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An unsurprisingly disjointed Everton laboured past League One Peterborough and into the FA Cup fourth round with a 2-0 win barely three hours after sacking Sean Dyche.
Dyche prepared and picked the team but was not in the home dugout after days of discussions over his exit came to a head when his sacking was announced just after 4.30pm on Thursday.
Club legends Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman took the reins and watched a familiar story unfold in front of them, with a Jarred Branthwaite block needed to deny Cian Hayes a potential opener after a corner was allowed to bounce in the home box.
Everton remained unable to unlock League One’s leakiest defence until the 42nd minute, when Beto beat the offside trap to latch onto Harrison Armstrong’s excellent pass and round Nicholas Bilokapic and slot into an empty net.
Armando Broja is stretchered off during the FA Cup third-round tie against Peterborough
Things were barely more fluid after half-time with Armstrong one of few to shine, and the hosts’ tough day took another blow as second-half substitute Armando Broja’s wretched run of fitness continued when he was forced off 20 minutes after coming on.
The Chelsea loanee was stretchered off with what appeared a serious ankle injury, though it was decided not to take him to hospital. He had already been restricted to only six appearances in his first half a season on Merseyside.
There was something to bring the mood back up for the home side in added time, as Iliman Ndiaye slotted home their second from the penalty spot after Branthwaite had been brought down in the box and ensured Everton will feature in Sunday’s fourth-round draw.
Baines: Difficult day – but I enjoyed it
Everton joint-interim manager Leighton Baines:
“It’s been a difficult day but I actually enjoyed it. The players’ application was brilliant. We spoke to them before the game – losing managers and coaches isn’t what anyone wants.
“A manager losing his job is never good and it normally follows a difficult period. But within all of that, there’s got to be hope and optimism. It’s something we’ve spoken about today, things are changing; the football club, ownership, the stadium and things being talked about.
“The manager’s had to leave, it’s not what anyone wants but there’ll be a new one coming in and that brings opportunity.”
Leighton Baines and Seamus Coleman took charge of Everton for the FA Cup win over Peterborough
Will you be in charge for Villa? “I don’t know, honestly. It’s been a mad day. I’m happy to help in whatever way I can, but I’m not putting myself forward for the job.”
How would you feel if David Moyes came back? “I don’t know, I don’t want to get dragged into the discussion about who the right man is. What I can do is speak about David because I played for him, he’s a good coach to play for and a good man.”
On Armando Broja… “It looked bad but I’ve not seen loads. He hasn’t gone to hospital because hopefully it’s not as bad as we thought it might be, it’s a lower-leg injury but he hasn’t been taken to hospital.”
Ferguson: One of their players had a bit of a pop at me
Ashley Young and his son Tyler at Goodison at full time
Peterborough manager Darren Ferguson:
“I asked the players to do themselves justice and they did that. There were two big moments at 0-0 where we had chances.
“I was proved right that the moment you feel comfortable in the game is the worry. It was our best moment when they scored, and that had a direct impact because you could feel the atmosphere was about to turn. I thought if we could get to half-time and start the second half well, it could’ve turned.
“The second chance [from the corner], these are big moments for us. The game wasn’t over until the last minute. We had a reluctance at times to put the ball in the box, I’m disappointed to go out but not with the performance.
“The managerial change didn’t affect our preparations. Sean was here this morning, I’ve never had this happen before, I don’t think anyone has. The timing of it surprised everyone.”
On not bringing on Tyler Young to face his father Ashley: “It was very difficult but I’ve got to do what’s best for the team. It was 1-0, I have to get a forward on.
“We’re not a charity case. One of Everton’s players had a bit of a pop at me, which is bang out of order. It was just small things, but it’s not for me.”
What’s coming up?
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