While most of the critics in the UK agree that Everton will stay in the top echelon of the English game, some of the club’s players have remarked that they are on tenterhooks and must take notice of their position in the Premier League standings.
Everton captain Phil Jagielka admits that Everton have been dragged into the relegation fight as they are only six points ahead of third-bottom Burnley with nine matches to go.
Jagielka pulled no punches when assessing his team’s situation, yet the 3-0 win over Newcastle on Sunday gave them a needed boost.
The Blues, who are still involved in the Europa League, have won just two Premier League games since December 15.
Which begs the question… is the Europa League having a negative impact on Everton’s domestic form?
Everton have spent a record 110 years (this season not included) in the top flight, and the last time they dropped down a division was in 1951.
“We have nine games left and need to pull our socks and start picking up more points,” Jagielka was quoted as saying after last weekend’s match against Newcastle.
Although the fans have stood by the team, some did turn on the players and Jagielka understands their frustrations. The defender knows why they are so upset after the Blues performed so well to finish fifth last season.
“It has been a difficult season to watch us because the performances have not been as good as last season,” Jagielka admitted.
Club legend Graeme Sharp said Everton’s opponents are content to let them have the ball because they know the Blues struggle to score – they have managed just 36 league goals in 29 games.
“Most of the critics have written that, if you look at the run of fixtures and the fact that they were not in fact playing that badly, one can foresee a situation where Everton could get to at least 40 points,” Sharp said.
“I genuinely still believe that they will end this season strongly and expect them to win seven of the nine remaining games.”
Indeed, it is a marvellous feat for Everton to have spent so many seasons in the top division.
From the first kick of the ball in 1888-89, when the first Football League came into existence, to this day, the Toffees have stuck to their task of providing their supporters the best there is, although honours have been few and far between.
Season | Pos. | Pl | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
2013-14 | 5th | 38 | 21 | 09 | 08 | 61 | 39 | 72 |
2012-13 | 6th | 38 | 16 | 15 | 07 | 55 | 40 | 63 |
2011-12 | 7th | 38 | 15 | 11 | 12 | 50 | 40 | 56 |
2010-11 | 7th | 38 | 13 | 15 | 10 | 51 | 45 | 54 |
2009-10 | 8th | 38 | 16 | 13 | 09 | 60 | 49 | 61 |
2008-09 | 5th | 38 | 17 | 12 | 09 | 31 | 39 | 63 |
2007-08 | 5th. | 38 | 19 | 08 | 11 | 55 | 33 | 65 |
2006-07 | 6th | 38 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 52 | 36 | 58 |
2005-06 | 11th | 38 | 14 | 08 | 16 | 34 | 49 | 50 |
2004-05 | 4th | 38 | 18 | 07 | 13 | 45 | 46 | 61 |
2003-04 | 17th | 38 | 09 | 12 | 17 | 45 | 57 | 39 |
2002-03 | 7th | 38 | 17 | 08 | 13 | 48 | 49 | 59 |
2001-02 | 15th | 38 | 11 | 10 | 17 | 45 | 57 | 43 |
2000-01 | 16th | 38 | 11 | 09 | 18 | 45 | 59 | 42 |
1999-00 | 13th | 38 | 12 | 14 | 12 | 59 | 49 | 50 |
1998-99 | 14th | 38 | 11 | 10 | 17 | 42 | 47 | 43 |
1997-98 | 17th | 38 | 09 | 13 | 16 | 41 | 56 | 40 |
1996-97 | 15th | 38 | 10 | 12 | 16 | 44 | 57 | 42 |
1995-96 | 6th | 38 | 17 | 10 | 11 | 64 | 44 | 61 |
1994-95 | 15th | 42 | 11 | 17 | 14 | 44 | 51 | 50 |
1993-94 | 17th | 42 | 12 | 08 | 22 | 42 | 63 | 44 |
1992-93 | 13th | 42 | 15 | 08 | 19 | 53 | 55 | 53 |
Seasons outside top flight
1953-54 | ||||||||
Division 2 | 2nd | 42 | 20 | 16 | 06 | 92 | 58 | 56 |
1952-53 | ||||||||
Division 2 | 16th | 42 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 71 | 75 | 38 |
1951-52 | ||||||||
Division 2 | 7th | 42 | 17 | 10 | 15 | 64 | 58 | 44 |
1930-31 | ||||||||
Division 2 | 1st | 42 | 28 | 05 | 09 | 121 | 66 | 61 |