Everton debate: Has Sean Dyche Burnley sacking helped or hindered Everton's survival chances?

Frank Lampard was right to say Everton haven't been 'let off the hook' by Burnley sacking Sean Dyche. His axing may have been harsh given the incredible job he has done across 10 years but there's no getting away from the fact that the Clarets' form has been awful. Yes, they did beat the Blues when the two teams met at Turf Moor earlier this month, but Lampard must still be scratching his head about how his side did not pick up three points that night against a poor as Burnley side I've seen in years. Sure enough, they then reverted to type by losing their next match at Norwich City.

But we have already seen an uplift in their 1-1 draw at West Ham United last time out and reports seem to suggest that while there was shock in the Clarets' dressing room following Dyche's departure, there was also a feeling that a fresh voice was needed. They've not got that exactly yet, with a temporary management team having been put in place, but there is no doubt there will be a spring in Burnley's step when they go into the first of two home games in the space of four days when they welcome Southampton to East Lancashire on Thursday evening.

As buoyant and as badly needed as Everton's victory over Manchester United was, one look at their fixture list compared to the Clarets' suggests there is work to be done yet, starting at home to Leicester City tonight. The Blues are far from safe but Lampard was also right to say their destiny is in their own hands. But he will also know Burnley are not dead and buried yet and their gamble in getting rid of Dyche could give them fresh impetus.

It’s hard to recall a moment as jaw-dropping as Sean Dyche being sacked by Burnley. When the news broke on Friday, it was hard to believe it was