Terrace Talk: It took a while but Mourinho’s charges give Everton a kicking

It’s not something I usually hasten to admit but my heart isn’t entirely hardened to Everton Football Club — and I know I’m not the only Manc Red who feels like that.

Living on Murkeydive for several years in the ’90s, I managed to build cordial pub relations with several local Toffees as we bonded over a shared love of The Old Ways and a shared loathing of Liverpool FC.

Furthermore, in recent years, the club’s burgeoning status as a very convenient retirement home for over-the-hill United players has meant it’s been very much in our interests for them to stick around a while in the top flight. Much for the same reason as one likes to have one’s wheelie bin near the back door.