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Sean Dyche passionately defends Harrison Armstrong after 'fantastic' Everton moment
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- Sean Dyche passionately defends Harrison Armstrong after 'fantastic' Everton moment
Everton saw their undefeated start to the Premier League season vanish against Chelsea.
Xabi Alonso's side presented the toughest challenge Everton had faced to that point, and David Moyes' men couldn't pass it, losing 2-0.
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It took a second-half brace from Pedro Neto to ensure all three points would be heading back to Stamford Bridge on Saturday.
As a result, Everton are now two games without a win having drawn 2-2 away at Hull previously.
There was one moment in particular from the defeat at Hill Dickinson Stadium that has raised significant debate.
It revolves around Harrison Armstrong, and Sean Dyche has rushed to the defence of the Everton midfielder following it.
What did Sean Dyche say about Harrison Armstrong's tackle vs Chelsea?
Just 23 minutes into the game between Everton and Chelsea, and the big talking point from it arose.
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Armstrong flew into a tackle on Chelsea's Josh Acheampong, but replays showed that whilst it was a strong challenge, the ball was clearly won.
Referee Paul Tierney didn't see it that way, awarding Chelsea a free-kick and booking Armstrong in the process, despite zero complaints.
VAR didn't believe the tackle was worthy of a red card, and speaking live on talkSPORT on Wednesday, Dyche, like many Evertonians, doesn't even see it as a foul.
"I see Harrison Armstrong deliver a brilliant tackle the other day for Everton, and they were talking about a red card," the ex-Toffees manager said.
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"I'm going 'that is a fantastic tackle' which the whole stadium erupts and goes 'what a tackle that is' to change the feeling of a game and the stimulus of a game."
So, just how good has Armstrong been in the tackling department this season, or is it an area he needs to improve in?
Why Everton and Harrison Armstrong will be fuming with Tony Harrington appointment vs Arsenal How many tackles has Armstrong made this season?
After flirting with first-team relevancy for a few years now, Armstrong finally looks to have cemented a key role in Everton's senior side.
The teenager has started all seven of his Premier League outings this term, and has largely kept summer signing Hayden Hackney out of the side.
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His tackle on Acheampong didn't deserve to be punished, and it does offer proof that this aspect of his game is something he's starting to improve in.
That's because per FotMob , Armstrong ranks just above average for Premier League players in his position for his 10 tackles won this season.
Meanwhile, he places in the bottom 14.5 per cent for his 10 fouls committed, as well as being in the lowest 23.2 per cent with his 41.1 per cent duels won rate.
But if he keeps tackling like that, Armstrong will soon become one of the best and most feared tacklers in the Premier League.
