Everton hit with second Premier League points deduction as Merseyside derby vs Liverpool becomes even bigger

Everton have suffered a second points deduction of the season for a breach of Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

The Toffees were docked 10 points, which was reduced to six on appeal, for breaking spending rules in the 2021-22 season.

And now Sean Dyche's side have been punished for being deemed not to have stuck to financial regulations last campaign - and hit with two more points following a three-day hearing last month.

After a 1-0 victory over Burnley moved Everton up to 15th in the Premier League table, they have now dropped to 16th. The Goodison Park outfit are now only two points above Luton Town in the relegation zone with seven matches remaining.

A Premier League statement said: An independent Commission has given an immediate two-point deduction to Everton FC for a breach of the Premier League’s Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSRs) for the period ending Season 2022/23.

“Over a three-day hearing last month, the independent Commission heard evidence and arguments from the club in respect of a range of potential mitigating factors for its admitted breach of £16.6million, including the impact of its two successive PSR charges. Having done so, the Commission determined the appropriate sanction to be a two-point deduction, taking effect immediately.

“The independent Commission reaffirmed the principle that any breach of the PSRs is significant and justifies, indeed requires, a sporting sanction.”

Everton have seven days to determine whether they will appeal the decision.

And it means that when Liverpool face the Toffees in the Merseyside derby at Goodison on Wednesday 24 April, there’s even more on the line. The Reds are battling to win the Premier League title and are no longer in the driving seat after a 2-2 draw at Manchester United. They’re now level on points with Arsenal but have a worse goal difference of nine.

And Everton could be scrapping for their top-flight status with games against Chelsea and Nottingham Forest before that.