Sean Dyche called Everton’s stunning 3-2 home loss to Bournemouth the most frustrating defeat of his career after three goals in 10 minutes saw Bournemouth come from 2-0 down to win it at the death.
For 86 minutes Everton had delivered a hugely encouraging performance, leading through goals from Michael Keane and Dominic Calvert-Lewin and spurning a series of chances to add to their lead.
But after Antoine Semenyo scored with what was then only Bournemouth’s second shot on target in the 87th minute, Everton collapsed as stoppage-time goals from Lewis Cook and Luis Sinisterra completed a turnaround that Andoni Iraola admitted his side did not deserve.
Dyche said: “I’ve had a few (defeats) down my years as a player, coach, manager, but this is the most frustrating because to dominate a game for so long and come out of it without something at least is incredibly frustrating.
“These are ones that as a manager you scratch your head at.”
Seamus Coleman, Idrissa Gana Gueye and the impressive Iliman Ndiaye all missed opportunities to add to Everton’s lead before the defensive collapse. Everton have conceded 10 goals in their opening three Premier League matches and once again face an uphill challenge after a terrible start to the campaign.
“You explain it by not doing the hard side of the game,” Dyche added. “I speak to the players all the time and that’s been my biggest frustration since I walked in here. I tell them, ‘The game lasts for as long as the referee makes it last and you have to play for every breath of the game’.
“You see a side dominate so clearly and create so many chances, unfortunately (taking chances) has been a challenge as long as I’ve been here, and then just not do the basics. Win your headers, win your tackles, win your races and you win the game.
“But for whatever reason they score a goal and we’re just looking at each other, ‘Who’s going to win a challenge, who’s going to win a race, who’s going to win a header?’ We’re waiting for someone else to make a difference.
“After the first goal I could smell it in the air. Not necessarily not winning but I could smell it, ‘This ain’t right’, and I’m screaming at them to get their shape and do the ugly side of the game, and we didn’t and they get a win out of nowhere.”
Bournemouth, coming into the match on the back of two frustrating Premier League draws and a Carabao Cup defeat to West Ham, savoured their first win of the campaign.
But Iraola said he told Dyche on the touchline that Everton had been the better side.
“It’s a very important win for us,” the Spaniard said. “I think it has been the worst game from the four we have played this season. We were the best team in the previous three and I think Everton were the best team today.
“For most of the game we played the game Everton wanted to play rather than our game and I have to accept I think they deserved to win today.
“There are many reasons (we won). I think one is the spirit of this team to keep believing. We needed the spark of scoring the first one and then everybody started to think, ‘We can do it because we’ve done it previously’.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Mbappe VS Liverpool Path confirmed… Kylian Mbappe after Virgil van Dijk took him down. 0.6% chance. 99.4% faith. lol I can't unsee this … League titles won "since 2009" Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, FootballLaughss, PL__OOC)...
The Egyptian is locked in contract negotiations with the club, who do not want to commit to a multi-year, high wage deal.Salah is in the form of his life, but is 32, which is giving the Reds pause for giving him a two or three-year extension.Per Sky Sports, clubs in the Saudi Pro League are not actively pursuing Salah at present.While he is a target and one they would love to sign, they are not go...
The Blues have made an effort to sign the best and youngest talent from around the world since the takeover by Clearlake.Chelsea are in talks to sign the son of Emmanuel EboueChelsea will have to pay compensation for Mathis EboueThe club are now in talks to sign Mathis Eboue from the Watford academy.The 15-year-old is, of course, the son of Arsenal cult hero Emmanuel Eboue.The Daily Mail have clai...
Inter Miami forward Luis Suarez signed a one-year contract extension, meaning he will continue to play in Major League Soccer next season.Suarez, who joined the Herons on a one-year contract in December, tied for second place in the MLS Golden Boot race and earned a nomination to the 2024 MLS newcomer of the year award."I'm very happy, very excited to continue for another year and to be able to en...
United target Napoli's KvaratskheliaManchester United are reportedly showing strong interest in Napoli forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, according to SportMediaset. The 23-year-old Georgian star, under contract with Napoli until 2027, has yet to reach an agreement on an extension with the Serie A leaders. The Red Devils are prepared to table a lucrative five-year deal worth at least €8 million ...
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Big GabrielSporting 1-5 Arsenal Who will win this month's Manager of the Month award? What happens when you come up against Saliba and Gabriel... Wayne Rooney, a true legend on and off the pitch. Cristiano Ronaldo in the iconic white and gold jersey brings back so many unforgettable memories! Throwback to THIS Beautiful Moment when Lionel Messi scored his 50th ca...
Bellingham admits 'vibrations' were key to Liverpool snubJude Bellingham has revealed how close he came to joining Liverpool, and the "vibrations" he felt when Real Madrid came calling."It wasn't as close as it was said," Bellingham said ahead of Real's Champions League clash with Liverpool. "There were conversations. There was Dortmund and I did it with several clubs. When Real Madrid call you, t...
Manchester City's Champions League match on Tuesday night was marred by crowd trouble, with Feyenoord fans causing chaos at the Etihad Stadium. The Dutch supporters, escorted by police from the city centre to the stadium, filled all three tiers of the South Stand.After City scored three goals, Feyenoord managed to net one with about 15 minutes left, leading to riot police stepping in to prevent cl...
Liverpool boss Arne Slot insists Mohamed Salah isn't unsettled over his contract situation.After scoring twice in victory at Southampton on Sunday, Salah revealed he had not heard from management about a new deal. His current contract expires in June."The only thing I can say is, if I look at my line-ups, Mo is more in than out," said Slot."I don't think he's distracted at all. I haven't seen that...
Bayern Munich coach Vincent Kompany said he doesn't fully understand how the new Champions League format worked after his team earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday to improve their chances of reaching the knockout stage.Bayern needed a first-half goal from defender Kim Min-Jae to battle past 10-man PSG and claim a third win in five matches."I don't look at the table...
- 1 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 2 Chelsea make Nkunku sale call amid ManUtd interest
- 3 Ex-Prem ace asked Liverpool star for his sister's phone number
- 4 €60-70m could bring star to Liverpool or Man Utd
- 5 Mascherano nears Miami; Martino exits
- 6 Chloe Kelly sends fans wild in daring outfit at GQ Men of the Year
- 7 Former Premier League star saved his wife and baby from house fire
- 8 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 9 The secret and very normal jobs of England’s WAGs
- 10 Thierry Henry poses with rarely-seen partner Andrea on red carpet