Sean Dyche was given credit for producing another defensive “masterclass” as his Everton side blunted high-flying Chelsea.

The Blues were a symbol of discipline and stubbornness as they held a title-chasing side to a goalless draw for a second consecutive week.

And they received credit for that in the national media as reporters acknowledged that, while Dyche’s Everton future may be dependent on wins, sometimes a draw is just as valuable.

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Paul Joyce described the draw as a “positive start” for new owners The Friedkin Group, which had a presence in the stands led by Marc Watts, the club’s new executive chairman.

He wrote in the Times: “Everton’s new custodian, The Friedkin Group, has grand ambitions for a club that has fallen on hard times, expressing an avowed aim to restore former glories.

"A hard-fought result, high on perspiration if not inspiration, represented a positive start.

“After all, four days into a new dawn and Everton are already upsetting the established order.

"Chelsea’s hopes of ending the day top of the Premier League table for the first time since December 3, 2021, would be thwarted by Sean Dyche’s enduring ability to organise and squeeze every last drop out of an obdurate group whose appetite for putting in the hard yards was undimmed.”

In the Mail, Lewis Steele continued that theme, writing: “In recording back-to-back hard-earned draws against two title challengers, Dyche is proving his worth without those wins. This goalless draw with Chelsea was another masterclass in getting under the skin and ruffling feathers of the big boys.

"Enzo Maresca’s side, who had scored 26 goals in the eight games before this, were blunted and left bereft of ideas in an attacking sense. Last week it was fellow could-be champions Arsenal who had 77 per cent possession but could not break through the stubborn steel of Everton.”

Andy Hunter offered another nod to the change at the top of Everton and Dyche’s response to new scrutiny as he wrote in the Guardian: “The immediate aim of the Friedkin Group is to restore stability to Everton after their takeover on Thursday. In some ways, Sean Dyche has beaten his new employers to it. High-flying Chelsea became the latest team to run into a royal blue wall and out of ideas as they lost valuable ground in the title race.”

And while this was a showcase of resilience from Everton, Chris Bascombe made clear in the Telegraph that the hosts almost emerged with all three points: “Chelsea were lulled into a scrappy encounter which suited the hosts. The scruffier it was, the more dangerous Everton were. Jack Harrison and [Iliman] Ndiaye might have won it in the second half with more composure. Chelsea may have had the intent to increase the tempo in search of a winner but the blue wall was immovable.

“Not for the first time, Dyche will not be sure if he is receiving credit or veiled criticism when it is suggested the game proceeded exactly to his blueprint. Designing a Premier League game is beyond many coaches, yet in successive weeks Everton have successfully repelled title contenders by being more than the sum of their parts.”

The promise of a better future that could be reached earlier if chances could be converted was also a theme of the ECHO’s match verdict: “[Watts] will no doubt have heard the renditions of ‘If you know your history’ that rippled through the home stands as this match drew to a close. All of a sudden there is not just hope in this great club, but belief that a better future is within sight.

“Challenges lie ahead, particularly on the pitch. This remains a side that could be pulled into a relegation battle and one that has more issues than can be solved in the January transfer window due to constraints linked to the club’s proximity to Profit and Sustainability Regulations.

“While it will take time to sort out Everton’s head, Watts and his colleagues will have seen there is nothing wrong with the club’s heart as they took in the atmosphere amid torrid conditions.

“This game was far from a classic and Chelsea had more sustained pressure. A win for Everton did not look beyond reach across a few frantic moments in the second half, however. Enzo Maresca was pleased with the result at the end of this match and he had Tosin Adarabioyo to thank, the centre back producing an epic block to deny Iliman Ndiaye amid a scramble caused by [Jesper] Lindstrom and Beto.”