Pat Nevin shares ‘intriguing’ verdict on Everton style of play under Sean Dyche
Pat Nevin believes it was an “intriguing” tactical battle when Everton faced Brighton on Saturday (4 November).
Speaking to BBC Sport on Tuesday (7 November), the pundit said Sean Dyche’s game plan worked against the Seagulls, even though the Toffees only had 20 per cent of the possession in the 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.
He added that Brighton are the “antithesis” of the Blues, who he believes deserved to get something from the game despite the contrast in styles between the two sides.
“I went to cover the Everton v Brighton game on Saturday afternoon for the BBC and, in all honesty, it will not be in the top 20 memorable games I’ll attend this season,” said Nevin. “However, it was intriguing enough because tactically these two teams are about as far apart as you can currently get in the Premier League.
“My former club only had 20 per cent possession at home against little old Brighton, yet they would’ve taken all three points if it wasn’t for a deflected Mitoma fluke in the 84th minute. Last season was worse, Everton had a modest 22 per cent possession back in May and still won 5-1.
“With their pleasing passing philosophy, Brighton are the antithesis of Everton and specifically of Sean Dyche’s ‘dogs of war’ style. So, have these two results been grotesquely unfair on Brighton? I would argue not. Everton worked as hard as their visitors at the weekend and accepted they would have little time on the ball. It didn’t matter, they had a game plan and it worked. That isn’t unlucky or unfair, it’s just a style choice.
“The result also underlined that for all of the recent influence of Pep Guardiola and his particular playing style, there is more than one way to play football.”
Almost worked a treat
The plan from Everton almost worked a treat before Kaoru Mitoma’s late strike deflected off Ashley Young and ensured Brighton left Goodison Park with a point.
But the Toffees would have probably taken a draw before the game as the Seagulls have been massively impressive over the past couple of seasons.
Dyche decided to let them have the ball and not open up too much, with the plan working out well as it didn’t allow the visitors to get many shots in on goal.
The Blues boss is no stranger to making his side grind out points on the back of his time at Burnley and his exploits on Merseyside last season.
While they have played some excellent football throughout the early stages of this campaign, Dyche knows that he will have to mix it up now and again in order to pick up points.
In other Everton news, Gary Lineker has mocked a Toffees star following an incident against Brighton.