- Dyche connected with a playful slap to Patterson harder than he imagined.
- Tempers flared enough for Tarkowski to intervene to calm things down.
- “He’s the only Premier League player I WOULD PAY to watch” Which star has IAN LADYMAN fascinated? – Everything is starting podcast
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
<!–
Everton’s training ground in Portugal this week was marred by an altercation between manager Sean Dyche and several of his players.
Mail Sport has learned that Dyche surprised his team by playfully slapping the head of 22-year-old defender Nathan Patterson during a meal in the Algarve town of Quinta do Lago.
Dyche’s intentions were harmless and it was otherwise an affable evening, but the 52-year-old appears to have connected with Patterson more strongly than he intended, leaving some of his players unimpressed.
Scotland right-back Patterson was embarrassed to be the center of attention, and tempers flared enough for captain James Tarkowski to intervene. He took Dyche aside to allow any lingering discomfort to subside.
The pair left the table for a while before returning to finish their meals with the rest of the team. Dyche is understood to have apologized to Patterson.
Everton manager Sean Dyche had a heated row with some of his players during a union dinner in Portugal after he jokingly slapped Nathan Patterson on the head.
The Everton players were heated after the playful slap to Patterson (left) was more forceful than he had realized or intended, and James Tarkowski (right) had to intervene to calm things down.
Dyche’s slap shocked the squad members and Tarkowski took him aside to calm the situation.
Everton have been training in Portugal this week as the relegation-fighting Toffees will not play again until they play Bournemouth on March 30 after the international break.
Everton sources insist there was no major fight, claiming Wednesday’s incident was a clumsy prank that backfired but caused a stir among diners at the restaurant.
There was no obvious bad blood between Dyche and his players for the rest of the trip, with Everton training well on Thursday and Friday before flying home.
Everton spent the week in southern Portugal because they will not play again until they visit Bournemouth on March 30. Dyche hoped the change of scenery would lift the spirits of his team, which is on a run of 11 league games without a win.
One more would equal their longest winless streak in the Premier League era: under Mike Walker at the start of the 1994-95 season.
Everton’s poor form has seen them drop to 16th in the table, four points above the relegation zone.
The club is in the midst of a relegation battle as a result of being deducted six points (reduced from 10 after a successful appeal last month) for breaching the Premier League’s sustainability and profit rules.
Everton captain Tarkowski briefly left the table with Dyche for a private chat before returning to finish the meal with the team.
Dyche apologized to Patterson and Everton sources insist there was no major row
Scotland international Patterson was embarrassed to be the center of attention.
To make matters worse, Everton are likely to suffer another points deduction this season because they have been accused of a second breach of PSR rules.
Everton sources insist the trip was a success and the players were in good spirits when they landed.
Everything was said to be settled by Friday afternoon, with Patterson participating in the final warm-weather training camp session. Everton landed back on Merseyside at around 5pm.