George Overhill

Sat 25 November 2023 9:10, UK

Everton will react to their points deduction strongly and finish as high as 12th in the Premier League this season, according to Stan Collymore.

The pundit said in his Caught Offside column on 24 November that the Toffees will be like a “wounded animal” and “feeling sorry for themselves” for the visit of Manchester United on Sunday (26 November), who won’t want to be the ones heading to Goodison Park in the wake of the 10-point punishment.

Collymore believes Sean Dyche will implement a siege mentality to secure an “upset” draw against Erik ten Hag’s side, and furthermore will have his side back up to mid-table by the end of the season despite being sent down to 19th over the international break.

Collymore said: “I am fully expecting Sean Dyche to go into Sunday’s game against Manchester United promoting a ‘the world is against us’ mentality to his squad.

“They’ve been deducted 10 Premier League points, and despite being unbeaten in their last four games, now find themselves back in the relegation zone. Dyche absolutely must do all he can to use this week’s events as a form of motivation for his players.

“Everton don’t have the best record against United but I can see them pinching something from this weekend’s game at Goodison Park. Manchester United will not want to go there that is for sure — especially knowing the Toffees are a wounded animal and feeling sorry for themselves.

“I can see the home team pinching a point. I think United, although in decent form, are having big problems in the dressing room, which I will come onto a bit later on. But yes – I am backing Everton to pull off a bit of an upset. I am going to say it’ll be a draw and the points shared.

“Also, for what it’s worth Everton fans — I don’t believe you’ll get relegated. I am expecting the team to come back from this week’s setback strong and wouldn’t be surprised to see them finish the season as high as 12th or 13th.”

At least

A point is surely the least that Dyche should be hoping for on Sunday when three is a realistic objective given the various factors involved.

Everton have been in better form in recent weeks than at any point across the manager’s time in charge, and United have been inconsistent enough to be beaten in three competitions within their past five matches.

The reaction from the Evertonians in the stands to the commission ruling is expected to create an even greater atmosphere than a big game usually does at Goodison, while the motivation within the squad to prove a point after the points deduction should also play a role.

Whatever now happens off the pitch there is a confidence around the team that the misfortune that seems to endlessly be visited on this club won’t see them crumble.

A major points deduction and yet more uncertainty over the future is clearly unwelcome but if it was going to come at any point over the past three seasons it feels like Dyche and his players can currently shoulder the burden better now than ever.

A reaction of some sort in the first game back is inevitable but if it can lead to a galvanising win then the effect will be multiplied.

In other Everton news, a Manchester politician has raged at the commission for rules “made up as they went along”.