earlier in the season.     

“I don’t think we needed galvanising,” he explained reflecting on the initial decision. “We had some big results and the performance levels were good. We won four on the trot, then we had a tougher spell of games and injuries. 

“The fixtures start piling up, and then there is an indifferent period where the are many draws. Then [external noise] does start to creep in. But to be fair to these players, credit to them, that took a long time to happen. 

“We were all waiting [for the decision], and the noise gets bigger and bigger - the players hear all that. But I thought they stayed pretty steadfast. If we had got the details right in both ends in certain games, we would have won them games. 

“The outside noise does creep in eventually, the players have done well to bat it away and stay focused on the job in hand. [The decision] has now brought clarity. 

“Whatever points would have come back, even zero, we know that brings the finality of it - ‘right that’s it, now we crack on’. We got four back, the league table looks different, now it’s about using that wisely and stepping on. I think we have been doing that anyway. I give a lot of credit to the players. 

“The line is drawn and now we move forward.”