Rafa Benitez in similar predicament amid one major parallel Everton and Chelsea fans share

It was a managerial appointment plenty of fans opposed.

Past jibes and cast-iron ties to Everton's most bitter of rivals was why scarcely a single supporter earmarked Rafa Benitez as first choice for the managerial job.

That "small club" snipe he made when in charge of Liverpool, following a goalless draw in the Merseyside derby in February 2007, was unforgivable to many Toffees.

Still, once he was appointed Blues chief, plenty of fans knew they reluctantly had to get behind Benitez. Given the managerial merry-go-round they'd had to endure at Goodison Park after David Moyes' exit, stability in a precarious financial situation was required.

But plenty always knew his links across Stanley Park would always be a stick to beat him with if Everton ever suffered an insipid run of results.

And with the Blues currently in the mire, winning just once of their past 10 matches, Benitez has come under intense pressure.

There's been anger from the terraces because of such meek displays in losses to Liverpool, Norwich, Brentford and, most recently, a 3-1 defeat at Crystal Palace on Sunday.

To cause more ire, there's been a falling out with Lucas Digne, leaving Everton without a senior recognised left-back and one of their best players.

There might now be another fractured relationship with prized asset Richarlison after Palace, too.

The Brazilian scarcely tried to hide his frustration when subbed off despite the visitors being a goal down.

The substitution left the away fans in the capital incensed. Their anger was palpable. They couldn't fathom the concept of bringing off the player likeliest to bag an equaliser with Salomon Rondon, who's this season's boo boy, coming on instead.

Nor could sections of supporters palate Everton's tactics at Selhurst Park. Against a Palace side who themselves had lost their past three games, a more front-footed approach would have been favoured.

Instead, the first half performance was reactive and pragmatic - and simply did not work.

Indeed, Benitez is up against it. Despite the public backing of owner Farhad Moshiri after the embarrassing 4-1 loss to Liverpool, things have to change quickly. Otherwise he'll meet the same fate as predecessors such as Ronald Koeman and Marco Silva.

And on Thursday, the Spaniard will face the side he had a brief spell at where there are parallels, having had to battle a similar predicament to the one he finds himself in.

It was in November 2012 when Benitez took the Stamford Bridge driving seat. Following the sacking of Roberto Di Matteo, who'd guided the Londoners to the Champions League and FA Cup only five months earlier, change was deemed necessary.

With Chelsea's European Cup defence crumbling in the group stages and sitting third in the table, Benitez's services were drafted in on an interim basis.

However, his appointment was met by widespread scorn.

Like Evertonians, Chelsea fans also thought he'd previously shown them and their club disdain.

"We don't need to give away flags for our fans to wave," Benitez claimed during Liverpool's Champions League semi-final with Chelsea in 2007.

That comment was etched into memories of Londoners, as was the battles he had with Chelsea while Reds boss.

It irked so many that there were calls for Benitez to apologise after his arrival as interim manager.

The late Trizia Fiorellino, formerly chair of Chelsea Supporters Club, told Press Association Sport: “I think (an apology) would help for some fans. Even an acceptance of what was said would be a start.

"He's said he was trying to defend his club at the time but (then Chelsea boss Jose) Mourinho was the master of that and I don't think he ever directly ridiculed supporters of another club.

"It's quite a thing to try to undo but an acceptance could definitely bring some people back on board. I do think he's a tough sell, though."

During his first game in charge, a 0-0 draw with Manchester City, Benitez did not get the fervent reception new managers are usually given. It was the opposite.

Instead, he was booed before and during the clash, with banners and signs of “Rafa out” adorning the stands.

Yet while Benitez might not have earned the Chelsea job on a full-time basis, and never won over all of his detractors, he did leave with credit and his reputation restored somewhat after a horrendous six months at Inter Milan.

Crucially, Champions League football was secured via a third-place finish in the Premier League.

And while it didn't exactly have the same glamour, nor was it celebrated as vehemently as Chelsea's maiden Champions League triumph a year earlier, Benitez added the only major trophy in Chelsea history that was missing to the cabinet.

The Europa League's nothing more than a consolation prize to its esteemed, more handsome older brother, although the triumph still brought jubilant scenes.

John Terry even got changed into his full kit to lift the silverware aloft after missing the 2-1 defeat of Benfica through injury. He'd been sat in the stands watching in a suit.

When Benitez enters his former stomping ground on Thursday, it's neither set of supporters will be chanting his name.

Despite conducting a satisfactory job at Chelsea, it was scarcely enough for many to forgive and forget. His reputation is not a bit close to Jose Mourinho, Antonio Conte and even Di Matteo in west London.

Flak will likely be pelted at him from both sides.

But, by his own admission, Benitez likes to fight. In fairness, he did that at Chelsea when he knew he wasn't wanted.

Now he faces a similar situation at Everton where he must again come out and prove his doubters wrong.