In an interview with the BBC after his team’s 4-0 loss to Arsenal, Sean Dyche noted that the Gunners team they faced was different from the one they defeated 1-0 in his first game in charge.
Arsenal’s win at the Emirates Stadium puts them five points clear at the top of the Premier League, and they have now won three consecutive games following a brief slump that was initiated by their loss at Goodison Park.
Dyche said: “[The opener] changed the whole game. The game plan was working, which you have to do at places like this.
“Forty minutes, a goal out of nothing. I can’t legislate for the second goal and the game is getting away from you. When you’re 2-0 up it brings the freedom.
“They played well but couldn’t break us down [for 40 minutes]. That’s pleasing for us. In the second half they showed what a side they are.
“You look at Arsenal’s work ethic, they knew because they came to Goodison and we put in a shift and protected our lead, they responded. The top teams learn.”