Watford vs Everton: The Marco Silva derby arrives with more than just pride on the line

Watford vs Everton: The Marco Silva derby arrives with more than just pride on the line
It was inevitable. Its always inevitable with Watford.As soon as Christian Kabasele leapt with his hand in the air, needlessly conceding a free-kick just outside the area, there was no chance Everton were not going to score.Right on cue, Lucas Digne stepped up and curled a superb finish into Ben Fosters net, scoring the fourth goal of the game to rescue Everton a point.8

Digne’s superb free-kick rescued Everton a point against Marco Silva’s former side

It was the sixth minute of injury time.Almost two months have passed since Watford visited Goodison Park to write the latest chapter in the drama that concerns the two clubs the drama of Marco Silva.The tale begins with the sacking of Ronald Koeman, who was dismissed by Everton in October 2017 after the club slipped into the relegation zone.A couple of weeks later Everton had an approach for Silva firmly rejected by Watford, beginning a saga which rumbles on as a Premier League investigation into an alleged illegal approach continues.And then, on November 5, came the nadir.8

There were certainly fireworks at Goodison Park that fateful Bonfire Night

It was another trip to Goodison Park which began the unravelling, the slow and uneasy fall from grace.Watford looked certain to win as they went two goals ahead with just 25 minutes remaining, but Heurelho Gomes was taken off injured and Orestis Karnezis had a debut to forget as his replacement.He was at fault as Oumar Niasse halved the deficit for the hosts, before conceding twice more in a second half that last 58 minutes. Dominic Calvert-Lewin grabbed an equaliser with Leighton Baines netting a penalty at the start of injury time, sending Everton ahead for the first time in the match.8

Watford had only themselves to blame for their collapse at Goodison Park

There was still time for more drama, however, with Tom Cleverley later missing a spot kick of his own.Watford left Merseyside empty-handed, and that was the beginning of the end for Silva.They may have won their next two matches, but fans never truly trusted Silva again, and after just one win in 11 matches he was shown the door.8

Calls for Silva to leave started shortly after the defeat by Everton

Watfords statement made it very clear who they blamed.The Club is convinced the appointment of Silva was the right one and had it not been for the unwarranted approach by a Premier League rival for his services we would have continued to prosper under his leadership, it read.Sam Allardyce was already in the Everton dugout by this time, but he was sacked and replaced by Silva last summer no one was surprised.8

Silva has been branded a ‘snake’ for taking the Everton job, and Watford fans taunted him earlier this season

Under pressure but not at risk of losing his job, talkSPORT has learned Silva has already spent longer with Everton than either Watford or Hull, the first club he managed in England.This longevity, in relative terms, may suggest Silva is doing a fine job at Goodison Park.Such suggestions are wrong. Everton supporters are already turning against him with just four wins in the last 15 matches one of which came against League Two Lincoln in the FA Cup.The late, late draw with Watford came early in that run, while the Toffees have also failed to beat relegation battlers Newcastle and Southampton, and they were knocked out the FA Cup by Championship strugglers Millwall.8

Just how long can Silva survive the pressure?

As with his spell at Watford, which turned on that November defeat at Goodison Park, Silvas Everton career can be defined by two eras pre-Merseyside derby and post-Merseyside derby.Things were moving along so nicely before Jordan Pickford gifted Divock Origi the latest of goals, and Liverpools win appears to have affected Silva, his players and seemingly the whole of Everton.8

Everton’s season appears to have swung on Pickford’s Merseyside derby blunder

Toffees fans, like the Watford fans before them, are starting to lose faith in Silva, and suggestions he is a case of the Emperors New Clothes have returned.The limp and passionless performances of recent weeks show a man who cannot fix that which has all gone wrong, and this weekends return to Watford – which you can listen to LIVE on talkSPORT – is about more than just pride.Watford want to get one over their former manager and Silva would love to the same to his one-time employer, but if things go wrong on Saturday for the Hornets there will be no serious ramifications simply disappointment.8

Javi Gracia is gunning for victory over the man he replaced at Vicarage Road

For Silva, much more appears to be on the line.If he cannot inspire his players at Vicarage Road amid taunts and abuse from the Watford faithful he will never be able to do it anywhere, and that, more than anything, should have Everton chiefs worried.talkSPORT brings you full live commentary of Watford vs Everton on Saturday, January 9, kick-off 3pm. Click here to listen online, or tune in via the talkSPORT app, DAB or your radio on1089 or 1053 AM

---

Sol Campbell: Alleged homophobic abuse of Macclesfield boss

---

Katie Price blasts Fernando Ricksen's 'bulls*it' Glasgow sex claims and reveals his illness stopped her suing. THE model and reality star has revealed she wanted to sue the former Rangers star
Sometimes you can't call the cops for help. : LetsNotMeet

---

Jose Mourinho: Tottenham supporters handed Man Utd warning after sacking TOTTENHAM supporters should be worried about Manchester United coming for Mauricio Pochettino to be their new manager.
Mauricio Pochettino won't leave Spurs to replace Mourinho

---

Real Madrid main sponsor Emirates today announced that Real Madrid will wear a kit with the Emirates Fly Better logo against Barca tomorrow. The @RealMadrid Emirates 'Fly Better' jersey will make its big debut tomorrow at #ElClasico. Retweet this for a chance to win a limited-edition 'Fly Better' jersey.
Nike at Walmart® | Save On Quality Nike
AD

---

German football legend Lothar Matthaus says Manchester City could play a second-string side against Schalke and still reach the Champions League quarter-finals. Raheem Sterling's 90th-minute
Manchester City could play second string eleven and still
sportsalert.org/2019/03/12/manchester-city-could-play-second-string-eleven-and-still-beat-schalke-in-champions-league-says-lothar-matthaus/
Easy The 1990 World Cup winner believes City will thrash Schalke in their Champions League last-16 second leg on Tuesday, but Pep Guardiola disagrees German football legend Lothar Matthaus says Manchester City could play a second-string side against Schalke and still reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
Manchester City could play second string side and still beat

---

Mohamed Salah insists he doesn't dive and Liverpool forward

---

DISGUSTED 'What a moron, absolute IDIOT' - Vinnie Jones tears into Tottenham fan for hurling banana skin at Arsenal striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang
Football Predictions ⚽️ Free Tips (@FootyPredictNet) | Twitter

---

Liverpool legend Terry McDermott will auction his three European Cup winners' medals on Tuesday. The sale - at Sotheby's in London - comes just four days before the Reds meet Real Madrid in the
Chelsea transfer news: Blues to 'bid £36million' for Mexico

---

Joey Barton "emphatically denies" allegations over Daniel Stendel assault. The alleged incident took place following Fleetwood's defeat to Barnsley in League One on Saturday
Police probing Joey Barton 'tunnel attack' arrest manRapid

---

Dan James inspired an amazing second-half comeback as Swansea reached the quarter-finals of the FA Cup with a 4-1 victory over 10-man Brentford. The Bees controlled the first half to deservedly
Swansea City - ProSoccerTalk - soccer.nbcsports.com

---

Summer Transfer Window Transfer news live: Spurs offer €55m for wonderkid, confirmed interest in Chelsea striker deal Live transfer news and all the latest gossip from the Premier League and beyond Ajax vs Tottenham Hotspur Spurs reveal squad for Ajax clash but social media video leaves question marks over seven stars The Lilywhites trail 1-0
Liverpool transfer news, gossip & latest rumours - Mirror.co.uk

---

~ Championship New Year's Day results: Promotion chasing Leeds and West Brom lose on the road, as Millwall and Hull extend their winning runs ~ Kenya Latest
Championship promotion race: Norwich and Sheffield United

---

Cardiff Met Uni FC hero dreaming of Manchester United tie as student team makes Europa League preliminary round fpnews May 23, 2019 0 When Kyle McCarthy put his name down to join Cardiff Metropolitan University's football team nobody could have predicted they'd get to a point where they might face the likes of Manchester United, Rangers and
Man City transfer news LIVE: Maguire wanted, Mbappe alert
fussboll.com/2019/05/20/man-city-transfer-news-live-maguire-wanted-mbappe-alert-gundogan-talks-reopened/
Cardiff Met Uni FC man dreaming of Manchester United tie as student team makes Europa League preliminary round World Football May 23, 2019 Jorginho: Sarri more relaxed than ever; Chelsea just have to believe
LIVE Europa League Manchester News | One News Page

---

Former Chelsea team-mates John Terry and Jody Morris shared a joke at the expense of Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa - just a week before the Championship play-off final.
'Another spy in the camp' - John Terry and Jody Morris poke

---

Nike have reportedly bring back Barcelona 90s-inspired jersey worn by Rivaldo, Figo and Guardiola for El-Clasico with Real Madrid. Rivaldo was the star at the Camp Nou in the 90s [Getty Images]
FC Barcelona 2019 El Clásico Nike Kit - FOOTBALL FASHION.ORG

---