Everton backed for relegation but Frank Lampard still has reason for optimism

Most major bookies now have Everton as favourites for relegation.

Sunday’s results saw Burnley leapfrog the Blues and push them into the bottom three for the first time in this survival battle.

As a consequence, a swathe of gambling firms now believe the Clarets are more likely than Everton to survive the drop from the Premier League. Despite those predictions of doom, two important factors remain in play that could salvage Everton's season.

First is their destiny remains in their own hands. Everton may sit two points below Burnley, but they do have a game in hand. The reality, therefore, is if they win all their remaining games they will survive - even if Burnley also claim maximum points.

Everton taking 18 points from six games is unlikely, of course. And therefore all eyes will be on results elsewhere, even if Frank Lampard is calling for 'absolute' focus on his side's games. But it is important they control their fate for as long as possible and, at the moment, Everton do.

The second factor is the Blues' performances in recent weeks. Ignoring the dismal defeat to Crystal Palace in the FA Cup, Frank Lampard's men have improved since falling to defeat at home to Wolves. They have shown determination and resilience in the face of injuries and controversial decisions to beat Newcastle United and Manchester United.

They looked the better side for much of the catastrophic defeat at Burnley, could have snatched a point at West Ham and, despite struggling for so long against Leicester City, the players fought on to rescue a valuable point.

They competed with Liverpool for much of the Merseyside Derby and had strong claims for a penalty waved away when Anthony Gordon was challenged by Joel Matip and the match still