DYCHE IS IN THE BOX SEAT
Battler boss has turned Toffees into street fighters who look tough enough to survive
SEAN DYCHE has the look of a man who’d step into the ring if he had to.
And in a matter of less than three weeks his team resemble a team of 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 one thing is certain – they won’t go with a whimper.
Charged after a bust-up at Liverpool five days earlier, Everton’s stars were fighting for each other again against Leeds.
Ugly
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 seriously 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.
Barking tactical orders and roaring encouragement, Dyche might not have run the kilometres that his stars did.
But his effort for the cause was undeniable.
He might not be every Evertonian’s first choice as manager, either. But let’s be clear – Goodison couldn’t wish for a better man to steer them through treacherous waters.
And talking of nerveless skippers steadying the ship, what a time 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.
Deserted
Just why French keeper Illan Meslier left the door open only he will know and caretaker boss Michael Skubala admitted he didn’t know why he’d deserted his post.
But it was a big mistake that could have major ramifications as Everton climbed out of the bottom three – and dumped Leeds into the drop zone.
After only days working with him, Dyche labelled Coleman a legend and no one inside Goodison was going to disagree after his goal lifted the roof off the famous old stadium. In these days 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 called a steal and his 28th goal for the club may be the most priceless he’ll ever score.
After the Toffees went ahead they stayed in control and could maybe have added another goal with a little more deliberation, but in the end victory was more than deserved.
While Dyche’s men were up for the fight, Leeds struggled to summon the desire to fight fire with fire.
Put bluntly, former Burnley boss Dyche made certain his troops wanted
it more and they got their reward. Yet such is the level of anxiety amongst Evertonians at Goodison Park you could cut the apprehension with a knife in a cagey opening 20 minutes.
With so much at stake in a genuine six-pointer, the nerves really were jangling for home fans who simply can’t contemplate life without the Premier League.
With a £550million new stadium under construction on Bramleymoore Dock close to the city centre, the prospect of playing in the Championship when it’s opened is an even more frightening thought for the boardroom.
Nails
Once again their directors’ box seats were empty as they continued to stay away from Goodison.
But you can be sure, wherever they were, nails were being bitten until Coleman’s match-winning goal.
After beating Arsenal and losing to Liverpool, facing a Leeds team fighting for their lives as well was maybe a more reliable test of how Everton will cope in the coming weeks.
They passed the test – but with Southampton winning at Chelsea and Bournemouth victorious at Wolves, Everton needed this result.
Tough games still lie ahead and, while fans may revel in a win that signalled real progress is being made, Dyche isn’t getting carried away.
For just like a true fighter, he’s wary of the sucker punch that could put Everton down.