Everton Avoid Relegation this Season

Everton have started the 2024/25 Premier League season without a win in their opening four games. It has been a disastrous start for them, and it looks like it will be another season battling relegation, like it has been for the last number of seasons. Everton’s big problem at the start of this season is keeping the ball out of the net. They have conceded 13 goals in the opening 4 games, conceding 3 goals against Brighton, Bournemouth and Aston Villa and conceding 4 goals versus Tottenham Hotspur. The players are low on confidence, losing on penalties to relegation rivals Southampton in the 3rd round of the league cup. Everton took the lead just like they did in the league versus Bournemouth and Aston Villa, but once again couldn’t see out the victory. Ashley Young missed the vital penalty, with the Merseyside club losing the shootout 5-6 at Goodison Park. Let’s take a look at Everton’s early season struggles as well as Sean Dyche’s style of play.

Everton's Challenges

Everton started the season with 2 straight defeats, conceding 7 goals and failing to score. Their season began at home to Brighton, losing 3-0 with goals from Mitoma, Welbeck and Adingra. This was followed by a 4-0 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. Everton went into the Bournemouth game needing a win to boost their confidence and led 2-0 heading into the 87th minute. Bournemouth scored in the 87th, 92nd and 96th minute to turn the game completely on its head and crush Everton’s confidence even more heading into the international break. The break probably came at the worst time for Everton, as they had to stew over losing that 2 goal lead for what would of felt like 2 long, excruciating weeks. They returned to league action with a very difficult trip to Villa Park to take on Aston Villa. History repeated itself as Everton led 2-0 after 27 minutes through goals from Dwight McNeil and Dominic Calvert Lewin. They conceded in the 36th, 58th and 76th minute to once again lose a 2 goal lead and lose 3-2. Everton take on newly promoted Leicester City away from home this weekend and will know the importance of a win. The pressure will be on and the players will be low on confidence. They need a spark to ignite their season.

Dyche’s Style of Play

In the modern game, we see the vast majority of teams play expansive football, with a major emphasis on pressing high and playing out from the back. The Premier League is full of teams that play this way, partly down to the influence of Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. Sean Dyche does not play this style of football. Dyche said about his style of play back in April, “I like direct football, when you talk about playing direct football, people presuppose you mean kicking the ball down the pitch. It doesn't mean that at all. How many times can you turn and play forwards?” Dyche’s style is known for being old fashioned, with direct football combined with a strong defensive shape that is difficult to break down. At the moment this style is not working. Everton are conceding too many goals, which is not something you would associate with a Sean Dyche team. They are missing centre half Jarred Branthwaite through injury, but whether he can turn their fortunes remains to be seen. It would seem that Dyche’s football has been figured out. Each team would have a group of analysts whose job it is to review games, and if you’re reviewing Everton games, nothing is going to surprise you, as Dyche never changes his tactics.

There is nothing wrong with playing direct football but it seems this way is being left behind. Newly promoted teams are coming into the Premier League like Burnley last season and Southampton this season and playing open, expansive football, playing out from the back, often to their own hinderance, but they still play it as this is the way football has gone. There is the potential for new ownership at Everton, which makes you wonder of Dyche’s future at the club, with potential owner John Textor wanting a different brand of football. At the moment it is looking like another difficult and turbulent season on and off the pitch for Everton. Can they stave off relegation once again? I have my doubts.