Sean Dyche thinks his Everton side have been put at an even bigger disadvantage ahead of facing Manchester City.
It’s been a turbulent season so far for Everton, whose early positive form on the pitch was destroyed by a 10-point deduction.
The Toffees were found to have breached profitability and sustainability rules relating to losses and instead of sitting in 12th place they find themselves back in the relegation zone.
With the possibility of a further deduction hanging over their heads, it’s not looking great for Everton and they have to contend with facing an in-form City on Saturday.
Sean Dyche thinks his side have another disadvantage
To make matters worse, Everton will play the game without manager Dyche in the dug out.
The 52-year-old picked up his third booking of the season during his side’s 2-2 draw with Tottenham Hotspur last weekend and will now serve a one-match touchline suspension.
“It’s not the same as being down there at pitch level – I like being at pitch level and that connection with the team,” Dyche said in his pre-match press conference.
“You just work with your staff more closely, earpiece and all that. But it’s just one of those things. What’s done is done.”
Will Man City’s good form continue?
Though there weren’t many defeats, City were struggling to string together a long run of wins in the first half of the season.
But Pep Guardiola’s side are, once again, starting to find their consistency at the perfect time.
Since claiming the Club World Cup in December, City have won all seven of their domestic matches and are gaining ground on Liverpool at the top of the pile.
City are just two points behind now and, while Liverpool have lost several important players to injury, the Blues have recently welcomed Kevin De Bruyne and Erling Haaland back to the fold.
Everton haven’t lost in their last three league matches but they haven’t won either. There was a spirited draw with Spurs last week but City should have more than enough to blow them out of the water.
