Baines: Why Hope & Optimism Can Follow For Everton

Leighton Baines says he’s proud to have led Everton at Goodison Park during Thursday evening’s 2-0 FA Cup victory against Peterborough United, while praising the Blues squad for their application throughout an eventful day.

During the afternoon prior to kick-off, Everton announced Sean Dyche had been relieved of his duties as the Senior Men’s First Team Manager with immediate effect.

Baines – the Toffees’ Under-18s head coach – joined Club captain Seamus Coleman in taking charge of the team for their FA Cup third-round tie.

Beto’s first-half strike, along with Iliman Ndiaye’s 98^th-minute penalty-kick sent the Blues through to the next round during a well-deserved win at an icy-cold Goodison.

Speaking in his post-match press conference, Baines said: “I’m really, really proud I got to help out today and support the Football Club. I’m made up with that.

“It’s similar to what I do, but in a different context with having to take the first team. It was a hectic day, but I actually enjoyed it.

“I thought [the players’] application was brilliant. We spoke to them before the game. Losing managers and coaches isn’t what anyone wants, really. That normally means something hasn’t gone quite right. That’s never on one person. It’s on a lot of people involved in it.

“The players knew they had to show something as a response to it – and they did. They tried to play with energy and to do the right things.”

Despite a “difficult day,” Baines believes “hope” and “optimism” can follow for Everton, pointing to the Club’s recent takeover, as well as the new stadium as reasons to be positive.

“The manager’s had to leave, and that’s not what anyone wants,” he explained. “There’ll be a new manager coming in – and that brings opportunity.

“It was a difficult day. But I think within all of that, there’s definitely now got to be hope and optimism. That’s something we’ve spoken about today. Things are changing: the Football Club, the ownership, the stadium, and things are being talked about."

Harrison Armstrong showed plenty of promise again for the Toffees, picking up the Player of the Match award after the game.

The 17-year-old – who impressed under Baines last season, as well as earlier this term when he hit a hat-trick in a 7-0 FA Youth Cup victory – produced a defence-splitting pass brilliantly set up Beto for Everton’s opener.

“I thought he was brilliant,” remarked Baines, who added: “It’s a great moment for us as a football club and for the coaches who’ve worked with Harrison through the Academy.

“To see him getting this exposure to the first team is why we all go to work. It’s brilliant to see that and I thought his performance was really good today.”