Sean Dyche said Everton’s response to going behind for a second time felt like a “step backwards” that will need to be addressed immediately.
The Blues boss conceded his side looked unlikely to get back into the game after Harry Wilson restored Fulham’s lead in the early stages of the second half. It was a goal that came after Everton had appeared to have gained the upper hand in a key match.
Instead they went 2-1 down and were dominated by the visitors, who scored a third goal and could have had more.
EVERTON VERDICT: What happened at full time shows Everton's advantage is gone after Fulham loss
EVERTON RATINGS: Michael Keane and two others awful vs Fulham
Speaking after the game, Dyche said he had “mixed feelings” about the performance - highlighting the way his players got back into the match after going behind to Harrison Reed’s opener, before struggling for the final 40 minutes.
He said: “We didn’t start well. There was a bit of an edgy, nervy feel to the performance and they scored a really good goal. We changed the shape, it was effective and we scored a really good goal and then the whole performance changed. I think we were very strong for the rest of the first half. Two really important chances went astray and then you come in on the front foot and the feel of it, the energy in the stadium, is so positive.
"And we actually started the second half well and then when they scored a goal out of something we should deal with, quite obviously, the performance changed and that is something we have got to correct really quickly because generally we have, there have been good strides forward here, but that is a step backwards because after that goal we never really got back into the game.
“We huffed and puffed but did not really have the quality moments we need to take on a performance to win and that is something we are looking to correct the mentality of - we have somewhat, but it is a stark reminder of the truth of it.”
Dyche had lined up with a 4-4-2 formation, continuing with the style that he began with for the disappointing display at Manchester United last week, albeit with three changes - Vitalii Mykolenko, Neal Maupay and James Garner making the starting XI. Ben Godfrey switched from left back to right back to deal with the absence of the injured Seamus Coleman, while Amadou Onana missed out through a groin issue.
Dyche said the tactical setup was a response to the issues within the squad he is facing, adding: “We are trying to be effective, we know that we have got to try and get the balance of defending and scoring goals, so we are just searching for that.”
Everton found a way back into the game after he reverted to 4-5-1, the formation that was the foundation of the initial good form upon his arrival. Dwight McNeil’s equaliser followed and Everton carried the momentum into half time and could have been ahead, with Maupay forcing Bernd Leno into two good saves.
At half-time Dyche asked his players to continue to build on the platform provided by McNeil’s fourth strike of the season. Everton did start the second half brightly but then Wilson’s goal changed the complexion of the match. Dyche accepted that, once that goal went in, his side did not look like finding a way back - suggesting the way the rest of the game unfolded bore similarities with the reaction of the side to going behind under previous manager Frank Lampard.
He said: “In the last 20 minutes of the first half there were a lot of good signs, a lot of good energy and some quality, some really good play, some really effective play. They had a fast start but we kept them to a minimum for quite a large part of the first half. We started the second half brightly but the goal diffused us too quickly and that can’t happen because at the end of the day we have done well and in the mentality there has been a shift here.
"Today it reverted back to before we were here because I have seen the games, you looked at it and when a goal goes in it was a bit lackadaisical then and that can’t happen. And credit to them, they took the game on. Ironically they had completely the opposite. They lost their way of playing for the last 20/25 minutes of the first half, we created chances, we looked nice and solid, and then in the second half we started brightly, they scored a goal and then their performance changed in the opposite way. They stepped on and tried to grip the game, which they did better than us.”
READ NEXT
- Everton player ratings as Michael Keane and two others awful vs Fulham
- Everton's luck runs out on Grand National day and it could have terrifying consequences
- What Sean Dyche has done at Finch Farm to ensure Everton avoid Man United repeat
- Everton supporters are crucial to the strength of the club and Sean Dyche knows this
-
Sean Dyche pays touching tribute to Hillsborough victims on 34th anniversary
