Sean Dyche has revealed what really happened when a joke at Everton’s team dinner failed to have the desired effect.
The Toffees took advantage of a break in first-team fixtures by heading to Portugal for a gruelling training camp.
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The trip also provided Everton’s star with the opportunity to partake in some team-building activities ahead of a third consecutive Premier League relegation dogfight.
Whilst at the club’s training base in Portugal, Everton boss Dyche became embroiled in a joke gone wrong with young defender Nathan Patterson.
It was claimed Dyche ‘slapped’ the 22-year-old during a team dinner, leading to senior players having to step in to help control the situation.
The issue was reportedly resolved internally before the team flew back to the UK, with the whole scene played down as lighthearted and not serious.
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Dyche was quizzed on the incident during his press conference ahead of Saturday’s crunch trip to Bournemouth and set the record straight, claiming the whole situation was a joke missed by Patterson.
“You know, never let the truth get in the way of a good story," he said. "So, there’s nothing in it really.
“I tapped him on the head like your older brother would and he didn’t get the joke, there's nothing more to it but of course, that wouldn’t have sold.
“So, everyone has to add layers and layers and layers to it but it’s really that simple.”
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With the incident firmly brushed under the carpet, Everton will hope all focus can now be placed on the club’s fight for survival.
The Toffees are 16th in the table but are facing the possibility of a second points deduction this season as part of the Premier League’s investigation into breaches of its profit and sustainability rules.
Football finance expert Stefan Borson speculates on what Everton and Nottingham Forest's fate could be as potential points deductions loom
Everton sit four points ahead of 18th-placed Nottingham Forest who were handed a four-point deduction of their own earlier this month.
An uncertain future awaits Dyche’s side who can ill-afford too many more slip ups this season with just nine games remaining.
With seven sides realistically battling to avoid the dreaded drop, it is all to play for in what will undoubtedly be one of the most intriguing relegation battles in recent memory.
Everton face four relegation candidates across their remaining games which is likely to determine the club’s Premier League fate.