VINER: Everton magic seems so irretrievably lost, we’re hurt, bewildered & angry.

Despite the many unknowns surrounding Sunday’s Premier League round of matches, one thing is certain: at approximately 6.30pm, an outside broadcast director will review the available camera shots and choose one featuring a distraught young fan, most likely beside a heartbroken parent.

It’s also possible that the picture originates from Goodison Park, one of the oldest citadels in English football history.

I’ve been watching those last-day photos of kids sobbing for as long as I can remember, and every time I see them, my sorrow for their suffering only lasts for a moment. However, the distressed tiny poppets were never blue for Everton.

They may have been, after the matches against Coventry City in 1997–98 and Wimbledon in 1993–94, but they weren’t. And by the last day, we were safe, even with the collywobbles from the previous season. However, it appears that the Toffees’ situation is still as sticky as it has been for 25 years.

The team I have passionately supported for more than 50 years will tumble into English football’s second tier for the first time since long before I was born if Everton loses or even draws against Bournemouth on Sunday and Leicester beats West Ham.

Leeds might potentially defeat an unmotivated Tottenham team at Elland Road to demote us.

But if we win, then what Leeds and Leicester do is irrelevant. My buddies who are not from Earth are comforting. They remark, “Of course you’ll beat them.” “They don’t have anything to win.” ‘If you can’t defeat Bournemouth at home, then you don’t deserve to remain up,’ the more snarky ones add.

True enough. However, the Cherries have already destroyed us 7-1 overall this season in both the Carabao Cup and the Premier League.

Furthermore, Sean Dyche’s squad could not have a recognised centre striker, left defender, or right back on Sunday. This is an indication of the injuries we’ve had this season, but more painfully, it’s a reflection of