VAR decision that sparked surprise Sean Dyche reaction changed everything in Everton relegation fight

As St James’ Park erupted in celebration, Sean Dyche stepped into the away dugout and turned his back to proceedings. It was seconds before he faced the pitch again and few people, if anyone, will know what was going through his mind during what would have been a troubling moment.

As Dan Burn took in the adulation from his own supporters he was halted by the announcement of a VAR check. Believing Everton were 2-0 down, Dyche initiated a triple substitution, perhaps a throw of the dice as all seemed lost at Newcastle United.

And then everything changed. VAR, so often an enemy for Everton, ruled Alexander Isak had stepped offside when he made the run to meet the quickly-taken free-kick he then crossed for Burn. Well, almost everything. Handed a reprieve, Dyche remained committed to his changes. And they changed the game.

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This has been a long, complicated, arduous season for Everton. Genuine progress on the pitch has been undermined not just by the points deductions and leadership vacuum off it, but also marred by spells of poor form from a threadbare squad that has been tested to the limit. The fight is over now after a week in which Goodison and those in Royal Blue hit a level of intensity that blew away Nottingham Forest, Brentford and, most impressively, Liverpool.

In the space of six days Everton went from facing a third consecutive survival fight to the death to preparing for the first pressure-free Premier League games the club has had for almost three years - certainly the first under Dyche. That this followed the