Sean Dyche heaps praise on Everton fans following victory over Arsenal | OneFootball

New Everton manager Sean Dyche could not have hoped for a better start to his tenure as Toffees’ boss after getting the better of Arsenal in a 1-0 victory in front of the Goodison faithful.

The Merseysiders held off Mikel Arteta’s side in the opening 45 minutes before breaking the deadlock against the run of play after James Tarkowski headed home a Dwight McNeil corner.

Along with grabbing all three points on his debut, Dyche’s Everton side also ended Arsenal’s 13 Premier League game unbeaten run, which could prove a confidence booster to his relegation-threatened team.

After the improbable victory over the league table toppers (via Football Daily), Dyche praised his player for their effort and the fans for their electrifying support.

“I wanted the performance – I thought the players have put a lot of honesty into the week, a lot of respect in the changes we’ve tried to make,” he said.

“I said to them, it’s actions, that’s the key, and I thought you could clearly see there was a response, and I thought the fans were terrific. I thought they gave us an immediate start point, and I know that the players and myself we have to earn that.”

The former Burnley manager then added that his side could do with more quality going forward but backed the team to grow in confidence.

“Performance has been on the belief in the basis that the team in my way of working have to have,” Dyche added. “The belief in each other, the respect in each other, the teamship, and then galvanise with the tactics.

“We can still provide more quality at times, but that grows with confidence, and I think trying to get the basic principles of how we work and the acceptance of that, you’ve known me a while – minimum requirement is maximum effort.”

Dyche, who was confirmed as the new Everton manager barely a week ago, has made a flying start and there is renewed optimism that the Toffees could survive the relegation battle for a second successive season.

Victory over the rampant league leaders was monumental but not enough to get Everton out of the relegation zone.

They remain in 18th position, level on points with Leeds United, who have two games in hand, and one behind West Ham United in 16th place.

Up next for Dyche is the Merseyside derby at Anfield against Jurgen Klopp’s out-of-sorts Liverpool side, who are desperate for a win to turn their fortunes around.