Sean Dyche full of praise for ‘excellent’ Everton midfielder Abdoulaye Doucoure after Brentford victory
Everton manager Sean Dyche has heaped praise on the “excellent” Abdoulaye Doucoure, who remained calm and composed to assist Dwight McNeil’s match-winning goal against Brentford on Saturday.
Dyche was delighted with his team’s attacking display, with the club attempting nine shots in the first half, their most in the opening 45 minutes of a league game this season.
Usually known for his defensive prowess, Doucoure played a key role in setting up the only goal of the game, which arrived after just 35 seconds, with fellow midfielder Alex Iwobi also involved.
“It was a fine goal,” said Dyche, as quoted on Everton’s official website. “We pressed early. Great calmness from Douc, who was excellent again.
“It was Alex into Douc and Douc finding Dwight, and then what a finish. You need that sometimes. The pleasing thing over the last number of games is that we’ve been more effective.
“We’re going into the box with more of an edge to score a goal. We didn’t score again after the first, of course, but we’re creating more. We’re asking more questions of the opposition and I think that’s pleasing.”
Everton slowly building momentum under Dyche
Dyche began his Everton career in superb fashion, defeating league leaders Arsenal 1-0 at Goodison Park. Home victories against Leeds and Brentford have followed.
But there have been defeats to the Gunners, Liverpool and Aston Villa, with Dyche’s men also drawing with Nottingham Forest.
The Toffees have climbed to 15th in the table, but remain just one point from the dreaded relegation zone and just three points off 20th place, showing just how tight things are at the very bottom.
There have certainly been worrying moments under Dyche, but they have been outshone by the positive signs, with Everton ending Brentford’s unbeaten league run that had stretched back to October 2022.
And along with their season-high nine shots, the Merseyside outfit registered four of those shots on target, another joint-league high for the campaign.
In and out of the Everton starting XI this season due to injuries and a dip in form, Doucoure now has one goal and one assist from his last two matches.