Sean Dyche described yesterday’s 1-1 draw at Leicester as a “mini-step” despite the fact his side gave up yet another lead and are still awaiting their first league win of the season.
The Blues came into the weekend on the back of four straight Premier League defeats and disappointment in the Carabao Cup against Southampton last Tuesday but were on course for three points at the King Power Stadium this afternoon.
Iliman Ndiaye’s individual brilliance at the end of a terrific pass from Ashley Young had Dyche’s men in the driving seat in an early-season six-pointer but amid “biblical” conditions in the East Midlands, they eventually ceded the initiative in the second half and paid the price with the concession of a 73rd-minute equaliser.
It wasn’t the result that the travelling Blues felt Everton should have got against a poor Foxes outfit but, understandably, Dyche was choosing to be optimistic at a first point gained this season.
“Positive thoughts overall after a positive display,” the manager said afterwards. “We came here with a highly-limited situation squad-wise with injury and illness.
“I have never lost sight of the fact we have to win a game. We have not won today; it is a mini-step, that is all it is, but it is a positive one because it was a good display.
“They are hard yards at the minute. There are loads of question marks over myself, the players, lots of noise, lots of negativity shrouding the situation and it’s difficult for players.
“But I thought there’s a real confidence in our play today, a real belief in our play today, and some very good performances. That shows the mentality is right.
“We mentioned it to the group and said, ‘no-one is going to look after us, we have to look after ourselves’. We have to support ourselves and each other. We’ve come through these situations in my 20 months — and probably before that — but I can only count for my 20 months.
“I’ve come through these situations when it has been hard yards many times, and now we’ve got to do it again. That’s a mini step, as I said, but that’s a positive mini-step in my opinion.”
Everton’s goalscorer and attacking inspiration, Ndiaye, was disappointed not to end up on the winning side but was content to open his Premier League account with a superbly-taken goal and was unfortunate not to get the chance to double his tally around the hour mark when Jesper Lindstrøm’s attempted pass was crucially deflected by a covering defender.
“We’re winning and suddenly they’re Leicester catching up and maybe could have won the game,” the Senegal international said, acknowledging that the Blues let two points slip through their fingers on the day. “I wouldn’t say they created more chances than us, but we need to finish our chances to put the game to bed and stay focused.
“Obviously on a personal note, I was very happy to get the goal. Step by step, we’re trying to pick up points, go in the right direction and start getting wins.
“We haven’t been picking up points and today it was really important to get a win, but we’ve finished the game with a draw. We’re going to reflect once again on what went badly and what was good to try and win the next game.”