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 club then Everton, but him living in Liverpool all that time I can also see his skewed vision on this he's wrong but I see why he'd think that way."
@Elliotboyd84: "Fourth is the best they have ever done in the Premier league but mostly been a mid table team there is no way Everton are a bigger club than Newcastle we've challenged for the title a few times played more champions league football in the last 25 years, we pull in bigger crowds."
@Mickymalibu: "Talk about past achievements, who is the bigger club but as in Man U’s case it means nothing in the here and now. Toon are currently a bigger club than Everton , bigger ground, bigger fanbase ( we are a 1 team city ) and much bigger spending ability. Nobody is too big to go down."
@BbNufc: "No thoughts, just facts. Everton are not a bigger club than Newcastle United."
@maysey1985: "Newcastle a bigger team than Everton now and will be one of the biggest teams in the next few years if not the biggest."
@FreezerIceMan9: "Carragher grew up an Evertonian, of course he’s going to think that."
@milessteven001: "This is simply a hugely Scouse perspective on what could be an endless debate. Villa, Leeds & Newcastle are at least as big, if not bigger, than Everton - certainly from the perspectives of their fans. Don’t forget Man City were relegated from the #EPL not so long ago."
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