Everton, Newcastle and no guarantees of success

Back in early October the sun was shining at Goodison Park. Everton had won four and drawn two of their first seven league matches of the season and the locals were starting to clasp Rafa Benítez to their true-blue bosoms. Newcastle United, by contrast, had a collective pain in the hole. But how things change: Everton are on the sort of run that could get horses shot, two wins in 19 league matches leaving them at risk of being relegated for the first time since Britain first heard of the Goon Show.

Meanwhile, Newcastle are flying high and the only place they need to think about going down to now is the pub. Eddie Howe’s team are flush with confidence and nine points above the team managed at the minute by Frank Lampard. It’s amazing what being taken over by a group entirely separate from one of the world’s richest and most bloodthirsty governments can do. But of course, that tells only half the story because Everton are the living, floundering proof that having lots of money is no guarantee of success. Look at the state of them.

Everton were four points above the relegation zone when they hired their latest manager in January, now they are above it on goal difference only. That’s the Super Frank Bounce for you. Thursday’s showdown at Goodison Park means a heck of a lot more to the hosts than it does to freewheelin’ Newcastle. Everton have enough matches left to get themselves out of trouble but do they have the quality, cohesion and bottle? The Fiver doesn’t know, but we have Tin.

Join Luke McLaughlin from 5.45pm GMT for hot Big Vase coverage of Red Star Belgrade 2-1 Pope’s Newc O’Rangers (agg 2-4), while Simon Burnton will be on hand for West Ham 1-1 Sevilla (agg 1-2) at 8pm. Paul Doyle will also be on deck for Everton