Richard Keys is fearing for Everton's Premier League survival and has described the prospect of not beating the drop as 'frightening'.
The Blues suffered yet another away defeat on Sunday, going down 2-1 against David Moyes' West Ham United. Marcus Holgate cancelled out Aaron Cresswell's freekick opener but the Hammers were back in front via Jarrod Bowen just minutes later before a Michael Keane red card ended the Toffees' chances of getting anything out of the match.
It means that Frank Lampard's side are still only three points above the relegation zone and travel to Burnley on Wednesday evening for a huge six-pointer that could make-or-break both sides' season.
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Speaking on beIN Sports, presenter Keys said: “Six defeats in eight and we were watching that, Andy (Gray), Jason (MacAteer) and myself saying the sort of things that are happening to Everton right now - Keane going off today, you score and get back in it at 1-1 and you concede again so quickly after - these are things that happen to teams that get relegated.
“It’s frightening if you’re an Evertonian. Frightening. That’s the harsh reality. There are still games in hand and they may be enough. But the gap is only three points between Watford and Everton and five between the Toffees and Leeds.”
The Blues will now be without Keane for the trip to Turf Moor as he serves a one match suspension following his dismissal on Sunday. Everton's selection woes only intensified at the London stadium after midfielder Donny van de Beek pulled up with a quad muscle injury in the warm-up and full-back Nathan Patterson, who impressed for Scotland during the international break was denied a senior debut after getting injured in training on Saturday.
