Jake O’Brien makes Sean Dyche look ridiculous over past comment after latest Everton heroics
Sean Dyche is looking like a fool for ever doubting Jake O’Brien’s ability at Everton.
David Moyes led his side to a 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on Tuesday, with O’Brien keeping his second clean sheet over his former Toffees boss this month.
Everton already beat Nottingham Forest 3-0 at Hill Dickinson Stadium earlier in December, as Dyche‘s side now sit in a relegation battle at the bottom of the Premier League.
Moyes is without key stars due to the African Cup of Nations, but the Blues managed to get the win with the help of O’Brien.
Jake O’Brien was colossal against Nottingham Forest
James Garner may have stolen the headlines for his individual performance versus Forest, but O’Brien’s contribution can’t go unnoticed.
Dyche’s side attempted nine crosses in the match, with his striker, Igor Jesus, unable to win any of his eight aerial duels, all because of O’Brien and his useful six foot, five inch frame.
| Minutes | Aerial duels (won) | Headed clearances | Ground duels (won) | Rating |
| 90 | 6 (5) | 9 | 2 (2) | 7.8 |
As highlighted by Sofascore, the Irishman won 83 per cent of his duels in the air, with a dominant total of nine headed clearances too.
He and James Tarkowski formed a brick wall in front of Jordan Pickford in the absence of Michael Keane.
His performance makes Dyche’s previous comments on the defender seem comical.
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Sean Dyche didn’t play O’Brien due to lack of ‘experience’
Dyche was sacked by Everton last season after a string of poor results, and Everton haven’t looked back since bringing Moyes back to Merseyside.
The 62-year-old head coach is leading the Toffees on a charge to European football, as they sit in a much prettier position than Nottingham Forest.
- O’Brien signed for £17million
- He only made two Premier League appearances under Dyche
O’Brien was brought to the Blues in the summer of 2024 from French side Lyon, and rarely featured under Dyche, who had this to say on the centre-back’s lack of game time last year.
“Jake’s been very patient. He’s going to have to be because he’s got three very, very good centre-halves, very experienced centre-halves there.”
The now-Forest boss was insinuating that the defender wasn’t ready to play Premier League football, and his comments were met by the frustration of Everton supporters.
Now with two clean sheets over his former boss in a matter of weeks, O’Brien managed to get the last laugh.
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