Everton's daunting run highlights fundamental flaw in Premier League relegation argument

dailystar.co.uk:

Everton too good to go down? The argument should now be: Are the Toffees good enough to stay up?Never before in their top-flight history have the Blues played 25 games and been sat on just 22 points.They are facing the prospect of returning to the second tier for the first time in 68 years as they sit one point above the Premier League drop zone.Not just because of the position they’re in now, but also because of what is coming for Frank Lampard’s side.If getting hammered 5-0 by Tottenham on Monday wasn’t enough, up next is the visit of Wolves.Then a clash with fellow relegation battlers Newcastle before a run of West Ham, Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea.Considering they have won just two of their last 19 league games in a run which has included 14 defeats, it’s not easy to see how the Toffees get out of this situation.“I’ve got no problem with the challenge because I knew exactly what it was when I came here,” said Lampard.But did he really think it would be this bad?The Everton boss can take solace from the fact out of four games at Goodison Park since he’s taken over they’ve won three.But two of those have been FA Cup games and now next week’s quarter-final at Crystal Palace seems more of a distraction, which is causing a backlog in fixtures with four games now needing to be rescheduled.Recovering from a one-sided mauling at Spurs is going to be difficult, too.If Lampard wasn’t aware of the real character inside his dressing room, he would have surely found out on Monday night.But it isn’t just character; there is a lack of form and quality all over the pitch, particularly in defence.They’ve conceded 46 goals this season with only Leeds, Watford and Norwich letting in more.Injuries aren’t helping, either, but.