Hours after manager Sean Dyche was sacked, Everton beat League One strugglers Peterborough 2-0 at Goodison Park to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup, but it was unconvincing.
Although Beto scored the opening goal and Iliman Ndiay’s penalty in the 98th minute ensured victory, Diche’s departure was the talk of the night, but it was announced early on Thursday after team training.
Former captain Leighton Baines (now in charge of the Under-18s) and current captain Seamus Coleman are in charge of the team that will face Darren Ferguson’s side, with the Toffees boss quickly making new decisions. He was keen to appoint a director.
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“I realized it today, like everyone else,” Baynes told the BBC before the match. “The starting eleven we learned today was pre-selected. We have made small adjustments in that which we think will help.
“It’s a little different, but it’s football. This is what we do, the players know how to play football and I’ve been coaching long enough. My message to the players is ‘Goodison Park “Produce a bright and dynamic performance that is appropriate for the event.”
Coleman and Baines have made a total of 476 appearances for Everton, and both were signed during the period when front-runner David Moyes was enjoying success at the club.
Harrison Armstrong, a 17-year-old winger, was given a starting spot and was arguably Everton’s best player.
Regarding Armstrong’s starting role, Baynes added: He’s been active in and out of the first team, he came on at half-time at Bournemouth and tonight is a good opportunity for him to showcase himself. ”
The BBC reports that Everton players expected to arrive for a team meeting with Sean Dyche in the afternoon, but instead were told they had been sacked. Co-commentator Martin Keown said the situation was one of the strangest he had ever seen.
The Toffees team was selected by Dyche and prepared by Baines and Coleman with “small internal adjustments that we thought would be helpful”.
It was a very strange night at Goodison Park, and commentator Steve Bower seemed to want viewers to feel uneasy as well. It was a little weird the way he spoke and telling the players, “Don’t let the news confuse you,” but obviously it wasn’t ideal preparation for the players.
Bower and Keown’s surprise at how quickly the kit men were able to get tracksuits with the initials ‘LB’ and ‘SC’ on them was the highlight of the first half for me, even more than Beto’s goal.
Keown also said Michael Keane was better suited to being able to “pull the strings” in the middle of the back three, which was interesting.
Peterborough’s first chance came 11 minutes before the break. Ricky Jade-Jones, who Ferguson says is the fastest player he has ever coached, was unable to capitalize on the counter-attack but won the first corner.
They came close to scoring from a corner kick. This shot was very poor and somehow found its way to Sian Hayes. Twice his shot appeared to be deflected but could not beat Joao Virginia in the Toffees goal.
Everton took the lead three minutes before half-time when Beto scored from Armstrong’s accurate through ball.
Beto scored his eighth goal for the club, firing past Peterborough goalkeeper Nicolas Birokapic.
After half-time, Bower and Keown were able to dig deeper into the situation at Goodison Park. “The Friedkin Group is keen to quickly appoint someone with Premier League experience,” Bower said.
Asked if Moyes was the blatantly obvious choice that Everton’s owners are eyeing, Keown replied: “Yes. he is full of ambition. He had a very good life there for 10 years and then moved to Manchester United. He played for West Ham twice and look at what he achieved there and what has happened to them (Everton) since he left.
“It seems like a natural fit. Only time will tell if it happens. A number of people are said to be involved in the job, but Moyes, perhaps two on the bench. (Coleman and Baines) that they are coaching coaches. They have both signed Moyes – and he has done so in the past, as well as Phil Neville. He wants that dedication and wants to stay in touch.
“They need a quick fix. There’s a lot of work to do to get them going again.”
Armstrong increasingly participated in matches and became Everton’s best player. He was sent off in the 68th minute along with goalscorer Beto.
When Ashley Young took the field, his son was seen warming up right away. Tyler didn’t show up though. Ferguson, with his own father watching in the stands, denied us any history. If he had brought young Young with him, it would have been the first time in FA Cup history that a father and son were on opposing teams.
The situation became even more dire when substitute Armando Broja suffered another ankle injury. He collapsed for good while Peterborough were trying to break through the Toffees defence, and remained there for some time before being carried off on a stretcher.
The Albanian player had just returned from a long spell and left the pitch to head to hospital and looked in real pain. Typical.
Keown said in commentary: “Armando Broja is very unlucky with injuries.
“He’s had an ACL before and was out for a long time. It’s been injury after injury since he came to Everton.
“He’s not doing very well. He’s got a serious ankle injury. They’re giving him oxygen.”
Jader Katongo awarded a penalty in stoppage time and Iliman Ndiaye equalized by sending Birokapic the wrong way.
In Thursday night’s other FA Cup matches, Cardiff City beat Sheffield United 1-0, while Fulham beat Watford 4-1 in the Marco Silva derby.
After Rodrigo Muñoz’s opening goal, Watford equalized with Celtic loanee Rocco Vata’s absolute goal from long range.
Raul Jimenez gave Fulham their second lead of the night with a penalty, and his third spot-kick in two games.
There was no doubt that Joachim Andersen would score his third goal soon after, and that Timothy Castagne would equalize.
Cian Ashford’s 19th-minute strike saw Cardiff beat Sheffield United, 20 places above them, in the Championship, becoming the first team in the fourth round.
