Everton: Fresh 'scared' claim now emerges at Goodison Park

This is the closest Everton have been to relegation for more than 20 years, according to journalist Paul Brown.

Frank Lampard’s side are two points from safety and have six games left to save their season and avoid dropping into the Championship.

Everton’s performances have improved of late, with decent showings against Manchester United, Leicester and Liverpool.

But the bad news for the Toffees is that the departure of Sean Dyche at Burnley has led to the Clarets enjoying their best run of form this season, which has seen them collect seven points from three matches and climb out of the bottom three.

Everton do still have a game in hand on their rivals, while 16th place Leeds, who are five points above the Merseysiders in the table, are far from out of trouble.

However, Lampard’s men still have to play the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal, and Leicester, while key games against Crystal Palace and Brentford are likely to be far from straightforward.

As a result, Brown is more worried about Everton getting relegated than at any time since they almost dropped into the second-tier in the 1997-1998 campaign.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “They’re capable of getting out of it, but they do need wins quickly because other teams are picking up points.

“It’s the most scared I’ve been about Everton since that Wimbledon game I was watching on Teletext all those years ago.”

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As Brown alluded to, the alarm bells are ringing at Goodison Park.

Not only do Everton start a Premier League match inside the relegation zone for the first time since December 2019, but they could be five points adrift, with an inferior goal difference, by the time they host Chelsea on Sunday.

Lee