'It was hard' – Dyche lifts the lid on Everton stint ahead of reunion

Sean Dyche revealed the troubles he experienced during the end of his Everton tenure ahead of a return to Merseyside with Nottingham Forest this weekend. 

Dyche replaced Frank Lampard in January 2023 and steered the club to Premier League survival that season, before going on to work further miracles the following season.  

Everton finished 15th in 2023-24 despite the club being deducted eight points for two separate breaches of financial rules, but he was dismissed at the start of this year. 

Overall, Dyche won 26 of his 84 matches across all competitions and was appointed as Ange Postecoglou's successor at the City Ground back in October. 

And the former Burnley boss has made a strong start to life with Forest, and ahead of a return to Everton, he credited David Moyes for the job he has done since rejoining the club. 

"It was hard. I said openly it was a very hard situation to manage, and I was very proud of what we all did," Dyche said of his time with the Toffees. 

"Not just me as manager, but there were so many people involved in making sure that the club went through a really messy period on and off the pitch.

"The time had probably come [when he got sacked], that's the way it goes. Players were dwindling, the heat was coming, and I thought a change would work, and it has done.

"Moysey [David Moyes], with his history with the club and his know-how of the Premier League, is doing a good job as I thought he would do."

After a turbulent start to their campaign, Forest are now four points clear of the relegation zone but come up against an Everton side that burst into the top 10 in midweek. 

Jack Grealish scored the only goal in the second half as the Toffees beat Bournemouth 1-0 at Vitality Stadium, their first win against the Cherries in the top-flight away from home. 

Everton were deserving of their victory too, registering an expected goals (xG) tally of 1.44 from their 13 shots to Bournemouth's 0.5 from their five attempts. 

"It was an excellent win for us because it has not really been a happy hunting ground for Everton in recent years," Moyes said. 

"Bournemouth have been doing really well this year, so we might have just caught them at the right time. They had a couple of injuries and suspensions, so did we.

"I thought the game was pretty tight, and maybe whoever got the first goal was going to win it. Generally, I'm really pleased we managed to get the three points."

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Everton – Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has either scored (one) or assisted (one) a goal in his last two Premier League home games for Everton.

Only with Blackpool in League One between February and March 2020 has he had a hand in a goal in three consecutive home league appearances.

Nottingham Forest – Igor Jesus

Igor Jesus finally ended his scoring duck in the Premier League against Wolves with his 72nd-minute header, the Brazilian's first in the competition in what was his 13th outing. 

The forward has been in fine form for Forest this season, though. He is the club's top scorer in all competitions with six goals, and he will be keen to make his mark here. 

MATCH PREDICTION: EVERTON WIN

Everton have lost two of their last 11 top-flight games against Forest (W7 D2), though both those defeats have come in home matches (0-1 in January 1999, 0-2 last season).

The Toffees have, however, lost two of their last three Premier League home games (W1), more than they had in their previous 13 (W5 D7 L1).

Their defeats this term have been 0-3 against Tottenham and 1-4 against Newcastle United – only in 1993-94 (three), and 2022-23 (three) have they lost more Premier League home games by 3+ goals.

Forest, meanwhile, are revived under Dyche. They have won three of their last four Premier League games (L1), as many as they had in their previous 18 (D5 L10). 

And following their 2-0 victory in this exact fixture last season, Forest are looking to win consecutive away league games against Everton for the first time. This match will be their 64th visit to the Toffees. 

They are also unbeaten in their three Premier League games kicking off at 3pm on Saturday this season (W1 D2), winning 3-0 at champions Liverpool in their last such match.

OPTA WIN PROBABILITY

Everton – 48.6%

Draw – 25.8%

Nottingham Forest – 25.6%