Chelsea interim boss Rafa Benitez believes he is slowly beginning to win over the fans at Stamford Bridge.
Benitez's appointment was met by a revolt by a large section of Chelsea supporters with fans angry at the departure of the popular Roberto Di Matteo.
Former Liverpool chief Benitez has revealed he spoke to several fans at the staff Christmas party earlier this week and he believes he is now changing their opinions of him after guiding them to four wins in their last five games.
"I was just 15 minutes at the party and talking with people and everybody was very, very positive," said Benitez.
"I said at the beginning that we have to win together, so it will be easier always if the fans are behind the team and supporting the team and we don't have any distraction.
"That is the way, for me, to carry on, trying to play good football and winning games, and I'm sure that they will appreciate this."
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Academy coach Mick O'Brien, a former player with Torquay, is alleged to have struck Everton Ladies' second-choice goalkeeper Danielle Hill outside the Blue Bar in the city's Albert Dock at a club Christmas party last Sunday
However, it is understood there are conflicting reports over who threw the first punch and both have been suspended while the matter is looked into. Everton are not commenting on the allegations.
Police have confirmed they have received a complaint which they are currently investigating.
"Merseyside Police can confirm an investigation is under way following the assault of a 24-year-old woman in Liverpool city centre on Sunday, December 16," said a statement.
"The incident occurred near to the entrance of the Blue Bar.
"An investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing."
The Belgian international starts a three-match ban on Saturday for head-butting Stoke City's Ryan Shawcross during last week's 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium.
Fellaini has been a talismanic presence in midfield as Everton have enjoyed a strong first half of the season, and Moyes fears the club could suffer from his absence.
"I'm not sure [how we will cope]," he said. "We will find out. That is why it was a big miss to lose him. We will have to try and find solutions, but we don't have loads of solutions to fix it. People shouldn't be surprised if we aren't able to solve it."
Moyes revealed he has spoken to Fellaini about his conduct before and has left the 25-year-old in no doubt that he has let the club down with his latest misdemeanour.
"You can't do what he has done," he added. "He knows he has done wrong - 100 per cent.
"I have spoken to him a few times about it. I said at the time that I felt he had let us down and that hasn't changed. He let a lot of people down."
Moyes added: "We needed him. This is a busy time where you pick up injuries and suspensions. Things will happen - you may get a sending off.
"He is a good boy, a good lad. [But] he is aware that he has got it wrong."
Moyes is also sweating over the availability of another Belgian, winger Kevin Mirallas.
The 25-year-old has travelled to Germany for a consultation on a recurring hamstring problem and the Everton boss admits he is concerned about his ?6m signing's long-term fitness.
"I am worried, yes, especially when you are a quick, fleet-footed player like he is," he said.
"What we are trying to do is find a way of getting people back quicker, but sometimes with these injuries, you have to give them a bit of time and TLC."
It is understood that manager Harry Redknapp imposed the maximum punishment possible on Bosingwa after taking exception to the full-back's reaction to being dropped for last Saturday's 2-1 win over Fulham.
Bosingwa, who joined Rangers from Chelsea this summer on a contract reportedly worth ?50,000 a week, was said to have stormed out of Loftus Road after learning of his axing.
The 30-year-old has also been left out of the squad for the game at Newcastle.
It had been claimed that was the result of injury but it could well be an additional punishment for his breach of discipline.
United are six points clear at the top of the table and will be expected to collect another three points in south Wales on Sunday, even though Swansea have been in the habit of taking points off the top flight's big guns.
Since their promotion to the Premier League the Swans have beaten Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal twice, as well as securing draws against Chelsea and Tottenham.
But Laudrup knows getting a result against United will require another step up in performance, and he is backing them to regain the title following their derby win over reigning Premier League champions City.
"If you look at the table right now - and they beat Manchester City away - I think with the points they have now they are favourites," he said.
"It's the same for them as everyone else, the next six weeks will be vital with a lot of games and it will depend a lot on how the standings are when they go back into the Champions League in mid-February.
"But right now for me they are the favourites."
Despite topping the table, United's defensive record is not as impressive as Sir Alex Ferguson would like.
United have conceded 24 league goals so far this term - compared to 14 at this stage last season - and have kept just four clean sheets in all competitions.
While the return from injury of Phil Jones and Nemanja Vidic has bolstered Ferguson's defensive options, Laudrup believes there may be a vulnerability there.
He said: "You have to defend well yourselves but you also have to have the confidence to play when you have the ball.
"They have concede a lot of goals, less recently, but they have conceded two here, two there. They let in three at Reading and they have even been conceding at home.
"We know they have a lot of quality but they have conceded a lot of goals."
The Red Devils triumphed 1-0 at the Liberty Stadium last season thanks to an early Javier Hernandez strike on an occasion where Swansea's players felt they had been in awe of their opponents.
But Laudrup has vowed there will be no repeat this time around.
"You have to remember last season was the first year in the Premier League after coming up from the Championship and suddenly you are playing against players you have only seen on TV.
"It is the same in Spain, players come up into the top flight and suddenly they play Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
"It's okay to have that for five minutes but if it is for the whole 90 minutes you have lost the game before playing.
"I assure you that will not happen. We have done well against Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester City so why can't we do it against United?"
The 18-year-old England international has broken into the first-team picture to great effect at Anfield this season and has so far made 25 appearances for Brendan Rodgers' men.
He made his England debut against Sweden last month and with his contract on Merseyside running down, talk was rife that he could move to one of a number of potential suitors.
That has been put to bed, though, with Sterling opting to remain with the Reds.
Despite the security of a long-term deal, Sterling vowed to continue learning.
"There's a lot more to be done," he told the club's website. "I haven't begun yet as the manager has said it's just been good to get a few minutes on the pitch and hopefully I can kick on after the New Year and try to do my best for the team and the football club."
Sterling moved to Liverpool from QPR in February 2010 and made his debut as a substitute against Wigan in March.
The arrival of Rodgers proved to be the catalyst for a more consistent run in the team, with his England debut then making him Liverpool's youngest-ever international.
On Rodgers, Sterling added: "I can't say much more about the guy than what has already been said - he's a brilliant manager.
"The way he speaks to both young and senior players, you have to really compliment him for that. He just treats every one as one and that's really good to have at a football club.
"In the New Year, you can expect more from Liverpool, especially when the manager gets his players in. We'll stride forward and hopefully do what we know we can do."
In the immediate future for Sterling and Liverpool is a Premier League clash against Fulham at Anfield this evening.
The Cottagers have won just twice in their last 11 league matches on the road - although one of those was their first victory at Anfield last May.
No Fulham player has scored in their last six visits to Anfield - Reds defender Martin Skrtel scored an own goal last season - but after last week's chastening 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa Rodgers is taking nothing for granted.
"They have some terrific players, Martin Jol is very experienced and a good manager, (Dimitar) Berbatov is on the top of his game at the moment," he said.
"They are a team which has been strong at home in the last few years in the Premier League but away from home they've found it difficult.
"Our concentration has to be on ourselves because if we worry too much about the opponent then what might happen is what happened last weekend.
"It is about getting our own mentality right and if we do that we will continue to climb the table.
"My concern is just to keep moving forward and keep our performance level at a good level."
