Everton boss Sean Dyche is confident his side’s goalscoring problem will be solved soon after the arrival of Arnaut Danjuma and Youssef Chermiti
- Everton manager Sean Dyche believes the team’s goalscoring problems will improve
- Dyche’s side created 19 chances against Fulham but suffered a 1–0 defeat
- The arrival of Arnaut Danjuma and Youssef Chermiti could help the case
Everton manager Sean Dyche is confident the goalscoring problem that has plagued the team for a year will soon be resolved.
Despite creating 19 chances against Fulham, the Toffees slid to an opening game defeat at home – where the top league’s lowest scorers lost a record 10 league matches last season.
At the center of the problem is the continued unavailability of injury-plagued Dominic Calvert-Lewin, whose lack of pre-season minutes means he may be a few weeks short of being ready.
The arrival of loanee Arnaut Danjuma – who made his debut as a late substitute – and young Sporting striker Youssef Chermiti, watching from the stands, will hopefully help ease the burden as current deputy Neal Maupay has a host of opportunities squandered as he extended his woeful record to one goal in 30 appearances for the club.
“Dominic will get some football this week, among other things,” says Dyche, who is still looking for reinforcements, but knows he has to get more out of the limited resources he has.
Everton manager Sean Dyche is confident his side’s goalscoring problems will soon be resolved
Arnaut Danjuma, who came to Everton from Villarreal on a rental basis, builds up his sharpness
Everton have also brought in Youssef Chermiti from Sporting to expand their attacking capabilities
“He is at the end of his rehabilitation period, so for the next two weeks we will be stronger, just by our own group and let’s see if we can also get something to help us.
“Arnie (Danjuma) is getting fit, pretty fit – he knows he’s a little behind.
“I am convinced that we have to rely (on players) within the squad because this is what we are at the moment. If we can influence it, we will.’
Everton only had 41 per cent of possession but made the most of it and a better finish could have won the game before half time.
Although the result was disappointing, the performance was more encouraging than most of the relegation residues they had when Dyche took over in January and took them to safety on the final day.
“Some of the breakaways, some of the moments, some of the chances were excellent,” added the Toffees boss.
“One of our analysts said about xG, which I’m not a big fan of, but it’s still a reference point, around three was, which is high in the Premier League.
“Inevitably it’s just a measure, but we need to look at where we were and where we are now – and that, I thought, was a big shift.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who regularly struggled with injuries, is still not completely fit
Now we have to find those moments to score goals.
“But there is a very strong sign there today, a strong sign of a good team there creating a lot of chances and a lot of good things, so we have to keep believing in that.”
Fulham were lucky to leave Goodison Park with a third win in a row and boss Marco Silva admits there is still plenty of room for improvement.
“We need more time to work, our pre-season was not at the level it should be, so we lacked some energy,” he said.
“But we were able to win a football match and that shows that we have the quality to work.”