Dyche on what set Everton apart from Chelsea after Pochettino's 'better' claim

Sean Dyche was delighted with his side's display of ruthlessness as Everton beat Chelsea at Goodison Park

Sean Dyche on what set Everton apart from Chelsea after Mauricio Pochettino's 'better' claim

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After the midweek win over Newcastle United, Sean Dyche said his favourite victories were the ones that were undeserved.

For Mauricio Pochettino, this latest Everton win falls into that category - the Chelsea boss was adamant after the final whistle that his side was better even in defeat.

Dyche would not be drawn on his counterpart’s comments - his side had repeatedly suffered at Goodison Park when being the better team this season and, ultimately, he sees winning as the most important form of judgement.

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But he did use his post-match comments as an opportunity to celebrate the new-found ruthlessness that is setting his Everton team apart from those of recent years.

"They are a very good team, without a shadow of a doubt," said Dyche of Chelsea. "They are better in some ways, they kept the ball, they have very good technical players and spent a fortune on players, he is a top manager so I wouldn’t dispute his opinion but you have to find ways of winning and that is the biggest pleasing thing for me - we are finding different ways of winning.

"There are games we have dominated the chance count and won games and there are games where we haven't and won games, there are games where we have defended resolutely like today, had to fight and work and do the ugly side. That mixture is really important over a season, never more so than recently with the news of the points [deduction] and all that business.

"So to find different ways of winning is very pleasing. To find different ways of winning against what will be a top side again, because they have a top manager and some very good players, is very pleasing and under all that is a very firm mentality that is growing all the time - and growing with the supporters."

Chelsea had the better of the chances in a tough first half for Everton and the away team started brightly after the break - only for the Blues to find the decisive moment through Abdoulaye Doucoure. The final half hour was a rearguard display until youngster Lewis Dobbin sealed the win in stoppage time with his first Premier League goal.

Dyche was glowing in his praise of a group of players that has come out on top three times in eight days, keeping three clean sheets in the process.

He said: “These guys are putting a big shift in. I have spoken endlessly to the group about squad mentality and I was very pleased with that - Patto [first half sub Nathan Patterson] coming and players looking after themselves and staying on top of their performances in training, the ones who are not always playing regularly. There are so many pleasing things behind that. Myko [Mykolenko] continues to improve and grow as a player, Jarrad [Branthwaite] and Tarky [Tarkowski] have a really good relationship. Jordan[Pickford] is a top keeper, Jimmy Garner two days ill and coming out and giving that performance physically, his team play is awesome I think. There are so many good things, so many pleasing things - and Doucs. Doucs has been a credit to himself and a credit to the club since I have been here.”

It was Doucoure’s sixth goal of the season, another that is proving to be a success after he provided huge goals against Brighton and Hove Albion and Bournemouth to help Everton stay up last year. No player has risen to prominence more dramatically under Dyche than Doucoure, who had been frozen out under previous manager Frank Lampard.

After a week in which he also scored against Newcastle, Dyche added: "He has been tremendous since I have been in the building. His work ethic is constant. Three games in a week? That doesn't bother him. He is like, 'OK, let's go.' His mentality has been solid and firm and he is delivering and he can find quality moments.”

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