Sean Dyche rues Everton mistakes in Man United defeat

Everton manager Sean Dyche believes several mistakes from his side proved costly in Saturday’s 2-0 defeat against Manchester United.

Goals from Scott McTominay and second-half substitute Anthony Martial on either side of half time ensured victory for Eric ten Hag’s side at Old Trafford.

The Toffees were dominated from start to finish and had Jordan Pickford to thank for ensuring the scoreline flattered their negative performance, with the England shot-stopper making nine saves.

Dyche then delivered an honest verdict on his side’s performance in Manchester, praising the Red Devils, who are now unbeaten in their last 14 games on home turf, before criticising his side for not doing the basics well enough in the opening 45 minutes.

“Performance against a very good side for starters – they’ve proved that with their home record,” the Everton boss said (via the Mirror).

“Too many mistakes from us to be honest, they were a dominant force in the first half – lots of long balls which we didn’t deal with by our standard, so I’m pretty simplistic in what we could have done better.

“The reality was not doing the basics well enough in the first half as a collective, and they [Man United] did and should have been further in front.”

Defeat at the Theatre of Dreams leaves Everton hovering dangerously above the relegation zone, with just goal difference keeping them above 18th-placed Nottingham Forest.

Dyche has done a decent job since replacing Frank Lampard in the Toffees dugout, and they look poised to survive the nine-way tussle for a top-flight stay under his stewardship.

However, there is still work to be done over the remaining eight games, with mid-table Fulham visiting Goodison Park next weekend.

Marco Silva’s side have seen their European dreams slip away, but a top-half finish would be a nice consolation prize for the Cottagers, who are all but certain to remain in the top flight next season.