DYCHE READY TO PROVIDE SUPPORTERS WITH CHEER

SEAN Dyche is relishing the prospect of his first home Merseyside derby as Everton boss as the Toffees aim for another Goodison Park victory to take them closer to safety.

After going winless in 13 Premier League matches, Everton have triumphed in two of their last three, both at home, against fellow strugglers Burnley (1-0) on April 6 and Nottingham Forest (2-0) on Sunday. That has left them five points clear of the relegation zone in 16th place with five games remaining, one more than the three teams directly below them: Forest, who like Everton are appealing against a points deduction, Luton and Burnley.

And the next two are also at home, against title-chasing Liverpool tonight, then 15th-placed Brentford on Saturday.

Dyche told a press conference ahead of the clash, with Everton seeking a first derby win since 2021 and first at Goodison since 2010: “The away game is different, because obviously the feel in the stadium. “A home game - I’m well aware of all the records that people keep telling me - I’m looking forward to it. I didn’t grow up here, so I won’t have that depth of understanding - what I do understand is how important it is to be Everton’s manager, that’s for sure, in all games, and particularly this one, for obvious reasons.”

The 52-year-old, who has overseen two 2-0 losses at Liverpool since taking charge at Everton in January 2023, added: “The wins (against Burnley and Forest) were important, for different reasons - changing the story, the narrative, also the physical side of it, getting points on the table. “Two good wins, two clean sheets at home. We want to continue that form, whoever it’s against - and it just happens this one is against Liverpool.”

As well as a first for Dyche, Wednesday’s contest will be a final Merseyside derby for Jurgen Klopp before he steps down as Reds boss this summer.

Dyche said of the German: “Massive respect for him, for what he has done there.”