Sean Dyche has ordered his Everton players to hit the restart button as they bid to overcome another points deduction and avoid relegation from the Premier League.
The Toffees were found guilty of a second breach of Profit and Sustainability Rules on Monday and hit with a two-point penalty, although the club have hinted they will appeal. An earlier punishment saw them initially handed a 10-point deduction, later reduced to six.
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Everton are 16th in the Premier League table, two points above the bottom three and head to Chelsea on Monday night.
Dyche said: “Last time we got a knock, everyone pulled together for the club and that’s what we’ve got to remind ourselves.
“Chelsea is our restart. We’re reacting to the news, that’s important but it has to be a positive reaction, get on the front foot and react to the challenge in front of us. We did that last time, we changed the story after a tough run and we’ve got to build on that.
“The time for fault and blame is gone. Society now wants fault and blame for everything but we’ve got to park it. What’s done is done. We’ve got to stay in line, stay connected and we’ve taken a few knocks, but we’ve got to pull together.”
Everton secured a crucial win – their first in 14 league games – against Burnley last weekend.
Dyche added: “We’ve had to find a way to win and we’ll be doing that for our next seven games.
“We had to change some things [against Burnley] and the players delivered to change our style of play. That might be needed again but the players are very motivated, without a doubt.
“I wouldn’t say it’s relief. You can’t guarantee lady luck but the old classic is Gary Player’s [quote] ‘the harder you work, the luckier you get’, and over time, we’ve got the details right.
“We got it right against Burnley, kept them to minimal chances and found our chance. Ugly goals are vital and important at times and that took us over the line.”
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Dominic Calvert-Lewin grabbed the winner against the Clarets – albeit it carried an element of fortune, the ball flying into the net after the striker charged down goalkeeper Arijanet Muric’s clearance – and is expected to be fit for the trip to Stamford Bridge despite missing training today.
“Dom [Calvert-Lewin] didn’t train today, he’s got a niggly hamstring which we are just being ultra-careful with. He seems to be fine, and the medical staff are happy with him too,” said Dyche.
“We’ve got a few knocks at the minute but nothing that we think is going to affect us on Monday.
“Amadou [Onana] is back in training.”
