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Everton boss Sean Dyche has spoke of his "shock" at their 10-point deduction from the Premier League.
The Toffees were docked during the international break for breaching the league's profit and sustainability rules. It was applied with immediate effect, meaning they head into this weekend's home clash with Manchester United 19th in the table.
Addressing reporters at his pre-match press conference, Dyche discussed the situation for the first time. He said: "I was shocked and seemingly, the wave of noise after that, most people around football were shocked.
"On the other hand, it doesn't change the focus. The focus since I got here was turning things around on the pitch. We were obviously on the right lines for that and this has given us a push backwards. The job hasn't changed for me."
Dyche went on to praise his senior players in the dressing room, including club captain Seamus Coleman and fellow defender James Tarkowski, for their response to the punishment.
He continued: "I spoke to the group and said the league table is one thing but the final league table is the truth of the season. It changed the viewpoint but it doesn't change what we're doing.
"In fact it enhances what we're doing, we've got to go harder for longer and stronger. The group have been very good in themselves I must say."
Everton fans are planning to protest at Goodison Park on Sunday (November 26), with the match live on Sky Sports with a 4.30pm kick-off. "They always stay behind the team and it will only enhance that," Dyche added.
Club chiefs made it clear they'd be appealing the verdict of the Prem's independent commission. Jack Harrison was the first player to speak out this week, with his comments similar to those made by Dyche.
He told BBC Sport: "Everyone, I think, is in such a good place mentally and it's generating this feeling of even though we've had 10 points deducted and you can throw that at us, but we're going to come back twice as hard and do everything to come back twice as stronger."
More to follow.
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- Everton FC
- Premier League
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