Can Everton Bounce Back from Premier League Points Deduction?

Thu, Nov 30, 2023
by CapperTek

Everton are now five points adrift of Premier League safety after losing 3-0 at home to Manchester United following their ten point deduction for breaching Profitability and Sustainability rules.

Blues fans protested against the punishment at Goodison Park but the electric atmosphere created in the stands was dampened by Alejandro Garnacho’s wonder goal and the game got away from Everton when United were awarded a second half penalty.

So, now the table reads the Toffees have just four points after 13 games - despite winning four games and drawing two - do Sean Dyche’s side have enough to get out of the bottom three? Let’s take a look.

Everton’s Tough Run of Fixtures

Before the defeat against United, Everton had won six games out of nine and were looking up the table rather than down. Another victory before the points deduction would have seen the Blues in the top ten of the table. 

However, the Merseysiders are 19th and now face a tricky run of fixtures which could define the rest of the campaign and determine whether they will be able to relax in mid-table mediocrity or battle against relegation for a third consecutive season. Bettors using these mobile betting sites will now be deciding how the team could be affected by the punishment and backing the Blues to bounce back or suffer and struggle at the bottom of the table.

It seemed Everton had turned a corner in the last few months but it’s now that their resolve will be truly tested with a trip to Nottingham Forest followed by two home games against Newcastle and Chelsea. Then they travel to Burnley, the only club below them in the table as things stand, and face Tottenham at Goodison two days before Christmas. 

Was this the Best Season to Receive a Points Deduction?

While Evertonians are aggrieved and hold out hope the points deduction could be reduced if there is an appeal, some opposition fans and pundits believe the Toffees will have enough to avoid relegation and insist that if a points deduction had to happen, this campaign was the one to take it on the chin.

Luton Town, Sheffield United and Burnley have all struggled since being promoted to the Premier League from the Championship. The Hatters are faring best with two wins and three draws but that still only accounts for nine points from 13 matches and so Everton will be confident of leapfrogging them in time. Sheffield United, meanwhile, have won just one game while Vincent Kompany’s Clarets have lost 11 matches. 

Bournemouth have also recorded less than a point per game and so many observers think Everton will have enough quality to earn the results required to finish above at least three other teams down at the bottom.

The Blues Have Been Here Before

Everton are no strangers to battling relegation in the Premier League so at least have experience in staying up. The Toffees avoided the drop on the final day of the season in 1994 and 1998 but recent seasons have been just as stressful and pressurised.

In 2022, Everton stayed up after coming back from two goals down to beat Crystal Palace 3-2 and secure their safety with a game to spare. However, last season, it went down to the wire as the Blues beat Bournemouth 1-0 to escape yet again.

Strong form this campaign had the Toffees hoping for better times until the Premier League points deduction plunged the club deep in trouble once more.

Summing Up

Everton manager Sean Dyche will be doing his best to keep his players focused on what the team can control and fans will hope the latest setback doesn’t weigh too heavily on the players’ minds after their impressive results were wiped out by the points deduction.

Now they will be hoping they can avoid such luck as to concede a goal of the decade like they did on Sunday as Garnacho scored a sublime overhead kick.

The faster the Blues can get out of the relegation zone, the sooner they can start looking up the table again.