Moyes' Everton prediction after being "really disappointed" by points deduction

24 November 2023 , 14:38

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David Moyes spent more than a decade in charge at Everton. (Image: Simon Dael/REX/Shutterstock)

Former Everton manager David Moyes said he is “really disappointed” to see the club deducted 10 points for breaches of the Premier League ’s financial fair play rules but he is backing Sean Dyche to retain their top-flight status.

West Ham boss Moyes spent more than a decade in charge at Goodison Park and retains great affection for the club. He is sympathetic towards the club's fans and has seen enough - including Everton beating his current club in East London recently - to believe they have enough to survive the unprecedented penalty and stay afloat.

Moyes said: “I’m really disappointed for the club generally. Sean Dyche has done a brilliant job, just beginning to stabilise them. The stories have been going around for quite a while. It’s something the Premier League have felt the need to step in with.

“We all have to abide by rules in every walk of life, no different for football clubs. Everton, the position they are in and the way they are playing, there’s still a great chance of them being a Premier League club next season.”

Meanwhile, Moyes has played down fears of an injury crisis at West Ham with Jarrod Bowen facing a late fitness test before tomorrow’s trip to Burnley and Michail Antonio expected to be fit in time for the Christmas fixtures.

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Bowen and Antonio picked up knee injuries during international duty but concerns that both would face lengthy spells out have been dismissed. Regarding Antonio, Moyes said: “It’s a small injury, not serious. Probably keep him out for a couple of weeks. Nothing too serious. About two weeks but I don’t want to be nailed down to the timespan.”

And the Scot added that top scorer Bowen, who returned to West Ham before England’s trip to North Macedonia, might be cleared to feature at Turf Moor.

West Ham had the fewest number of injuries in the league before the international break and that was a source of pride for Moyes. And he believe seeing two of his star forwards hurt while representing their countries was “galling.”

“We’ve had a great injury record,” he added. “Now we have players injured on international duty. If it happens on our duty it’s part and parcel but when they go away with the international team it’s more galling when they come back injured.

“I want my players to play for their country, I want more to be selected but the downside is they come back with injuries.”

Alan Smith