If money makes the footballing world go round - why did Everton keep getting worse?
Financial restrictions have tied the Toffees’ hands behind their back in recent seasons but, in truth, the opposite has not been much better under Farhad Moshiri. A conveyor belt of poor signings since the majority shareholder's arrival have sent Everton from knocking on the door of Europe to fighting against a drop to the Championship.
As Goodison Park emptied on Thursday, a raucous away end roared on a team that cost just £3million more to assemble than the one they trounced 4-1. While Newcastle United, buoyed since their Saudi-backed takeover, storm towards Champions League qualification, Everton are staring the relegation abyss in the face.
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It is still early days for some Newcastle recruits, but deals for the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sven Botman and Kieran Trippier so far appear to be excellent business. Which is a very different story to the Blues.
Blasting over half a billion on players - and getting worse - is cited as the number one reason for Everton’s downfall. Yet managerial appointments must also shelve a lot of the blame.
Sean Dyche is trying valiantly to steer a sinking ship around but fans would be forgiven for finding it tough to see Eddie Howe in the opposite dugout - a man who has been linked to Everton on multiple occasions. The former Bournemouth man, a boyhood Blue, was rumoured to be a candidate for a possible Goodison role before taking the Newcastle job.
On a positive note, the Magpies also arguably offer Everton a beacon of hope that their fortunes can transform quickly - as long as the right people are in place to make big decisions behind the scenes.
Just 18 months ago, Newcastle were on the brink of being dragged into a relegation scrap - sitting three points adrift from safety at the midway stage of the season. Just one win until January 22 that season placed the Toon in a perilous position.
Fast forward to the present and they are flying, with most pundits predicting a top-four finish following the Goodison rout.
If - and it is a huge if - Everton beat the drop, a return to the upper echelons of the league may not be as far away as some think. But significant changes will be needed in order for the Blues to get there.
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