Jordan Pickford reaction spotted as Sean Dyche change laughed at in Everton tunnel

There were so many talking points following Everton’s win over Nottingham Forest even before the away side issued an extraordinary outburst on the final whistle.

This was a significant victory in the fight for Premier League survival and one that gives Everton a commanding advantage over closest rivals Forest and Luton Town. But for all the importance of events on and off the pitch, Sean Dyche’s outfit remained a major topic of discussion in the post-match analysis.

Dyche had stressed the need for change in the club, players’ and staff approach following the 6-0 thrashing at Chelsea days earlier. Few expected that to extend to him ditching the white shirt, tie and suit he always wears on the touchline. Unsurprisingly, it therefore falls within this round-up of the talking points beyond the immediate headlines.

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‘I thought his suit was getting ironed’

In the tunnel after the game, while Forest were attracting the attention of millions with their online antics, Dwight McNeil and James Tarkowski were reduced to giggles as they were asked about Dyche turning out in training gear. Asked about it, a laughing Tarkowski said: “It was unusual. When he walked into the dressing room before the game to do the meeting I thought ‘has the manager got a new outfit on’, I thought he was going to get changed into his suit after, I thought maybe he was getting it ironed. Maybe it brought a bit of luck, I’m sure he will be wearing it on Wednesday [for the Merseyside derby].”

Dyche: Don’t expect to see me in chinos

Dyche was also asked about his attire in the post-match press conference. He joked that he was a long way from wearing chinos and added: “I knew it would make a talking point to be honest, as bizarre as the world has got. I spoke to the players, I spoke to my staff first, about look, we question everything and everyone, rightly so, but our job is also to question ourselves. It was not so much about the suit, it was more about behind that we had looked at the training ideas, we had looked at the feedback, we had looked at feeding back to the players, training plans, the tactical side, team side - we made changes, and it was a small thing to go ‘look at me’ as well, so I thought ‘OK there is no drama to it’, it was only a personal choice, I just thought ‘OK, I’m not precious either way’, managers wear all sorts nowadays. I’ve always thought it was correct to wear a shirt and tie but I thought ‘OK let’s see if it makes a difference’. By no means am I making out it is going to win you a game, there’s more to it than that, but I played my part in the changes we were asking from my players, the changes I was asking from my staff, so it is just a small thing so I thought a small change I could make was to change my outfit.”

Match kicks off with music still blearing

Other changes were also notable. They included the pre-match efforts, led by supporter group the 1878s, that saw the Gwladys Street filled by flags and banners and the Park End transformed into a giant ‘1878’ scene. Another was the continuation of music over the PA system beyond the kick-off. As Morgan Gibbs-White played the ball backwards the tune to Forever Everton was still blearing as every effort was taken to continue the impressive player welcome into the first exchanges.

Idrissa Gueye borrows celebration from teammate

This game changed when Idrissa Gueye opened the scoring on the half hour with a half-volley that no-one expected to creep in. The 34-year-old loves to take on an opportunity to shoot from range but his efforts are often so wild that most mutter ‘don’t shoot’ under their breath rather than hold it in anticipation as he lines up an effort. Gueye proved everyone at Goodison wrong on Sunday afternoon and his goal will go down has one of the biggest in Everton’s season. It was only Gueye’s second of the campaign, following his goal in the win at Crystal Palace, and so it was understandable he had to use a teammate’s celebration because he had none of his own to naturally turn to. Gueye pulled out the cobra gesture typically used by Arnaut Danjuma as he wheeled away in delight.

And Jordan Pickford pulls out his own moves

One of the biggest moments of the match came just before the break when Chris Wood unleashed a back post half volley from just yards out that looked destined to hit the back of the net. Had it done so it would have wiped out Everton’s advantage and changed the half-time team talks. It did not because Jordan Pickford was there, the goalkeeper scrambling across his goalline to make another exceptional stop at a key moment in an Everton relegation battle. Knowing the significance he turned to the Gwladys Street behind him and celebrated the save - even with the ball still in play.

The other side of Dwight McNeil

McNeil’s highlight of this game was the inch-perfect strike that sealed the three points for Everton but a different side of him was also visible during the action. There were two worrying moments towards the end of the game, the first when Forest defender Neco Williams landed awkwardly after falling backwards over the advertising hoardings on the side of the pitch. Medical staff quickly rushed to him and McNeil, clearly concerned, stayed with the opposition player to support him while he was checked over. When Beto hit the ground unconscious in stoppage time, McNeil was one of the first to react and quickly signalled for the medical team to help the striker.

Fans rally to show Beto support

Everton supporters rallied to create a magnificent atmosphere at the start of this game. They were also impressive at the end. As Beto lay on the pitch receiving treatment the home fans sang their support, repeatedly breaking out into chants of ‘Ole…Beto’. The striker made clear his gratitude with his thumbs up to the crowd as he was carried off.