Be careful who you wind up, especially if it's a former boxing world champion.
Darren Bent and Andy Goldstein had no problem poking the bear on Wednesday but they could hardly have been surprised at what was to follow.
Tony Bellew phones up talkSPORT and slams Andy Goldstein for claiming Everton are a small club
The talkSPORT Drive duo posed the question of whether Everton are a big club - with Bent and Goldstein previously having reservations.
What sparked the discussion?
It comes after former Arsenal defender Lee Dixon questioned why Toffees No.1 Jordan Pickford had not left Everton for a ‘bigger club’.
Dixon’s comments on Tuesday night prompted a backlash from Everton’s social media team who posted a list of the club’s honours while tagging the ITV co-commentator in their post.
The discussion continued into Wednesday on Drive, prompting lifelong Everton fan Tony Bellew to call the show.
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And there was only one place Bellew was going to start and that was with the show’s hosts.
“Weasel,” Bellew hilariously shouted at Manchester United fan Goldstein.
A staunch defence
“Let’s be straight and honest now, let's stop messing around. You two clowns said Everton were a small club," he began.
“Everton are a huge club who have just built a brand new stadium. When people say Leeds are a big club, I agree that it has to stop somewhere and that usually stops when your club goes down.”
Goldstein and Bent sat quietly in the studio to allow Bellew to defend his club’s honour, however, the former cruiserweight champion was asked a few questions to test his theory behind the grandeur of Everton.
Asked if the Merseyside club were bigger than two-time European Cup winners Nottingham Forest, Bellew said: “I’ve got to admit Forest are a big club but the years spent out of the Premier League, that takes away from something.
Tony Bellew took the opportunity to defend his beloved Everton live on talkSPORT
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Tony Bellew took the opportunity to defend his beloved Everton live on talkSPORTCredit: Getty
“Everton are the longest serving big club in the Premier League. We’re the founders of the Premier League and we’ve never gone anywhere.”
The 42-year-old was then asked if Adam Wharton’s move away from Crystal Palace is to a big club, why are Everton not among the teams vying for his signature?
Making big moves
Bellew responded: “In my opinion Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall is one of the best youngsters in the country. He’s a top top talent.
“He’s not going to join a club that’s not a decent sized club is he?
“He had his choice of how many clubs? Jack Grealish had his choice of how many clubs?
“He chose Everton.”
Bellew hailed the recent acquisitions of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
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Bellew hailed the recent acquisitions of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-HallCredit: Getty
Goldstein and Bent clearly came well armed to the discussion and asked Bellew whether the nine-time league champions were bigger than another former European Cup winner in Aston Villa who were relegated from the top flight as recently as 2016.
“Villa are a big club, they won the European Cup,” Bellew conceded. “I don’t think they’re bigger than Everton but they’re a big club.
“You’ve got to look at the pedigree and history. I just think a club loses something huge when it gets relegated.
“That’s why our worst far as Evertonians was relegation because the Championship in my opinion is the hardest league in the world to get out of and to survive in.
“Just see what’s happened to Luton, they went down and they go down again.
“It can happen. Everton have never been in that Championship”.
David Moyes has steadied the ship since returning to Everton
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David Moyes has steadied the ship since returning to EvertonCredit: Getty
Everton have levelled up by moving into their state-of-the-art new Hill Dickinson Stadium
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Everton have levelled up by moving into their state-of-the-art new Hill Dickinson StadiumCredit: Getty
He continued: “We’re a big club because of the fanbase we have, the new stadium, the history and the pedigree that we have, the players we attract, the manager on board.
“Everton football club is a big club, if anything guys at the moment it’s a sleeping giant.
If we get a bit more momentum and a couple more faces in the door, I’m telling you now, Everton will be amongst it.
“We just need a little bit more time and the right backing, that is the most important thing at Everton.
“We’ve had people in charge of our club for the last ten years and they’ve nearly ruined the club.
“We’ve not got a structure and people who know what they are doing in football business are in charge.
Bellew believes that in Dan Friedkin, Everton have the right football people in charge of the club
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Bellew believes that in Dan Friedkin, Everton have the right football people in charge of the clubCredit: Getty
“These guys don’t just run Everton Football Club, there’s Roma there’s other things. These are proper businessmen who came with a plan, not a fella who thinks he’s playing fantasy football.”
In their final opportunity to push Bellew’s buttons, Goldstein and Bent asked Bellew who he viewed as the Premier League current big five clubs handing the puncher the opportunity to dig out Goldstein’s beloved Red Devils.
“I’m not saying in any way that we're among the big five, I’m not saying that,” Bellew added.
“The question you guys put out there is, are Everton a big club?
“There’s no debating it, it’s a huge football club. I’m not saying right now we’re a part of the biggest five but to be totally honest, I don’t think Manchester United are part of the biggest five at the moment because they’re an absolute mess from top to bottom.”
Goldstein and Bent did their best to push Bellew's buttons live on air
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Goldstein and Bent did their best to push Bellew's buttons live on air
In parting, Goldstein cheekily asked Bellew if the Toffees will stay up this season to which he jokingly hit back with: “You weasel of the highest order!
“If I could get my hands on your weasel neck right now I’d show you how far Everton are going to go.
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“You’re only as good as your last season. Where did you finish last season?"
A sniggering Goldstein abruptly said, 'got to go' before Bellew had the final say with, “It’s been a pleasure, never underestimate Evertonians you scumbag!”