Sean Dyche hailed his players’ “commitment to score” as Everton ended their struggle in front of goal by beating Wolverhampton Wanderers 4-0 in a game that piled the pressure on Wolves head coach Gary O’Neil.
The Blues had two goals disallowed and created a number of further chances - though Jorgen Strand Larsen was guilty of missing a hatful of good opportunities for the visitors.
The win marked Everton ’s third of a disappointing Premier League campaign to date through the club’s first goals since October. All four came from set-pieces.
Following the game, Dyche said he made changes to the side - moving Iliman Ndiaye to the right, Dwight McNeil to the left and Abdoulaye Doucoure to a central attacking role as part of efforts to “twist and tweak” to make his team effective at both ends.
That ultimately proved to work, with Dyche explaining the message he had attempted to hammer home to his goal-shy players ahead of the match.
The Blues boss said: “I thought we found a good balance today. It's not always that easy, of course, but I thought the commitment to score today was really pleasing - the body language to go into the box, the set-piece delivery, the commitment at set-pieces to attack the ball, in general play we created a number of other chances, so I was very pleased on that side of the game because obviously that's been a big question mark.
“But I did remind the players before about the goalscoring prowess they have shown during their careers, not just here, in their previous careers. I said: ‘Look, you've got goals in you lads, you've got to go and relax in the box and go and take it on, just go and play on the front foot and, once it comes in the box, relax is the wrong word, but just go in there with the focus to score'.
“‘Don't worry about anything else. Don't worry about noise, don't worry about crowds, don’t worry about the opposition. Just go in there and focus on scoring. And I thought I was pleased with that.’”
It was the fourth time this season that Wolves had conceded four or more and the performance showed why they have the Premier League’s worst defence. When O’Neil and the players went over to acknowledge the visiting supporters there were boos for a run of two wins in 14 league matches.
“Whatever the fans think of me, there is definitely no-none working harder than me and I will continue to do so until someone tells me not to,” said O’Neil, who is under increasing pressure with his side second bottom of the table.
“I go over there to see them because I appreciate every one of the Wolves fans. They have given me unbelievable support since I arrived at the football club,” he said.
“We managed to produce some unbelievable stuff last season with a team that was heavily tipped by most of the nation for relegation. We managed to enjoy it together.
“Now it is tough. I was happy to go over there and look them right in the face and take any criticism they want to throw at me.
“I accept responsibility for my part in that. Whatever criticism they want to throw at me will not change how I feel about them. “Everyone at this football club needs to do more. We will get back to be ready to fight again on Monday (another crucial game against West Ham, whose manager Julen Lopetegui’s tenure is hanging by a thread).
“I will work with everything I have. I will back myself to get the most out of the group. I understand the drive for change (but) you never know how much of a percentage of supporters it is.”