Credit: Imago

Graeme Hanna

Mon 1 May 2023 8:17, UK

Micah Richards has reacted to Everton’s Premier League relegation plight ahead of the pivotal clash with Leicester City on Monday evening, as reported in the Daily Mail, The Verdict [Page 9, 01 May].

The former Aston Villa player drew similarities to the relegation that he experienced at Villa Park back in 2016, with the new Bramley-Moore Dock stadium reflecting the size of the club which could also meet the same fate very soon.

Sean Dyche’s side are currently sitting at 19th in the table, with Leicester just one point and one place above them.

Richards’ assessment of the stature of this fixture is spot on, it is one that the Toffees simply can’t afford to lose.

“This game against Leicester tonight is monumental and I cannot believe, with that amazing new stadium being built, that Everton could drop out of the Premier League,” he said.

“They will have such a difficult challenge at Leicester, who look rejuvenated.”

Against the odds

Struggling for points, chances to score and overall optimism, Everton face a daunting task at the King Power Stadium this evening as Dean Smith continues to gain momentum with the Foxes.

Four points in the last two games has given them hope, a commodity that is in short supply at Goodison.

Defeat in this game would see a four-point gap between the clubs but worse than that, it could be fatal in terms of Everton’s top-flight status given that the next two fixtures are away to Brighton and home to Manchester City.

It is increasingly looking like an escape act would be achieved against the odds, but that is the challenge facing Dyche and his players with their destiny still in their own hands.

Bramley-Moore Dock will be a fitting home for top-level football but that is far from guaranteed for the Toffees who face a very uncertain future, with so much at stake over the final five games of the season.

In other Everton news, Neil Moxley says that the club is in a world of trouble after ‘Painful’ Premier League turn of events.