Former Everton boss Sean Dyche will visit the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time on Saturday afternoon, looking to upset David Moyes on his return to the Toffees.
Sean Dyche spent just under two years at Everton, helping keep the club up in the 2022-23 campaign on the final day of the season, before comfortably navigating the infamous eight-point Premier League deduction just a year later.
A slow first half of the campaign saw him replaced by David Moyes in the new year, a move that has benefited Everton well, and Dyche has since been appointed as Nottingham Forest boss, taking over from beleaguered gaffer Ange Postecoglou.
And having beaten Wolves on Wednesday night to edge the Tricky Trees four points clear of relegation woes, it’s now clear what Dyche’s game plan will be at the Hill Dickinson Stadium.
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Everton surely know what Sean Dyche’s game plan will be for Nottingham Forest on Saturday
Forest appointed Dyche a little over a month ago, and he’s only lost two games in the Premier League in that time.
Taking wins over Wolves, Liverpool and Leeds in the Premier League, Dyche has also done well in the Europa League with two home wins and an away draw – only losing away at Bournemouth and at home to Brighton.
It’s been a solid start from the former Everton gaffer, who was sacked at Goodison Park in January, and the victory at Molineux in midweek was a real indication of how his team will set up.
Sean Dyche should be worried ahead of Saturday’s trip to Merseyside! 😳
An overview of Sean Dyche's Premier League away record against Everton.
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Forest’s best chances came from crosses. Dan Ndoye made a real error by not glancing an Omari Hutchinson cross home in the first half, and he was at fault again when he was stood in an offside position for Igor Jesus’ goal – which again came from a Hutchinson cross, via a corner.
Forest’s eventual winner was once again fashioned from out wide, with Hutchinson again being the provider as his cross was met by Brazilian striker Jesus.
It makes Forest’s away day plans evident, and David Moyes must prepare his side to face the bombardment from the wings.
Everton have benefitted from Sean Dyche’s crossing in the past, their defence will be well drilled
Dyche made a habit of crossing as his main form of attack at Everton.
Dwight McNeil’s deliveries and Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s heading were a key component of their survival campaigns under the former Burnley gaffer.
Even during his nine-year tenure at Turf Moor, McNeil was ideal for his system with current Forest striker Chris Wood being the beneficiary of his wicked inswinging crosses.
Are you confident Everton will take three points against Nottingham Forest? 🤔
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David Moyes does boast strong defenders, with giant star Jake O’Brien likely to be the man to face those whipped deliveries after his stellar performance vs Bournemouth.
James Tarkowski will also know how Dyche’s system operates having spent time under him at Burnley and Everton and he will be vital for Moyes in securing all three points.
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