[Sport] Premier League hits and misses: Everton in big trouble, Martin Odegaard impresses and much more

[Ap0caLipse]

LINK:https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11661/12565452/premier-league-hits-and-misses-everton-in-big-trouble-martin-odegaard-impresses-and-much-more

Any Everton fans in denial about the prospect of relegation can no longer just shut the curtains and pretend it's not happening. This is very real.

The scenes at full-time in the stands at Goodison Park mirrored that fear and anger towards their team. The famous old ground was supposed to be a place where the club can haul themselves away from danger. A fortress.

But when the atmosphere is like it was at full-time, playing away from home all of sudden might be a thing to relish from a set of players who have continually let their down their supporters. It is now a hinderance.

It is now just goal difference separating them from the drop zone. Yes, they have three games in hand on Watford and one on Burnley but games in hand are absolutely worthless if you can't win football matches. And Everton are the Premier League kings at that. A run of just nine points from the last 60 available and only two league wins since September has left a squad drained of confidence in danger of dropping out of the top flight for only the third time in their history and first since 1951.

Frank Lampard has had little impact in changing their fortunes around either. It is now five defeats in his six games as manager in the Premier League. He has an almighty fight on his hands to get this Everton team believing that they are truly too good to go down. Lewis Jones

The clash with Newcastle was sold out before Thursday's sanctions on Roman Abramovich but a 'no tickets available' notice on the sign advertising Chelsea's next home game with Brentford was a stark reminder this was not any ordinary matchday in west London. Speaking to supporters around the ground before kick-off there was frustration at the way they had been affected by the restrictions. There was also understanding of the situation but real concern for what happens next. Universally, there was also admiration for Abramovich, even if his name was not sung as audibly as at recent away games. Chelsea 1-0 Newcastle - Match report and highlights How the teams lined up | Match stats That increased emotion was felt inside the ground, particularly in the early stages, when the supporters seemed intent on maximising the experience. When Kai Havertz scored the last-gasp winner, the celebrations were ecstatic - and continued on beyond the final whistle, as if these fans were trying to savour the moment. Havertz, with that wonderful touch and finish, certainly gave them something to treasure while they are away. Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel says he and his players are dealing with the uncertainty by focusing on one day at a time and recommended the approach. By the next time Chelsea play here, on April 2, the picture is likely to have shifted significantly again. These are strange times for all connected with Chelsea. On the pitch, they are still winning, but the bigger picture is in the balance - and many of the Chelsea fans will now have to watch events unfold from afar. Peter Smith Newcastle hard done by but show defensive grit As Jamie Carragher put it in Super Sunday commentary: "Newcastle don't deserve it, but that's football." Eddie Howe's side conceded a late winner at Chelsea, while two VAR calls did not go their way - the phrase "not their day at the office" has never been more appropriate. On paper, the game was decided one minute from stoppage-time when Kai Havertz ran off the back of Dan Burn to take down a superb Jorginho pass to prod home. But the momentum and result actually hinged on one decision by the officials made five minutes before half-time, with both Havertz and Burn involved in that incident too.

The widespread condemnation of the referees' call not to send off Havertz for an alleged elbow on the Newcastle defender speaks volumes. Had Havertz been sent off, Chelsea would have been left without a key player who has scored six goals in his last five Premier League games - and Howe's men could have escaped Stamford Bridge with a well-deserved point. Throw in VAR's decision not to punish Trevoh Chalobah for a clear tug on the shirt of Jacob Murphy inside the area - and Newcastle could have run away with all three points on another day.