It’s often said that ‘all roads lead to Rome’ and while, for now at least, that remains the case for Everton’s new owners The Friedkin Group, for Sean Dyche, pivotal moments keep going back to Bournemouth. When the Blues’ Premier League status was on the line on the final day of the season for the third time on May 28, 2023, and Abdoulaye Doucoure’s 57th minute strike ensured the club avoided a first relegation in 72 years by a single goal on a day Dyche was without a recognised striker or full-backs, the Cherries were the opposition at Goodison Park. The same went for October 7 the same year, when having gifted Luton Town a first top flight victory in over 31 years the previous weekend, Everton secured their first home Premier League win of the season in emphatic fashion as a 3-0 success included first goals in the competition for the Blues from both James Garner and – spectacularly – Jack Harrison .
However, there has also been the rough with the smooth. Friedkin Group could take Everton transfer chance on next Ross Barkley Later in the same campaign, substitute Beto thought he’s snatched a precious point for Everton on March 30, 2024, only for captain Seamus Coleman to inexplicably deflect the ball into his own net in stoppage time to bring a 2-1 defeat. Even if the striker’s goal had not been in vain, the Blues were returning from Dorset with the unwanted record of not winning a Premier League fixture between Christmas and Easter.
And then of course we.