- Dyche linked with a playful slap on Patterson extra forcefully than realised
- Tempers turned sufficiently heated for Tarkowski to intervene to calm issues
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Everton’s training camp in Portugal this week was marred by an altercation between supervisor Sean Dyche and several other of his gamers.
Mail Sport has discovered Dyche shocked his squad by aiming a jocular slap at the head of defender Nathan Patterson, 22, during a meal in the Algarve resort of Quinta do Lago.
Dyche’s intentions have been innocent and it was an in any other case good-natured night, however the 52-year-old seems to have linked with Patterson extra forcefully than he meant to, leaving a few of his gamers unimpressed.
Scotland proper again Patterson was embarrassed to be the centre of consideration, and tempers turned sufficiently heated for captain James Tarkowski to step in. He took Dyche to 1 aspect to permit any lingering ill-feeling to subside.
The pair left the desk for a whereas earlier than returning to complete their meals with the remainder of the squad. Dyche is known to have apologised to Patterson.
Everton sources insist there was no main bust-up, claiming the incident on Wednesday was a clumsy joke that backfired, nevertheless it prompted a stir amongst fellow restaurant diners.
There was no apparent dangerous blood between Dyche and his gamers for the remainder of the journey, with Everton training effectively on Thursday and Friday earlier than flying dwelling.
Everton spent the week in southern Portugal as a result of they don’t play once more till visiting Bournemouth on March 30. Dyche had hoped the change of scene would carry the spirits of his squad, who’re on a run of 11 league video games with out a win.
One extra would equal their longest winless run in the Premier League period — beneath Mike Walker at the begin of the 1994-95 season.
Everton’s poor type has seen them stoop to 16th in the desk, 4 factors above the relegation zone.
The membership are in the thick of the relegation battle as a results of being deducted six factors — lowered from 10 after a profitable attraction final month — for breaching Premier League revenue and sustainability guidelines.
To make issues worse, Everton are prone to be hit with one other factors deduction this season as a result of they’ve been charged with a second breach of PSR guidelines.
Everton sources insist the journey was a success, with the gamers in good spirits once they landed.
All was mentioned to be resolved by Friday afternoon, with Patterson collaborating in the last session of the warm-weather training camp. Everton landed again on Merseyside round 5pm.