Sean Dyche has labelled the feeling of helping Everton secure top-flight football for a 71st consecutive season as “incredibly pleasing”. 

After Luton Town had lost at Wolves and Burnley could only manage a draw at Manchester United earlier in the day, Everton knew three points would mathematically secure Premier League football for next season. 

And it was Idrissa Gana Gueye who stepped up on the hour mark to smash home the decisive strike that secured the crucial victory. 

That proved Everton’s third win in the space of just six days, helping seal the Blues’ safety with three rounds of fixtures still to play and despite the eight-point deduction handed down by the Premier League for two breaches of Profit & Sustainability rules (PSR). 

“Incredibly pleasing and proud,” said Dyche reflecting on the achievement. “We have had our knocks over the season, and various things to deal with and manage at times. Trying to find the calmness off the pitch and trying to get the team working on the pitch is a tricky balance. 

“I think we have found it overall. I think the players deserve a lot of credit, and my staff as well - they have worked very hard. 

“The idea was that could we look at changing things, the training plan, the organisational plan and putting that into the team, and they have accepted the challenge. 

“I think the latter part of the season has paid us back for the early part of the season. There was a lot of noise, we weren’t doing this or that, but I thought we were playing really well. We were creating chances - really high level of chances. 

“The latter part [of the season] we weren't doing that as well but we have made sure that we looked after ourselves. That is an important factor over a season's work.”

On the back of what has been a gruelling six days of action, Dyche was also keen to praise the way his side shook off any physical and emotional fatigue from the two huge victories across the past week to compete with and overcome a tough Brentford side. 

“It’s been an exhausting week for many reasons,” he admitted. “There’s been mainly all highs but that can tire you out, especially after the big local win on Wednesday. The emotion that goes into that, I did wonder if the players could respond and they have. 

“I am pleased with the staff as well because we kept things super light. We were debating how we go about it. It was a soft start to the game, but that was to be expected. I mentioned that at the time but the team grew into it, and found big moments, stopping it at one end, and finding it at another. 

“We have been questioned this season for our xG and how many times we haven’t won games, but if you look at the stats and facts over a season, it pays you back. I have said that all season and it has paid us back.”