Burnley boss Sean Dyche dedicates big win at Everton to brother in law

Sean Dyche dedicated Burnley's superb 2-1 win at Everton to his brother in law.
Sean Dyche at Goodison ParkSean Dyche at Goodison Park
Sean Dyche at Goodison Park

Mark Horbatowski, 46, brother of Dyche's wife Jane, passed away recently, and the Clarets boss put the dance track Tall 'N' Handsome by Outrage on the dressing room playlist before the game as a tribute, before his players turned in arguably their best performance of the season.

Goals from Chris Wood and a stunning strike from Dwight McNeil put the Clarets in charge, and although Dominic Calvert-Lewin pulled one back before the break, Burnley saw out the second period and could and should have added to their lead.

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Dyche said: "I don't very often mention these things, but my wife had to bury her brother, he was only 46, on Wednesday.

"It was a tough day, and if I am ever going to put a game to someone, it would be him, and I said that to my wife.

"I played his song before the game, and I didn't tell the players until afterwards because I thought I would well up.

"A little personal moment that is important to remember for me and my family."

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He added: "It was an old dance song, Tall and Handsome, and a few of his mates told me about it the other day and I had it in mind and I just decided to put it on.

"I didn't tell the lads before the game, and they were all looking at me bit weird because I never get involved in the music, and I said it was an old classic from back in the day in Ibiza and they were 'right okay.' Then I told them afterwards.

"It was a small personal thing and I don't normally do that thing, but my family and my wife's family have had a tough time, and I think these small things, on a tough week for everyone, it is just a small thing I thought was worth mentioning."

Jamie Carragher had said on Sky that, with Burnley's yellow shirts, it was like watching Brazil in the first half, as the Clarets went 2-0 up, and had chances to score more, with Johann Berg Gudmundsson hitting the post.

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And Dyche said: "I think we've got a long way to go to be looking like Brazil, but I was really pleased.

"We talk about effective football, and I thought it was, particularly first half.

"The defensive shape was good, against tricky opposition who change their shape, they played a diamond and it morphed into a kind of 4-4-2, and I thought we handled it well in the early stages.

"And every time we pressed them properly and nicked the ball, I thought we looked a threat.

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"That's probably one of our question marks over the season, making more of good situations, but I thought virtually every time we nicked it and went forward, you felt we could score.

"I was really pleased with that, and we scored two fine goals. Woody with a fantastic finish, and Dwight an exceptional finish, from an exceptional talent.

"I think he deserves it for the effort he puts in off the ball and he's such a good player with it.

"Johann hits the post, Browny has an unbelievable chance from the middle of the box, Vyds has a couple of moments, and it is a very strong first half."

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It was a first win in a month, and Dyche added: "I think, coming off a weird run, a lot of people saying we hadn't won, but actually we only had one loss in seven.

"To come here and win, against a good side having a good season, and deliver a good performance...every manager wants a win and a performance, and I thought it was both.

"That's really pleasing.

"I'm not quite sure about a nirvana performance, maybe over-egging it, we've had some good performances this season, and we weren't too bad the other week at Liverpool, but I know what you mean.

"Some games we have to defend well, and we nicked a chance at Liverpool, and today was a healthy balance, defending right, work ethic of the team, the ugly side of the game when we needed to, working diligently from the front, and also the effective football I talk about - we played short, long, on the counter, all the things I think are important for an outfit to win games in the Premier League."

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Burnley are now seven points clear of Fulham in 18th, with nine games to play, and Dyche continues to focus on his side, and the next game - which is in three weeks at Southampton: "We've come a long way since we had two points after seven games, the mentality has never wavered, we've had a real challenge with injuries, and the game schedule has been unbelievable in our world, we've never been through that in the Premier League with so many injuries.

"But the mentality has been fantastic, it virtually always is, ever since I've been here. I couldn't be more proud of the players for that, never mind winning games, and I thought it was on show again.

"Second half they didn't really open us up much and we still looked a threat.

"I was very pleased with the way we saw the game through."

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