Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher is convinced Everton will beat the drop after Friday's 10-point penalty.
Everton have been hit with a 10-point deduction after being found to have breached 'profit and sustainability' rules by the Premier League. Everton intend to appeal the decision.
Carragher told Sky Sports: "I think it's excessive. We're talking about 20m - it is a small figure when you think of the Premier League now and transfer fees.
"There's talk about other clubs being upset that Everton were buying players that they shouldn't have done.
"But the fact they have been working with the Premier League over the last couple of years, I don't understand why, over the last few transfer windows, the league didn't say to Everton that they couldn't bring in a certain player they wanted to?
"It just feel to me, to take points off clubs is really tough. That punishment has to be the last resort. You can have transfer embargo, fine, especially for a club like Everton right now where they have spent over 20m.
"It feels excessive and I feel for Everton, especially what is going on with other clubs. There were certain Big Six clubs with what happened with the Super League where they threatened to leave the league, with a 22m fine spread between the six clubs.
"So when you think of that and compare it to with Everton being done with a ten-point points deduction. It puts them almost at the bottom of the league, I think it's excessive."
He also said, "Of course, it will hurt the fans, but it will galvanise them. They will feel the world it against them.
"It won't make Manchester United's job any easier when they go to Goodison Parka in about ten days. If truth be told, if you were ever going to get a points deduction at any point in the Premier League era, it would probably be this one.
"I know Everton are fighting against this, but they will be in the Premier League next season even with this points deduction. I'm pretty certain of that."