Everton’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Saturday provided an insight into why football is so often called a game of two halves.
Behind at half-time to Marc Guehi’s opener following a poor showing from their side, Everton supporters jeered their side off the pitch.
By full-time, they were dancing in the stands, not only with the result but in the knowledge that an impending takeover of the club can provide hope both on and off the pitch.
Dwight McNeil’s second-half double did not just salvage Everton’s first victory of the season but changed the whole mood around Goodison Park.
“[At half-time] we tried to correct a few things,” said manager Sean Dyche. “We told them it’s a team game, everyone has to make a difference and not wait for someone else.
“We played a bit cagey, which is understandable in a nervy stadium, to get that first win and we handled that second half really well. Two great moments from Dwight, and that we managed the game well, which has come into question [in the past].
“I was very pleased with the mentality to see the game through, manage it well and we kept them down minimal clear-cut chances.”
‘I am a custodian here’ – Dyche
A positive week on and off the pitch has been a rarity during Dyche’s 20 months in charge.
On Monday, news came that the Friedkin Group had reached an agreement to buy Farhad Moshiri’s 94% stake in the club and those close to the deal have told BBC Sport there is “full confidence” of completing in the next eight to 12 weeks.
Working to that timeline would give Everton fans an early Christmas present at the start of December but it has taken until the end of September for the gift of three top-flight points.
There seemed to be little hope of victory at the interval, with livid home supporters venting their fury and urging the manager to make changes.
In the end, McNeil helped the Toffees to turn the game around by collecting their first league win of the campaign – and the first after falling behind during Dyche’s tenure.
The Blues faithful remained inside Goodison Park to sing along to the club’s greatest hits, which were being belted out over the speakers.
Dyche told BBC Match of the Day: “In terms of my job, I have never lost sight about the fact that I have got to get it right on the pitch in order to win games.
“I am a custodian here. I have to answer to a lot here.
“Now it looks like there is going to be a new owner. We don’t know for sure and I am sure it is very complicated to get these deals done. We will have to see what it brings and all we can do in the meantime is continue to work hard, which me, my staff and the players are doing.”
‘A step forward’
Everton moved out of the bottom three for the first time this season, having thrown away the lead in their past three games.
They were 2-0 up against both Bournemouth and Aston Villa, before being beaten 3-2 both times, while they were held to a 1-1 draw at promoted Leicester last Saturday.
But this result against Palace – and the return of star defender Jarrad Branthwaite – will provide hope that they can now kick on this term as they host Newcastle next Saturday, followed by a trip to Ipswich.
“It is a step forward,” said Dyche. “The work here is never done, that is for sure. The reality is to go and win again and that is the mentality we have to show. We park this quickly and get on with it next week and build up to the next game.
“I wish we had won all five [previous league games] but the reality it is a tough league. It is good for the players, they have earned the right from previous results because there are a lot of question marks to play in a nervy situation and see the game through properly like we know we can do and find the moments that can win a game.
“I don’t think we have been as far off as people think, especially the last few performances but you have to get things right in both boxes and we did that today.”
Palace, meanwhile, remain winless after six games this term and manager Oliver Glasner said: “We know it when we look at the table.
“Maybe it is a welcome back to reality. Maybe we were flying too high after a great finish to the season. The Premier League is a fight.”
