Sean Dyche has rallied his troops ahead of Everton’s first Premier League game on the back of their 10-point deduction.
The Toffees welcome Manchester United to their turf on Sunday at 4.30pm, with the Goodison Park faithful ready to protest before, during and after the clash.
Renowned as it is for its hostile atmosphere, Erik ten Hag and his squad must be prepared to go up against the anger-fulled, irate home supporters in Merseyside, who will be ready to roar on the Blues and contest every decision that doesn’t go their way.
Dyche said today in his pre-match press conference (via Manchester World): “I’ve always believed the final league table is the truth of the season. I’m not going to change that.
“I’ve told the lads it [the points deduction] changes the viewpoint but it doesn’t change what we’re doing. It enhances what we’re doing. We have to go harder and stronger and longer. They are the rules of football.”
All signs point to a fiery clash
Depending on how the teams around them fare across the weekend, claiming all three points could move Everton out of the relegation zone and for United, close the gap between them and their top-four rivals.
Both managers will be navigating numerous injury concerns; Amadou Onana is confirmed to be out for Everton, while Erik ten Hag is without a plethora of key players.