Back to the Everton Newsfeed

HOT OR NOT: Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez vindicated for team selection - and Cameron Bancroft is proving a better talker than he is cricketer

It's Hot or Not time again as Sportsmail's Ian Ladyman reveals what's been making him feel warm and what's been leaving him cold this week.

HOT

Rafa Benitez

Newcastle’s 1-0 win at Stoke left Mark Hughes’ decision to rest players in the previous game at Chelsea open to condemnation but it’s a fine line.

Benitez – remember – pretty much gave up Newcastle’s home game against Manchester City at Christmas but then drew with Brighton and won at Stoke.

So Benitez – seven points from four games – looks smart and Hughes – left with just four points – looks like a mug.