History will be kinder to Dyche and give him more respect than the present, given that he kept Everton ahead for the first season, albeit with a final-day victory over Bournemouth, and then repeated it more confidently last season despite breaches of profit and loss rules sustainable development (PSR), which results in the deduction of eight points.
Dyche will always remember the brilliant 2-0 win over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Goodison Park in April. A performance that briefly freed Everton from the icy grip of the cycle of misfortune that had surrounded them for years, while simultaneously ruining their arc. -the offer of rivals for the Premier League title.
However, Everton declined this season and the damage began to be done on August 31 when they lost 3-2 at home to Bournemouth after leading 2-0 with four minutes left in regular time.
Everton also blew a 2-0 advantage, beating Aston Villa 3-2, and unflattering statistics piled up around Dyche’s team, leading to his eventual death.
This season they have failed to score in 11 of 19 league matches. There have only been three seasons in the club’s history in which he scored fewer goals after so many matches. As in the case of Bournemouth, they did not have a shot on target in the 0-0 draw with Arsenal in December.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goals have long since ceased to exist and speculation has swirled around him about his future once his contract expires this season. Beto performed very poorly on a contract from Udinese worth up to £30m, while Chelsea loanee Armando Broja was barely fit.
Wolves defender Craig Dawson has been Everton’s top scorer in the last 10 games, scoring two own goals in a rare 4-0 victory at Goodison Park.
As the season progressed, Everton Dyche not only looked like he had forgotten how to score goals, but also how to create chances.
Last Saturday, Everton fans, already seething with rebellion, rubbed their noses at their Bournemouth counterparts at the Vitality Stadium, chanting at them: “How do you watch this every week?”
Dyche was increasingly accused of ‘dinosaur management’ as fan anger grew over a paltry deal, with only former Burnley winger Dwight McNeil – before he was injured – and summer signing Iliman Ndiaye showing any real talent.
Former Everton midfielder and pundit Leon Osman told BBC 5 Live Sport Monday Night Club: “It’s not easy to comment on their games because there’s not much going on.
“I think there is a lack of quality in the team, but everyone will tell you that you should continue to create chances and score goals. It’s a difficult match.”
