|
Post by Everton News. on Feb 11, 2024 17:38:23 GMT
Sean Dyche insists Everton must continue working towards the right “blend of a total performance” after assessing the best and worst of the Blues’ spirited 2-0 defeat at Manchester City on Saturday afternoon.
The Toffees came into the clash at the Etihad boasting the fourth best defensive record in the top-flight, and highlighted the undoubted strides made under Dyche by frustrating Pep Guardiola’s men for large periods with a disciplined and committed display.
That included being the first team to prevent City from having a shot on target in a home top-flight game in the opening 45 minutes since August 2022. As it was, the hosts ended up having just two, both from Erling Haaland ending up in the back of the net on 70 and 85 minutes to leave Everton empty-handed.
Dyche praised the work of his players and coaching staff in restricting the reigning league, European and world champions - but conceded his team must be better going forward with the ball and in their decision-making to progress further.
“The details are in the transition and offensive side of the game, we were a long way off that today,” admitted Dyche, who also told evertontv he is hopeful Abdoulaye Doucoure will be fit again for next Monday’s home encounter with Crystal Palace, while Ben Godfrey was forced off at the Etihad due to sickness and should be available to face the Eagles.
“I have to be truthful about that because on the defensive side, we were very, very good: the organisation, the tactical elements which the coaches and players have delivered this week which we did well.
“Within that, the key to a total performance is how many times you can transition that when you go into offensive mode. That can be difficult when you are working so hard defensively. Playing and being effective with the ball is the biggest challenge of all.
“We found the odd moment but we gave the ball away too cheaply and didn’t find the right pass when we were in good areas. It’s a big challenge to get that right here against [Manchester City] but that’s the challenge for the rest of the season.”
Dyche added: “The defensive side to our season has been very good. Our chance count in general has been high. It’s just about sticking with it. You look at how well they do it and that’s the blend we’re still searching for. By no means are we trying to model our game on Man City, we are modelling our thinking on the modern game and trying to find that blend. There’s been signs of it this season.”
The corner which led to City’s opener was debatable, with Everton players including James Tarkowski adamant Dominic Calvert-Lewin did not get the final touch before the ball went out of play.
Dyche insisted decisions like that rarely go for away sides, and instead called on the Blues to retain the belief in the strides they have made this season, irrespective of their league position after this weekend’s round of matches.
“Games like this, you don’t get those decisions,” added the Blues boss. “There were a number of soft decisions today, I’m not going to keep harping on about it.
“Our focus all along has been to keep the belief in what we are doing, particularly after the news of the 10-point deduction. The focus has to be on what we’re doing.
“We have to stay steadfast to what we’re doing. It’s important we remind ourselves of some of our good performances, look to what we have to do, but I think there’s been a lot on show that has been good.”
Everton FC
|
|
|
Post by Everton News. on Feb 11, 2024 17:38:55 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Everton News. on Feb 11, 2024 17:39:18 GMT
|
|
|
Post by Everton News. on Feb 12, 2024 13:23:28 GMT
James Tarkowski believes Everton were unlucky to see a resolute defensive display thwarted by Manchester City’s opening goal on Saturday afternoon.
Erling Haaland fired the title-chasing hosts into the lead after 71 minutes, but Tarkowski says the decision to award a corner before that goal was ‘dubious'.
Furthering the frustration for the Blues, that goal was Manchester City’s first shot on target - the Premier League champions’ longest wait for an attempt on goal in a league match since September 2021.
Throughout the entire encounter at the Etihad Stadium, the Toffees limited City to just three shots on target – far lower than their league-leading average of 6.77 per game.
“I thought we played really well and kept them to very little,” said Tarkowski after the game. “I've just been told that their first goal was the first shot on target they had. It shows how well we were playing at the time.
“I didn’t think they were creating much, and I didn’t think we were in loads of danger. I remember, I think, Rodri hit one from the edge of the box and it went over the bar. I felt like that was a good sign of where we were at, when they’re shooting from 25 yards out.
“We thought we were really playing well; frustrating them; getting bodies in front of the ball; blocking crosses. It’s everything the manager expects of us.
“We were playing well but we get punished off a dubious corner. I still believe it was a goal-kick, but once again, something else goes against this club.
“I just don’t feel like many decisions have gone our way. You go to speak to the refs, and they’ll say: ‘Well, we’ll have a look at it'. It’s no good looking at it now, is it? We need you to look at and get it right. It does feel like a lot has gone against us, more than for us.”
A testament to the mentality of Sean Dyche’s Everton side, the Blues fought back into the game after the opening goal.
However, the hosts punished the Toffees, catching them out high up the field, before launching a devastating counter-attack, a move finished by Haaland, who netted his second goal of the afternoon and his 16th of the Premier League season.
Discussing the importance of the ‘minor details’ Tarkowski reviewed the action following the first goal, adding: “I thought we started getting into the game around the 80th minute. We started keeping the ball well and getting into good positions.
“But we gave it away sloppily, and against players like Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland, you’re going to get punished.
“I think when you come here more than anywhere else, the minor details do count. If you get one wrong, you’re probably going to concede. That’s what happened today. We lost Haaland in the box, and he finished. For the second goal, if you give him that space in behind, then he’s going to punish you, so those minor details do cost you - here more than anywhere else.
“It’s difficult because they dominate the ball so well and they press really well. They’re the toughest team to play against, by far."
Everton FC
|
|
|
Post by rugbytoffee on Feb 13, 2024 10:35:54 GMT
Here are the key facts and figures following Saturday's game between Manchester City and Everton in the Premier League.
Manchester City have won six consecutive Premier League games for the first time since winning their first six games of the 2023-24 season, while this was just their second clean sheet in their past 13 league matches.
Everton are now without a win in seven Premier League games (D3 L4), having won four on the bounce directly before this run, while no side has failed to score in more top-flight matches than the Toffees this season (10).
Kevin De Bruyne’s 12 assists for Erling Haaland is the most of any Premier League player for a specific teammate in all competitions since the start of last season.
Everton boss Sean Dyche became the 18th manager to reach 300 games in charge in the Premier League (W85 D79 L136).
Manchester City scored with their first shot on target in this game in the 71st minute, their longest wait for an attempt on target in a Premier League match since September 2021 v Southampton (90th minute).
|
|