'Thank you to them' - Sean Dyche sends message to 'old school' Everton supporters
Sean Dyche said he was “delighted for the old school Toffees” after he oversaw Everton’s first Goodison Park derby win since 2010.
The Blues boss cut a happy figure in the post-match exchanges as he savoured an historic night on Merseyside delivered with his side under pressure.
Coming just nine days after the 6-0 humiliation at Chelsea, this was a result that also signed off a remarkable comeback that leaves Everton on the cusp of Premier League survival.
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Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin scored the goals as Everton beat Liverpool on home turf for the first time since Tim Cahill and Mikel Arteta provided the inspiration almost 14 years ago.
It was a result that derailed Liverpool’s title ambitions and, by following up Sunday’s win over Nottingham Forest, ended the jeopardy around Everton’s top flight status.
Speaking after the game, Dyche said: “I’m delighted with the performance of our players against a top side - they are a top side, we know that. I am delighted for Evertonians, for the old school Toffees who support us. People do forget, among all the question marks, there are a lot of people when I am out and around they do understand some of the challenges we have had, we know what you are doing, we know you are trying to work hard to change all the storylines, so thank you to them for listening.
"I thought they were terrific again tonight, I thought they were terrific on Sunday, after a really tough week for me, the team and the fans, I only asked them to stay connected, I said ‘just give us your lot, we will try to give it back’, and we have done and I am pleased for the club at large.”
That this result and performance - Everton outfought their rivals from the start and deserved this win - came so soon after the collapse at Stamford Bridge made it all the more satisfying for Dyche. He urged supporters to acknowledge work still needed to be done to address Everton’s wider issues but added: “There is still loads to go but the last two games have been a real forceful show of a reaction of a group when the noise changes - ‘you don’t care?’ - of course we care, of course we care, how can you do my job and not care, it is impossible.
"For my staff and the players, it is impossible not to care. There might be moments when you get questioned but how do you react? The reaction has been fantastic from all concerned, my staff, the players, the fans.”