Tactical aficionados could write a dissertation about the contrast of strategies in this compelling 90 minutes.
Dyche and De Zerbi may favour different chapters in the Uefa coaching manual, but when their teams meet there is much to admire in every detail.
Brighton were full of their usual midfield embroidery, interchanging positions ensuring they retained possession and demanded full concentration from their opponent.
The possession stats edged towards a Premier League record at one point – 80 per cent – but that only underlined how often it serves to judge a game with eyes rather than spreadsheets. De Zerbi acknowledged his side lacked the cutting edge to turn territorial advantage into chances.
“I am happy with the point. I am proud of the performance but we are not in the best moment,” he said, pointing to a number of absentees.
Everton impressively closed the spaces, allowing Brighton control in areas where they could inflict minimum damage before pouncing when increased physicality was required.
When Brighton toiled to locate the final pass, Everton’s tireless wide men turned defence into attack as Dominic Calvert-Lewin surely gave Lewis Dunk his most uncomfortable afternoon of the season.
The first 84 minutes was summed up with Brighton having most of the ball, Everton having the better chances and a goal.
Vitalii Mykolenko struck after two attempts, the goal beating keeper Bart Verbruggen on seven minutes courtesy of Dunk’s deflection.