Everton can feel aggrieved with how this season has gone, given they are enjoying their finest run of form in years, yet still sit 17th and just four points away from the relegation zone.
Their ten-point deduction marked the most severe sanction ever administered in the top flight, usurping the nine points snagged from Portsmouth for entering into administration in 2010.
Having supposedly committed a crime worse than running a football club to the point where it can no longer pay its bills, the Toffees made their intention to appeal known immediately.
And yet, it seems they are set to enjoy little respite, with reports having since emerged suggesting that the same outcome that plagued Pompey could swallow up the Merseyside outfit too.
Should 777 Partners pull out of their proposed takeover, it would apparently leave them without the financial power to continue funding their operations. By entering administration, they would then lose another nine points and finally move to rock bottom of the Premier League.
However, there is cause to believe that even that would not relegate Everton…
Would administration relegate Everton?
Although their form had been steadily improving anyway during the campaign, it felt like the points deduction marked a turning point for both the players and fans.
Since then, aside from the heavy loss to Manchester United in which you could argue they actually deserved to win, Everton have won their last three league matches, conceding none.
They have showcased an immense mentality, with numerous players relaying the feelgood factor that has returned to the dressing room. Adding more fuel to that fire could prove to be the additional spark needed to maintain a historic run to achieve safety again.
Especially when comparing the current trajectory that the Toffees and the three currently below them are on, which makes for pleasant viewing for Evertonians.
Sean Dyche is enjoying a 1.68 points-per-game average this season, and should have 23 points to his name. Therefore, across a 38-game season, it would be expected that, without any deductions, he would finish with a monumental 64 points.
Deducting the potential 19 points from that would leave them with 46, which has been enough to stay up in every since Premier League season.
Then, to compare this with Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United, and the gulf between that trio and Everton is only emphasised.
Managing 0.67, 0.74 and 0.33 (under Heckingbottom) points per game respectively this season would suggest that they are set to finish on 25, 28 and 13 points. Even with the deduction, they would still be miles away from Dyche’s outfit, who need only maintain their immeasurable form to potentially enjoy the greatest escape in Premier League history.
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