Sean Dyche says he can turn Everton’s form around despite the relegation-threatened Toffees extending their 105-day wait for a Premier League win with a late defeat at Bournemouth on Saturday.
Seamus Coleman’s own goal seconds into second-half added time gave the Cherries a 2-1 win after Beto had replied three minutes from the end of normal time to Dominic Solanke’s 64th-minute opener.
“You think you’re going away with a point and you don’t,” Dyche said after a result which left Everton three points above Luton Town with a game in hand and an eight-goal superiority over the Hatters.
“That’s incredibly frustrating over such a simple moment in time, when it’s just a clear miscommunication. That can’t happen, of course. We know that.
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“We had one day to prep them for this game and a lot of the performances had energy, commitment and belief in what we’re trying to achieve. But you can’t make mistakes like that.
“We’re the only ones who can change it. I can change it. The players can change it, and that’s our responsibility. That’s my responsibility. That’s our intention – without a doubt.”
Sean Dyche’s #BOUEVE reaction: PIC.TWITTER.COM/SDCHV5F6C4
— Everton (@Everton) MARCH 30, 2024
Everton have suffered three consecutive defeats as part of a 12-match winless league run since beating Burnley – relegation candidates throughout the season – at Turf Moor on December 16.
Dyche felt a penalty should have been awarded when a VAR check was carried out 10 minutes after the break following a challenge by Tyler Adams on visiting striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Everton penalties wait goes on
The former Burnley boss emphasised that there was “no excuse” for his team’s performance.
“We all wonder what’s going on with VAR,” suggested Dyche. “I’m a fan but I’m wondering myself where it all lives.
“It’s a clear penalty – simple as that. He cuts in, there’s a kick on his shin, he goes down and it’s not given.
“That’s unacceptable for me – in this level of the market, and with what’s happening to us. We’ve had one penalty all season. That just cannot be so.
“But the one thing we can’t do is we can’t guarantee [the referee’s] performance. We have to guarantee ours.
“We didn’t deal with the situation to at least get a point, but it’s not helpful when something like that goes against you because it’s so obvious.”
