Manager Leighton Baines praised Everton after their 2-0 FA Cup win over Peterborough just hours after Sean Dyche was sacked.
Former full-back Baines, who was in charge of Everton's under-18s, and club captain Seamus Coleman were announced as caretaker coaches just three hours before the third-round tie at Goodison Park.
Goals from Beto and Elimane Ndiaye saw the Premier League side safely through, and Baines said: “I thought their application was fantastic.
“Losing managers and coaches is not what anyone wants, it usually means something didn't go right, and it never happens to one person, it's to a lot of people involved.
Two Everton greats step up under the lights at Goodison Park. 🔵 pic.twitter.com/x1NySCxM7a
– Everton (@Everton) January 9, 2025
He added: “A manager losing his job is not a good thing and it usually comes after a difficult period, not just a difficult day, and that has happened.
“But I think with all that, there definitely now has to be hope and optimism. That's something we've talked about. Things are changing, the football club, the ownership, the stadium.
“The coach had to leave and that's not what anyone wants. But there will be a new manager coming in and that brings opportunity.
Baines, who stressed that he is not considering a run for the permanent job and that he does not know whether he will remain in the caretaker role next Wednesday, also spoke about Armando Broja after the striker was taken off on a stretcher late in the match. .
“It looked bad,” he said. “We don't know the extent of his injury, other than it was a lower leg injury, but he wasn't taken to hospital, so I took that as a good sign.”
Ashley Young came on for Everton in the 73rd minute, but the introduction of his son Tyler Young from Peterborough's substitutes bench did not materialize.
Bosh coach Darren Ferguson said: “If it had been 2-0 at that stage I would have brought him on, but it's 1-0, I have to move forward.
“We're not a charitable cause, as much as I wanted Tyler to continue with his father.
“One of their players (Everton) shouted at me, which is not normal. I have to do what is best for our team, and at this stage, 1-0, I am trying to get a result.”
