Everton appeal verdict: Don Hutchison blown away in ‘huge’ relegation battle verdict
Everton moving five points clear of the relegation zone after their points deduction was reduced is a “huge” outcome, according to Don Hutchison.
The former Toffees captain replied to Sky Sports journalist Alan Myers via Twitter on 26 February after the club had four of the 10 points returned on appeal.
It pushed Sean Dyche’s side up to 15th in the table and opened up a gap of five to Luton Town in 18th place in the Premier League.
Myers wrote: “I think at least we have some clarity (second charge aside) so focus can now be on WHU game and using this to get another lift as happened when the 10pts was announced.”
Hutchison replied: “5 points clear of the bottom three is HUGE mate.”
Everton move five points away from Premier League relegation zone after points deduction appeal
As things stand the breathing space to the bottom three is significant but Dyche will know as well as anyone that the picture could still change again.
The second profit and sustainability hearing is still on the horizon, and while the appeals outcome from the first should have provided a cap on any further sanction it is hard to know for certain where Everton will stand afterwards.
The club’s form has become patchy following an excellent run towards the end of 2023 and a much-needed three points against Brighton were lost at the death when Lewis Dunk found a stoppage-time equaliser.
But what is effectively a five-point swing with the point at the Amex thrown in is clearly better than nothing, even if the situation is still far from desirable on the whole.
The hope will now be that the players can respond to a (temporary at least) psychological boost to store up as many points as possible against the threat of losing more in future.
In other Everton news, Jamie Carragher issued his reaction to the latest development live on Sky Sports.
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