Everton's points deduction cut from 10 to six after appeal, Toffees five points clear of Premier League drop zone

Everton's points deduction in the Premier League has been reduced from 10 to six with immediate effect, following a review by an appeal board.

The Toffees were hit with a 10-point deduction in November after an independent commission determined the club had breached the league's profitability and sustainability rules (PSR).

However, they appealed, with Monday's ruling seeing them climb from 17th place in the table to 15th - five points clear of the relegation zone.

In a statement, Everton said the club was “satisfied the appeal has resulted in a reduction” but are “still considering the wider implications of the decision”.

In November, the club were found to have breached PSR in the three-year assessment period which ended with the 2021-22 season, where they exceeded permitted losses by £19.5m.

Three months later, the move to cut Everton’s deduction by four points has come as a major blow to clubs at the bottom of the table - especially Brentford and Nottingham Forest, who Everton have climbed above, and Luton Town, who are now four points from safety.

On the pitch, Everton initially responded well to the deduction, despite a 3-0 home defeat to Manchester United a week after the punishment was announced.

They won their next four games, beating Forest, Newcastle United, Chelsea and Burnley.

However, the news of the reduction will come as a huge relief to Evertonians at a crucial time in the season after watching their side remain winless in their last nine top-flight games.

Next, Everton host West Ham United at Goodison Park, before travelling to Manchester United and then hosting Liverpool in the Merseyside derby.

"Everton can confirm an appeal board has concluded that the points deduction imposed by an independent Premier League commission in November be reduced from 10 points to six points, with immediate effect.

"While the club is still digesting the appeal board’s decision, we are satisfied our appeal has resulted in a reduction in the points sanction.

"We understand the appeal board considered the 10-point deduction originally imposed to be inappropriate when assessed against the available benchmarks of which the club made the commission aware, including the position under the relevant EFL regulations, and the nine-point deduction that is imposed under the Premier League’s own rules in the event of insolvency.

"The club is also particularly pleased with the appeal board’s decision to overturn the original commission’s finding that the club failed to act in utmost good faith. That decision, along with reducing the points deduction, was an incredibly important point of principle for the club on appeal. The club, therefore, feels vindicated in pursuing its appeal.

"Notwithstanding the appeal board’s decision, and the positive outcome, the club remains fully committed to cooperating with the Premier League in respect of the ongoing proceedings brought for the accounting period ending in June 2023.

"The club is still considering the wider implications of the decision and will make no further comment at this time other than to place on record its thanks to our fan advisory board and other fan groups throughout this process, and to all Evertonians for their ongoing support and patience."

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