Dyche Outlines Key Impact In Comeback Win

Sean Dyche has praised his players for an “assured” second-half display, after the Blues fought back from a goal down to beat Doncaster Rovers 2-1 in the Carabao Cup on Wednesday evening.

After falling to a first-half headed goal by Joe Ironside, the Blues produced a much-improved second period.

New signing Beto triggered the Toffees’ comeback, when he poked in a debut goal in the 73rd minute, before Arnaut Danjuma sealed the victory with just minutes to go.

Reacting after the tie, Dyche gave his thoughts on the performance of his latest arrival.

“I wanted to get him introduced to the team, the atmosphere, and the feel,” said Dyche, speaking to evertontv. “He certainly did that.

“It’ll do him really good. He literally only came in yesterday. We’d already set the team up, so thought we’d stick with it, but I wanted to get him on early anyway. That was nothing to do with Youssef (Chermiti) – he was probably going to come off at half-time anyway.

“We want to be effective in our play, and I thought tonight, particularly in the second half, we were. We used Beto for his strengths and what he can do.

“There was a more assured, measured look about us in the second half as the game went on.”

Recording just one effort on target in the first half, the Blues evidently struggled to gain an early foothold in a lively atmosphere at the Eco-Power Stadium.

Half-time introductions of Beto, Ashley Young, and Idrissa Gana Gueye helped Dyche’s side take control, and the Everton manager was keen to praise his second-half substitutes.

“We made changes at half-time, and I thought a few of the more mature players were excellent,” said Dyche. “They made a big difference.

“I thought credit to Doncaster – they made it hard [for us]. I will say that their goal was offside. I thought that was pretty clear, but it didn’t get given. That’s the way it goes. We weren’t at the races in the first half, but they were. They used the atmosphere, and they know why the heat is on us and why the cameras are here. So, they used that wisely, I thought.

“A few of our young lads found it tougher tonight, but that’s part of them growing as players and part of the experience of it.

“Amadou (Onana) was excellent all night, but particularly first half when the game wasn’t to our liking. He stuck at it and there were some good individuals who stuck at it in the second half and really took the game on.

“We ended up looking as we should do, which is a Premier League outfit. We opened them up enough to create chances, and obviously enough to win the game.”