Sean Dyche has dismissed suggestions that Everton enjoyed the Premier League’s easiest start.

The Goodison Park club sit just four points clear of the relegation zone after picking up nine points from their opening 10 fixtures this season.

Statistically, Opta claim that Dyche’s side were actually handed a more favourable run than their top-flight counterparts.

But the Toffees’ manager insists that while he had hoped to achieve more, their recent run has actually been progressive.

“Stats are not always what you think,” insisted Dyche.

“I’ve been here long enough in the Premier League: in good spells, indifferent spells, tough spells, all the rest of it. That’s just the way it goes.

“Did we want to start better than we have done? Yes. But the last run of games barring Southampton – if we win that, it’s three wins and three draws out of six and all of a sudden the story is going where we want it to go because it’s more positive.

“These are the fine margins and we’ve got to make sure they come in our favour.”

Everton face West Ham on Saturday with the hosts’ manager Julen Lopetegui under growing pressure.

📸 PAUL ELLIS – AFP or licensors