Everton really played a game of two halves last night, and in the end, will feel vindicated to have snagged a point for their troubles.
It was a clash in which nobody really expected them to get much, and despite the injuries plaguing Newcastle United there was still more than enough quality to put the Toffees to the sword.
However, their profligacy and inability to create enough clear-cut chances allowed Jordan Pickford to shine, earning praise from Shay Given after the match, and Dominic Calvert-Lewin to net the equaliser, ending his goal drought at last.
It was a perfect Sean Dyche display on the road against a solid outfit, and he personally will be delighted to have stolen such a result.
He has since revealed what he said at half-time to inspire such a dramatic shift in performances.
Sean Dyche shares his half-time team talk vs Newcastle United
Speaking to Everton’s official website after the match, Dyche was unsurprisingly complimentary of the character and quality of his squad.
After all, they were up against it for the bulk of last night’s match, yet still managed to come away having salvaged a point.
Now, they look ahead to Burnley, knowing just how crucial a win at Goodison Park would be.
The 52-year-old tactician will take great pleasure from his side’s draw with Newcastle United though, and seek to translate that onto the weekend.
Especially the second half, which he lauded in these post-match comments. He even revealed the half-time talk which inspired their comeback too.
Dyche noted: ‘First half, we weren’t a million miles away I didn’t think. I said at half-time to the players, ‘We aren’t a million miles away here, I can smell it in the room, the feel of the performance’. In the second half, I thought we were really good. We took the game on and totally deserved at least a point – and we finally got another penalty which was pleasing.
‘To bounce back after a really disappointing end of the game on Saturday, and then give that performance in the second half, is very pleasing.’
Everton must start on Saturday how they finished last night
If Dyche learns anything from last night, it’s how impactful substitutes can be when made correctly, emphatically and at the right times.
So often this season, as one of the outstanding criticisms lobbied at the former Burnley boss, has he remained stubborn with his starting side, neglecting those options he has on the bench.
It has drawn mass frustration amongst Evertonians, forced to see stars like Arnaut Danjuma and Beto denied minutes when their alternatives were hardly impressing.
But, last night, there marked a change.
Upon bringing on Andre Gomes, James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the 60-minute mark, the match was transformed.
They were far more energetic, and actually threatened the hosts at times too.
With an all-important clash now in the offing this weekend, as they welcome Burnley to Goodison Park in the six-pointer, Dyche will want to ensure that his side start that match in the same way they finished the last.
Perhaps, that might require another shakeup to his starting side, and trusting in those he has on the bench to make a difference later on.