I never said they did Everton any favors. So let's make sure that's understood. I just said they didn't do Man City, a "sky/big 6/whatever" club, any favors. And they didn't.
And as for the original postponement, you certainly have an argument for since they've not said exactly why they made that decision -- risk of the health to Everton players/staff as well? Who knows.
As for "follow the money" -- wtf does this even mean? Do you think that the Prem gives a shit where the prize money goes? Or who wins the league? Gun to their head they would want a close race for 1st, 4th, and the relegation places, but wouldn't give a shit which clubs are involved. They get their TV revenue no matter what. And they pay out prize money based on place earned in the table. So "just follow the money", which a nice sounding trope, doesn't work here at all. Explain LCFC winning the Prem a few seasons ago then. Explain Man United not finishing 3rd or higher (never Champions) just two times in the past 7 seasons when they had previously never finished below 3rd since the Premier League began in 1992 (that's 1992 to 2013 -- never once below 3rd; 5 times below 4th in seven seasons since then.) Explain LCFC in the top 4 right now. Explain WHUFC just 2 points off 4th over halfway through the season right now.
If there is such a CONSPIRACY happening to protect the "big 6" then this is the worst one orchestrated in history.
But let's think about this rescheduled match logically instead of like a raving lunatic screaming at the moon for being too bright when it is full.
- Importantly, it is the next available midweek opening that Man City AND Everton have, so I'm sure that was tempting to get it done and over with ASAP considering we don't know how the rest of the season will play out with postponements.
- Before this scheduled match Everton play a Sat - Wed - Sun schedule. Man City play a Sun - Wed - Sat schedule. I struggle to see either club having an advantage due to fixture congestion between right now and Feb 17th.
- Everton play Fulham before the rescheduled match, Man City play Spurs. Nobody would argue that is an easier previous fixture for MCFC than EFC. Everton could feel better about rotation of their squad than Man City this matchweek.
- Everton play Liverpool after the rescheduled match, Man City play Arsenal. Liverpool the more "important" fixture given the derby and probably harder as well, although LFC playing like poop recently. Also, both LFC and AFC play in Europe midweek, reducing any "advantage" a resting club would have enjoyed from this rearranged fixture.
But let's look at other options the PL had for this rescheduling...
- Can't do Feb 9-11 due to FA Cup fixtures
- Can't do Feb 23-25 as Man City play in CL vs M'gladbach
- Can't do Mar 2-4 as Everton's match v Soton was already moved to MNF, March 1 -- and if the Prem moved this fixture to Feb 27 and slotted in EFC v MCFC on Mar 3/4 then you would have lost your mind and claimed FOUL! at that too.
So next (only other soonish) possibility would be March 9-11. Weekend before MCFC play MUFC on that Saturday and EFC play Chelsea on that Saturday. Weekend after MCFC play Fulham on Saturday and EFC play Burnley that Saturday. (I'm not sure if March fixtures have been moved for TV yet or not - but given MCFC v MUFC is still scheduled for 3pm GMT on a Saturday, I'm thinking they haven't been, so I'm sure these dates will change.) And again, I'm sure the decision of when to reschedule this match was done by giving weight to getting it over and done with so it isn't hanging over the league come April/May should something have come up in March to postpone it again.
If you look for a conspiracy then you're likely to find "evidence" of one. Oswald acted alone. 9/11 wasn't an inside job. It really isn't butter.