'I'm not arguing with you' - Andy Gray reluctantly accepts Keys' damning Everton verdict

Richard Keys has tipped Everton as one of the teams that could be relegated from the Premier League this season.

Everton were beaten 3-0 by Brighton and Hove Albion at Goodison Park in their opening game of the 2024-25 season on Saturday (17 August).

Speaking live on beIN SPORTS [17 August, 7:55pm] on the back of that result, Keys said relegation is once again a worry for the Toffees – as it still is for the likes of Brighton and Nottingham Forest.

“I think Ipswich are nailed on to go back; Southampton will go with them,” Keys said.

“Of the third promoted team, I think [Steve] Cooper knows what it takes to keep a team up.

“So I’ll go with Leicester City having the best chance of those three promoted clubs of staying up. I still think Brighton will get into a bit of trouble.

“And you can throw Nottingham Forest into the mix. I wasn’t going to mention Everton, but having seen them today…”

At that point, co-host and former Everton player Andy Gray responded: “I’m not arguing with you after that.”

Everton face yet another long season

As ever going into a new season, hopes were high regarding what was possible for Everton over the next nine months or so.

Nobody realistically expected to challenge for a European spot, as such, but there was hope of a top-half finish.

That may still be the case, but if the defeat to Brighton is anything to go by, simply finishing 17th or higher has to be the priority.

The defeat highlighted just how short Sean Dyche’s men are of quality in numerous areas of the field, even when the squad is fully fit.

There has been plenty of talk of more new signings coming in, such as Roma’s Edoardo Bove [Gazzetta dello Sport, 18 August].

However, unless new additions are indeed brought in, it is hard to see the Toffees doing much of anything this season.

That is the brutal truth, and it is where the club are right now. With Tottenham away up next, it certainly does not get any easier.

In other Everton news, Sean Dyche could be facing action from the Football Association.

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