Sean Dyche delighted for Everton man who has 'moved on a long way this season'

Everton manager Sean Dyche saluted understudy goalkeeper Joao Virginia who deputised for Jordan Pickford and kept another clean sheet to add to the one at Selhurst Park 13 days earlier as his side defeated Crystal Palace 1-0 in their FA Cup third round replay.

Dyche said: “I think he’s moved on a long way this season even though you haven’t seen him. I think from how he trains, how he goes about it with his professionalism, his understanding of the team and how it works, he’s listened intently in meetings, working, watched and has absorbed it I think.

“That’s paid him back because I thought he was very good at Palace and I thought he was good again tonight when called upon. He made very clear decisions, made a good save in the first half – I’m not sure whether it’s going in but it’s a fast reaction save – and then the one at the end when he spreads, he doesn’t go too far over the front post, he stays inside of his goal-line, across quick and makes a good save.

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“I’m pleased for him, he’s a top pro as well. He’s good around the group.

“There’s a few tonight, I thought the two centre-halves were strong again, the wide players were quiet in the first half but in the second half grew into it, Amadou in the second half grew into it. I thought Dom was strong tonight without getting a goal, I thought it was a strong performance from him.”

Dyche admitted it wasn’t a vintage performance from his team but was relieved to pick up Everton’s first victory in over a month. He said: “I’m pleased with the result, the performance though, we’ve played better and lost actually. We never