Everton completed a routine if not laboured 2-0 win over third division Peterborough United to go into the hat for the FA Cup Fourth Round draw. A well-taken goal from Beto just before halftime with an Iliman Ndiaye in time added on wouldn’t normally make the headlines, if it weren’t for the fact that the club had announced three hours and fifteen minutes before kick off that they were sacking manager Sean Dyche.
That the gaffer had to go was without a doubt, given how poor Everton have been in recent weeks. The timing though was quite suspect but the Blues were professional enough to not let that get to them as they were never really bothered by the League One side.
Along with the notification of the sacking, the club had announced that former left back and current Under-18s coach Leighton Baines would take charge of the side tonight, assisted by club captain and his fellow fullback Seamus Coleman.
While Dyche was at Finch Farm earlier this morning, it was not to take charge of the side as he exited the club along with all his assistants. Instead, all the players met at the Titanic Hotel downtown and went directly to Goodison from there.
Speaking before the game, Baines indicated that the team selection had been made by Dyche and he wouldn’t be changing it apart from a couple of tweaks here and there.
After the win, the 40-year-old spoke of his willingness to step into the breach.
“It was a unique day in a lot of ways but a nice moment for myself and Seamus and the players as well.
“It being a winning one is definitely a nice moment. The management side is not something I have been striving for but the opportunity arrived today to help out in the situation where the club needed someone and I was more than happy to help out.
“The outcome of winning a game is always a positive one. The lads get to stay in the draw in a cup competition we are all desperate to stay part of.
“The lads played well you could see the commitment. They wanted to give the stadium and fans something they would enjoy watching. For the most part the performance was positive.”
On how tough it would have been to take a game at such short notice, Baines wasn’t really worried.
“It has not been that difficult. This is what we do. Players play football and coaches coach. It was just a little different today. It is never nice when a manager loses his job but then everyone had to get on with their jobs as well.
“I am not too sure about that [what is next for the club] right now. Things moved so quickly today. I have definitely not had time to think about what comes next.”
On Dyche being sacked, Baines indicated that he had not spoken to the former manager today.
“A manager losing his job isn’t good & normally follows a difficult period, not just a difficult day. But it has been that. But I think within all of that, there has to be hope & optimism that things are changing.
“I haven’t spoke to Sean (Dyche) since.”
The former fullback ruled himself out of the running for the full time job, but did indicate he would do whatever required to help the new appointment.
Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images
On-loan forward Armando Broja went down hard and needed to be stretchered off the pitch with his lower right leg stabilized, but he remained positive on his status.
“Obviously it looked bad. We saw him go off to the other side of the pitch & we weren’t sure if he went to hospital or not. He hasn’t because we don’t know the extent of it but the fact that he hasn’t is a hopefully good sign.”
Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Youssef Chermiti are already out injured, which leaves Beto as the only fit first team striker available, but the Blues also don’t play again until next Wednesday when they host Aston Villa.
