I’m sorry everyone, this is likely to be a further bring down of your already bad mood.

Some things have happened recently to give cheer and optimism. Thumping Qarabag and defying the refereeing odds at Villa Park have set up two knock-out rounds in major cups that have boosted unlikely beliefs that this season can yet be great.

This has been offset by an undercurrent of alarm at a rapidly disintegrating league campaign, shattered by defeat to Brentford here last time out, revived with a win away to hapless Tottenham and pretty much as expected with a fighting defeat at Man City.

Today gave the opportunity to course correct.

Everton, like Brentford before them, were the easiest fixture by far in a difficult month of horrible fixtures. Everton, like Brentford before them, left as the beneficiaries of a 3-2 win handed to them by unacceptable defending, pathetic mentality and further clear indication that this Newcastle team needs taken apart and started again.

I can forgive Branthwaite’s opening goal, albeit his first goal in forever or something. It was a well executed corner that he got a smart flick header to. The fact that this goal came after 20 minutes...