Everton, without a manager, progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup by securing a 2-0 win over Peterborough from the third division on Thursday.
Earlier that day, the club unexpectedly announced the dismissal of Sean Dyche, just hours before the match. Under-18 coach Leighton Baines and team captain Seamus Coleman were appointed to take temporary charge of the team.
The change in leadership seemed to motivate the players, as Beto and Iliman Ndiaye each found the net, helping the struggling team move forward in the competition.
“It’s always difficult when a manager is let go, but the team had to focus on their performance,” Baines expressed after the game.
Dyche was released from his position with Everton sitting in 16th place in the Premier League, only one point above the relegation zone. This decision came shortly after the Friedkin Group, based in Texas, completed their takeover of the historically successful club, which has won the English league title nine times.
Peterborough’s manager, Darren Ferguson, voiced his surprise at the timing of Dyche’s departure, noting, “We were all taken aback and felt sorry to see him go because he was a genuinely good person. I’ve never experienced a situation like this before on match day.”
Beto opened the scoring for Everton in the 42nd minute at Goodison Park, deftly maneuvering around Peterborough’s goalkeeper Nicholas Bilokapic to score from a tight angle.
Injury concerns arose when Armando Broja seemed to sustain a serious leg injury, which resulted in a lengthy stoppage time, allowing Ndiaye to double the lead in the dying moments of the match, in the 98th minute.
In a notable subplot, Ashley Young participated in the match as a substitute in the second half, while his 18-year-old son, Tyler, an unused substitute for Peterborough, missed the chance to compete against his father in what would have been a significant family affair.
In another match, Fulham delivered a strong performance against Watford, winning 4-1. Raul Jimenez made an impact once again, scoring from the penalty spot for the third time in just two games.
With two penalties converted in a prior match against Ipswich, Jimenez scored to help Fulham regain the lead against Watford, marking his fifth successful penalty kick this season and his fourth goal in three outings.
Fulham initially took the lead through Rodrigo Muniz, but Rocco Vata equalized for Watford before halftime. Following the break, Jimenez restored Fulham’s advantage just four minutes later, with additional goals from Joachim Anderson and Timothy Castagne sealing the victory.
In a different fixture, Cardiff City triumphed over Sheffield United with a narrow 1-0 win. Cian Ashford’s goal in the 19th minute was the only score of the match at Bramall Lane, eliminating Sheffield from the FA Cup.
Sheffield United, currently striving for a swift return to the Premier League, remains third in the Championship with aspirations for promotion, while Cardiff is battling against relegation, sitting just above the last position in the league.
Sheffield endured relegation from the Premier League last season, but with 16 wins from their first 26 games this term, they are vying to secure a spot back in the top tier.
