Has 45-minute performance given Everton food for thought about David Unsworth?

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Everton were much improved in the first game after Ronald Koeman’s sacking, Wednesday’s 2-1 EFL Cup defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

If Everton performed like they did in the second half of Wednesday’s EFL Cup defeat to Chelsea all season long, perhaps Ronald Koeman would not be out of a job right now.

Although The Toffees went down 2-1 at Stamford Bridge thanks to goals from Antonio Rudiger and Willian in either half, Everton’s performance displayed all the attributes that were clearly lacking as Koeman’s short lived tenure fell apart.

Unlike the 5-2 home defeat against Arsenal on Sunday which proved the final straw for the beleaguered Dutchman, The Toffees showed desire, intensity and fighting spirit in the capital and were perhaps unfortunate not to force extra-time.

Though performances usually improve once a manager has been dismissed, it is difficult to ignore the fact that Everton looked a completely different side in the second ’45 against Chelsea with caretaker boss David Unsworth on the sidelines.

And with the Daily Post reporting that the odds have tumbled on the long-serving academy coach getting the manager’s job on a full-time basis, you wonder whether an impressive performance at Stamford Bridge has put Unsworth, who told the BBC this week he would jump at the chance of taking the job, in the thoughts of Everton’s decision makers

Both Sean Dyche (below) and Marco Silva, who have done sterling work with Burnley and Watford respectively, played down speculation that they could replace Koeman at Goodison Park.

Meanwhile, Carlo Ancelotti is intent on taking a few months out of the game following his sacking by Bayern Munich and Thomas Tuchel, another name on Everton’s radar (The Sun), has been tipped to take over at the Allianz Arena next season.

Whether through a relative paucity of alternative options or because of the positive early signs on the pitch, Unsworth may just be a regular fixture on the Goodison Park touchline for the next few months.