Everton progressed to the fourth round of the FA Cup with a narrow victory over League One side Peterborough United, marking a turbulent day for the club. The match came shortly after the announcement of manager Sean Dyche’s dismissal, a decision made by the club’s new owners, the Friedkin Group. Dyche had reportedly expressed his belief that he had taken the team as far as he could, and the performance on the pitch seemed to underline his point.
Leighton Baines, the head coach of Everton’s Under-18s, and club captain Séamus Coleman stepped in as caretaker managers for the match, following Dyche’s departure just hours before kickoff. Despite the upheaval, Everton managed to secure a 2-0 win, with goals from Beto and Iliman Ndiaye coming at crucial moments.
Peterborough United, led by Darren Ferguson, put up a spirited fight, creating several opportunities in the first half. Everton’s defense had to rely on key interventions, including a crucial block from Jarrad Branthwaite to deny Cian Hayes after a threatening counterattack. However, Peterborough struggled to convert their chances into goals, allowing Everton to maintain control for much of the game.
The home side’s attacking efforts were led by 17-year-old Harrison Armstrong, who impressed with his creativity and composure. His defense-splitting pass set up Beto’s opener late in the first half. The forward capitalized on the opportunity, rounding the goalkeeper and finishing into an empty net.
The match also saw the introduction of veteran Ashley Young, who had hoped to face his son, Tyler, a substitute for Peterborough. However, Ferguson prioritized tactical changes to chase an equalizer, preventing the family showdown from materializing. Young later expressed his disappointment at missing the chance to play against his son, but Ferguson defended his decisions, emphasizing the need to focus on his team’s performance.
Everton’s second goal came in stoppage time, when they were awarded a penalty for a foul on Branthwaite during a corner. Ndiaye stepped up confidently to convert the spot-kick, sealing the victory and extinguishing Peterborough’s hopes of forcing extra time.
The match was not without further setbacks for Everton, as substitute Armando Broja was carried off on a stretcher after a collision. While the extent of his injury remains unclear, it added to the club’s challenges on a day already marked by significant change and uncertainty.
The result provides some respite for Everton as they navigate a period of transition under new ownership. However, the performance highlighted ongoing issues with creativity and consistency that the incoming manager will need to address. As the club looks ahead to appointing its ninth permanent manager in nine years, the task of stabilizing and revitalizing the team remains a daunting one.
