David Unsworth has been installed as the new favourite to be appointed Everton manager following a dramatic shift, according to the latest bookmakers’ odds.

Sky Bet priced the Goodison Park caretaker boss, 44, as 4/7 odds-on favourite to get the vacant post on Wednesday afternoon.

This comes after Unsworth was a relatively distant 12/1 on Monday to take over at Everton, when experienced Premier League bosses Sam Allardyce (4/5) and Sean Dyche (11/10), led the betting.

Allardyce and Dyche have now drifted in the betting in a shock new twist to the Merseysiders’ search for a man to replace Ronald Koeman, who was sacked 16 days ago.

Everton ended a horror run with a sensational win at home to Watford on Sunday afternoon after coming from two goals down to win 3-2, with Leighton Baines scoring the winner with an added-time penalty.

It was Unsworth’s fourth match in caretaker charge after he had overseen defeats in each of the previous three.

OPINION

Amid reports that the board are at loggerheads over appointing Allardyce, Unsworth could now be back in with a real chance. Talk of Diego Simeone is ambitious but far-fetched, and the long-standing Everton Under-23s manager is in pole position to give the British candidates a run for their money. He lacks senior experience, but the former left-back has in-depth knowledge of the playing squad, commands the respect of the likes of Leighton Baines and could provide a steady hand on the tiller while the club continue their search for a long-term manager.