Manager admits situation on and off the pitch is ‘volatile’ as losing run and takeover rumours lurk in background

It has got to the stage where people are having to debate exactly why Everton fans are booing. When Sean Dyche turned to his bench during the Carabao Cup defeat by Southampton, the echo of disdain was aimed at the manager. Whether it was over the removal of the lone striker Beto when there was a match to be won or bringing on Ashley Young is uncertain. The truth is somewhere in between but the key detail is that there is unrest at Goodison Park.

Everton exited the Carabao Cup meekly on Tuesday, adding to a miserable Premier League start of four straight defeats, two after taking a two-goal lead. Harvard’s finest professors are still trying to ascertain how they conceded three against Bournemouth in the final nine minutes but it is clear something is not right.