Iliman Ndiaye position change explained in frustrating Everton draw

Sean Dyche said he moved Iliman Ndiaye into a central role against Brentford as part of an effort to “change the feel of the performance”.

The Blues boss caused a stir among supporters when he suggested in midweek there was no evidence to suggest the Everton number 10 could play in a central role - one many had expected him to adopt when he signed from Marseille in the summer.

Just before half-time on Saturday, Dyche appeared to do a U-turn and moved the 24-year-old infield, swapping him with Dwight McNeil. The move came after Christian Norgaard was sent off for a lunge on Jordan Pickford and with Everton trying to find a breakthrough in a game that ultimately finished goalless.

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Ndiaye remained behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin until midway into the second half, when the introduction of Beto led to him being pushed onto the right.

Asked to explain his change of approach on Ndiaye, Dyche said: “I just thought we have looked at him in training, looked at different ways. Could he affect it, could he not? There are signs, I'm still not sure he is a true Premier League No.10. Dwight is not either. They are two skilful quality players and if we can get them in the right slots, they might produce something. We were working in different ways to to open up the opposition and change the feel of the performance.”