Sean Dyche enjoyed a standing ovation on his return to Burnley before his in-form Everton side silenced Turf Moor with a 2-0 win which increases the Clarets’ relegation worries at the foot of the Premier League table.
Dyche was back at the ground where he spent the best part of 10 years in charge, twice earning promotion and keeping Burnley in the top flight against the odds before being sacked in April 2022 towards the end of their last, ultimately unsuccessful, battle against the drop.
His Everton side are not that far from the current relegation fight but only as a result of a 10-point penalty for breaching financial rules, and first-half goals from Amadou Onana and Michael Keane made it four straight wins. They may sit 16th, but would be ninth without the penalty.
Keane’s 25th minute goal was his first of the season on his first appearance since October 21. Alongside him was Ben Godfrey, making his first league start of the season in a side hastily reshuffled following late withdrawals.
“I was delighted,” Dyche said. “We’re a side pieced together yesterday morning. We lost Myko (Vitaliy Mykolenko) with a tight groin and because we’ve got injuries and suspensions we can’t risk players so we had to change everything in a morning.
“Their acceptance to go and deliver a performance that can win was very pleasing.”
While Vincent Kompany used his programme notes to welcome Dyche back to Turf Moor, it was notable that the man who sacked him, chairman Alan Pace, did not mention Dyche in his own. But Dyche said he had no issues with his old boss, and he was grateful for the reception he got.
“I saw Alan Pace this morning, in the hotel where we were staying, and said hello,” said Dyche. “Football is a weird business, I didn’t throw my dummy out, I’ve done my bit, done my years at Burnley and I shook his hand and said have a nice season, crack on.
“I met Vinny at the end of last season and told him how impressed I was with his work. Said how he hadn’t lost the fabric of it but changed it to his own liking. We can all moan about everyone and everything but people have a lot on their plate. I just try and take care of mine and get on with it.”
For Burnley it was another damaging defeat that leaves them off the bottom of the table on goal difference alone, with only eight points from 17 games.
Kompany’s side played well before falling behind and improved in the second half but rarely threatened Jordan Pickford’s goal.
“We’ve been done on two set plays,” Kompany said. “There’s not too much to say about the overall defending and attacking play. It was more about both boxes today.”
The big positive for Burnley was the return of Lyle Foster, who was back among the substitutes after a period away dealing with mental health issues, and started the second half for his first appearance since October.
“It was a surprise to us,” Kompany said. “We hadn’t expected that he would be able to return but it was the opinion of the experts that keeping him in his natural environment, football is part of his life, is something he needs to do to be happy.
“Forty-five minutes was roughly what he was able to do physically and the second half showed how much of an impact he can have. But it’s important to say this is part of his process of getting back.”
Let's start our Daily Laugh today. Amorim You still have us Isak has told the club he wants to explore other options. Bryan Mbuemo has picked Mo Salah as his greatest ever Premier League player This Arsenal fan seeing a European trophy for the first time ever... Moments before disaster. lol Please stay tuned on Daily Laugh. There will be more fun tomorrow!(Credit: Justtoonit, originaltrollfootball...
Real Madrid are open to loaning Endrick to another team to avoid hindering his progress but the young striker's priority remains to stay at the Bernabeu to follow in the footsteps of Vinicius Júnior, a source told ESPN Brasil.The club paid Palmeiras €72 million ($84.5m) for Endrick in 2022 when the forward was still 16 in a move similar to those made previously for other Brazilian stars...
England left-back Shaw, 30, is aware of serious interest from Saudi clubs and is ready to listen to offers.Luke Shaw could be on his way out of Old TraffordHe still has two years left on his Old Trafford contract but fears his Red Devils career might be nearing an end.Shaw made just 12 appearances last season after missing the first three months with a prolonged calf problem and is facing limited ...
Alexander Isak is open to the possibility of a move away from Newcastle United this summer, with Liverpool the frontrunners to sign the forward if he becomes available, sources have told ESPN.Newcastle have consistently made clear their reluctance to offload the player, who has been omitted from Eddie Howe's 30-man squad for the club's preseason tour of Singapore and South Korea with the club citi...
Man Utd target Luiz desperate for Premier League returnManchester United target Douglas Luiz is reportedly desperate for a Premier League return as his relationship with Juventus has completely broken down.Newcastle line up Sesko swoop to replace IsakNewcastle United are interested in signing Benjamin Sesko if Alexander Isak leaves the club.Madrid youngster joins StuttgartReal Madrid have sold yet...
Man Utd face setback as Martinez eyes move to Saudi ArabiaAston Villa star Emiliano Martinez is reportedly tempted by a move to Saudi Arabia as Manchester United's efforts to sign him stall.According to Clarin, cited by Sport Witness, the Argentine has received an offer from the Saudi Pro League, and with time passing, a move there is increasingly likely.0This development comes as the Red Devils&#...
Manchester United's head coach Ruben Amorim talks with Alejandro Garnacho during the match vs Ipswich TownWith less than a month to go until the start of the 2025/26 Premier League season, transfer market action for many teams including Manchester United should start to ramp up over the next two to three weeks.Marcus Rashford's protracted move elsewhere has finally been sealed with the England in...
Man Utd learn new price for Sesko after Arsenal drop out of race for talented strikerManchester United have learnt the new price for RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko which is cheaper than expected.United manager Ruben Amorim is pushing for his side to sign a new centre-forward as he does not believe in Rasmus Hojlund or Joshua Zirkzee who were extremely inconsistent in front of goal last season. ...
Arsenal confirm the signing of Cristhian Mosquera from ValenciaArsenal have completed the signing of defender Cristhian Mosquera from Valencia on a five year deal.Mosquera has joined up with his new team-mates in Singapore as Arsenal continue their Asian tour and joins after starting 37 of the 38 league matches for the La Liga side last season. Mosquera had entered the final year of his contract a...
Gibbs-White joins Forest preseason despite having Tottenham move blockedMorgan Gibbs-White has linked up with his Nottingham Forest team-mates in Portugal for preseason despite ongoing transfer drama.The England international who was the subject of a 360M bid from Tottenham earlier this month as Spurs triggered his release clause which in any other circumstance would then move the deal along for b...
- 1 Chelsea Deny Late Move to Hijack Man United Deal for Bryan Mbeumo
- 2 Liverpool ace Diaz agrees personal terms with Bayern Munich
- 3 Man City make move for Jules Kounde
- 4 Enzo Fernandez agrees Real Madrid move
- 5 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 6 Transfer news & rumours LIVE
- 7 Diaz determined to leave for Bayern
- 8 AC Milan Reach Agreement with Brighton for Pervis Estupinan Transfer
- 9 'Man Utd are losing a great player!' - Paul Pogba reacts to Marcus Rashford's 'crazy' imminent transfer to Barcelona
- 10 Former Arsenal star Xhaka to reject Premier League return