Everton have been a point of real conversation today despite their Premier League game not being until Monday night.
With Neal Maupay the first to pass comment on the fanbase earlier today, Richard Keys and Andy Gray later offered their furious opinion on Mason Holgate’s reckless red card challenge in the early kick-off.
And now, it is Gary Neville who has been speaking about the Toffees, previewing the relegation battle briefly whilst speaking live on commentary.
Naturally, Luton Town are one of the sides firmly entrenched in the clash for survival, thus explaining the conversation which included references to both Everton and Nottingham Forest.
What Gary Neville said about Everton live on Sky Sports
The former Manchester United defender is almost always vocal in situations where the underdog is being wrongly treated, but unfortunately, his silence has been deafening on this matter.
Jamie Carragher is another yet to truly stand up for Everton amid this widespread condemnation, with their ties to Sky Sports drawing additional scorn from the Evertonians.
Now, speaking live on Sky Sports Main Event (18/02/24, 18:05 pm), the 49-year-old has broken his silence, albeit without really picking a side.
Instead, he prefaces a relegation battle poised to rumble on deep into the season, whilst also outlining how big an impact the Premier League and their courtroom rulings could have. He notes: ‘This relegation battle is a dogfight at the end of the season legally. If Everton or Nottingham Forest are to be deducted points. Or even get points back…’.
Any points deductions could drastically alter the relegation battle
Whether it be Forest or Everton, and whether it be positive or negative, any kind of points deduction is certain to swing the momentum of the relegation battle dramatically.
Especially given the Toffees will have another appeal process to combat later in the season, should they survive this ongoing one.
An outcome is expected any time now on this current ten-point deduction, administered back in November.
Should Sean Dyche be blessed with any kind of remuneration his side would surely be dragged out of the relegation zone, even before tomorrow night’s all-important home clash with Crystal Palace.
And, given Luton Town, Sheffield United, Brentford and Burnley all lost over the weekend, the opening is there to gain precious ground now.
Hopefully, as Neville suggests, the off-pitch trials and tribulations do not prove completely decisive, But, it inevitably seems like they will. Everton must put it beyond all doubt off the pitch.
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