Sean Dyche calls for killer instinct as Everton face Crystal Palace test

After four successive defeats they earned their first point of the campaign with a draw at Leicester last weekend, although that was the third successive Premier League game they had squandered a lead.

Saturday's opponents are also without a victory, although they have managed three draws, and Dyche knows a win for his team will ease some of the growing pressure.

"The importance of every game is quite obvious but there are some which you look at and think 'That would be considerably favourable to get a win from'," he said.

"We are at that stage, after a tough start, of finding whatever way it is, whoever it is against, of winning and keep calm about the situation and deliver performances.

"I think we are still searching for that. I don't think it is helpful when you haven't got that edge of a killer instinct in both boxes.

"We've done that many times before here, coming through tough periods, and we are still coming out of a tough period but I think there are better signs."

Dyche has not been helped by a number of injuries which continue to affect his squad, although first-choice centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is in contention for his first start of the campaign after summer groin surgery.

He is also boosted by the return of Vitalii Mykolenko from a knock and midfielder Idrissa Gueye from compassionate leave after the death of his father.

The instability, particularly in defence where he has named four different back fours in the Premier League already, has seen them concede 14 league goals.

"Apart from the change in personnel then the format has only changed minorly because we were so strong in that area last season and you don't want to over-change it," Dyche said about the leaky backline.

"It is sticking with the basic principles but in its very simplest form the ball comes into the box someone has to clear it, someone has to head it.

"That attack has been better, certainly in the last two or three games. We're scoring and looking a real threat and then it's also about finding that balance to tighten up at the other end of the pitch, which last season, we did so well with 13 clean sheets.

"I think there are better signs, but those better signs have got to bring wins. I think that's the biggest change, getting that winning edge back."

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