Everton fixtures compared to Leicester, Leeds & Nottingham Forest

Everton’s stubborn resolve eventually buckled in an ultimately convincing 3-0 loss to Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Sean Dyche stressed that he wanted his side to “enjoy the moment” of beating Brighton 5-1 on Monday. However, he also warned: “But equally, you have to come down very quickly because the next one is the most important one.” Manchester City, with Ilkay Gundogan fiendishly operating the joysticks, certainly helped send Everton crashing back down to Earth.

The Toffees remain outside the dreaded drop zone but are just one point above 18th-placed Leeds United with two games remaining. Nottingham Forest may sit in 16th but haven’t entirely hauled themselves to safety while Leicester City are circling the plughole which Southampton have already slipped through.

Here’s what lies ahead for the four clubs scrapping for safety in the Premier League.

After the ominous task of a contest against reigning champions Manchester City, Everton have a pair of – theoretically – more inviting fixtures to close out the season.

Before the five-goal splurge against Brighton last Monday, the Toffees had the worst offensive record in the division. Wolves have taken up that mantle after Everton’s seaside shellacking and host their sporadically prolific opponents on the penultimate weekend of the season.

Bournemouth travel to Merseyside for the final game of a campaign that could be historic for all the wrong reasons if Everton slip out of the top flight for the first time in seven decades.

Since Dean Smith was appointed as Leicester manager, he has steered the Foxes to more Premier League points than Chelsea or Tottenham. However, that has not been enough to lift his new side out of the relegation zone.

Leicester come up against two of the division’s top five in their final three fixtures, hosting Liverpool on Monday before travelling to Newcastle’s St James’ Park. West Ham, who will surely be safe and may have a European final to focus on, make for less formidable opposition on the final day but Smith has to keep Leicester within arm’s reach of safety until then.