Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles.
One app.

Start reading

Get all your news in one place.

100’s of premium titles. One news app.

Start reading

Liverpool Echo

Sport

Richard Garnett

Everton next six matches after Leeds United win compared to relegation rivals

Everton Sean Dyche Leeds United Arsenal Thomas Frank Brentford (Person) Tottenham Aston Villa Chelsea Nottingham Forest Christian Atsu

The turnaround under Sean Dyche has been swift, if not spectacular, but Everton are out of the Premier League relegation zone thanks to another 1-0 home win.

It was Leeds United who were put to the sword on Saturday, as Seamus Coleman fired home an outrageous second-half winner, that maintained Dyche's 100% home record after title-chasing Arsenal were dealt a similar fate two weeks earlier on the same pitch.

With six points from his first three matches, the former Burnley boss has already pulled the Toffees out of the bottom-three and can start thinking about trying to push his rejuvenated team further up the table.

But who will Everton need to overcome next as they look to build Goodison Park into a fortress for the second half of the season? Here's a look at their next six matches.

Aston Villa (h) - Saturday, February 25

If Sean Dyche has been grinding out wins at home for Everton, then supporters will be delight to know that the Blues are back at Goodison Park next weekend.

Aston Villa are the visitors, who currently sit seven points ahead of their hosts. But Unai Emery's team have lost their last three matches and with only three wins on the road all season, Sean Dyche will fancy his chances of extending Everton's run of good home form.

Arsenal (a) - Wednesday, March 1

The Sean Dyche era got off to the best possible start with an unexpected 1-0 win against league-leaders Arsenal at Goodison Park two weeks ago - a result that not only dented Arsenal's title hopes but gave the Blues their first Premier League win since October.

But Mikel Arteta's side have the chance to get their own back pretty quickly in the reverse fixture. With only one defeat at home all season, the Gunners will provide formidable opposition and will have extra incentive following their embarrassment on Merseyside.

Nottingham Forest (a) - Sunday, March 5

If Everton are to keep their proud top-flight status intact for another season, then they must pick up points against other relegation candidates. That includes Steve Cooper's Forest side, who seem to have signed more players than won points so far this campaign.

The two-times European Cup winners are currently four points ahead of the Blues and the bulk of their win have come at home, where they have triumphed on five occassions. If this is where Sean Dyche picks up his first Everton away win he will be taking points directly off a key rival.

Brentford (h) - Saturday, March 11

Thomas Frank's Brentford have been one of the surprise packages of the season, spearheaded by England striker Ivan Toney. Currently chasing a European spot, they will arrive at Goodison Park intent on coming away with points.

The two sides drew 1-1 in the capital earlier on in the season, but this is sure to be a real test of just how much a fortress Goodison Park has become under Dyche.

Chelsea (a) - Saturday, March 18

What Everton would do for a bit of Chelsea's money, not that appears to be doing the London club much good right now. With results continuing to go against him, Graham Potter could well be out of a job by the time Everton visit Stamford Bridge, but with the likes of Enzo Fernandez and Joao Felix at their disposal, the Blues can expect a tough afternoon in the capital.

Tottenham (h) - Saturday, April 1

Antoni Conte has got a job on his hands making sure his Spurs side qualify for the Champions League next season, but with Harry Kane to rely on a goal is only ever around the corner. The England captain was on the scoresheet when Tottenham beat Everton 2-0 in North London back in October, but Evertonians will be hoping that the Dyche-effect can produce an altogether different result this time around.

Everton's relegation rivals' next six matches

Nottingham Forest

25/02 West Ham (a)

05/03 Everton (h)

11/03 Tottenham (a)

17/03 Newcastle United (h)

01/04 Wolves (h)

08/04 Aston Villa (a)

Leicester City

19/02 Manchester United (a)

25/02 Arsenal (h)

04/03 Southampton (a)