Everton points deduction: key days ahead as Premier League season threatens to descend into chaos

The lawyers will now take their place on the frontline of the Premier League relegation battle ahead of a nervous few weeks for clubs including Everton.

The Blues have already ticked off the first of their three weeks without a game. Having watched Luton Town throw away a three goal lead at Bournemouth then scramble to a draw with Nottingham Forest, and Brentford lose at Burnley, they have been able to take some comfort from the failure of their closest rivals to land a significant blow.

But even with a fortnight break in the calendar, the Premier League table could well change before Everton return to action at Bournemouth over Easter weekend.

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Attention now turns to the arguments of lawyers representing Everton, Nottingham Forest and the Premier League across several weeks that will be crucial to the survival fight.

The league’s profit and sustainability case against Nottingham Forest was heard earlier this month and a verdict is believed to be imminent. The numbers at the heart of the case have not yet been made public, and the club is subject to different spending parameters due to having been in the Championship for part of the assessment period. But Everton’s case has established that a points deduction is the starting point where guilt is found and so the club currently level on points with the Blues could end up seeing their total reduced.

Should that offer respite for Everton then it may be shortlived. The club, already working with a six point deduction handed out for a first breach, is set to face a second