The real victim of Everton points deductions is clear

Everton finally returned to winning ways in the Premier League on Saturdaywhen they beat Burnley 1-0 at Goodison Park.

However, there has been more turmoil off the pitch in recent days. On Monday, the Blues slipped to 16th place in the Premier League table after being docked two points for admitting breaking spending rules by £16.6 million for the three-year period up to June 2023.

Then, on Wednesday, it emerged that 777 Partners have asked for an extension to close the deal to buy the Goodison Park club from Farhad Moshiri. So, with all this in mind, our Everton jury are back to have their say on what is going on...

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READ MORE: Jarrad Branthwaite and Dwight McNeil reveal dressing room reaction to new Everton points deduction

Paul McParlan - Blue Monday

The decision by the Premier League to deduct another two points from Everton for PSR (Profit and Sustainability Rules) breaches on Monday quickly squashed any feel-good factor amongst Evertonians after the hard-fought victory over Burnley on Saturday, which had lifted the Blues up to 15th place, four points clear of the drop zone.

What is really frightening is that the Premier League had asked for the sanction to be five points! If they had their way from the first charge too, Everton would now be 17 points worse off and marooned at the bottom of the table. The club have already stated that they are planning to appeal. Were they not prepared for this outcome?

That appeal should have been on the desks of the Premier League within 30 seconds of that decision, and a media blitz expressing their outrage and refusal to accept it should have been launched immediately. The lack of consistency between the decisions these appeals panels have made is patently obvious.

How can you have a different jury for each hearing? Where are the clear set of guiding principles that clubs are judged against? Everton need to employ the best sports lawyers that money can buy and tear the Premier League’s procedures and processes to pieces.

And it seems that certain referees are doing their best to send us down. Twice in one week, Michael Oliver has turned down cast iron penalties for the Blues, and you just know that with Sky TV’s insistence on the title race going to the last day, we won’t get a single decision in our favour in the forthcoming derby game.

Nevertheless, we can still control matters on the pitch. The display against Burnley was not a classic, but the win was all that mattered. Another goal from Dominic Calvert-Lewin and a clean sheet were positive signs. Andre Gomes added much-needed creativity to the midfield and instigated our best moves. He may still have a key role to play before the end of the season.

Once again, the partnership of James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite was immense, and they are part of the reason why Everton have the best defensive record of any team outside the top three. That ability to ‘win ugly’, to grind out results, especially against the teams around us, will be crucial.

Monday night, we travel to Stamford Bridge to face a Chelsea team struggling for form. We have drawn on our last two visits there, so there is no reason why we can’t leave with at least a point with another ‘ugly’ display.

Perhaps this summer fans will be hoping that we sign a top-class sports barrister, like Laurence Rabinowitz, and a creative accountant who can balance the books rather than someone who can deliver on the pitch. Apparently, it used to be the football, not the finances, that were important.

Luke Davies - The relief did not last

The Premier League are like the Grinch who stole Christmas; they just steal wins at home against Burnley.

I felt a sense of relief walking out of Goodison Park on Saturday evening. A scruffy game that ended in victory. With three points in the bag (or so we thought), we all felt positive.

I was delighted for Dominic Calvert-Lewin, who looked brimming with confidence after his goal. That’s two in two for the striker, a much-needed stroke of luck. Although Sean Dyche's side still looked limited in attack, they still warranted a win.

However, in Everton fashion, the relief did not last. By Monday, two of the three points gained were chalked off due to another breach of Premier League financial regulations. The real victim of all this is the fan.

Supporters pay their hard-earned cash to enjoy their football team, only to have points taken away from a side already in a false position. Is this what football is now? Are we still allowed to enjoy the game? I’m slowly falling out of love with football in England, and I won’t be the only one.

Anyway, on the pitch, the players still have their fate in their own hands. Despite the deduction, Everton still sit two points above the relegation zone (10 points, really). The Blues travel to Stamford Bridge on Monday evening with positive memories of a hard-fought draw at the venue last season; Ellis Simms was the hero that day. The game poses a real opportunity for points; Chelsea also feature in the FA Cup semi-final five days later and could have one eye on Wembley.

Selection-wise, I would keep the eleven exactly the same as the one against Burnley. There is no need to change a winning side. I see an argument for swapping Jack Harrison for Ashley Young or re-introducing Amadou Onana for Andre Gomes, who looked off the pace against the Clarets. Apart from that, keep it the same.

Hopefully, next week we will all feel positive after a great performance in West London. Come on, Everton.

Alex McMonnies - The latest event in what has been a truly bizarre campaign

At long last, Everton earned their first league win of 2024, triumphing 1-0 over Burnley at Goodison Park on Saturday.

It proved to be a vital win, as somehow the Toffees are only one point better off than they were last week despite the victory. Everyone associated with the club is reeling after the Blues were hit with their second points deduction of the season on Monday afternoon.

The two-point penalty admittedly pales in comparison to the original 10- they were handed in November last year, although the Toffees may face further punishment in the summer. It is just the latest event in what has been a truly bizarre campaign of football, mostly for reasons away from the field of play.

But returning to the pitch, I may be in the minority when I say I was extremely satisfied with how Sean Dyche's Everton managed the game on Saturday. The air of tension around Goodison Park in the first half was unmistakable, but the players stuck to the game plan and were rewarded right at the close of the first half.

Burnley goalkeeper Arijanet Muric was caught out by Dominic Calvert-Lewin's press, and his kick upfield ended up flying over his head into the net via the forward's outstretched leg. It was the exact sort of luck that Calvert-Lewin has earned through all his hard work over the challenging last few months.

The Toffees visibly grew in confidence after the break and gave the Clarets very little opportunity to find a way back into the match, mostly down to the performance of Jarrad Branthwaite, who was particularly outstanding . Their task was made easier after Dara O'Shea's sending off in the 67th minute after some good anticipation from the industrious Dwight McNeil, who is looking more like his usual self as of late.

But even as the pressure was ramped up on them, the Everton players did not panic and held out for a crucial three points. The confidence boost that breaking this hoodoo will have given them could well see them fly through their upcoming important matches.

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