Dyche admits he signed up for pressure of Everton’s final-day relegation decider

Sean Dyche has said he had no illusions about the magnitude of the task at Everton and would have taken a final-day decider to save the club’s Premier League status when replacing Frank Lampard in January.

Dyche’s team must beat Bournemouth at Goodison Park on Sunday to guarantee survival and avoid a relegation that could place the club’s future in financial jeopardy. Everton were second from bottom with 15 points from 20 games when Dyche arrived, although only three points off 14th place. They have collected 18 points from 17 Premier League games since, improving their points-per-game ratio from 0.75 under Lampard to 1.06 under Dyche, and the manager admits he would have signed up for the pressure – and potential reward – of Sunday when taking the job.

“Yes, I would,” he said. “It’s easy to forget. I came here and they were three points inside the relegation zone [it was two points]. Now we are two points out of it. Five points [four points] doesn’t sound a lot but when you factor in all the injuries that we have had and what has gone on, you would have taken it. Many people were saying then that we were done. We have shifted considerably but the biggest measure is the end of the season.”

Everton Points 33 Goal difference -24 Goals scored 33 Bournemouth, homeA win guarantees survival. A draw will be enough if Leicester fail to win and Leeds do not win by at least three goals. A defeat will suffice if Leicester and Leeds fail to win. 

Leicester Points 31 Goal difference -18 Goals scored 49West Ham, homeNeed a victory to have hope of avoiding relegation. That will suffice if Everton draw or lose. 

Leeds Points 31 Goal difference -27 Goals scored 47Tottenham, homeMust win to have a chance of staying up. If Leicester then