By The Telegraph (World News) | Created at 2024-10-05 15:15:34 | Updated at 2024-10-05 17:41:27
2 hours ago
What do you do if you cannot for the life of you hold onto a lead? Well, if you go behind, of course...
That seemed to do the trick for Everton who – having seen two-goal leads turn into defeats against Bournemouth and Aston Villa, then saw a one-goal lead turn into a draw against Leicester – finally secured their first win of the season, a 2-1 win at home against Crystal Palace having gone behind in the first-half.
The hope is that they can take that up-tick in form (four points in their past two matches) into what will likely be a tricky match at home to Newcastle today.
The thing is that, for all their lack of points and positivity, Everton have played well at home. They dominated against Bournemouth and, but for all the madness of shipping three goals after 87 minutes, would have been well worth the three points they looked certain to collect.
It’s a cliche but they have to get their points at home. In Goodison Park’s last season in existence defeats have to be turned into draws, and draws into wins, it’s how they will avoid yet another anxious, nail-biting end to the campaign.
And Sean Dyche is hoping his side can take the performance from the win over Palace into today’s match against Newcastle.
“Confidence is that funny thing in that it comes and goes, but mainly you have to have an underbelly of confidence to be a professional footballer,” the Everton manager said.
“Of course it heightens it when you get a reward and you can win.
“There are players who played well in the previous games and didn’t win who will be confident about their own performance, but I think winning brings that whole team confidence and collective mentality where everyone feels a bit better about life.”
Stay here for all the team news and action, with kick-off set for 5.30.
