THE SEA OF CHANGE

Coleman’s first goal of the season shows Dyche & Co up for a fight

SEAN DYCHE has the look of a man who would step into the boxing ring if he had to.

And in less than three weeks under his influence Everton have come to resemble street-sluggers determined not to go down without a proper fight.

Ultimately, of course, who knows? Everton may go down, such is the brutality of a Premier League relegation battle.

But they won’t be going down with a whimper.

Charged after a bust-up at Liverpool five days earlier, Everton’s stars were fighting for each other again yesterday.

They rushed in to protect Dwight Mcneil in an ugly flare-up at the end of the first half, bringing bookings for the former Burnley winger, as well as Abdoulaye Doucoure, who had lost the plot.

And on the touchline Dyche, wearing his trademark ‘game face’, was urging them on like a seasoned corner man who’s seen it all.

He might well not be every Evertonian’s first choice as manager, but, let’s be clear, Goodison could not wish for a better man to steer them through these treacherous waters.

And talking of nerveless skippers steadying the ship, what a time it was for Seamus Coleman to deliver arguably the biggest goal of his distinguished Everton career.

Just when his side needed inspiration, the 34-year-old Irishman streaked down the right flank and smashed a 64th-minute drive in at the near post, to register his first goal of this season.

Why Illan Meslier left the door open only he will know, and Leeds’ caretaker boss Michael Skubala admitted that he didn’t understand why the keeper deserted his post.

It was a big mistake that could have some major ramifications, as Everton climbed out of the bottom three – and helped dump Leeds into the drop zone.

After only days working with him, Dyche (below) labelled Coleman a legend.

In this era of bloated transfer fees, few players can be called genuine bargains. But the £60,000 Everton paid Sligo Rovers back in 2009 can truly be described as a steal – and his 28th goal for the club may be the most priceless he’ll ever score.

After the Toffees had gone ahead they stayed in control and could even have added a second goal.

While Dyche’s players were up for it, the visitors struggled to summon the desire to fight fire with fire.

Put bluntly Dyche made certain his troops wanted it more. They got their reward.

Such is the level of anxiety at Goodison you could cut the apprehension with a knife, in a cagey opening 20 minutes.

A genuine six-pointer meant the nerves really were jangling for the home fans, who can’t bear to contemplate life out of the top flight.

With a £550million new stadium under construction on Bramleymoore Dock, the prospect of playing in the Championship when it’s opened must be an even more frightening thought for the boardroom.

Once again their directors’ box seats were sitting empty, as they continued to stay away.

But you can be sure, wherever they were, nails were being bitten until Coleman’s match-winning goal in the second half.

After beating Arsenal and losing to Liverpool, playing a Leeds team also fighting for their lives was maybe a more reliable measure of how Everton will cope in the coming weeks.

Tough games are ahead. Fans can revel in a win that signalled real progress, but Dyche won’t get carried away.

Just like a true fighter, he’s wary of the sucker punch that could still put Everton down.