After the sacking of Frank Lampard, Everton brought former Burnley manager Sean Dyche to Goodison Park. Dyche’s goal is to keep the Toffees in the Premier League. Will his hard-working brand of football have the desired effect at Goodison?
Toffees in Another Relegation Scrap
Everton survived by the skin of their teeth last season, finishing just four points above 18th in the final standings. Instead of kicking on and learning from their mistakes, the Merseysiders find themselves in a similar position this term. For those who like betting on football, Everton are priced at just 6/5 to be relegated. As for Dyche keeping Everton in the Premier League, you can currently get odds of 4/7.
Everton have spent most of the 2022-23 campaign in the bottom regions of the Premier League table. Lampard was sacked after a 2-0 loss against fellow strugglers West Ham United at the London Stadium in January. Lampard left the Toffees level on points with bottom club Southampton in 19th.
Overall, the former England international guided the club to a mere three wins from 20 Premier League games, drawing six and losing 11 of the other 17. Following Lampard’s departure, Dyche was appointed shortly after.
Can Everton Build Under Dyche?
Dyche’s first game in charge of Everton was just about as tough as it gets, as the Toffees welcomed league leaders Arsenal to Goodison Park. Mikel Arteta’s men are enjoying a memorable Premier League campaign and are favourites to win the title this season.
During his time at Turf Moor, Dyche made the Clarets tough to beat. Their hard-working style may not have been pretty, but Burnley stayed in the Premier League for six seasons.
It’s a simple game for Sean Dyche 🧠 pic.twitter.com/BbprlXyfCE
— ESPN UK (@ESPNUK) February 5, 2023
There was plenty of hard work and endeavour on show against the Gunners, as Everton went back to basics to get the better of in-form Arsenal. In front of a raucous Goodison crowd, a James Tarkowski goal on the hour mark was enough to give the Merseysiders a memorable 1-0 win.
James Tarkowski scores the first @Everton goal of the Sean Dyche era ✨ pic.twitter.com/EJ1wVxlQx2
— Premier League (@premierleague) February 4, 2023
Everton have a lot of work to do in the upcoming months, and they must build on the Arsenal victory. They still face trips to the Emirates Stadium, Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford before the season is out, while there are also several basement battles on the horizon.
On the final day of the 2022-23 Premier League season, Everton take on Bournemouth at Goodison Park, which could still be a vital fixture in the relegation battle. Of course, Everton will be hoping to be safe from the drop well before then.
Dyche knows what it takes to keep teams in the Premier League. Even when he was sacked at Turf Moor last term, the Clarets were still in with a real shout of surviving. Everton’s hard-working mentality under Dyche could be exactly what the club needs after tough times on and off the field. If Dyche gets it right at Goodison, his appointment could turn out to be Everton’s best bit of business for years.