If you missed the news: Sean Dyche is back in the Premier League. The iconic Englishman who still successfully plays the 4-4-2 in 2023 (A more difficult feat than you might think at first), was appointed Everton’s new manager following Frank Lampard’s unimpressive time at the club. From a tactical point of view, Dyche’s return is very intriguing. The current teams at the top of the table generally enjoy playing a possession based style (Arsenal, Manchester City), while Dyche has always had a passion for playing direct football. His first opportunity at Everton came against no other than the current league leaders Arsenal.

How They Lined Up:

Arsenal lined up with their usual 4-3-3 and starting XI; not too much to mention there. Everton however, did not line up in the 4-4-2 that many expected, instead coming out in a (albeit very similar) 4-5-1. When watching a Sean Dyche tactical breakdown, I noticed that he mentioned the importance of positional fluidity in his 4-4-2. The biggest weakness of the 4-4-2 is when it is played with rigid lines, leaving space between the midfield and defensive lines to be exploited. As any good manager, Dyche is aware of the limitations of his chosen formation and will often make tweaks like this. Against higher-quality teams, he likes to move his deeper lying forward back to the defensive side of the ball to pressure the opposing CDM. Arsenal certainly fits the bill of a higher-quality side, so this change makes sense.

In the first half, Everton looked twice the side they had been to-date in the Premier League, putting up 1.26 xG to Arsenal’s 0.34. Frequently overloading wide areas and putting quality crosses into the box, Everton won 4 corners and 3 big chances, the largest being a cross pulled back by Andre Onana to Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who’s sliding effort was inches away from putting Everton up 1-0. The Toffees will have regretted not being up at halftime. Into the second half, the Everton dominance continued up until the 60′, when James Tarkowski headed home Everton’s 5th corner of the game to put them up 1-0. A well deserved lead after an hour of Everton dominance.

In defense, it looked to be a matter of work rate this game. Everton was consistently outdueling their opponents, defending in numbers, and setting a priority on winning the ball back before thinking of attack. Andre Onana was particularly impressive in his ball-winning. Idrissa Gana Gueye , operating in the withdrawn central midfield role, played in a box-to-box role, moving up ahead of the midfield lines in attack, but sweeping back behind the midfield four in defense. Mykolenko and Coleman were able to keep Saka and Martinelli in check on the flanks, with frequent help from the wide midfielders, Dwight McNeil and Alex Iwobi.

In the end, Arsenal were unable to break through Everton’s defence, without forcing too many saves from Pickford. What a debut for the Everton fans from Sean Dyche, who pick up only their 4th win this premier league season. If they keep this level of effort and intensity, I do not think Everton will be fighting for relegation by the end of the season. Despite a lack of January signings, Everton proved that games are not won on paper, or in the transfer market, but with teamwork and unrelenting effort.

Final Score: Everton 1 – 0 Arsenal.

Welcome back to the Premier League, Sean Dyche. You make life so much more interesting.