Dyche’s battlers fronted up and got a result... now Moshiri & his mob must do the same
THERE was no triumphalism, no celebrating on the pitch with the lads, no milking of the fans’ gratitude, none of that chest-beating nonsense in front of the home end.
Just a firm shake of Mikel Arteta’s hand, a brief acknowledgement of the super support and then a brisk, purposeful walk to the tunnel.
No frills, no highfiving, no hugging, at least not in public.
This is what you get with Sean Dyche. Everything is straightforward.
Beat the Premier League leaders? Deservedly beat the Premier League leaders? Great, job done, but the hard work is just starting and there is not a minute to waste, even if it would have been taken up enjoying the best atmosphere of the season at Goodison Park.
And, boy, has there been some hard work under Dyche so far.
Towards the end of normal time, Amadou Onana pressed high up the pitch, made two tackles and conceded a throw-in.
Onana, a magnificent performer all game, gave the crowd a double fist-pump and Goodison erupted.
Moments earlier, a packed Everton defence had cleared its lines and the ball was making its way back to Aaron Ramsdale, isolated midway inside his own half. Dwight McNeil, who had become one of the expensive symbols of Everton’s dismal season, sprinted 50 yards to close down Arsenal’s keeper.
Cue appreciative pandemonium from fans who have spent a fair amount of time giving McNeil pelters in the past few months.
To say that Dyche had a transformative effect on the team and some individuals would be an understatement. And to think Marcelo Bielsa was the first choice of the owner when it came to finding a successor to Frank Lampard.
Farhad Moshiri was not at the game and nor were the prominent board members. If Bill Kenwright and his colleagues genuinely feel scared, genuinely feel physically threatened, then their absence from Goodison Park is understandable.
But it also makes their positions particularly difficult.
Moshiri has not been to the grand old ground for an age so his non-appearance is irrelevant but those involved in the day-to-day running of the club should attend.
Even though there was a wellpopulated street protest ahead of the match – and a fly-by show of anger – it would have been better for the board to front up. They
No frills, no high-fiving, no hugging, at least
not in public. This is what you get with Sean Dyche. Everything is straightforward.
might have taken some heat but the supporters’ priority was always going to be to get behind the team – and they did that to absolutely splendid effect.
Everton fans are not unique – just like any other club’s fans, if they see real commitment, they give that back.
And this was bodies-on-the-line stuff, Conor Coady in perma-block mode and Abdoulaye Doucoure doing all the hard yards in midfield.
It helped that Arsenal swaggered around the joint as though they were already champions. The contrast in urgency, certainly in the first half, was startling.
Harsh to single out one Gunner but Gabriel Martinelli seemed to think it was an exhibition match. It was the performance of someone who had just signed a lucrative new deal. And their arrogance invited Everton to physically overwhelm them, and that is what they did.
The winner, on the hour mark, was a basic set-piece, a prime example of Dyche-ball. Plenty of blocking at a corner-kick clearing a space for James Tarkowski to head home McNeil’s delivery.
Made in Burnley, sure, but don’t put this victory down solely to the sweat Dyche had promised.
This was also a composed tactical performance with quality football producing good chances and some high-level defending.
It was a standard high enough to climb out of a relegation fight but Dyche will not think like that.
For him, the hard work is just beginning.