Brentford and Nottingham Forest drop in Premier League table amid major breaking news

Brentford and Nottingham Forest have dropped down in the Premier League without even playing a match as breaking news on the points punishment handed to Everton earlier this season unravels.

The Toffees appealed a 10-point deduction that had been slapped on the Merseyside outfit in November with the appeal hearing concluding earlier this month. It has today emerged that Everton were successful in their protestations and the punishment has been reduced from 10 to six points.

The change means that Sean Dyche's side's total points tally rises to 25, moving them up to 15th from 17th in the top flight. If Everton had not had any points loss, the club would sit 13th in the league.

The change has seen Brentford and Nottingham Forest drop to 16th and 17th in the league respectively. The Bees do have a game in hand on both those teams and play West Ham at The London Stadium on Monday night - a point would be enough to see Thomas Frank's men leapfrog Everton and return to 15th.

The news does increase pressure on teams that could end up fighting Premier League relegation, including Luton Town, Burnley and Sheffield United, as well as Brentford, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth and Crystal Palace. Brentford have won just three league fixtures since the start of December as the club endures a rough patch.

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An Everton statement today read: "While the club is still digesting the Appeal Board's decision, we are satisfied our appeal has resulted in a reduction in the points sanction.

"We understand the Appeal Board considered the 10-point deduction originally imposed to be inappropriate when assessed against the available benchmarks of which the club made the Commission aware, including the position under the relevant EFL regulations, and the 9-point deduction that is imposed under the Premier League's own rules in the event of insolvency.

"The club is also particularly pleased with the Appeal Board's decision to overturn the original Commission's finding that the club failed to act in utmost good faith. That decision, along with reducing the points deduction, was an incredibly important point of principle for the Club on appeal. The Club, therefore, feels vindicated in pursuing its appeal.

"Notwithstanding the Appeal Board's decision, and the positive outcome, the club remains fully committed to cooperating with the Premier League in respect of the ongoing proceedings brought for the accounting period ending in June 2023.

"The club is still considering the wider implications of the decision and will make no further comment at this time other than to place on record its thanks to our Fan Advisory Board and other fan groups throughout this process, and to all Evertonians for their ongoing support and patience."