Sean Dyche reveals Jordan Pickford message after full time as ‘difficult’ Everton decision pays off

The Everton manager spoke to the media after the 0-0 draw with West Ham United on Saturday

Everton Manager Sean Dyche during the Premier League match between West Ham United and Everton FC at London Stadium on November 09, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Joe Toth/Everton FC)

Sean Dyche said he would leave the London Stadium “wondering” whether Everton could have grabbed three points. The Blues earned a draw at West Ham United with a solid performance – though the hosts hit the post and Danny Ings forced a superb Jordan Pickford save in stoppage time.

Without creating many chances Everton were the better side for much of the game, leaving Dyche to mull over a possible missed opportunity in the capital.

Speaking after the match, Dyche said he was pleased with a display that followed what he described as “tough decisions” ahead of the match. Chief among them was dropping Michael Keane to make way for Jarrad Branthwaite.

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He said: “It is a good point and a good clean sheet. There were tough decisions, it was a tough call [Michael] Keane coming out because I think he’s done well. But Jarrad went back in and that back five unit kept a lot of clean sheets last season and they have done so again today.

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“I think it was a solid performance. We obviously couldn’t really find that bit of edge in the attacking third and that bit of devil that sometimes is the difference and that bit of quality.

But there was a solid feel to the performance and we didn’t really give that much up, which is difficult away from home in the Premier League.”

Dyche acknowledged the fingertip save from Pickford that prevented his side from falling to a late defeat for the second game running but added: “We had a fair share of possession and in the end we came away slightly wondering: ‘Is that one that we could have won?’ But equally Jordan made a fine save. I don’t think he had much to do this afternoon apart from staying focused, which is important. I said that to him after, I said it’s a fine save to make sure that we keep that clean sheet and get a point.”