Everton transfer news LIVE – Jack Harrison medical, Hugo Ekitike boost, Wilfried Gnonto pressure

Sean Dyche makes honest Everton squad admission as situation set to change

Sean Dyche believes he has to focus on finding the answers to Everton’s problems within the group of players at his disposal.

A frustrating season opener against Fulham saw the Blues undone by issues that were evident throughout last year’s struggle against relegation.

Dyche fielded two new signings in the 1-0 defeat, Ashley Young from the start and Arnaut Danjuma as a second-half substitute, with Youssef Chermiti not yet fit after his transfer from Portuguese side Sporting this week.

But the failure to convert clear chances and the threadbare nature of a squad also hit by an injury to Dwight McNeil and the unfinished rehabilitation programme of Dominic Calvert-Lewin haunted this narrow defeat to Fulham.

Everton had 19 efforts, nine of which were on target, but still failed to score. The sheer amount of opportunities was a positive Dyche said he drew from the match.

He said: “I thought we played well. I thought a lot of the things we are looking for these players to bring to a performance were there, especially in the first half, where we limited them to almost no chances whilst creating, I think, nine or 10 in the first half, five of which were of high quality.

“The mix of the performance is right when that happens. But we have got to score a goal. In the second half we allowed a couple of easier chances against us but we were still on the front foot, still looking to score goals.”

For the full story, click here.

Everton boss Sean Dyche