Man Utd handed Premier League points deduction boost over Tottenham as table reshuffles

Tottenham are in a tough fight for a spot in the Champions League next season, and the upcoming fixtures could be key. Right now, it is Aston Villa in the driving seat for fourth place, with Unai Emery's side holding a five-point lead over fifth-placed Tottenham and an eight-point lead over sixth-placed Manchester United.

However, Spurs do have a game in hand, after their weekend fixture with Chelsea was postponed due to the Blues' involvement in the Carabao Cup final. And Spurs and Villa go head-to-head at Villa Park in just over a week's time, in what could be a crucial encounter.

But there's another factor that could affect things: a recent change in how the Premier League handles points deductions. Last year, Everton lost 10 points because they broke the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules.

However, following an appeal, that deduction was reduced to six points this week. The Premier League explained: «Everton FC appealed the sanction imposed against it on nine grounds, each of which related to the sanction rather than the fact of the breach, which the club admitted.

»Two of those nine grounds were upheld by the Appeal Board, which has substituted the original points deduction of 10 for six. This revised sanction has immediate effect and the Premier League table will be updated today to reflect this."

That change in the table meant Nottingham Forest — who like Everton are awaiting a decision on fresh sanctions from the Premier League — are now in 17th place after the latest games, with Luton dropping into the relegation places in 18th. Everton have moved up to 15th. This change in positions could really shake things up at both ends of the league.

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