Everton are a club that has been forged on the foundation of an unrelenting work rate, seeking to give their working-class fanbase a team they can be proud of.
David Moyes got it, and thus achieved relative success across 11 financial-stricken years at Goodison Park. However, since his 2013 departure, it feels like few since then have.
That was, until Sean Dyche was appointed, with the former Burnley man having taken every obstacle in his stride and not once moaned. His steely attitude is truly remarkable, with it feeling like the Toffees truly have the perfect manager for their current plight.
After all, having won ten of their last 14 in all competitions, with their ten-point deduction handed midway through the run, few would have kept such form despite their hardships.
Were it not for that punishment, shockingly, Dyche’s men would actually sit just three points adrift of sixth-placed Newcastle United.
Well, it is that statistic that has drawn Kevin Campbell’s attention, who spoke live on talkSPORT (18/12/2023, 7:43 am) about the predicament. He noted: ‘It surprised me, I’ll tell you what I’ve realised. The Premier League don’t want Everton to go to Europe, because if they had the ten points they’d be seventh or eighth.
‘The club have galvanised themselves incredibly well and fair play to Sean Dyche, his players and the fans. All the old beefs and grudges have been put aside, everybody has got together and four points out of four, wow. Incredible.’
Why did Everton receive their points deduction?
The Premier League boast a series of rules to ensure that a fair and sustainable competition continues to be run, which keeps their clubs safe whilst promoting intelligent business.
Well, that is how they would like to market it.
In reality, their profit and sustainability rules are there to keep the big clubs at the top and halt progression from those below. After all, those already raking in the largest sponsorships and signing the best players are bound to keep earning, making spending within their means with ease.
Meanwhile, the likes of Everton are forced to hope for a miracle akin to Leicester City’s, and even they could not sustain their success.
So, technically the Toffees saw their punishment administered for flouting these rules, overspending by a reported £19m.
Such a minute figure is what has drawn such widespread furore regarding the decision, with many viewing it to be vastly disproportionate to the actual crime.
Given administration merits a nine-point deduction, their arguments are justified.
Everton still await the outcome of their appeal.
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