Everton were back in action on Thursday night with a narrow victory over League One outfit Peterborough United.
A spot in the fourth round of the FA Cup awaits Everton, but who will be their manager for the game in February is unknown.
The Friedkin Group sacked Sean Dyche on Thursday with results failing to pick up since their arrival last month.
David Moyes is the leading candidate at Everton with the former manager having already held talks with the new owners on Merseyside.
Playing under Leighton Baines, there were a number of players picking up some minutes in an Everton shirt for the first time in a while.
One of them was Jake O’Brien and he shared his thoughts after the game.
Jake O’Brien shares Everton message after Sean Dyche sacking
The Friedkins overruled Dyche’s decision to offload O’Brien this month despite his lack of minutes in the starting XI.
It has been a real disappointment of a season for the Ireland international, who has not enjoyed much football since moving from Lyon.
However, the 23-year-old was able to rack up 90 minutes on Thursday evening and he took to Instagram after the game to share his delight.
‘Great to be back out there this evening,’ he said through his social media channels.
O’Brien has received significant interest from France ahead of this month’s window, but he seems keen to make an impression on Merseyside.
And with a new manager set to take charge, this could be the fresh start which he will have been hoping for.
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Jake O’Brien impressed in Everton back three
It was a slightly different shape from the Toffees on Thursday night with O’Brien featuring in a three-man backline.
The Irishman performed well under Leighton Baines who’s ruled himself out as Dyche’s replacement.
But his system was one which looked to accommodate O’Brien well alongside Jarrad Branthwaite and Michael Keane.
- 90 minutes played
- 3 clearances
- 1 blocked shot
- 1/1 aerial duels
- 94 tocuhes
- 87% pass accuracy
Hiring Moyes could be a big boost for O’Brien with the defender clearly delighted to have been handed an opportunity on Thursday.
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