Premier League strugglers Everton have been docked another two points for breaching Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
This latest punishment comes after a ten-point deduction in November, later reduced to six on appeal, for exceeding permitted losses during the 2021/22 season. They will appeal this new sanction.
The latest penalty takes Everton’s total points deduction for the season to eight. Before the announcement, the club sat precariously in 15th place, only four points clear of the relegation zone.
They will now drop down to 16th, two points and two places above Luton Town in 18th.
Everton were already facing an uphill battle to survive the drop this season, but they’ve been handed a massive mountain to climb.
Manager Sean Dyche will have his work cut out for him as he tries to rally his team to beat the drop. The upcoming fixtures will be crucial for the Toffees, who are firmly embroiled in the relegation scrap.
Despite the latest sanction, Everton will take solace after breaking their 13-game winless run against Burnley on Sunday.
Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric gifted the Toffees the win in additional time in the first half, taking too much time on the ball and allowing Dominic Calvert-Lewin to pounce.
The ball ricocheted off the Englishman and into the back of the net for his first goal since October 2023.
Everton face a tough run of games over the next few weeks including crucial clashes against Chelsea, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Brentford and Luton.
Escaping relegation may look like a tall order, but if there is any manager you’d back to somehow pull the Merseyside club out of this scrap, it’d be Dyche.
