Moyes equalls Everton record as Dibling starts against Coventry

David Moyes takes charge of Everton for the 592nd time on Friday, equalling Harry Catterick’s club record, as Tyler Dibling comes into the starting XI against Coventry, Everton FC reported.

The match at Hill Dickinson Stadium gives Moyes a share of a record that has stood since 1972. Catterick managed Everton from 1961 to 1972 and won the league title in 1970. Moyes has rebuilt Everton from relegation candidates to a top-half side since returning in January.

Dibling, 18, comes in on the right wing in the only change from the side that won 1-0 at Newcastle. Röhl drops to right-back to make room.

Jarrad Branthwaite partners captain James Tarkowski in central defence. The full XI: Pickford, Röhl, Tarkowski (c), Branthwaite, Mykolenko, Garner, Armstrong, Dewsbury-Hall, Dibling, George, Barry.

Everton are coming off a 1-0 win at Newcastle.

What the coverage missed

The Everton FC team news report mentions the record but does not explain what it means. Catterick built Everton’s last great team. The 1969-70 title side was the last Everton team to win the league. Moyes has now managed Everton for as many matches as the man who built that team.

The report also does not explain why Dibling is starting. He is 18, an academy graduate, and he is coming into a side that just won at Newcastle. Putting a teenager into a winning team is a statement. The report treats it as a routine lineup change.

What I think

Moyes has done in 10 months what Everton’s last three managers could not do in three years. He has made Everton hard to beat and given the club its identity back. The record is a footnote. The turnaround is the story.

Dibling starting is the more interesting news. Everton have not produced a first-team regular from their academy in years. A homegrown player breaking through changes the calculus for a club that has spent heavily on transfers with mixed results.

The Coventry match should be a win. Everton are at home, in form, and Coventry are a promoted side. If Moyes gets the record with a victory, the night belongs to him.