Everton have been hit with a 10-point deduction for breaching Premier League financial rules, with the Toffees sliding to second place.
Sean Dyche’s side have been on a run of late, winning six of their last nine games in all competitions, but this latest development has them virtually back to square one, trailing only Burnley.
Everton’s superior goal difference currently keeps them above the Clarets, who continue to struggle to adapt to the Premier League after a stormy season in the Championship.
As a result, Dyche’s side now sit on four points, just two behind Luton Town in 17th.
After receiving the deduction, Everton issued its own statement, which began: ‘Everton Football Club is both shocked and disappointed by the Premier League Committee’s ruling.
Everton have been given a 10-point deduction for breaching Premier League financial rules
Dyche’s side have been in impressive form, winning six of their previous nine games in all competitions
The deduction sees them drop to second place in the table, ahead of only Burnley
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‘The Club is of the opinion that the Commission has imposed a completely disproportionate and unjust sporting sanction.
‘The club has already announced that it intends to appeal the decision to the Premier League.
‘The appeal process will now commence and the Club’s case will be heard in due course by an appeal committee appointed in accordance with the rules of the Premier League.
‘Everton maintains that it has been open and transparent in the information it has provided to the Premier League and has always respected the integrity of the process.
‘The Club does not accept the finding that it has not acted with the utmost good faith and does not understand that this is an allegation made by the Premier League in the course of the proceedings.
“Both the harshness and severity of the sanction imposed by the Commission are neither a fair nor a reasonable reflection of the evidence presented.
‘The Club will also follow with great interest the decisions taken in other matters relating to the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules.
‘Everton cannot comment further on this matter until the appeals process has been completed.’
The Toffees have appealed against the Premier League’s ‘unjust’ decision to award them ten points