Everton boss Sam Allardyce insists there's no problem with Newcastle United rival Rafa Benitez.

Allardyce said in his autobiography that Liverpool's 2005 Champions League success had 'nowt to do' with the Spaniard.

But Allardyce says the feud is now over and explained: "It's all water under the bridge isn't it?

"Two managers pitted their wits against each other. It was the same with Arsene Wenger. We used to have a bit of a tete-a-tete. I used to enjoy that scenario when I was younger."

Meanwhile, Allardyce admits that run of results acts as a powerful tool when it comes to persuading his players to buy into new ideas.

“I do not think there is any doubt about that," Allardyce told evertontv. “We have to expand on what we are doing week by week, and results help promote what you are doing – and what the players are trying to do with me and the coaches, and the rest of the backroom staff, to make them better,

“We look at the whole package of the player and what they can deliver. Everybody talks about their ability, but we talk about their mindset, their physical application and qualities, their tactical and technical quality.

“We ask, are they great in that position? Can we help them be more aware of what they can get better at in the position they play in?

"Newcastle lost their last game at home and conceded three goals. The opportunity is there to do what Leicester did and expose those weaknesses, score a goal and try to win the game. But we cannot forget that solidarity we have created out of possession, by being difficult to score against.

“We want a better balance on Wednesday: to defend the right way, as we have been doing, but to be more attack minded in possession."