...and for Moyes to make an emotional Goodison return

With Dyche's contract expiring this summer, there was an inevitability about the parting of the ways, even if it came at an unexpected moment. The task of the new, permanent manager will be to ensure the first season in the club's stunning, fresh dockside stadium is in the top flight. TFG will not want a bespoke firefighter, they will want someone who can not only grind out the results needed to stay up, but who can begin building a team to compete among the elite.

- By Andy Dunn

AS Everton managerial sackings go, the departure of Sean Dyche might just go down alongside the dismissal of Johnny Carey as one of the more unusual.

After taking the team to a fifth-placed finish in the 1960-61 season, owner John Moores told Carey his services were no longer required as they shared a ride in the back of a London taxi.

Dyche's own 'taxi' moment arrived 191 minutes before a third-round tie in the FA Cup, the last trophy won by Everton 30 years ago.