Sean Dyche praises 'outstanding' Everton and reveals squad message after Tottenham defeat

Sean Dyche hailed Everton’s display against Tottenham Hotspur as one of the best of his time as Blues boss.

Everton fell to a 2-1 defeat at the London Stadium but, after losing two early goals, dominated a game in which they created a host of chances.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin had a goal controversially disallowed by VAR while he, Jack Harrison, James Garner forced Spurs keeper Guglielmo Vicario into action before Andre Gomes smashed in with 10 minutes to go.

Arnaut Danjuma then produced a fine save from Vicario before he hit the bar in the closing seconds, leaving Dyche bemused at how his side came away without at least a point.

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Speaking after the game, Dyche praised the resilience of his squad for fighting back after going down 2-0 in the first 20 minutes. He said: “I thought we started really well, we gave away two goals that were soft from our point of view - generally, lately we have been super-strong defensively - and I thought we created chances, we looked a threat - more on the counter at the beginning so our tactical idea was good when we won the ball back we were forcing them back.

"And then you have to believe it, but at 2-0 down, I am scratching my head going, ‘How on earth are we 2-0 down here?’ But they took their chances, and from then on, I thought we were outstanding, and I’m pushing 11 months here now, and out of all of our performances, that is arguably one of the ones I am most proud of. I thought the players were absolutely superb.

“Everything about it - apart from the moments I have