Dyche playfully clipped Nathan Patterson across the head, says the Daily Mail, with no malice intended. But the actions left some players unimpressed to the point that captain James Tarkowski pulled Dyche aside to explain the situation before the manager apologised to the Scot.
It's claimed the situation had many players angry with the manager.
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But club sources insist it was a clumsy joke that backfired and there has been no lingering fallout.
Everton are next in action on March 30 against Bournemouth.