sport news THE NOTEBOOK: Sean Dyche continues to 'juggle sand' ahead of Everton ... trends now
Luton drew level on points with Nottingham Forest but remain the Premier League's bottom three after a 1-1 draw with Everton at Kenilworth Road
A few weeks ago this was seen as a potential pivotal six-pointer in the battle at the bottom, however, Everton's recent upturn in form means they know they'll be already be playing top flight football next season.
The Hatters on the other hand still have work to do, and may see this as a missed opportunity as they look to pull off a great escape.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin's penalty put the visitors ahead in the first half, but was quickly cancelled out by Elijah Adebayo, and that was how it stayed.
Away from the relegation drama Mail Sport pinpoints some of the things that might not have been spotted on the night.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin put the Toffees ahead against Luton with a cooly taken penalty
Elijah Adebayo quickly fired Luton back into the game but they couldn't find a winner
Rob Edwards team remain in the bottom three but drew level on points with Nottingham Forest
THEY AREN’T MAKING IT EASY FOR DYCHE
Sean Dyche called it “juggling sand” and you understand why that description is so apt when it comes to running Everton.
A look at their squad list tells you that six players are out of contract this summer and another two will see their loans expire.
Jack Harrison and Arnaut Danjuma will go back to their parent clubs, while Idrissa Gana Gueye, Andre Gomes, Seamus Coleman, Ashley Young and experienced goalkeeper Andy Lonergan are waiting to see what happens next. Dele Alli will leave.
On top of that, there are another seven – including goalscorer Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Abdoulaye Doucoure, a big influence earlier in the campaign – who have entered the final 12 months of their deals.
Sean Dyche will lose a number of big names from his squad this summer in another headache
In normal circumstances, such important decisions would have already been made.
The feeling within football has persisted for some time that Everton will make a big sale not long after the end of the season – Amadou Onana and Jarrad Branthwaite, particularly, have suitors – and how sad this all is for a club desperate for some stability.
Kevin Thelwell, Everton’s Sporting Director, was in situ at Kenilworth Road, but he cannot begin to tackle the backlog of deals until the farcical situation around who will own Everton next is resolved – the longer time ticks by without 777 partners being announced, the more you worry.
What a disgrace it has come to this. When Dyche talks and stresses that there is “still
