Sean Dyche admits £19m West Ham player did something ‘great’ vs Everton on Saturday

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Everton manager Sean Dyche has now been reflecting on a moment from the loss against West Ham United on Saturday.

Despite appearing to be in control for large parts of the game, Dyche watched his Everton side almost find a way to lose in the second half.

David Moyes will certainly thank his goalkeeper, Alphonse Areola, for his outstanding performance keeping West Ham in the game.

Perhaps Areola’s performance finally represented the official passing of the gloves from the Lukasz Fabianski era, who now sits on the bench as number two.

All that being said, it was a different player that Sean Dyche really thought changed the game when speaking after the match.

Dyche suggested that there was little his side could do against such a superb Tomas Soucek strike, saying it would be harsh to criticise his players for conceding to such a hit.

But ultimately the manager was still very frustrated that his team couldn’t convert their chances, and he certainly didn’t enjoy repeating the same words yet again.

Sean Dyche admits West Ham’s Tomas Soucek made the difference against Everton

Dyche was speaking to Everton TV after the defeat and suggested that something needed to change.

He said: “We have done well defensively [over the season]. 

“I know there is an error for the third today and they score a great second. If that was us you would say it’s a great goal. I still think we could defend it better on the back stick area but it’s a great finish.

“We kept them to nowhere near the chances we had, but I can’t keep saying that every week.”

Of course, when you consider that £19m-man Soucek also cleared the ball off of the West Ham line during the game, it delineates what a crucial performance he delivered.

Of the 31 goals Soucek has scored for the club, it’s hard to remember any too much better than that.

And despite trying his best to switch things up for West Ham’s visit by deploying Beto up front for Everton, Dyche’s side ultimately could match their opponent’s finishing.

After all, Everton had an xG of 2.73 in the game, higher than West Ham’s 1.87 (Sofa Score).

And yet they still found a way to lose the game 3-1 late on.

That being said, Areola’s display on Saturday was the best performance of any Premier League keeper this season.