MX23RW : Sunday, February 16 17:07:53| >> :120:30350:30350:

Sean Dyche admits it is "pleasing" to see big clubs falter in Premier League

Sean Dyche admits it is
© Reuters
Everton have slipped to eighth after topping the Premier League early on.

Sean Dyche admitted there was an element of pleasure to see even the bigger clubs hit a bad patch of form as Burnley prepare to welcome an Everton side that have lost four of their last five matches.

Having bankrolled manager Carlo Ancelotti over the summer as midfield trio Allan, Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Rodriguez were signed, Everton sat atop the Premier League table after the first five games of the season.

But a 2-2 draw against Merseyside rivals Liverpool has been followed by the Toffees claiming just three points from an available 15 and they have slid to eighth spot ahead of their visit to Turf Moor at lunchtime on Saturday.

Burnley have endured their own struggles in this campaign, with just one win in their opening nine fixtures, but Dyche revealed he does take a little satisfaction from clubs with deeper pockets entering into a slump.

"They have an incredibly experienced manager and a very good group of players," the Burnley boss said. "It shows the strength of the Premier League, you've never got it sussed in the Premier League.

"They had a great run of results, most of them they deserved, and played very well and then they suddenly had a tough run of results, the Premier League is a strange animal, it just sneaks up on you.

"That's the reality of the Premier League and in a strange way it's pleasing that even the bigger club with big resources and top managers find it tough at times and have bad spells, that can happen to anyone.

"We have got to focus on ourselves and get ourselves out of our tough spell, we hope to correct it and hope our tough spell is done for the season, it's not always that easy but that's what we're looking to do."

Goalkeeper Nick Pope is in contention to return this weekend after missing last Saturday's 5-0 thrashing at Manchester City because of concussion.

Midfield trio Josh Brownhill, Robbie Brady and Dale Stephens could also be available for Dyche, who is preparing for his 200th Premier League match amid mounting speculation concerning a potential takeover at Burnley.

An article in The Times claims an American sports investment company is close to completing a £200million deal to become the club's new owners.

"There's more noise out there about possible takeovers, I don't know where that's at," Dyche added. "It's slightly peculiar as I'm manager and have been here for eight years, but I don't. We'll have to watch this space."

ID:424939: cacheID:424939:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:4531:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United striker Edinson Cavani celebrates scoring against Southampton in the Premier League on November 29, 2020
Read Next:
PL Team of the Week - Mahrez, Cavani, De Bruyne
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Sheffield UnitedSheff Utd33226547232470
2Leeds UnitedLeeds32209366194769
3Burnley33171423993065
4Sunderland321711449282162
5Blackburn RoversBlackburn33156123931851
6West Bromwich AlbionWest Brom331115742311148
7Coventry CityCoventry33138124441347
8Bristol City33111394137446
9Sheffield WednesdaySheff Weds33129124650-445
10Watford33136144348-545
11Middlesbrough32128125043744
12Norwich CityNorwich331111115145644
13Queens Park RangersQPR331111113941-244
14Millwall321011113233-141
15Preston North EndPreston3291493438-441
16Oxford UnitedOxford Utd33911133447-1338
17Swansea CitySwansea33107163446-1237
18Portsmouth3399154155-1436
19Stoke CityStoke32811133140-935
20Cardiff CityCardiff32711143554-1932
21Hull City3279163243-1130
22Derby CountyDerby3378183346-1329
23Plymouth ArgylePlymouth32610163466-3228
24Luton TownLuton3276193052-2227


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!