Everton hardly set the world alight last night, but they really didn’t have to.
A hard-fought and well-earned point on the road marked major progression for a side somewhat shaky at the back and not scoring enough goals to counter their perceived solidity.
Having sometimes been accused of stubbornness throughout his tenure with the Toffees, Sean Dyche’s desperation to keep with the same system and the same players has drawn huge frustration in recent weeks, as results have not changed.
But, last night he did something which will have shocked many, not least Pat Nevin.
Pat Nevin was left stunned by what Sean Dyche did last night
Speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live’s Football Daily podcast after the match, the former Everton and Scotland international wanted to take specific time out to laud Dyche.
After all, there was a key alteration which the former Burnley man had done which caught this eye, and he felt deserved praise.
He noted: ‘Can I mention one thing about Sean Dyche? He actually did a couple things really special tonight. He always plays the same system, it’s a 4-4-1-1, but when he had to change it tonight they went 4-1-4-1 and then he went 4-4-2 and then he went 4-2-4.
‘And we sometimes ignore Sean Dyche, he plays one certain way, but hey he makes changes as well and as the Burnley fans know, the ginger Mourinho, he’s got some tricks of his own.’
Seeking to dispel a commonly-held myth regarding his footballing philosophy, the 60-year-old makes a very valid point about the interchangeability and confidence that Dyche displayed last night.
Everton need to use this result as a springboard
Although not quite the win that Dyche would have wanted, last night still marked a huge result given the circumstances and one which should inspire more confidence within the squad.
After all, they need to conjure some form of belief from somewhere, especially with the magnitude of their upcoming run.
This coming weekend they are set to host Burnley at Goodison Park, with the Clarets having enjoyed a mini resurgence of late to put themselves within just three points of the Toffees.
A win for the hosts would ward off any potential late rally for safety and put them in a strong position for the games that are to follow.
After this weekend, Everton will then travel to Chelsea, a side also in disarray, before welcoming Nottingham Forest, Liverpool and Brentford in three home matches on the spin.
Travelling to Luton Town after that poses an almighty threat, before then returning to Goodison Park, where Sheffield United await them.
Facing the five sides closest to them in the relegation battle puts safety firmly in their own hands, and hopefully a positive point away to Newcastle United will have inspired enough confidence to now enjoy a string of fine results.