What did Everton’s first ever starting XI look like under Sean Dyche and where are they now?

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It’s almost two years since Sean Dyche took over as Everton manager.

Replacing Frank Lampard at the start of 2023, it’s been a busy period for the Burnley boss, who has guided to the Toffees to Premier League survival on two occasions.

It looks as if history will repeat itself, with the Blues once again embroiled in a relegation battle in the final season at Goodison Park.

Dyche’s future is also a talking point, with incoming owners The Friedkin Group reportedly keen on making a change in personnel on the management front.

To celebrate the 53-year-old closing in on his three years in charge on Merseyside, we’re taking a look at the first starting XI he picked as the Toffees beat Arsenal 1-0 on 4 February 2023.

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Everton 1-0 Arsenal, 4 February 2023

With very little time between Dyche’s appointment in charge and his first game in charge, little was done to disrupt the balance of the team.

For the most part, the XI that started the 1-0 win are actually still at the club, all for a few exceptions.

Lining up in the traditional 4-2-3-1 formation, the trio of Conor Coady, James Tarkowksi and Seamus Coleman provided a wealth of experience at the back.

The younger legs of Amadou Onana and Idrissa Gana Gueye were there to act as another barrier in front of the defence, while a three of Abdoulaye Doucoure, Dwight McNeil and former Arsenal academy product Alex Iwobi were just behind Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Tarkowski’s header would be the difference between the two teams on the day as the towering centre-back rose highest to prod home past Aaron Ramsdale and severely dent Arsenal’s title hopes.

Where are the Everton starting XI that featured in Sean Dyche’s first game in charge?

At the time of writing, only three of the XI that started the win at Goodison Park no longer play for the club.

After a loan spell with the Blues, Conor Coady was sold by Wolves to Leicester City. He won the Championship title in his first season with the club and after a spell out of the side, has been involved heavily under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

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Amadou Onana was sold by Everton to Aston Villa in the summer for a fee in the region of £50m and has been one of the star performers as the west midlands outfit balance their Premier League requirements with their Champions League schedule.

The final one of the three no longer at the club is Alex Iwobi. Despite being a solid acquisition for the Toffees, the chance to return to familiar comforts in London with Fulham was too good to turn down.