Trevor Steven feels Everton have an ‘outside chance’ of winning the FA Cup but urges Frank Lampard to prioritise Premier League survival, speaking on Sky Sports News (03/03, 22:14).
The Toffees secured a place in the FA Cup quarter-final after beating Boreham Wood 2-0 on Wednesday. They will now travel to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on March 19 for a semi-final trip to Wembley. The Blues have not reached the final four since the 2015/16 season.
But while Everton are one of the eight teams still in the FA Cup, their Premier League status is uncertain. The Goodison Park outfit are 17th in the table after 24 games with a one-point gap to the relegation zone. Yet the Toffees have a game in hand over Burnley in 18th-place.
Everton’s top-flight status is precarious, having only won one of their last nine games. They have also lost three of their four under Lampard so far since appointing the 43-year-old to replace Rafa Benitez. Farhad Moshiri sacked the Spaniard in January after one win in 13.
Steven backs Premier League survival over Everton winning FA Cup
Former Everton midfielder Steven feels Lampard will prioritise securing the Goodison side’s Premier League safety over winning the FA Cup. He believes still being a top-flight outfit far outweighs the joys lifting silverware will bring to Merseyside, even if they can win the cup.
“It’s a win, so Everton are through to the quarter-final against Crystal Palace,” Steven said. “Which gives them that outside chance of progressing and getting a trophy, which would be a massive thing for Everton.
“But, of course, we know the Premier League is the bread and butter and they need to pay attention to that. It will not be that high in his priorities, I have to be honest, because of the precarious position that Everton are in in the league. That has to be taken care of.
“They have some difficult games going up, away at Tottenham on Monday is never going to be easy. So, that will be priority number one. But it would be a great season if Everton stay up and get a trophy like the FA Cup. Unlikely to happen. As an Evertonian myself, I would like to see them secure their position in the Premier League and anything else is a bonus.”
Everton are one of six Premier League sides still in the FA Cup with Chelsea, Southampton, Manchester City, Crystal Palace and Liverpool. Chelsea and the Reds are the only sides not facing another top-flight club in the quarter-final with away days to Championship clubs.
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