Dyche kept Everton in good form in his first season, albeit with a win against Bournemouth on the final day, and then repeated it more comfortably last season, despite breaching profit and sustainability regulations. Given that history would be kinder and more respectful to Dish than the present (PSR)), this would be a deduction of 8 points.
And Dyche will always have fond memories of the 2-0 win over Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool at Goodison Park in April. This performance temporarily freed Everton from the icy clutches of the disastrous cycle that had engulfed them for years, and at the same time destroyed the arch-rival’s bid for the Premier League title.
However, Everton have been in decline this season, and the damage began to show on August 31, when they led 2-0 at home to Bournemouth but lost 3-2 with four minutes remaining in regulation time.
Everton also lost 3-2 to Aston Villa, losing a 2-0 advantage. And the unfortunate statistics piled up like rubble around Dyche’s team, ultimately leading to his death.
This season, they were scoreless in 11 of 19 league games. There have only been three seasons in the club’s history with so many games and fewer goals. Like Bournemouth, he had zero shots on target in the 0-0 draw against Arsenal in December.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s goal supply has long dried up, with speculation rife over his future as his contract expires at the end of this season. Beto had a very unsuccessful bid to sign a contract believed to be worth up to £30 million from Udinese, while Armando Broja, on loan from Chelsea, was barely fit.
Over the past 10 games, Wolves defender Craig Dawson has become Everton’s top scorer, scoring two own goals in a rare 4-0 win at Goodison Park.
As the season progressed, Dyche’s Everton seemed to have forgotten not only how to score goals, but also how to create chances.
Everton fans, already seething with rebellion, were rubbed noses by their Bournemouth opponents at the Vitality Stadium last Saturday and were taunted with chants of “How do we watch this every week?”
Dyche has become increasingly ‘dinosaur’ as the fan base rages over a disastrous offer, with only former Burnley winger Dwight McNeil (pre-injury) and summer signing Iliman Ndiaye showing any real talent. The company was criticized for its poor management.
Former Everton midfielder and pundit Leon Osman told BBC 5 Live Sport’s Monday Night Club: “It’s not easy to commentate on their games because it doesn’t happen very often.
“I think the team lacks quality, but everyone will say that we should still create chances and score goals. It’s a tough game.”
