Newcastle supporters cannot dispute savage Everton taunts - but everything could be about to change

It was quite the stark greeting when this correspondent arrived in the St James’ Park Media Suite and introduced himself as “Christopher Beesley, Liverpool Echo.”

Geordies enjoy a reputation for being rather affable when it comes to visitors to their city – unless you’re Jordan Pickford it seems – but as soon as my introductory words had been uttered, a veteran Magpies supporter stood by the desk piped up: “If I lived in Liverpool, I think I’d be a Liverpool fan.” Politely ushered away by the seemingly-embarrassed member of staff on reception, he walked out and disappeared into the Tyneside night having said his brief but emphatic piece.

There are a couple of points to address here but while most of us might opt for the latter when asked: “Do you want the good news or the bad news first?” it’s probably neater to deal with things the other way round here.

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Firstly, as already highlighted, this individual was of a certain vintage. He was clearly old enough – unlike many of us now, including yours truly as it was an era tantalisingly just before the awakening of my football consciousness – to remember when Everton were the best team in the land and in his case, on several occasions.

He certainly couldn’t have made the same boast about his beloved Magpies. Like a northern version of London’s media darlings Tottenham Hotspur, Newcastle United somehow seem to enjoy a reputation that far outstrips the realities of their actual honours board.

Although they have lifted twice as many League Championships as Spurs’ two, only one of their four titles (the same total as Sheffield