After a week dominated by talk of contract snubs, ambition and the future of key players beyond this season, the visit of Hull to Goodison Park on Saturday provides some welcome respite for Everton.
A seemingly routine fixture, and second home game in as many weeks, has taken on a new dimension after a week of pantomime that has seen top scorer Romelu Lukaku playing various lead roles. Following the initial disruption regarding his contract, a subsequent in-depth interview with national newspapers saw the Belgium striker question the club's ambition and rue missed signings in the transfer market.