Newcastle United fans vent anger at Jamie Carragher after Everton ‘bigger club’ claim

Newcastle United fans were fuming on social media after Jamie Carragher claimed Everton were a bigger club. Following the Toffees’ 2-0 loss to rivals Liverpool, the former Reds defender - who was a boyhood Toffees fan - boldly suggested Everton could become the biggest club to be relegated from the Premier League.

The defeat leaves Frank Lampard’s men two points adrift because Burnley earned a 1-0 win against Wolves hours earlier. A daunting run of fixtures continues as Everton take on Chelsea next - making relegation for the first time since 1951 a real possibility.

If the Toffees do drop to the Championship, Carragher believes the event would be unprecedented and struggled to think of a comparison in the modern era. He said: “I think if Everton go down, Everton will become a template for every other owner and club in the Premier League of how not to do it.

“To spend that much money and find themselves going down… I’m trying to think of other clubs that have gone down in the Premier League; has there been a bigger club than Everton to go down? You are talking about one of the biggest football clubs. You are talking about only six teams that have been ever-present in the Premier League.”

Former Magpies boss Graeme Souness proposed Newcastle’s relegation in 2008/09 but his comments were swiftly refuted. Carragher added: “No, I don't think so. In my lifetime, Everton have never gone down and have won trophies. Newcastle are the opposite.”

Toon supporters were incensed by the Sky Sports pundit’s swipe online. On the contrary, ex-manager Souness copped rare praise for his defending the Magpies’ status.

@Ash316Jessop: "I personally completely disagree with Carragher here I genuinely believe Newcastle are much bigger