Sean Dyche was named Everton manager on the 30th of January.
Five days after his election, he picked up a 1-0 victory against leader Arsenal to end a nine-game winless streak in the Premier League for the Toffees.
But how and what could have been the key to his success on such short notice?
As we know in football, changing coaches often have a good psychological impact on players leading to them performing better (Wolverhampton with Julen Lopetegui or Antonio Conte with Tottenham last season) for the first few weeks.
However, about Everton’s win, not everything is down to the psychological side.
Dyche’s men also had an excellent tactical display last Saturday at Goodison Park.
For Ahmed Walid, Football tactics Writer for The Athletics ( who wrote about how Everton will embrace corners under Sean Dyche), said:” I felt midfield five managed Arsenal’s 3-2-4-1 shape really well with Onana(Amadou) and Doucouré (Abdoulaye) moving up to press Arsenal’s double pivot Zinchenko (Oleksandr) and Partey (Thomas).
“There were also McNeil (Dwight) and Iwobi (Alex) who were constantly cheating by keeping an eye on Odegaard (Martin) and Xhaqa (Granit) when possible.
” But as I wrote in my article, corners were also very interesting as they targeted the back post with clear roles for Coady (Connor) and Doucouré (Abdoulaye).”
Against Arsenal, the former Burnley coach used his traditional 4-4-2 formation.
As he explained in his masterclass for the youtube channel The Coaches’ Voice.
Amongst many other advantages, that formation allows the team to have a numerical superiority across most of the pitch in the defensive phase. It also allows the unit to be quickly ready in case a ball is lost.
Offensively, he wants his team to change the game’s tempo once they recuperate the ball by quick play; it could be fast short passes, quick throws or long passes to disorganise the opposing team before they have the chance to sit in their camp.
Currently in the 18 position, with the same amount of points that Leeds United, something has yet to be decided about the future of the clubs that will be relegated.
This first win in the Premier League since the 22nd of October will rekindle the hope of the Mersey club’s fans for survival in the league.
Loïc Corbusier, manager of the most prominent French Evertonian supporter account on Twitter ( @EFCFrance , affiliate to Everton FC since 2018), said:” “Beyond the victory, the team was transformed; honestly, we didn’t think it was possible to beat this leader.
“The guys were combative, projected themselves intelligently, the battle in the middle was frankly to our advantage and what can I say about the defence; fantastic on a handful of occasions.
“I don’t know what Dyche brought to training, but I hope it lasts.”
