'Many would have wilted' - National media make Sean Dyche point after Everton beat Brentford

A 1-0 victory over Brentford, Everton’s third home win of the week, secured the club’s top-flight status for another year. With the Blues now guaranteed to go into their final season at Goodison Park as a Premier League club, here’s a round-up of what members of the national media, plus our own Joe Thomas, had to say...

"This has been Dyche’s best week on Merseyside"

Chris Bascombe of The Telegraph writes: "He has been at Goodison Park for more than a year, but Sean Dyche may finally feel fully appreciated as Everton’s manager. This has been Dyche’s best week on Merseyside. Three wins, nine points and the certainty of Premier League football next season will enchant more hearts and minds, and empower him to lay foundations for a less fraught future.

“As escape missions go, this was not even dramatic by Everton standards; no last-day dramas, inspirational reminders of previous getaways or 25-yard screamers from unlikely heroes will be required after the 1-0 win over Brentford guaranteed safety. Under the unprecedented ­circumstances of an eight-point deduction, to erase jeopardy with three games left makes this a greater accomplishment than the past two seasons.

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“Dyche has succeeded where many would have wilted amid the numerous external distractions and punishments. Often whenever Everton have won, their performances have been appreciated more than loved, fans craving a return to an era of enjoying their football, not stomaching it. Three games ago, the side were hammered 6-0 at Chelsea and, for the first time, those with reservations about Dyche’s formula became more vocal.

“Dyche and the players’ response to an emergency deserves credit. They have never looked more like a team than in their past three home games, and the manager has often had to scrape the bottom of the barrel of a squad built by many failed architects.

“A year ago, Dyche welcomed safety with a stark reminder of how much work was still needed behind the scenes to ensure the future will not be more of the same grind. He effectively repeated it after Idrissa Gueye’s winner.

“For too long, catastrophe and fatalism have been unwanted bedfellows to the fans, poor signings, Premier League commission and ownership wrangles snuffing out the wax whenever the candle flickered with a flame of hope. Until prospective owner 777 proves its worthiness – either to the Premier League before taking over or to the fans – familiar anxieties will bubble away.

“Ask Dyche what he would like Everton to become in the next stage of the evolution, and chances are he would namecheck yesterday’s opponents Brentford; a well-run, financially stable club, well stocked in most positions and with a coveted striker in Ivan Toney. Thomas Frank has not built a flashy side… but, whatever the future holds, Everton history will commend the work of the ideal manager for a perilous situation.”

"Everton’s campaign can now play out sedately"

Paul Joyce of The Times writes: "After the nerve-shredding drama of the past two seasons, when fingernails were chewed until the final week, Everton’s campaign can now play out sedately. Premier League safety was assured with games to spare and, given the tumultuous nature of recent months when the club has twice been docked points, the job Sean Dyche has overseen stands up to even the most intense scrutiny.

“Idrissa Gueye’s goal on the hour was enough to settle a scruffy game with Brentford and fully capitalise on Luton Town’s earlier away defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers by pushing Everton 11 points clear of the relegation zone. Without the loss of eight points for breaches of the league’s Profitability and Sustainability rules, they would now be level in the standings with Brighton and Hove Albion.

“Dyche secured Everton’s top flight status on the final day of last season and described keeping the club afloat again as his best achievement as a manager, primarily because of the litany of off-pitch issues that have painted a different landscape to the one outlined to him when taking over in January 2023. Home comforts have arrived at exactly the right time, with four successive wins at Goodison Park, all with clean sheets, representing the club’s best sequence since the 2018/19 season.

“The visiting team lacked fire until Jensen and Bryan Mbeumo were spotted arguing with each other at the end, yet it was Everton voices that sounded loudest. The throaty roar that greeted the final whistle turned into a rousing sing-song as “We shall not be moved” was played over the PA system.”

"Everton could not care less"

Andy Hunter of The Guardian writes: “Evertonians can sleep peacefully in May for the first time in three years. Their team has suffered two points deductions totalling eight points, their club faces an uncertain financial and ownership future, but they will have top-flight football for a 71st consecutive year thanks to the superb accomplishments of Sean Dyche and his players.

“Idrissa ‘Gana’ Gueye delivered victory over Brentford and Premier League safety into the bargain. It was an arduous watch, “quite boring” admitted a frank Thomas Frank, lacking the quality, intensity and emotion of Wednesday’s Merseyside derby defeat of Liverpool.

“Everton could not care less. Having avoided relegation only in the final week of the past two seasons, safety has been achieved in relative comfort this time. But, of course, it has been anything but comfortable.

“Dyche and his team have faced unprecedented setbacks. They were routed 6-0 at Chelsea less than a fortnight ago. The response has been exemplary – three home wins in a week, four home wins in succession, and all with the foundation of a clean sheet.

“The Everton manager was rightly proud of the collective, defiant effort that has ensured Goodison Park will continue to host Premier League football for the final year of its existence next season.”

"There will be no sleepless nights in the final month of the season"

Henry Clark of the Daily Mail writes: “For the first time in what must seem like a lifetime for Everton fans, there will be no sleepless nights in the final month of the season. For once the climax of a season can be enjoyed without the shadow of impending doom lingering menacingly over their shoulders. Nails are safe from being bitten, for another season at least.

“It always seemed unlikely we would be treated to a repeat of the blood and thunder football that saw Everton dispatch their bitter foes from the other side of Stanley Park during a memorable Merseyside derby win mid-week.

“They were still singing about that night on Saturday. There were even some home fans partaking in a little jig ahead of kick-off. With good reason too, given that Luton’s defeat at Wolves earlier in the day left Sean Dyche’s men with their fate in their own hands.

“There will be plenty more hurdles to come in the near future for Dyche and his men given the club’s ongoing takeover saga and perilous financial position. Survival, though, means Everton will play top-flight football in their final season at Goodison Park before moving to their swanky new home on Bramley-Moore Dock in 2025.

“Who knows what the future holds, but that is at least the start of what they hope will be a befitting swansong for this historic old stadium.”

"Everton have now had the last laugh"

Joe Thomas of the ECHO writes: “Imagine the disappointment in corporate football right now. When Everton’s trip to Luton Town was rearranged for next Friday night, the thought process was clear. There was no consideration for travelling fans and the days that would have to be booked off from work or the clogged Friday afternoon motorways and late arrivals home.

“It was because of the simple desire to put a struggling giant and a plucky overachiever together in front of the cameras so money could be made as the world watched in amusement as they tore strips from each other in a relegation dogfight.

“Everton have now had the last laugh. Against the Premier League that called for crippling punishments in unprecedented arguments behind closed doors. And against anyone who believed this was a club too scarred for another battle after recent torrid campaigns.

“Luton may still be fighting. But three wins in a glorious week of Gwladys Street flags and Goodison hostility mean the Blues will be able to sleep soundly in May for the first time in three years.”