It’s high five for Dyche but club is still in chaos
THE chaos continues off the pitch but Everton continue to bring the calm on it at least.
The Toffees finished their home campaign with five wins on the bounce and the same number of clean sheets, the latter a record at Goodison Park.
Abdoulaye Doucoure got the only goal of a game shy of action, with Sheffield United suffering their 27th defeat of a miserable single campaign back in the top flight.
But Everton boss Sean Dyche (below) admits it is “very likely” Everton will have to sell players this summer amid the uncertainty over their ownership.
A bid by 777 Partners to buy the Blues is on the brink of collapse as they battle their own financial problems.
If the Miami-based business can’t complete a takeover – or are not allowed to by the Premier League – then another buyer needs to be found.
The Toffees boss also warned that beating relegation will be the aim for next season.
No matter what happens, Dyche admitted key men may need to go to balance the books.
Dyche hailed striker Dominic Calvert-lewin after he inspired the Toffees with smart play to create Doucoure’s winner.
He said: “I thought he was good, he put a lot of effort into the game. We utilised him well.
“A bit of really clever play set up the goal.”
The alreadyrelegated Blades barely put up a fight.
That goal was the 101st they have conceded in the league this season – a Premier League record for 38 games.
Manager Chris Wilder said: “It isn’t a broken football club, it’s a connected football club that had a bad season.”
Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford did have some work to do before the break in his bid for a 13th clean sheet.
The England No.1 denied Cameron Archer when he raced through and then pushed away a poor effort from Andre Brooks. Dyche claimed he would be “juggling dust” this summer if nobody takes over from owner Farhad Moshiri.
But the fact the Blues boss and his players ensured their season didn’t turn to such a substance with all the noise off the pitch is a remarkable achievement.
EVERTON: Pickford 7; Coleman 7, Tarkowski 7, Branthwaite 8, Young 7; Garner 7, Gueye 7, Onana 6, Mcneil 6 (Gomes 69, 6; Warrington 90, 6); Doucoure 7 (Dobbin 69, 6); Calvertlewin 8 (Chermiti 79, 6).
SHEFF UTD: Foderingham 6; Bogle 6, Souza 6, Trusty 6, Robinson 6, Larouci 5 (Lowe 55, 6); Hamer 6, Arblaster 5 (Curtis 63, 6), Brooks 6 (Slimane 55, 6); Archer 5 (Brewster 81, 6), Brereton Diaz 5.
MAN OF THE MATCH: DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN– Held ball up well, created chances and the goal.
REF: S Attwell ATT: 39,221