Everton manager Sean Dyche hails ‘energy and quality’ in shock 5-1 win over Brighton

LONDON – Everton’s energy and tactical discipline were key to their stunning 5-1 English Premier League victory at Brighton & Hove Albion on Monday, but manager Sean Dyche has cautioned that it is just another step in their battle to avoid relegation this season.

Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil both scored braces to go with an own goal from Brighton goalkeeper Jason Steele, as Everton profited from swift and incisive counter-attacks to secure three points that moved them out of the relegation zone.

To score five goals with 22.3 per cent of the possession is a reflection of how they allowed Brighton the ball, but were lethal once they won it off their hosts.

“They (Brighton) play a particular way with two boxes in midfield. I said to the lads it is about focus,” Dyche said.

“Our tactical shape has been pretty good since I’ve come in here. But it’s about focus when they change their tune and try and pop it around the corner and play neat and tidy.

“But equally it’s not just about shadow play, you’ve got to go and break it up and first half we did that so many times. Second half they had a good spell, but we calmed that down and I thought we saw the game through very well.”

The Toffees drew 2-2 with fellow relegation-battlers Leicester City in their previous game when they created more than enough chances to win, and Dyche believes they gained confidence from that result.

“We were very good, but conceded soft goals. Tonight we got paid back for that performance because the energy was there, the tactical performance, but also the quality,” he said.

Everton, on 32 points, are two points clear of the relegation zone with a home game against Manchester City to come on Sunday. After that they travel to Wolverhampton Wanderers and host Bournemouth in their final game of the season.

Brighton are seventh on 55 points.

“This is just another step as I said... it’s just one step. We’ll see what happens over the next few games. The players have delivered. They deserve a lot of credit,” Dyche added.

Nottingham Forest also pulled themselves clear of the bottom three as they beat cellar-dwellers Southampton 4-3 at home, and Leicester’s hopes of survival are hanging by a thread after a 5-3 loss at Fulham.

Forest are in 16th on 33 points, while Southampton have only 24 points and are eight points from safety.

Leicester boss Dean Smith, meanwhile, admitted his players are struggling with the pressures of a relegation battle.

The Foxes, who won the Premier League in stunning fashion in 2016, lie in 18th on 30 points.

“Some of them are struggling mentally with the pressures, but that’s for me and the coaching staff to sort out and pick the right team,” Smith said. REUTERS, AFP