Dyche Dedicates Everton Win To Brother-In-Law

Main Club Sponsor

TICKETS

SHOP

2021-03-13T19:00:00.000Z

Dyche Dedicates Everton Win To Brother-In-Law

2021-03-13T19:00:00.000Z

Sean Dyche dedicated Burnley’s win at Everton to brother-in-law Mark Horbatowski, who passed away recently aged just 46.

The Clarets boss marked the occasion by playing Mark’s favourite song in the dressing room before the game and was quick to honour his wife’s brother after becoming the first Burnley manager to win at Everton and Liverpool in the same season.

“I don’t often mention these things, but my wife has just had to bury her brother. He was only 46, so it was a tough day,” said Dyche.

“If I am ever going to put a game to someone, it would be for him and I said that to my wife. I played his song before the game and didn’t tell the players until afterwards because I’d well-up, so I told them after the game.

“It’s a little personal moment, but an important one to remember for me and my family.”

The Clarets were good value for their second win of the season on Merseyside, leading through Chris Wood’s smart early finish and doubling their lead following a stunning strike from Dwight McNeil, who was on target for the first time away from Turf Moor.

PL REPORT: Everton 1 Burnley 2 - Image 1

Dominic Calvert-Lewin halved the deficit just before half time, but Burnley kept the Toffees at arms’ length to extend their recent run to just one defeat in eight games.

“I’m very pleased because the last couple have been good performances,” added Dyche.

“We came out of a really tough day at Spurs, and I thought we performed very well against Leicester and Arsenal, and the lads got their rewards today because the performance was very good in all different ways.

“I have always been proud of the work ethic and belief in the side, but we also showed our quality and I thought we could have been more ahead by half time.

“You have to show all aspects of your game in the Premier League and today I thought we did that well.

“I thought our two strikers worked so hard, the back four were excellent, the wide players diligent, the midfield players gave us everything, the two centre halves blocked everything, and the full backs did their job.

“Behind them you have a top keeper - and when they all do their jobs, then teams find it difficult to play against us and break us down.

“In the first half we could easily have had more goals and in the second half we could have added to our tally, but as it was it was a little nervy, albeit in a controlled way and I never really felt like they were going to open us up, so I was really pleased.”

Dyche: Dwight Can be Smiles Better - Image 2

McNeil’s goal will live long in the memory as he curled a stunning 25-yard effort into the top corner.

“He has produced a great moment of quality,” purred Dyche. “I’m actually shouting at him to switch it and he rips it in the top corner, which tells you how good my coaching is!

“It was a fantastic finish from a quality player and a quality young man. He conducts himself the right way around the group and I am delighted for him because he really beats himself up.

“He is young, he is developing and learning. We play against some top sides and we are often working out of possession, so he has to do all the ugly stuff, but when he brings that quality, it does remind people what a fine player he is.

“He’s so hard on himself and I keep telling him to play with a smile on his face because he’s a young man who is enjoying his football and he’ll be enjoying that one, that’s for sure.”