Everton show why change was needed in FA Cup win as life after Sean Dyche begins
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Everton 2-0 Peterborough: Just hours after the sacking of Sean Dyche, interim coaches Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman led the hosts into the fourth-round despite another uninspiring performance. They are not used to cheering the men in the technical area. Not when they were Everton’s unholy trinity of Sean Dyche, Ian Woan and Steve Stone. But the Goodison roar erupted at the announcement of the duo occupying the dugout. It was probably only for one game, but Everton were managed by Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman. They drew the loudest applause of the night: modern-day Goodison greats, instant reminders of better days.
![[Leighton Baines (left) and Seamus Coleman were placed in interim charge after Sean Dyche’s departure]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/09/20/newFile-2.jpg)
And if another may soon join them, with the probable return of David Moyes, this was a seismic day for Everton. Not because of the narrow win over Peterborough that was overseen by the old-timers who, when Moyes left in 2013, were arguably the finest pair of flying full-backs in the Premier League. But because of the departure of Sean Dyche. The real drama occurred in the hours before kick-off away from the pitch. Dyche had arrived in the morning, departed his post. If it was too late for any banners, there were never likely to be any. There were no songs in his honour. He was respected at times, but never loved. His football was increasingly disliked. And so the figure on the touchline was Baines; typically for a laidback individual, he was less demonstrative than Dyche.
![[Beto took his goal with aplomb]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/09/20/newFile-4.jpg)
But it was a memorable occasion for two old Everton full-backs, if not a third. At 39, Ashley Young hoped to face his son, Tyler. But the Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson left a teenage substitute on the bench. A lack of sentimentality can run in one particular family. He was watched by his father, Sir Alex. The former Manchester United manager was on the losing side when Everton won their last trophy and the 30th anniversary of the 1995 FA Cup win falls this May. Now aims have been downgraded. This could have been Goodison’s last FA Cup tie; indeed, it may yet prove to be that. But, under Baines and Coleman, Everton recorded just their fifth victory of the season.
![[Iliman Ndiaye (left) sealed progression from the penalty spot]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/09/22/7379bc4aae8b967eb19c72f360e5b9c1Y29udGVudHNlYXJjaGFwaSwxNzM2NTQ1ODQ3-2.78650953.jpg)
