The Premier League have three awkward questions to answer after new Everton charge

Everton finally returned to winning ways with a 1-0 victory over Crystal Palace in the FA Cup at Goodison Park on Wednesday night.

The Blues came out on top of a scrappy third-round replay courtesy of Andre Gomes' magnificent 42nd-minute free-kick. It was the first time Sean Dyche’s side had tasted victory since a 2-0 win over Burnley on December 16.

However, this week has been dominated by off the pitch news, as Everton are facing a second points deduction this season after being charged on Monday with another breach of the Premier League’s financial rules.

The US investment firm 777 Partners is also still awaiting word from the Premier League on its proposed takeover, and Richard Masters, the Premier League’s CEO, told the culture, media and sport committee of MPs on Tuesday that a final decision remains weeks away. And with so with everything in mind, our Everton jury are back to have their say on matters on and off the pitch.

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Paul McParlan - Double Whammy!

On the pitch, matters went reasonably well last week. Off the pitch, it was a different story.

The news of another possible points deduction was the last thing that anyone at Everton wanted to hear. It seems that the Premier League is determined to offer the club as a sacrificial lamb while allowing Manchester City to flagrantly bend the rules.

Even more outrageous is the possibility that a decision on the second sanction won't be made until after the season ends, leaving supporters in limbo. We could avoid the drop on the field but be relegated by the stroke of a pen a few days later.

And do we have any faith in