Pat Nevin makes Everton relegation prediction, names Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Garner as standout players
Everton will be “slugging it out” with Burnley, Luton Town and Sheffield United for relegation from the Premier League this season.
That is according to pundit Pat Nevin, who has named Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Garner as the two standout Toffees players this season.
The Merseyside club, who were handed a 10-point deduction last month, currently sit 18th in the Premier League table.
“The idea of any lack of spirit is unimaginable now under Sean Dyche,” Nevin told BBC Sport. “He has got a staggeringly consistent work ethic from every player, even if Abdoulaye Doucoure and James Garner have shone brighter than most.
“A few weeks after the 10-point deduction – they would be comfortably mid-table and looking upwards without it – and they are already on the tails of fourth-bottom Luton, but they can not dial it down for a second.
“The upcoming games are tough, so the battle is still on, but it does look like it might still be three from four with the improving Burnley and Luton alongside struggling Sheffield United slugging it out with the Toffees.”
Very tough test
Staying in the Premier League was going to be a very tough test for Everton before the campaign began, but now their task has been made much more difficult.
Having risen to 14th place in the standings after impressive victories on the road against West Ham and Crystal Palace, and a hard-fought draw at home to Brighton, the Toffees were shot down to 19th place with their points deduction.
Dyche’s players failed their immediate shot at redemption with a miserable 3-0 defeat to Manchester United at Goodison Park, but they have at least clawed back one spot in the table after their fine 1-0 away win to Nottingham Forest on Saturday (2 December).
The quest for safety has only just started, however, and will get much harder in the weeks to come given Everton’s upcoming fixtures.
Next up are back-to-back home meetings with Newcastle United and Chelsea, followed by a massive away test with struggling Burnley.
In other Everton news, Alan Shearer was stunned by “mad” Toffees footage from their match with Nottingham Forest live on BBC.