Everton's Sean Dyche has been named the Premier League Manager of the Month for April.
Having previously feared the prospect of relegation, the 52-year-old has successfully steered the Toffees to safety in the top flight with games to spare following a strong run of form.
Everton collected a total of 13 points across six matches in April; only in March 2014 (15) have the Merseysiders ever gained more in a single calendar month in the division.
Dyche oversaw four victories and a draw, starting off with a hard-fought 1-1 draw at Newcastle United before beating relegation rivals Burnley 1-0 at Goodison Park.
That victory was the first of four home triumphs without conceding a single goal, with a memorable Merseyside derby win over Liverpool (2-0) sandwiched between successes over Nottingham Forest (2-0) and Brentford (1-0).
Dyche is the first Everton manager since Carlo Ancelotti - now at Real Madrid – in September 2020 to win the Manager of the Month award.
© Reuters
Dyche beats Arteta, Guardiola to PL monthly award
Dyche fended off stern competition from title-chasing dup Mikel Arteta of Arsenal and Pep Guardiola of Manchester City to top the three-man shortlist and win his first-ever Manager of the Month award in the Premier League.
"I'm very pleased, obviously on behalf of firstly myself, but of my staff and the players, and the fans who have played their part," Dyche told Everton's official website.
"It was a really good run, very pleasing and a tough month of fixtures, especially with one outstanding fixture which didn't go our way, of course. But I think the way the way we performed generally as a group has been very pleasing."
When asked to select one standout result from April, Dyche unsurprisingly said: "The derby win (over Liverpool) is the one that stands out. To come off the back of a very important win against Nottingham Forest and then to go into that game. You know what it's like with all the old stories, after the Lord Mayor's show and that sort of thing.
"To deliver such a tactically strong performance and find the big moments in front of the fans at Goodison and the recent history of that game was pleasing. I think that's the performance that stands out from April, without a doubt."
Dyche will be hoping to end the season on a high when he leads Everton - who sit 15th in the table and 11 points above the drop zone - in their remaining two Premier League fixtures at home against Sheffield United on Saturday and away against Arsenal on May 19.
Meanwhile, Chelsea attacker Cole Palmer has been voted as the Premier League's Player of the Month for April.
Oliver Thomas
