Everton points deduction can't distract from record low in relegation fight

25 November 2023 , 05:45

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Everton points deduction can't distract from record low in relegation fight

The prospect of a tight race for the title is an enthralling one but the battle to beat the drop could be predictable, with most teams surviving almost by default.

The three promoted teams from last season’s Championship have put up the worst start of that trio since the Premier League began. And if it wasn’t for Everton ’s 10-point deduction last week - one that is still subject to appeal - Luton, Sheffield United and Burnley would all be staring into the abyss already.

Burnley prop up the other 19 teams, even after the Toffees were docked those 10 points. Everton still lead them on goal difference. The combined 15 points of the three promoted teams (Luton 6, Sheffield United 5, Burnley 4) is the lowest by a long way at this stage of a season in Premier League history.

That was in 2007-08 and saw Derby on six points on their way to a record low of 11 for a Premier League season. Sunderland, who survived, had nine and Birmingham, who were eventually relegated alongside the Rams, were on 11 after 12 games.

The task facing Burnley is highlighted even more if you consider that only three teams have previously had as few as four points after 12 games - Everton in 1994-95, QPR in 2012-13 and the Blades in 2020-21, who had only one point.

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Burnley have picked up just four points this season (Ian MacNicol)

A further seven have been on five points at this stage and eight of the 10 teams overall were relegated. The only survivors were the aforementioned Everton, in a 42-game season, and Crystal Palace in 2017-18 when Roy Hodgson rescued a dismal start that saw Frank de Boer sacked just four games into his reign.

While the immediate attention of this Premier League weekend will be on the meeting between the top two Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium on Saturday lunchtime, focus will soon switch to a few crucial clashes at the bottom end.

Burnley, still looking for their first home win of the season, welcome West Ham to Turf Moor for one of Saturday's 3pm kick-offs, while at the same time Luton and Sheffield United will face the type of home game they really have to get something from if they are to have a chance of staying up.

The Hatters, who held Liverpool at Kenilworth Road earlier this month, welcome Crystal Palace, while Sheffield United host a Bournemouth side buoyed by a 2-0 win over Newcastle last time out.

Focus will then shift to Goodison Park on Sunday when Everton fans are set to show their displeasure towards the Premier League when they welcome Manchester United.

Keith Webster