This is why Everton will survive

Although Everton amidst a crisis in the boardroom, the footballing operation has been better this season. Sean Dyche is getting the best from his players, DCL has kept fit and has only missed one game this season due to injury.

Before the deduction, they were sitting 14th and were one of the form sides in the league. Despite their deduction, they are still one of the most in-form teams, having won 3 in 4. Their last defeat was at Anfield, losing 2-0.

It had been a poor start for the Toffee’s goals were sparse and regular defeats, and it looked like another gloomy season. Things on the pitch have not been great for Everton since Roberto Martinez left. Ronald Koeman started his tenure brightly before a shocking start in his second saw his reign end.

Sam Allardyce was the man brought in to save Everton, but he was never able to inspire the fans and resigned at the end of the season. Even Carlo Ancelotti tried his luck but only stuck around for one full season at the club, and it was the next appointment that irked the fans. Former Liverpool and Chelsea manager Rafa Benitez was at the helm.

Surviving a sticky situation

In hindsight, the appointment of Benetiz was never going to be a success due to his ties with arch-rivals Liverpool. The Spaniard ultimately failed and became the 5th manager in six years to be sacked from Everton. If things didn’t look good on the pitch, the situation with their finances looked more concerning. 

Relegation from the Premier League could have been catastrophic to their future so Frank Lampard was handed the task of steering them to safety. The Everton fans got right behind their manager and team, doing everything in their power to get a rise from the players. The day that epitomised their support was the sea of blue that welcomed the team’s coach before a match versus Chelsea. Thanks to the unwavering support, Everton ran out 1-0 winners, giving them a fighting chance to retain their Premier League status. Everton successfully avoided relegation after beating Cyrstal Palace 3-2 on the penultimate day. A victory that Lampard said was “one of the greatest moments of my footballing career.”

Will Merseyside come together?

Everton fans will not turn on their team for the remainder of this season because they feel unjustly punished. Everton legend Duncan Ferguson said to BBC Sport: “Unfortunately, they’ve got the points deduction, which I knew was coming.

“They’ve had a few knocks over the last few years, to say the least, but the ten points deduction, they’ll get over it. They’re a resilient bunch, the players and the scousers down there. Everton will be safe this year they are good enough, so there’ll be no problem.”

The city of Liverpool has been no more resilient than after the Hillsborough disaster which had 97 tragedies. Liverpool fans have continuously fought over the unlawful killing of the victims due to police negligence. 

Five weeks after the incident, the two Merseyside clubs clashed in the FA Cup final with Liverpool triumphing. The match was preceded by a minute’s silence, followed by Gerry & the Pacemakers singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone.”

Despite their rivalry, the Merseyside clubs share a connection to their city and overcome injustice together. Former Liverpool players Graeme Souness and Jamie Carragher shared their empathy towards Everton. 

Purely on a footballing basis and considering the teams around Everton, the Toffees have enough to avoid relegation. However if their punishment is to increase due to losing an appeal, it could be a different story. All that Everton can do now is focus on their performances and that starts with Manchester United at home. It will be interesting to see the protests and continued support at the stadium this Sunday.