Everton boss Sean Dyche defended his players after their 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace.

On a night when Roy Hodgson was replaced by Oliver Glasner as Palace manager, the visitors took the lead through Jordan Ayew before Everton fought back for the draw via Amadou Onana.

Dyche later said: "First half, to be fair to the players, they've got a new manager sitting in the stands, we all know how that often works so fair play to Palace, they had that sharpness and a bit of edge about them.

"Second half, they found a great goal out of a nothing moment and we responded very well to that. We were on the front foot, asking questions, creating chances in general play.

"We looked a threat from set piece, which we finally scored from and I thought second half was a much better display.

"Sometimes it's a mentality, the hardest fight to win is the one that everyone thinks you should. We've got to grow with that.

"In my short time here and some of the players have been here a long time, the crowd do expect a lot but you've got to row towards that and there were signs in the second half that we did.

"It was 'let's be braver in possession, ask more questions of the opposition'. We let in a bad goal from our point of view, goal from theirs, a clean strike but there was a lot of good in that second half.

"Our mentality has been key the last few weeks and will be going forward."

On Dominic Calvert-Lewin's chances, he added: "He's working hard at his game, he's getting stronger by the week in key areas. That's all I want to do is see him in key areas because the hardest thing to do is put it in the net.

"He's delivering strong performances. First half wasn't right but the second half was much more what we should be."