Seems like ages ago now, but once upon a time punters were knocking each other over to put their savings on West Ham taking a European place. After the shock signings of two of the best players on the best team not to win the World Cup, it seemed that an already decent side was a shoo-in for a top-six spot. Instead a miserable run of eight defeats looked like it might spell the end for manager Alan Pardew.

There's no doubt the transfers and the hype surrounding them had a destabilising effect on the entire side, but since a 2-1 win over Blackburn at Halloween, things have settled somewhat. Wins over Arsenal and Shef"eld United have seen them extricate themselves from the bottom three with some gritty performances. They can continue their renaissance today with a trip to Everton, who collapsed like a broken deckchair against a below-par Manchester United side during the week. An injured Tim Cahill and unfit Andy Johnson are massive minus points for David Moyes's side, while Hayden Mullins and the excellent Nigel Reo-Coker (right) have been in fine fettle recently. West Ham have a good record at Goodison as well, unbeaten on their last two visits. With Tevez at last showing signs of settling, 7-2 is a huge price.

BACK MANCHESTER UNITED TO DRAW WITH BENFICA ON WEDNESDAY NIGHT 7-2 Odds quoted are from Betfair

Squeaky bum time comes early again this year for Alex Ferguson, with his side needing a point from a home tie with Benfica to ensure progression to the last 16 of the Champions League. If this game had come up earlier, you'd have put the house on a United win. Benfica were truly dreadful in their first three group games, but have since found form, embarrassing Celtic and making short work of Copenhagen. United have done neither in the course of their campaign. The insistence on playing Wayne Rooney effectively on the left has seen them struggle, and with the memories of last year's exit at the same stage to the same opposition still fresh in the mind, it's not unthinkable that they could get the jitters with the prize in sight. Ben"ca are not the best travellers, but with Simao and Nuno Gomes finally showing some sort of form, they're capable of silencing the Old Trafford crowd and ensuring a nervy evening. The draw is a huge price and should be taken.

Where the money was. . .

STATE OF PLAY TO WIN THE HENNESSY GOLD CUP 16-1 (Betfair)

State of Play was installed as the 6-1 favourite in advance of last week's Hennessy Gold Cup after rounding off last season with a facile win at Aintree's Grand National meeting and reported to be in fine fettle after the summer months.

Remarkably though, on race day he was friendless in the market and was allowed to drift to 16-1 on Betfair. Travelling on the bridle the whole way round he jumped his field into submission, bringing himself into 16s from 50s for the Gold Cup in March.