Everton have won three consecutive games in the Premier League, moving them nine points clear of the bottom three.
The Friedkin Group’s decision to replace Sean Dyche with David Moyes has already been vindicated, with Everton no longer in relegation trouble.
It’d take a major debacle to put their Premier League status in jeopardy now, and that’s unlikely to happen as Moyes appears to have found a winning formula.
There’s one key decision that he’s made since joining which has massively contributed to the change in fortunes and it actually exposes Dyche.
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David Moyes exposing Sean Dyche by getting the best out of Jake O’Brien
Everton outlaid £17m on Jake O’Brien’s signature last summer but for whatever reason, Dyche hardly used him and reduced him to just cameo appearances off the bench.
But that’s all changed since Moyes has returned to the club, as he’s now a key fixture of the starting line-up.
O’Brien has looked every inch of the player Everton thought they were signing from Lyon and that’s even whilst playing out of position as a right-back.
Everton fans have been so impressed by O’Brien’s performances and many have been left questioning why Dyche was leaving him out of the side.
It’s certainly proving to be one of Dyche’s biggest mistakes this season.
O’Brien loving Moyes’ methods
O’Brien has been quick to praise Moyes’ methods and it seems the change to a more possession-based approach is much better suited to him.
“It’s been very positive,” the Republic of Ireland international said after Moyes’ first week.
“I think he just wants to start playing more, get a bit more possession. It’s all been positive and there’s not been a whole lot of change because he’s only been here a week, but you can see his ideas in training that he’s trying to implement.”
Pat Nevin believes Everton are more intimidating with O’Brien in the side as his 6ft 6 frame has made them more dominant in both boxes.
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