The on-lookers who predicted Everton would still be fine despite the very severe punishment may have had to reevaluate their thoughts after last weekend’s set of results in the Premier League.
After Luton Town and Bournemouth, the two sides directly above the relegation zone, both won on Saturday, Everton then suffered a bruising defeat despite the atmosphere that was whipped out of pure anger from the locals in response to the Premier League’s decision.
Luton’s win in particular was significant, as it means Everton are now five points adrift of safety, as they sit level on points with bottom-of-the-table Burnley.
Despite looking like the more threatening side, especially in the first half, Everton were undone by Alejandro Garnacho’s piece of pure brilliance to open the scoring, before the Toffees wasted numerous openings to level proceedings.
Some slack defending allowed United in to score twice more in the second half – once from the penalty spot – as the ground quickly went flat with a demoralised Everton then limping to defeat.
Even though the visitors had a penalty to prop theirs up, Everton still had a higher xG than Man United, and that is something that needs addressing quickly.
Dyche’s men have underperformed their xG by 6.6 this season – far and away the biggest margin in the division.
Other than that, Everton have looked rather impressive for large parts of the season, and the defeat to Erik ten Hag’s side was just their third in 10 games, in which time they have won six.
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Without the 10-point deduction, Everton would still be just two points off the top half, and Dyche making the side solid away from home has been the catalyst behind that.
After winning just three away league games in 38, Everton have now won three of their last four, recording fine victories over Brentford, West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
The Everton fanbase are largely delighted with the job Dyche is doing, and the hierarchy agree, as reports that he is set to be offered a new contract have surfaced this week.
