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Jimmy Page
1 Posted 05/10/2013 at 13:26:42
Everton have to keep attacking City and keep the pressure on them. You can't expect anything from this game if you defend against an attack-minded team.
Coyb.
Danny Kewley
2 Posted 05/10/2013 at 13:36:41
At the moment the team is self destructive playing too many bad passes if we get our act together for the second half we can still win!
Jim Bennings
3 Posted 05/10/2013 at 13:36:49
So downhearted to go in at half time behind, we need to learn that you MUST concentrate at the back, Coleman really lost it during the pushing match leading to Aguero's second goal, just play the game lad don't worry about handbags.

Really dissappointed with Mirallas, this guy should be an outstanding player with all the attributes he has but for some reason he lacks consistency, goes missing for too many away games, come on Kev get in the game and start running at your opponent.
Barkley too needs to start getting his pass/shot away earlier, great talent but needs to hurry on the ball a bit more.

All in all a decent game so far, ref is a top class homer twat (whats new there) but we need to defend better, I expect more from two experienced centre halves to be honest, if I was to make a change maybe throw on Del Boy for Naismith.
Still in it come on

Jim Bennings
4 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:08:04
Final ball has been poor, again the second half has passes Mirallas by, needs to start getting himself more involved in matches for me, no consistency from him this season.

There its that anticipated substitution anyway not surprising really.

Jim Bennings
5 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:10:20
Fuck off sick of these charlie big time Manc knobhead cheats all of a sudden they have become big that referree's give them everything.
Thats never a penalty, prick.
City fans make me sick these days in the Champions League but someone tell me they are fit to be mention in the same breath as Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich?
I really hope Arsenal win the league this season, they are only genuine top club left in England these days.
James Fletcher
6 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:20:03
Why the feck is Naismith still on the pitch, every touch has been crap in the second half.
Jim Bennings
7 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:16:59
Naismith passing and first touch is so bad its unbelievable at times, I just hope that Roberto starts seeing that Naismith is really so limited, he will certainly never be a midfielder.
Missed the steadying influence of Gareth Barry or a fit Gibson today,
McCarthy done reasonably well, Barkley been ok-ish but needs to work on the final ball better and Mirallas who for me today was such a massive letdown, a player we really expect alot more from, one of our few matchwinners.

All in all a dissappointing defeat after a positive start, lessons need to be learnt really, still a work in progress.

Rob Smith
8 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:17:52
Just shows how important Barry is going to be, Delboy doesn't like the hard work. Really RM needs to find a an undiscovered Ozil in Jan. We looked way to lightweight and devoid of ideas at times.in midfield.
Rob Smith
9 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:23:50
Kone might do something, good time to earn his dues.
Jim Bennings
10 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:29:24
This has really petered out now, as an attacking force we have dissappeared totally.
I accept these are the best team in England now with the best players but looking back to when West Brom won 2-1 at Old Trafford I just wonder why our end product and tightness cant be quite as good as teams with so called lesser players when we go away from home.
We do concede too many goals away from home, its been a regular occurance for a few seasons now, teams don't have to work hard enough to score against us, that instant equalizer that City got straight after we took the lead was rank amateur
Phil Smith
11 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:41:54
Really disappointed with that second half. We just rolled over and died there. The amount of time Naismith broke down one of our attacks was shocking! Never would have limply lost that game if Moyes was still in charge methinks...
Trevor Lynes
12 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:41:21
The ref did us no favours but City played better than us overall and deserved to win.

Its not the end of the World though.

Ross Edwards
13 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:40:36
The ref was a disgrace today, Milner should have seen red, we should have had a pen for Nastasic's shove on Romelu, the play should have been stopped for Coleman and Negredo's square up, Silva should have got two yellows.

The 2nd half was poor, but Moss had a absolute stinker.

On the plus side, McCarthy looked pretty impressive today.

Hopefully Martinez will realise that Osman is hopeless, Naismith is diabolical, and they should not be anywhere near the first team.

When Barry returns v Hull, we should be better in terms of defence and organisation.

Disappointed, but without Barry it was going to be a struggle.

Michael Kenrick
14 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:44:56
Well, that really was very disappointing. We allowed a combination of cynical play by City and shocking refereeing get to us instead of getting hold of the ball and doing something with it.
Ralph Basnett
15 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:45:17
Said it before and will say it again, Jagielka just isn’t up for it. Watched every game this season and he is always looking off the pace and leaving Distin open, whilst today was a disappointment by the whole team Jags again has been found wanting.

Game was not helped by a poor referee though.

Andrew Hawes
16 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:39:21
Poor performance!! If we are going to play a possession game then you can't give the ball away with constant stray passes. I can't remember one cross from Baines?? We were really missing his interplay with Pienaar...

It might not do no harm to lose this undefeated tag which has been building the last few weeks, we're still in the mix with hopefully a few winnable matches now which can still put us right up there.

Iain Johnston
17 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:41:58
What an absolute shambles of a refereeing display!!!!
His first PL game for a long time as he wasn't good enough
He should have called play back for the challenge on Coleman before their second.
Silva should have been booked 1st half then walked in the second.
On what planet was it a penalty? The challenge on Lukaku was stronger.
Ok, we faded and Citys passing was better but, jesus!. They weren't worth 3-1.
Mark Frere
18 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:41:50
Well, we got what we deserved from that game, which was nothing. Let's not get too disheartened, though; we won't get a harder fixture than this for the rest of the season.

It always was going to be a big ask to get anything from this game; with a midfield including Naismith and Osman in it, we were always going to struggle to get a foothold in the game. Martinez really needs to give it a rest with Naismith – the guy is absolute garbage. I really think we have moved on from these kind of players.

I thought McCarthy had a very good game – great energy levels from the lad, he was everywhere.

I must say though, our players looked very tired in the second half.

Michael Winstanley
19 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:45:34
Great report Michael.
Watching City's passing and movement in the final third highlights the gulf in player quality.

We need Lukaku, Mirallas and Barkley to play much better as an attacking threat for a full 90 if we're serious about a top four challenge.

And we need a leader in the middle of the park.

Anto Byrne
20 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:41:07
Cheap penalty decision... but, having said that, City are the better side. Well, you would expect that given the billions they spend buying the Premier League title. Osman and Naismith — give me a break!! Even Howard was wobbly. A lot of rebuilding to do so let's not get carried away.
Max Wilson
21 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:43:50
Is this the worst Ref we've ever met? 9 yellow cards, a penalty to them which was identical to one he did'nt give to us! And Naismith, he's rubbish, in effective we had ten men. God knows how many mishits and crap misses of balls and crap passes he was responsible for. There are two types of fool- the lazy fools, they don't do much damage, and then there are the enthusiastic ones that spread their shit all over the place. We were quite down in the second half; that penalty, which the guys rightly disputed, seems to have done their heads in. It did mine too. We're still up there though and we'll come back.
Ross Edwards
22 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:54:47
I'd have understood if they scored 3 brilliant goals from open play and battered us, but the fact that they had to rely on a completely biased refereeing display disappoints me even more.
Ernie Baywood
23 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:46:46
Hate to say it but I thought we rolled over. We're at our best pressing teams high up the pitch but that centre mid partnership wouldn't do it. McCarthy works hard but his midfield partner was so scared of getting caught out of position that he barely got out of his half - and subsequently his negative impact on us was immense. You can't carry a centre mid who is scared of the game.

Attacking wise it was just a bad day. Ross and Romelu (goal aside) made some poor choices. Kev well off colour. Deulofeu is playing as loanees sometimes do - for himself. Think the criticism of Nais is harsh - he pressed high and tracked back. If some of his more talented teammates did the same we'd have stood a chance.

Ref shit but I didn't see us getting back into the game anyway.

How long till Kone is fully fit? It's October! !!

James Martin
24 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:44:42
If you want to play like a top club then unfortunately you get games like this. In the first half we went toe to toe with City and oculd you tell a difference between the teams before the ref had his way for the second goal? No.

You can't keep that up for 90 minutes htough away at a top side. They have better players than us and it showed. In the long run we'll get more reward from more games playing that way than if we'd gone with the Moyes formula that may well have won us three points. Obviously you want a manager who can blend both approaches depending on the opposition but none seem to be able to do that.

To be honest I don't really know what everyone expected, City infuriatingly were at full strength (how often do Kompany, Toure, Silva and Aguero all make the same team?) We were missing our crucial cogs of Barry and Pienaar and had Mirallas and Gibson only really fit for a half each. To add to this that's the worst refereeing performance I've seen all season from a ref who continuously screws us over. If he gives the correct calls we go in at half time leading that game 2-1 and one of Silva or Milner is sent off.

Im sure though that instead of all those huge factors this result will be blamed upon one of Naismith Osman or Martinez. Players and managers can only do so much. To win that game when the playing field is so unlevel in terms of money and fairness is nigh on impossible. It really did feel like having a knife at a gunfight at times.

I thought McCarthy was our best player, accurate in the pass, strong and fast, he kept going when others tired. Mirallas was clearly unfit so I'll leave his poor performance down to that. Osman did nothing wrong when he was on whereas Barkley was all over the shop, only one of them will get criticised though and we all know who. Back two were quite good but were left a lot to do by errant fullbacks. Coleman decided to have one of his narky not concentrating games and got punished. Again though you can only blame the players so much trying to compete against 12 men.

Another season where the premier league will protect their precious super six and be shocked if they all come in the top 6 despite having all the money and the refs in their pocket. Sometimes I wonder why we even bother competing in the premier league, let alone resitng player sin the cup for it. What are we ever going to do? Each season having a sniff of fourth only to be denied it whenever we get close by a militant refereeing panel hell bent on getting their money earning teams in the top bracket to swell the pockets of their overlords? The normal 14 should just breakaway and set up a proper league for proper footy teams with proper fans.

Tony Sullivan
25 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:53:34
Ralph Basnett 778
Do you mean he doen't try, (ie not up for it), or he is not good enough?

You are mistaken either way as his tackling and reading of the game are outstanding.

Saved a certain goal today with an outstanding last ditch tackle. Rarely has a bad game.

Difficult to know how you reach your conclusions.

Ross Edwards
26 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:59:19
Why does Martinez get the share of the blame James?

James Martin
27 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:02:20
I don't think he should Ross, nothing wrong with the tactics, he gave us a platform to win the game but the majority of what happened was out of his control. I was saying that other people won't appreciate that thoguh and will look to blame him for a poor defense or for rolling over in the second half.
Kevin Tully
28 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:55:47
6/10 performance from us, didn't really deserve anything from that.

Far too many players below par, sloppy in our passing, and we offered feck all going forward second half.

I'm not one to single out individuals, but Mirallas has been really poor for me all season, is he carrying an injury?

The ref was probably the worst I have seen for a long time, but even without him, we didn't deserve anything.

Wasn't our day, but I'm still extremely hopeful we can have a good season.

Susong Hermawan
29 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:03:26
Actually, this is the real test for RM. No matter what... Up the Blues!
Jason Heng
30 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:03:59
Games like this is when we miss Moyes' negative football. With the players at our disposal, we cannot outplay Man City. The only way out was to "destroy" the game by closing in on space and snapping on their heels.
Ross Edwards
31 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:03:28
There was no chance of recovering from an abject refereeing display.

City should have been down to 9 men. Milner should have seen red, Silva should have had two yellows.

Their penalty was very soft, and the shove on Lukaku was a stonewaller, more than theirs for sure.

Halsey said on BT that play should have been stopped before their 2nd goal, so by rights it should have been a draw or a little better than 3-1.

Mirallas should have scored as well.

Tony Hanlon
32 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:06:37
Kone laughing walking off the pitch..........not an Everton player in a million years.
Ernie Baywood
33 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:04:26
Not sure about your Osman vs Barkley conclusion, James. One continuously screwed up trying to make things hapoen and has more than 10 years ahead of him. The other hid.

I'd much rather the young lad having a go.

Ultimately, I'd agree he was shit today. But can't accept that Osman "did nothing wrong". He could similarly "do nothing wrong" from the bench. He did nothing.

Carl Taylor
34 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:09:36
McCarthy excellent, Lukaka excellent, Referee absolutely abysmal. Can't criticise the starting 11, but the subs (Kone and the Deulofeu) made no impact whatsoever. Best we deserved was a point, but some awful refereeing cost us.

Interesting listening to Halsey point out the inconsistency of the referee, and a first agreeing with Warnock. Owen a tool, Hargreaves a tool, David James on another space cake planet!

Tony Marsh
35 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:55:25
I agree with the above comments about that fat shithouse Referee. What the fuck is going on in the game? I thought the penalty Stoke never got last week was a bad decision but the one against us today makes me question my sanity.

Are Refs really cheats, brainwashed or just dumb fucking twats? Can they be so easily influenced that they abandon all principles? I hear so much about the respect campaign how about officials needing people to have respect for the job they do. How about respect for the paying public who have to put up with this crap?

Maybe now after yet another abysmally poor showing, the rest of you doubters will admit Osman is finished. It's you fans who keep him were he is with all the back-slapping comments and the relaxed attitude to Leon's shittness. It makes me Ill watching Osman play – he really is that bad. It's worse than the extended highlights of Eastenders watching Osman plod around the pitch like he is looking for a pound coin he dropped earlier. Terrible player leaving huge gaps and not picking up.

The only real blame though for this defeat is the shithouse Ref who ruined what would've been a great game for us if Milner had seen a straight Red for a horror tackle, but no... the fat cheating cunt flashes only a Yellow and then hands City a penalty that would shame a Sunday League game. These retarded anoraks who are destroying football will never learn. They don't care as long as David Ellerey, Graham Poll or some other dickhead pats them on the back after the game. The thing is the crap pundits say about these things levelling themselves out over a season is fucking hilarious. Fuck all levels out. Just ask anyone when the last time a shitbag in the middle gave a penalty at Old Trafford?

James Carlisle
36 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:07:36
Dissapointing Moyes esque second half display. Lack of ideas going forward. Thought 3-1 was a little humbling considering how unlucky we were with the 3rd goal and the fact City weren't exactly all that. First half performance was pretty good though. Attacked them well.

I'm not complaining though. 5th in the table and first loss after the 7th game isn't too bad at all. If we can just be more consistent over 90 minutes then why can't we get top 4?

Mike Oates
37 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:06:31
Ref was absolutely crap – but that aside City deserved to win, their midfield was so much stronger and quicker than ours, their forwards so so much better at control and movement than our Barkley and Lukaku.

We have a long long way to go to challenge City, Chelsea and I suspect also Arsenal and Spurs, maybe even Liverpool who all move the ball quicker than we do. I don't think with Moyes on board that Man Utd will do anything other than be average.

Barkley had a poor day, but he was due one, at his age you cannot perform at top levels all the time. City completely neutralised both our full backs today, Baines desperately needs Pienaar back ASAP, Mirallas and Deulofeu just don't combine with him.

Mark Tanton
38 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:18:17
I hope Bobby makes some changes for the Hull game, the point of having a squad is to respond to defeat and to let players know they're competing for playing time. I
James Martin
39 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:17:24
Ok Ernie, whatever you say... He was playing centre-mid against City for the first half and the start of the second but you thought he did nothing? No tracking runners, no tackling, no keeping possession, nothing?

It would have been very easy for City if that was true; as ever with most Osman bashing, it isn't.

Barkley barely completed a pass all game. If he's good enough to be in the first team, then it shouldn't matter how many years he's got ahead of him. It's not a nursery or a finishing school; his performance wasn't good enough in that game, end of — regardless of how much potential he has.

Raymond Fox
40 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:01:58
James Martin, I think you have summed the game up spot on.

Ref was awful but we were murdered second half by a better team.
We faded like we did against Newcastle, looks like we need more basic fitness, started great but faded badly.

Coleman was terrible, Barkley after 10mins had a poor game, McCarthy was very sound I thought and Lukaku wasn't in the match second half although he didn't have much service.

Back to the drawing board after today, no top 4 on that performance!

Fraser Auld
41 Posted 05/10/2013 at 14:50:47
Said this in the match forum and will say it again, Gibson was an absolute disgrace when he came on. We started poorly in the 2nd half and then really lost it in midfield when he came on. The guy just strolled about, never got beyond a jog and it just isn't good enough. He either decides he wants to be a premiership footballer and knuckles down, gets fit and shows a bit of desire or he should fuck off. He's just going through the motions and its criminal because he could be a good footballer.

McCarthy (who had already played 60 mins) was the one attempting to close down and win ball back, Gibson never got near a city midfielder and it is so frustrating to see a player in their coasting.

I suspect there will be a lot of posts bashing the usual suspects, Naismith, Osman etc... they didn't play well and aren't good enough for the first team but i'm not going to slag off a couple of guys who, when they do play, give 100% for Everton. I trust that our manager will also know these guys aren't good enough and in time will try to replace them with better...but while they are in our team and giving 100% I will support them.

Gibson on the other hand, a player who could be good enough but frankly, doesn't look like he can be arsed, is a far more deserving target for the boo boys.

And yes, I know he is coming back from injury (yet again) but I don't think he's looked like he could be bothered for some time.

Patrick Murphy
42 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:24:12
The FA sold their soul years ago, the PL is merely a money making machine and has little to do with fairness or decency. Referees are always scared of losing their personal meal ticket and so it is human nature to side with the clubs who wield the most power and influence.

It doesn't make it right though and it deprives footy fans of watching teams win or lose on the merits of the players. Similarly yellow cards are hurriedly issued to players who play for the less rich clubs whilst the chosen clubs players are always given the benefit of the doubt, especially if they represent England at international level.

A dubious penalty given to Everton today and we go on to win = media frenzy and calls for the referee to be reprimanded.

Same decision given to City and they go on to win = passing mention and Journo's waxing lyrical about how clever the players of the big club are, and the Referee is free to do it all again in his next fixture.

Mike Oates
43 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:28:54
Stop knocking Ossie and Naismith, they give 100%, whereas Mirallas, Gibson, Deulofeu don't. The latter are clearly "more skillful, better technically" but just don't put in a shift when the going gets tough.
Ross Edwards
44 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:34:51
Kone doesn't give a flying fudge either. Remember when he was laughing whenever we missed a chance against Stevenage?

He obviously doesn't care. Get rid.

Mohammed Horoub
45 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:27:56
Frustrating game, ref was shocking and the pen was a knockout blow but overall we didn't deserve much from the game... Positives: McCarthy, Coleman, Lukaku I see Coleman getting some criticism but if we had 10 guys with his drive, desire and fitness we would be challenging for the title...
Distin, Jags were swamped and missed Barry Baines is lost without Pienaar... Barkley and Mirallas were both off and Osman and Naismith are in over their heads at this level but atleast they give 100%
Subs were all poor and wasn't impressed with Kone's attitude after the final whistle RM or Jags need to let him know there's nothing funny about losing 3-1 regardless who we play

How key is Barry's acquisition looking now... Expect RM to sort things out in the next 2 weeks

Max Murphy
46 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:31:10
Mr. Kenrick, I believe your headline is nonsense. I admit the ref was crap, but apart from the first half hour, we were outplayed, out-passed and outclassed. The 3-1 scoreline flattered us.
The waves of optimism that echoed around Goodison following our victory against Newcastle, need to be quickly put into perspective: Newcastle were beaten at home the week before by Hull.
Silva dictated the play today and murdered us with his clever passing through out baffled defence. We cannot afford misplaced passes and being caught in possession, anywhere on the field against teams like city.
Paul Andrews
47 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:39:33
More than matched them in the first half,difficult to maintain the high tempo for 90 minutes.
Naismith payed well in the first half but faded badly in the second.
Osman can not pay for more than an hour in this style of play.
Off day for Barkley.
Mirallas not involved enough,can't blame the injury as he is the same each week.When he's good,he's good but not consistently
.
Positive points are that we are picking the style of football up more each week.
Playing against a squad that cost hundreds of millions don't forget
Jim Hourigan
48 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:32:41
Let's be realistic, the money City have spent and the quality of their players puts them on a different level. If we could have caught them on an off-day, we could have got something but we didn't. Martinez sets his team up to win, something we have not seen for years, so I think we will win far more than we lose.

In terms of personnel, the midfield struggled as the game developed, Osman against Toure was a mismatch, Naismith didn't seem able to stop Kolarov overlapping and when Aguero dropped deep Barkley didn't pick him up. Mirallas only contributed in fits and starts and we definitely missed Barry. Man for man, City have better players across the middle, who of the above would get in their team?

So let's be realistic, the football is better, we have pace on both flanks and with Barkley and Lukaku we have a threat down the middle. For me Osman is a waste of space, too slow and ineffective, and Naismith is just not up to this level, his first touch is poor and his choice of passes at times leaves me bewildered. 2 from Barry, McCarthy and Gibson plus Mirallas and Pienaar with Deulofeu as back up looks as good as we have had in some years.

Nelly Verdonghan
49 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:38:52
Yes Osman & Naismith give 100% but neither should be playing regularly in our 1st team...Osman has done a decent enough job over the years but unfortunately has NEVER been stong enough nor quick enough to be a top premiership player despite having a great deal of ability...unfortunately today (with his advancing years) he looked like a boy playing against men and just could not get anywhere near Toure and/or Silva and was made to look exactly what he has ALWAYS been...weak and VERY slow...time to fade him out gracefully me thinks

As for Naismith...I just cannot see what he offers...yes he gives’s 100% but most of the time he runs around like a headless chicken and the majority of the time he does actually have the ball he either gives it away or kicks it out of play...RM could pick thousands of Evertonian’s out of the crowd to do that....Reminds me very much of Rod Belfitt who IMO is the worst player I have ever seen in a blue shirt....right at this moment, in Naismith, Rod has a contender for his title...

Michael Kenrick
50 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:44:15
Max (#819), I agree that we turned to shit... but I think that was down to increasing frustration with the ref through the first half, that had the players really really down at the break.

Yes, we never recovered second half, but my read of the game was the damage was done in the first half with what looked to be two clear penalty decisions not given for us. We should have been 3-1 up at the break and the players knew it — they knew they'd been robbed by a cheating referee... a feeling underlined when he did not show Milner a straight red for that horrible challenge on McCarthy.

Second half, I'd've hoped they'd come out with a real fire in their bellies.... that didn't happen, though, as City ran rings around them after the break, so happy were they to know the ref was going to make sure they won this game.

So... nonsense you say? I wish it were, but sadly methinks I speak the truth.

Paul Andrews
51 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:50:04
Nelly,
Naismith did alright in the first half.
Nelly Verdonghan
52 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:52:49
Paul....he is shite...full stop !!
Paul Andrews
53 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:55:28
He had a decent first half Nelly.
I can see why he picked him today,in a full squad he won't get in starting 11 agreed
Robert Collins
54 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:43:19
Jimmy Page @ 774 (first comment)

Hit the nail on the head!

It was in the last third that we lost this game, they just couldn't pass the ball, lost possession, the ball came back at them with interest and the pressure built up.

One player I was impressed with was McCarthy, plenty of timely tackles and was everywhere on the pitch. I also say well done Naismith good link up play and put himself about.

Both Barkley and Lukaku showed their youth (or the worst side of it), they had their good moments, but they were both a bit naive and predictable. Barkley getting caught in possession and when the ball was hoofed up to Lukaku he tried to turn his marker and run at goal every time instead of holding it up and waiting for support (too predictable) and was also disposed.

It wasn't the system that failed today, it was individuals. We proved first half we could hurt city.

Callum McNab
55 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:37:38
Kevin Tully, spot on. Mike Oates, I agree with you regarding effort for Ossie and Naismith. But sadly Ossie fades after 45 minutes, and Naismith just doesn't have the quality we need in that position. But that's the beauty of football, we all have are opinions, but at the end of the day we all want the same thing, in success for the blue boys.
Steavey Buckley
56 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:59:29
I was surprised to find that Gibson was on the bench and not starting straight away. Unless Osman is Martinez's long lost younger half brother, I don't know why he starts. He contributed little in defence or attack by being far too light weight.

It would have been better for Everton to play 3 at the back and give both full backs, Coleman and Baines, the freedom to get forward. In the end, both players were caught in two minds, whether to stay back or get forward, as there was little or nothing ahead of them from both flanks.

Playing Kone and Lukaku together may prove a better attacking option because Lukaku can't carry on taking the attack to the opposition by himself all the time.

Max Murphy
57 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:54:59
Michael (823) The first penalty claim was very marginal, and Naismith knew it, that's why he made no big shouts. Lukaku racing to the goal-line with a defender? A ref will never give a penalty in those situations. Defenders can wrestle, shove, trip, or obstruct, but for some reason referees will not blow the whistle – it's like an unwritten law in their guidebook. I never expected a penalty at all.

I do agree with the dirty challenge from Milner – and also Silva got away with a booking in the first half for the foul on Lukaku and the ref waved play on. Despite that, we were clear losers.

We have all lived with the appalling penalty decisions from referees in our games over the years – and at the big grounds, the home team gets the nod.

Everton cannot and should not let bad refereeing decisions affect their game, as you are suggesting – they should rise above it and play twice as hard. Because during this long season ahead, we will again be confronted with many more awful decisions.

Nelly Verdonghan
58 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:15:26
Paul...I cant see why we EVER pick him !!
Brian Sharples
59 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:01:07
We are a first-half side, plain and simple. It's as though all the energy is expended in the first 45 and,once the opposition come back at us, the shape and enthusiasm disappears.

The Spanish Wonderkid, Gibson and Kone seemed happy to be onlookers when they came on as Mirallas yet again fails to put in a full shift.

Far too much 'fancy-dan' today and we shall pick up some pastings with too many Wiganlike displays like 2nd half on Monday and all match this Saturday.

Points lost in those opening matches seem more vital now we've look likely to continue to be turned over by the big boys when away from home.


Mike Oates
60 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:08:15
We missed Barry, we actually missed Fellaini big time, he has never let Toure command a game like he did today, too lightweight with Ossie in there. McCarthy did well, actually thought he was our best player by a mile. Barkley had a poor game, far too often getting caught with the ball; on a number of occasions Mirallas, Baines were screaming to be given it off Ross, but he dallied far too long.

Still, we are having a go for a change.

Raymond Fox
61 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:59:03
Does anyone have any tackling stats?
I didn't make any notes myself, but the amount of room City had in second half, some players are not pulling their weight!
City are a good passing side and maybe we couldn't get to them, I dunno.

Ross didn't have good game today, he definitely needs to be doing more defensively for me, good to get praised to the heavens when he does well, but he'll only learn if told where he needs to improve!
If the stats say I'm wrong I'll hold my hands up.

Harold Matthews
62 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:55:02
We were not at the races. Totally outclassed all over the pitch. The ref was crap. We were double crap. They were quick and strong. We were slow and weak. Martinez says wait till Jan into Feb.
Ralph Basnett
63 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:19:34
From the sublime to the ridiculous withe the passing. I like to watch a good passing game but we seem to overpass and not achieve much.....
Peter Laing
64 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:15:07
Very poor second half performance confounded by one of the worst refereeing displays for many a year. Naismith cannot pass, cannot control a ball and loses possession far too often, he shouldn't be selected for Everton again and shipped back to the Scottish prem
Fraser Auld
65 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:49:36
Nelly 822, nobody is saying Osman and Naismith should be regulars, that wasn't the point being made. For what it's worth, I agree with you, neither of them should be first team regulars.

Bit of a moot point though as I don't think they actually are anyway. When Pienaar is fit Naismith won't start and Roberto must be coming to the conclusion that his 2 central midfielders are Barry and McCarthy (i'd be worried if he isn't).

Bottom line: they don't pick themselves; they didn't sign themselves for Everton, and all they can do is their best when selected to play. If they are not trying or doing their best, then fine, give them all the abuse you want.

Ultimately, if their best is not good enough then you have to hope the manager will see it as well and move them on, replacing them with players he thinks are good enough.

The point I made, was that its easy to pick out these guys who are clearly struggling. Of the players we have at the club at the moment however if anyone deserves/needs a massive kick up the backside, it's Gibson.

Steve Pugh
67 Posted 05/10/2013 at 15:15:15
Ernie, if Osman is constantly hiding how come people complain about the poor passes, weak shots and lightweight tackles?
Ross Edwards
68 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:25:10
I thought Ray throughout the match we were poor defensively, we were very slow on the uptake at times. Very worrying, but I think we'll look more organised when Barry returns v Hull.
Paul Andrews
69 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:32:49
Nelly,

Email Señor Roberto,he will tell you

Peter Laing
70 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:32:38
The officials got almost every decision against Everton today from the penalty claim to corners not being given, Moss et al disgrace
Barry Hughes
71 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:21:59
Tough day at the office. Bit harsh to judge anyone today. That said, was I alone in being surprised by Kone's approach when he came on? He didn't look like he was that arsed. In the context of other things that have gone on with this player - I personally thought the whole fasting thing was an unbelievable thing for a pro-footballer - I was left pondering this kids attitude. I'm not saying he could have brought us back from 3-1 down, but I'd have liked to see him doing a bit more than jogging around. Finally, his laugh at the end...hmmm. Not sure he knows what it means to wear that shirt. Maybe needs to spend a bit of time with Big Dunc'...
Ian Tunstead
72 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:23:21
Tony Marsh, poor refereeing or not, in the past you have blamed Moyes and not made such pathetic excuses. You blame Osman again but don’t blame the manager who picked him. Moyes would have got a result there today like he normally does, make no mistake.

We were lucky not to have conceded 5 or 6. This is what happens when you are naive enough to think you can go toe to toe with superior opposition. To play 3 central midfielders, none of whom can tackle, is just sheer stupidity.

Lukaku has pulled Martinez out the shit a couple of times this season but we can't rely on him to do it every week. Barkley was out of his depth and found out. Gibson was put on too late (he should have started), Kone is a joke of a signing — I would rather we kept a young Anichebe who doesn’t laugh when we get beat. Martinez will find his level sooner rather than later.

James Martin
73 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:34:51
Please give it a rest witht he we miss Fellaini rubbish. If you want an example of him never letting Toure boss a game in that way then look at the recent thrashing of United where he was absolutely woeful and Toure ran through him as though he wasn't even there. I actually thought McCarthy offered more in that game than I've seen an Everton midfielder do away form home at a big side for a long time. Ultimately it was Silva who was our undoing, he's just a world class player who makes all the difference for them. He seems to drag himself off the sick bed twice a year just to torture us. Pellegrini seems to have restes his best team mid-week so that he oculd put them all out against us. If he'd just played his usual rubbish 4-4-2 with Dzeko upfront then we might have done them.
Jay Harris
74 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:34:45
Referee was poor but we lost a lot of self belief when the pressure came on.

Thought up to that point we were more than a match for a club that has spent close to a billion on players and playing at home desperate to improve on their recent results.

Surprised nobody has mentioned Baines worst game in an Everton shirt (IMO).

Noticed a few times he was strolling around the pitch.

I guess he has decided he is going in January

Ian Glassey
75 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:28:11
Shite ref, City should have been down to 10 men, a stonewall penalty not given for us and a very soft one given to them.
A bad day for Ross just could not get in the game at all,getting caught on the ball to much.

Super Kev looking very poor can't be fit, and Naismith and Osman should not be anywhere near the first team he just gets over run time after time.

Still think Robbie will sort it, a good season on the way it will be a rollercoaster ride of ups and downs. Sit back and enjoy..

Kevin Tully
77 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:42:55
Jay - don't think anyone rated at more than a six, except maybe McCarthy. You aren't going to beat City with level of performance throughout the whole team.
Nick Entwistle
78 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:31:29
Yup, the ref had a stinker.

Other than the soft penalty for City, and the none red for Milner (did he get a clear view?) he wasn't the deciding factor.

I didn't think we should have got pens though... Naismith got a shove but had already played the ball too far ahead of him which was cleared before he hit the deck.

2nd half Lukaku was playing on the half way line, and Martinez took him off for Kone. WTF? Took Mirallas off, when Del should have been on for Naismith, WTF? And whatever Gibson was supposed to do it didn't work.

We did though play some good through balls but Naismith and Kev's touch let them down.

Hull and Villa next. Lukaku will probably rip them up all on his own, but he's papering over cracks your average striker can't.

Phil Rodgers
79 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:43:33
Ref was appalling. But so were we. Particularly defensively. Coleman and Baines were atrocious. I thought it was a very weak performance all round.
Steve McBride
80 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:36:49
The ref and linesmen were very poor today but you can criticise the usual scapegoats if you like:

Naismith — did as well as most on the park for me today, certainly better than the second biggest disappointment of the season after the badge... Mirallas. I wouldn't miss him at all at the moment.

Ossie — too lightweight to play a defensive midfield role, he can only play the role occupied by Ross for me so hard to slag him off if the manager thinks he's good enough to play there.

Weak midfield was always going to be an issue today and so it proved, with City, unsurprisingly, dominating that area and killing off most of our forward play in the second half. But for me the biggest worry is the lack of stamina shown this season, especially in the last two games. (I don't think it was frustration at the decisions going against us, Michael; if it were, then God help us as bad decisions are part and parcel for the teams who don't warrant arse licking from referees.).

Fannying around with the ball is one thing but lacking the energy to sustain it is another, we will drop points against lesser but fitter teams than City if we can't sustain the tempo needed to play the passing game. Get them down to the sand dunes tomorrow, Martinez, you've got to win the battle and the war in this league!

Ross Edwards
81 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:53:40
Nick, Mirallas was crap mate and was struggling it appeared. He was not 100% fit, it was obvious.

Gibson was only brought on to stop us from conceding 4 or 5.

I agree with you re Kone, he is terrible, but it was the last roll of the dice really before we totally ran out of ideas.

Drew Shortis
82 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:46:36
I enjoyed the first half and thought we might get something out of the game despite City finishing strongly. In the second they came out just as strong and in the end the class of Silva, Toure and Aguero was just too much for us. The penalty seemed to knock the stuffing out of us and it was game over from there. If that was a penalty then Nastatic's barge on Lukaku should have been one too!

I was glad to see Delboy come on, but by that point we looked so demoralized there was scant opportunity for him to effect the game. I thought most of our side had a good first half, but Naismith was terrible in the second and I can't believe Kone replaced Lukaku and not Nais, His touch is appalling!

I'm disappointed we didn't show more in the second half, but this was always going to be a very tough game so I'm going to be philosophical about it. Time to rest and regroup and hopefully bounce back against Hull!

Nick Entwistle
83 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:58:16
Ross, not Naismith crap. But then Mirallas rarely completes a 90. Didn't under Moyes. Lukaku so far back meant City could push up as much as they liked. Kone... what was he to do? Seemed very happy after the game though.
Colin Grierson
84 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:07:10
I thought Mirallas and Coleman had shockers. McCarthy was class and Barkley was far too wasteful. Lukaku's touch deserted him in the second half and Naismith could be an effective sub but his passing ability is terrible. Baines was nullified by Milner, Osman was out of position and it showed. The biggest difference for us today was how much we missed Barry. I thought, refereeing decisions aside, that Citeh were good value for the win today and were better than us for most of the game. Still I hoped for something from today's game rather than expected something. I think Citeh will go close in the race for the title this season.
Paul David
85 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:01:08
The ref was terrible but that's not why we lost, if most of the team don't turn up then we're not going to get anything away at City. I thought McCarthy was the only player to play well.
Trevor Lynes
86 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:44:48
We lost a game deservedly and it was down to the other side playing better. We had no help from the referee and possibly two one would have been a fairer result but we do not have a divine right to win every week.

City played much better than they did against Bayern and they did not take defensive liberties as they did against Villa. They bounced back as every top team should and we can still hold our heads up as its our first defeat against possible title winners on their ground.

Looking at their bench was enough to understand the gulf (money wise) and they could afford to lose a player or two without diminishing their strength. By comparison we are still a squad who will trouble any side in the league. I just hope that money is available in January to give to Martinez to sign players he identifies as required. We missed Pienaar's effort and industry today as Baines had no real support going forward so we had no threat down that wing. In a long season in different weather conditions a strong squad is needed to keep up the impetus gained by having a good start. We still need at least two more top players and possibly more to sustain a challenge against the better sides in the league.

Mirallas and Gibson are not fully fit and Osman is just back from injury, but we do not have players who can slot into the team without losing impact. All our players are trying their best for the club and they were beaten today by a top team away from home. I still think that Martinez approach is good and Im sure he will identify players who will strengthen the squad. Don't forget that Lukaku and Barry are both on loan as is young Del Boy. Kone, Jelavic and others should be aiming to make sure that those loan players are not automatic starters, otherwise we will be lost when they return to their owners.

Tommy Coleman
87 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:50:40
I can't stand weak referees. He was dying to give them everything, just to be popular.

That said, we learnt a bit more about our squad of players if they are capable to regularly challenge for major trophies.

Osman, Naismith and Distin cannot play at the highest level. Osman just wasn't there in an attacking, defensive or physical sense, just outclassed.

Distin is just too old to react against the standard of Aguero.

Naismith doesn't contain the mental belief to play at his best in any big game. There was one long ball sent to him in the 2nd half and I said out loud "he will kick this out of touch", which he did, simply because there was a player 10 yards in front if him. No confidence.

Replace these players and we are title challengers.

I was also disappointed with Kone replacing Lukaku. RM should have got Naismith off instead. I knew the game was over after this. I think RM had given up.

Still, we are generally heading in the right direction. A little more fine tuning to continue.

COYB

James Martin
88 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:05:36
Always best getting the toughest game in the league out the way early anyway. you don't want this one in March when you've got something to play for.

To be honest, I thought we played far worse at West Ham yet, because we won, everyone thought we were boss. Equally here, considering the opposition, I didn't think we were that bad, certainly not in the first half.

I think our fitness is an issue (god knows why), and our lack in quality when you scrape below a first 11, but these are problems that everyone outside of the moneyed 6 has to deal with. Everyone could have played out their skin, Roberto could have been tactically perfect, but you only need one bad ref or one outrageous bit of quality and you've lost the game.

I know we're all into blaming ourselves for anything that happens on the football field (well by ourselves I mean formerly Moyes now Osman and Naismith) but sometimes you just have to accept when you're not going to get anything and today was one of those days. They were/are better than us due to the ridiculous team they've assembled, some of our players didn't perform although it was in my eyes a decent showing, and the ref made sure we had absolutely no chance of getting anything by killing the game off.

Sometimes you just have to move on rather than looking for reasons why all of our players aren't entirely perfect all the time and why they aren't managed by a tactically perfect manager who gets them right all the time.

Tony McNulty
89 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:05:08
The ref was guilty of unconscious incompetence and his inconsistent decisions certainly gave them the rub of the green.

I think City shaded it though. Nevertheless there is still reason for optimism. At least we look like we might score whenever we attack, which is by and large a change from the Moyes’s regime.

Under RM we will face more ups and downs and there’ll be more of a roller coaster but I much prefer the type of football.

Lukaku has now disappeared in consecutive second halves: I wonder if the Special One spotted this element in his make up? As for Kone, I know he recovering from injury but he need to play a little better if he is to draw so much attention to himself with that sort of hairstyle.

Graham Mockford
90 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:02:08
What concerns me about today's performance is the system we are deploying especially in relation to the role of Ross Barkley. The lad is obviously a real talent but he played at bit like Billy Big Bollocks today, strolling about, doing very little when City where in possession.

I can forgive him losing possession because he is trying to create stuff, although he overdid it at times today. But I can't accept a lack of work rate. I can only assume he has been told to play in that advanced position and get into positions to hurt the opposition. Against a team with the attacking quality of City that is naive in the extreme.

I was surprised to hear RM talking about how we made it an open game. If we did that deliberately there was only ever one likely outcome. Nine goals conceded in four games is a bit worrying despite the fact we have played some exciting football in all those games.

Ernie Baywood
92 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:22:49
Steve Pugh 842 - no-one has complained about them today. Can you remember one contribution from him?
Raymond Fox
93 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:05:07
Barry would have made a difference today, I doubt it would have been enough though.
We keep saying we have a strong squad, but it seems we are still short of 2 or 3 class players if we any have ambitions of beating the 'moneybags' clubs.

I'm disappointed with the second half, we just collapsed, I can only think their not fit enough,
but with a pre season, Internationals and 6 Prem. games before today its puzzling, they should be match fit!

By common consent, the ref was very poor, football is a game where multi millions are hinging on ref decisions, the FA. need to get a grip.
Almost if not all refs favour 'the fancy money clubs' with decisions, we know its a hard job but they should be punished more severely when making glaring crucial mistakes.
Look at what happens in the penalty box now, there's usually 3 or 4 groups of players having a wrestling match, against the rules isn't it, give penalties they'll soon stop.

Steve Pugh
94 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:47:51
Raymond, I suspect the FA approve of their mistakes.
Steve Pugh
95 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:49:31
Ernie, in the first half alone I saw him break up three City attacks with important tackles, one of which was followed up by him blocking a shot seconds later. Played lots of little passes around the centre of the park opening up space for the likes of Lukaku so yeah I can. I will admit he was gash in the second half. Hence the reason RM took him off
Sam Hoare
96 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:58:14
I know he's not had much game time but Kone really does look a waste of 6m. When you think Benteke didn't cost much more than that.

Still. Tough game today and thought we would struggle without Gibson or Barry. With a bit of luck we may have got a point but City deserved all 3 just about.

2 weeks to improve fitness and get Gibson and Pienaar fit.

Will Leaf
97 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:54:07
A Lukaku penalty, Milner seeing red, Silva getting at least two of his deserved 5 yellow cards, take away their ridiculous penalty and City would not have been in a position to run out "the deserved winners".

So tired of this Premier League syndicate. My feelings reflected quite well above by Marshy.

Will Leaf
98 Posted 05/10/2013 at 18:14:44
Oh, and Kone is not fit to wear the shirt. The fact that he wears the Number 9 really gets my wick.
Darren Hind
99 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:38:23
Make all the excuses you want, but we came out for the second half gunfight armed with a rolling pin. That second half performance was tatamount to surrender.

Yes we were robbed, if their penalty was given, then the shove in Lukaku's back was nailed on. Silva could/ should have had three yellow cards, Milner should have walked . . .but thats what happens at these grounds, you get fuck all. its the way you deal with getting fuck all that counts, feeling sorry for ouselves wont get us where we want to be.

The Marshy's of this world would have you believe our problems start and finish with Ossie, its utter bollocks of course. Some of our younger players were forced to learn some very harsh lessons today. perhaps our young manager too.

Disappointing result and performance (second half) , but not a disaster, our players and manager would have learned far more today than they did when we beat the Geordies.

There'll be more defeats, but as long as we keep learning . . We'll get there

Paul Ferry
100 Posted 05/10/2013 at 18:05:07
It's this recent second half going missing that is a real puzzle for me. What goes on at half-time? Is it match fitness: certainly Osman, Lulu, Mirallas, and even Distin looked second-half shagged to me? Do we simply burn out with all the lovely tricky first half skills and thrills because (A) it's hard to keep it up for 90 and (B) perhaps more importantly, it is still - despite the good signs - in its early and formative stages of development?

And the other nagging trend in recent matches: we are giving away a few goals aren't we. No, not going down the Martinez teams can't defend easy road, although I will say that we are not set up as soundly defensively as this time last year but there are also much better things going on than this time last year. I'm worried about Jagielka and Distin but Jagielka in particular. Yes, I clapped loudly at two or three interceptions/tackles, but he really is making too many mistakes and poor judgments. He worries me and Distin had for him a little howler today. Answer? Dunno.

And today as we saw key players were poor: count 'em, Ross, the two Belgos. the lad from Sligo, England's best left-back. And a handful were utter shite: Osmanwhose tussle with Toure was pretty even when all was said and done eh (!), Naismith (not saying anything), Del-Barca (sadly),a nd Gibson was pure shite and a trifle tele-tubby.

If I ever ever ever see Kone laughing away cheerfully when leaving the pitch after (1) a defeat and (2) an amateurish divvy display by said so-called striker then I will ......

Patrick Murphy
101 Posted 05/10/2013 at 18:28:00
I couldn't watch the game today due to family commitments but whilst not surprised by the final score or by the inept refereeing, I am dismayed that we once again only managed to play for 45 minutes. It has been a problem at the club for some considerable time and it urgently needs addressing.

The other thing that is grating me is the insistence on starting these games at the top teams venues with 10 or even sometimes 9 players who are good enough for the Premier League. I can't for definite say what Naismith's performance was like but, judging by the comments, he turned in yet another sub-standard performance as regards his skill level if not his work-rate. If we haven't got somebody better in the squad to play instead of him, I despair.

Roberto Martinez should have Kone in for extra-training assuming he is not on International duty and get the guy fit. Does he think he has made it, now he is I assume on better money than he got at Wigan? Our performances have been good from a football perspective but some of those unwanted habits appear to have remained and we need every player to perform to their best for every minute of every match, if we want to get European football.

Liam Appleby
102 Posted 05/10/2013 at 18:29:57
Sad to see our run come to an end. However, in the grand scheme of things... is losing at City going to define our season? Not at all. Most teams will go there and get tonked. I was more disappointed in the dropped points v West Brom, Cardiff and Norwich than today.

Yes, the referee was shite, but I don't think the performance was worthy of anything anyway. Sometimes, you have to put your hands up and say... we were poor, but city are obviously very good.

Highlight for me today (other than Lukaku goal) was McCarthy's performance in the middle. Some people may have thought we over-paid for him, but this kid is going to be a top top player and the fee will look like a bargain in a few years time.

Tony Dove
103 Posted 05/10/2013 at 18:30:56
We were lucky not to got a real hiding today. Disappointed with how many thought Barkley had a poor game. He was up against it today but a lot of his passes were top class (too good for the likes of Mirallas and Naismith). He also kept going, unlike some of the others.
Jamie Barlow
105 Posted 05/10/2013 at 18:35:13
Paul, do we really do loads of running in the first half? We pass it about a lot which should lessen the need to run about a lot surely. Whatever it is, we need to sort it quick. 45 minutes of good football isn't always enough to win football matches.

Shocking refereeing spoilt what could have been a good game today although I can't agree with most on here regarding Milner's tackle. Never a red. Just a strong hard tackle that was probably worth a yellow. We could have done with a few of our fannies (Barkley, Deulofeu) putting in tackles like that today. Not jumping out of them.

Graham Mockford
108 Posted 05/10/2013 at 18:42:40
Paul #877

It's not the defenders that have changed, it is the system. They are not receiving as much cover while we play in such an open manner.

Unfortunately that's a result of playing more attractive and attacking football which I think nearly all are enjoying. I said last week that sometimes, especially against quality sides away from home, you need a Plan B. I haven't seen one yet.

Raymond Fox
109 Posted 05/10/2013 at 18:31:25
Let's not make Kone a target for abuse, he's only had one decent run out, one or two 8-10 mins substitutions where he's not had a chance to stretch his legs.

As far as him smiling is concerned at the end, he's talking to Toure who he probably knows from International duty, we don't know what they were talking about!

I've seen him a few times; he's decent — not as good as Lukaku, but few are.

Roman Sidey
110 Posted 05/10/2013 at 16:35:10
Still happy with RM, but how Naismith managed to get 90 minutes out of that performance is beyond me. I play 6-aside with beginners who have a better first touch than that guy.
Paul Ferry
112 Posted 05/10/2013 at 18:53:56
Good point Graham (885) there were too many times for comfort today when that was exposed.
Paul Andrews
113 Posted 05/10/2013 at 18:58:35
That would be due to the midfield offering little protection to the back four.
McCarthy excepted
Brent Stephens
114 Posted 05/10/2013 at 19:10:52
Poor ref.

Poor Everton performance.

A clutch of our lads poor today, subs included, so let's not have posts which single out one player. A bit of honesty, please.

Brent Stephens
115 Posted 05/10/2013 at 19:19:55
On a positive note, I wasn't sure when we signed McCarthy, certainly for the shed-load. After seeing him in our colours a few times now I'm starting to be won over.
Andy Crooks
116 Posted 05/10/2013 at 19:06:28
I agree with Brian Sharples. The players just don't seem fit enough to play a pressing game for ninety minutes. That is absolutely down to the coach. Also, it would be a huge bonus if Ross Barkley was 10% of the player he thinks he is. Gibson, to me, looks unfit and borderline fat.

Judging Kone, coming back after injury, is unfair. Guilty of laughing? Ridiculous criticism. Our strongest eleven would, I believe, have won today. A weakened team needs 100% from the journeymen. We got that. Unfortunately some of the supposed quality players were spineless.

Phil Sammon
117 Posted 05/10/2013 at 19:31:37
Andy Crooks

"Also, it would be a huge bonus if Ross Barkley was 10% of the player he thinks he is."

Completely out of order with that comment.

Jon Withey
118 Posted 05/10/2013 at 19:35:23
McCarthy seems decent, but our possession and general defensive play today...pretty bad second-half.

That penalty killed the game though.

Tony Marsh
119 Posted 05/10/2013 at 19:42:24
What many of you are failing to realise is the referee made us look shit today. How can you perform to full potential when a woodentop with a whistle is trying his best to get you beaten? Turning down stonewall pens for us and then overlooking two-footed tackles that leave the ground for them. Then giving the softest penalty ever seen since the one given against Fellaini at the Etihad last season...

It's impossible to function when the official in charge has decided to award the game to City on the basis of them being the richer club. It's actually a scandal that goes on every week and seems to affect us more than others. Some would call it cheating.

For those of you who think it was just a case of being outplayed – think again. That twat in the middle fucked us over big-time today. Imagine a boxer trying to get his combinations off, only for the ref to dive in every time and then allow the other guy to throw shots in the clinches... That's what we were contending with today.

It couldn't've been more blatant if the shithouse's name was Collina... Tossers the lot of them.

There's no way around it – we have to face up to the fact that until we get a filthy rich owner and get top billing on MotD, we will never get a ref to cheat on our behalf.

Paul Ferry
120 Posted 05/10/2013 at 19:52:19
Fair point Jamie - 882 - the running about one. Hmmm yes it's as you say not rapid movement but there is something a little worrying about lasting the 90 for a few of the lads.

McCarthy was a bright spot for me and like some others - although I'm having a miserable grey day (still 9 hours until a respectable beddy-byes time) - I'm trying to rationalize this as losing to a pricey star-full Citeh team but then I remember our recent record against them but that was under him!

Andy Crooks
121 Posted 05/10/2013 at 19:54:33
Phil, fair enough. I think Ross Barkley is a huge talent but I was bitterly disappointed with what I thought was a complacent performance today. However, on reflection my comment was somewhat unfair.
Paul Ferry
122 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:02:51
It was Andy, a rare howler from you.

Ross is class and so far as I can tell for what it's worth level headed with feet on the ground.

P.S. That Sammon fella don't like the workers, I mentioned them once but I think I got away with it.

Harold Matthews
124 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:02:43
He seemed to wake up and step up a gear in the last 20 minutes or so. Strange but true.
Bill Gall
125 Posted 05/10/2013 at 19:59:01
Watching the game Man City seem to be playing the type of football that our manager wants to duplicate but unfortunatly we don't have the creative midfielders that they have.

Our midfield is made up of experience at breaking up attacks, young players who will take time to develop and older players who are past their prime. We do not have a creative midfielder who can open up the opposition..

Yes we played poorly in the second half but I think so far this season the signs of improvement are encouraging.

Paul Andrews
126 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:09:42
Give the kid a break,he is learning with every game.
He tried too hard today,chewed the ball at the wrong times.
When he is one and two touch passing he is outsatnding
Brian Sharples
127 Posted 05/10/2013 at 19:53:55
I certainly don't think our squad are as fit as under the previous regime and the likes of Osman,Mirallas and Lukaku were breathing hard before half-time.

I'm beginning to think that even Jelavic has more to offer than Kone and it looks like we have been sold a pup with this one. Gibson is no longer a 'go-to' player and Barry was so sadly missed against his rightful employers.

On the credit side, McCarthy looks class although at the fee paid he should do. I see nothing in Del Boy to inspire me and Naismith continues to be no more than a willing workhorse playing totally above his level.

On this showing - albeit against a moneybags team- we still need to add three players of quality to the squad. When was it any different?

Dan McKie
128 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:28:11
I said on another thread that if Martinez goes with Naismith and Osman, and we get tanked, I will be one unhappy blue. I am one unhappy blue!! Fuck this 100% bollocks, the fact is Deulofeu can jog around half arsed and he is still a far better player than either of those two. If we had started Deulofeu and maybe a n other in place of those 2 and the result been the same, would anybody be on here saying 'he should have gone with Naismith and Osman?' would they bollocks. Sin Miedo? Not today, Roberto!
Raymond Fox
129 Posted 05/10/2013 at 19:57:59
I said in an earlier post about how we faded in the last 2 matches 2nd half, its pretty strange isn't it, they should be fit now surely?

We've been riding high, but we had a reality check today is my conclusion, we saw the difference that 'loads of money' players can make to a team, unfortunately that's what the Prems. become a money comp.
I admire what RM is trying to achieve, but its asking perhaps too much to expect us to come to City and beat them at their own game,
I think there's a time and place to play pure football (for want of a better word) and maybe today wasn't it!
He has said teams need to have different options, I think we need to find some if we want to challenge the top boys.

Tony Marsh
130 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:39:08
Ray Fox @ 910

West Ham away, we played some of the best football of the season in the 2nd half of the game?
Peter Cummings
131 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:19:23
Our passing was atrocious, constantly caught in possession and outmuscled. I think it's all been said about Moss, the worst refereeing display since Clattenburg in 'that' derby, but some of our defending was pub team stuff. I lost count of the many times City literally walked into the area, they could have doubled the score.

That doesn't excuse their dirty tactics stopping us playing time after time. Two clear pens not given to us and their pen a gift from Moss, similar to the one against Fellaini last season. Overall, a poor display, especially in the second half when we posed no threat at all.

MotM: Distin.

Sam Hoare
132 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:34:14
A lot of good teams will lose at the Etihad, especially if they are missing three of their first-choice midfielders. What's important now is how we move forward.

There is lots to be positive about; with Barry, Pienaar and Gibson back and fully fit, I think we have every shot of mixing it with the big boys. Barkley and Lukaku will have bad moments but will hopefully get better with more time together.

Darren Hind
134 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:25:46
Andy Crooks

No need to beat yourself up about your first post, getting a bit of stick when you have played badly is part of the learning process.

We cant say if your good enough your old enough and then overlook poor performances.

You were right in your second post too, Ross is a huge talent, but he's in with the big boys now, if he doesnt keep striving, the David Silva's of this world will always run rings around him

He has had a bit of a chasing today, his concentration levels nosedived and his passing was careless, but he's is a big lad with broad shoulders. He'll be slightly better prepared next time he face's top draw players.

I don't think we need to be too concerned about his future

Phil Brown
135 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:53:56
Don't think that Ross and Lukaku are particularly unfit it's just that they have to work extremely hard to make the system work. By the time 70 mins has gone they've put in 90 mins worth of effort. Answer is simple - sub them both after 70 mins with Kone and Gerrard to keep up the momentum. Same was true for Barry against Newcastle.

Think that RM has done a fantastic job to date, enjoying the football win, lose or draw. Really good once more to be an Evertonian.

Brian Sharples
136 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:51:57
I agree there, Darren. He will only learn by playing and I just hope that the very average game he had today will not see him afforded the treatment he got from OFM.

Perhaps another England appearance might resore his confidence?

Paul Andrews
137 Posted 05/10/2013 at 21:00:17
19
Phil Sammon
138 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:57:42
Darren / Andy

Nobody's disputing that Barkley was poor, I just thought the slight on his character was uncalled for - particularly when he's such a grounded lad.

Anyway, we all say things without thinking them through and I think Andy's right to admit he may have done so.

Patrick Carty
139 Posted 05/10/2013 at 20:52:58
Any idea when Pienaar is back? I think Baines is missing the link-up play with Steven; most of our good moments where produced from the left wing last season.

I think we should go all out and sign Tom Ince in January, that midfield would excite me.

Brent Stephens
140 Posted 05/10/2013 at 21:01:42
Dan #909 "Deulofeu can jog around half arsed and he is still a far better player than either of those two".

Dan, I thought he gave us nothing today. He's dodgy tracking back and today he didn't even show going forward. And his understanding with Baines was poor. Bainsey told him so a few times.

Brian Williams
142 Posted 05/10/2013 at 21:20:59
IMHO if today showed anything, leaving aside the dismal refereeing decisions, it showed the difference between having untold millions and not.
City had the luxury of half a dozen or so really top players, and although the referee helped them out tremendously they were just too good for us in that second half.

I know we were relatively poor, and had we all been at the top of our game we may have done better but when you have the likes of Negredo and Ageurro they're not gonna fluff ALL the chances they get.

Disappointed, but not totally down hearted. We'll come good again but battling it out against the haves will always be hard for the have nots.

Guy Hastings
143 Posted 05/10/2013 at 21:23:56
Those like Tony Marsh putting the blame on the referee are missing the point. Anyone watching the Utd/Palace game a few weeks back would have recognised a man who is not capable of reffing at this level. He was dropped a few levels for his next games and brought back to the PL for today's match. RM and his team should have told the players what to expect and to rise above it. Accept the fact that we were outplayed in the second half and faded very badly in the last 15 mins.
Phil Sammon
144 Posted 05/10/2013 at 21:34:40
Guy

What an odd statement. So RM should have just told the players that the ref's a dud and to accept that we're doing to get screwed all game?

Raymond Fox
145 Posted 05/10/2013 at 21:23:20
Tony 912 they did, I thought against Newcastle we may have done too much, too soon, today it started at a fast pace with us causing them plenty problems in the first 30 mins or so.
From then, they gradually got on top, and we seemed like we were drained.

What's your opinion on them looking like they tired, Tony?

Sam Hoare
146 Posted 05/10/2013 at 21:42:26
We have to remember that Ross is still just a kid. He's prodigously talented but there is simply no way he can be expected to maintain the high level he has started the season in. He will have bad games and probably even bad runs of games. Hopefully RM sticks with him but if he does have a bad run then it may be that he needs a little break.

The worry is that we don't have anyone else who can really play that position. Perhaps Mirallas or maybe Pienaar or Deulofeu but it's neither of their natural games.

Gerard Carey
147 Posted 05/10/2013 at 21:53:07
Think it says it all when the player we missed today [Barry] is surplus to Citys needs. Oh for owners with billions of dosh.
Guy Hastings
148 Posted 05/10/2013 at 21:40:06
Phil 928 - what I'm saying is that if you believe that the ref is going to be shite then it's probable that some, if not most, decisions will go against you. You're lumbered with the guy from the off so recognise that and don't go down the poor, poor pitiful me route. Just get on with it. It was interesting watching City's players getting their individual bookings. None of them protested, they merely walked away as Moss kept blowing his whistle to get their attention to show them the card. Their contempt for him was obvious. If a player can be booked for kicking the ball away after the whistle has blown then walking away from the ref's whistle to be shown the card is ungentlemanly conduct in my book and I'd issue two yellows at the first showing. That would sort the bastards out.
Ben Jones
149 Posted 05/10/2013 at 21:58:12
I think the general analysis is correct.

What annoyed me was that second half performance. We didnt do anything!! Only McCarthy played really well, whilst we were slaughtered by a good City side. But only one chance was made, it is really disappointing.

Naismith was better than Mirallas and Barkley today. Im sorry, the latter two were both awful in the game, and this is another game, whenever we lose, to bash Osman and Naismith, just as this site always does. Yes, Osman and Naismith are only squad players, and Mirallas and Barkley are better players, but where are people criticising them?

McCarthy was a bright spot though. With Barry back, that is going to be a fantastic pairing.

Paul Smith
150 Posted 05/10/2013 at 22:08:34
It's true I watched MaCarthy play a sublime ball/chip over the city players head when he was the last man. It was right at the death mind! But still, great to see an Everton player having the class and tamerity to try it, and better still pull it off.

The boy looked class! today.

Patrick Carty
151 Posted 05/10/2013 at 22:26:13
Just watched Duncan Ferguson the legend on YouTube....

I feel a lot happier now.

Jamie Crowley
152 Posted 05/10/2013 at 22:28:13
We played shit today. If we r gonna drop points, best to do it in the road at Man City.

Can I say (and I will) a big thank you to the Boston. Evertonians and the Banshee Pub. Great guys who's hospitality made a shite game a memorable and great experience.

Cheers to the boys in Boston. TY

Si Cooper
153 Posted 05/10/2013 at 22:22:29
Curse BT Sport - no chance to watch the game (or around 50 minutes of) at my own convenience and leisure.

Listened to first half on radio and caught last 30 minutes in pub. One thing I didn't notice (and it was the same on Monday) is all the graft that James McCarthy is apparently putting in (according to the good folk on TW).

I actually thought our central midfield was conspicuous by its absence in the portion of the game I witnessed, not showing for balls from the defenders nor working hard to back-up the attackers, and yet also somehow absent when they brought the ball forward.

Naismith and Coleman (who has got some stick on this thread) seemed to be isolated for much of the time because no-one was backing them up through the middle.

I hope that MotD show enough of the game for me to see what other people were impressed with.

Tony Fearns
154 Posted 05/10/2013 at 23:25:08
Shit defense and I mean shit especially Howard. Relying on loan players too much, this club is fuckin heading for the Championship.
Mark Frere
155 Posted 05/10/2013 at 23:32:40
Tony,

To say we are heading for the Championship is a ridiculous over-reaction to a defeat at the hands of a world-class side. I can't see many teams picking up points at The Etihad this season.

Patrick Murphy
156 Posted 05/10/2013 at 23:34:14
I didn't see anything Tim could have done with the first goal or the penalty, perhaps on the second goal he was drawn to the near post too much. Relying on loan players may be detrimental long-term, but for the here and now would you honestly prefer to be relying on Jelavic or Kone instead of Lukaku, or relying on Gibson to partner McCarthy every other month, while Ossie or Pienaar try to do that job when he's absent.

It was Manchester City we were playing, who for once at their place weren't utterly complacent about playing us, due to their poor results in the last week or so. I knew when they lost to Villa last Saturday that our task was going to be difficult at the Etihad, even more so when Barry couldn't play against them.

The fickle fluctuations of a football fan, is the same the whole world over. But I agree that Everton FC shouldn't be relying on loan players and neither should any other club with European ambitions, but you'll notice a club not too far away also have a player on loan from Chelsea.

If Roberto Martinez thinks that this season may be a challenging one, next season may be an even greater one - cash or lack of it being the perennial problem. But for this season let's not get too carried away by individual results and let's see how far we can go.

Mark Wilson
158 Posted 05/10/2013 at 23:12:08
What a huge bloody let down. I still can't believe we played really well for about 15 minutes then utter crap for the rest of the game. I'm still trying to get my head around why Barklay just seemed to "lose it" and start striding around in cavalier fashion, until simply fading from site. He has to be a talent I know, because everyone keeps saying he is the next big thing and the World Cup beckons. A few more games as bad as this and the reserves beckon. Ok, we have seen enough this season to suggest he really IS a talent, but can the RB Protection squad please understand its quite reasonable to criticise the guy when, like this, he let's his growing rep take hold and as it's now been joined by a mgr who allows him a totally free role, there is a real danger that he will have more stinkers like today.

But of course this wasn't just about a young player showing just how much he needs to come on. Mirallas was aweful. Coleman much worse, he cost us two goals and frankly whilst I love his swashbuckling runs, he doesn't has Hibberts concentration and discipline and I can see him getting a rest. Our Chelsea "mistake" had another great first half but a combination of poor service and better defending saw him fade badly alongside his colleagues.

But the biggest let down was another insipid, flat, low tempo, no urgency 45 minutes which really scares me in terms of the new mgrs approach. I thought we would quickly move to three man defence with wing backs and at least have a right go. Instead we just played out a losing game, tired and seemingly disinterested. Yes the ref was embarrassingly poor but that hides the real concern, that we just capitulated and gave City a very easy afternoon.

I wanted to see Roberto's stylish attacking approach. I really wanted to enjoy watching us again. But much as I know its a hypocritical and yes a bit dull, I can't abide this lacklustre tippy tippy midfield showboating when it means we give the ball away frequently and leave a pretty good defence badly exposed. I don't care that we were playing the richest club side in the world. One nil up and starting so well we shouldn't fade so badly and lose our way so completely. The team didn't look fit enough for even twenty minutes of puppies at play let alone dogs of war.

We should beat Hull next up but that's not the issue here. Martinez has to quickly decide whether he wants to go with his preferred style of three centre backs and wing backs.....I really think Stones alongside Distin and Jags can be solid and with Barry and McCathy sitting in front of them we have bite and discipline. If we are to give it a real go then this has to be worth a try, it's basically the Roberto way. Right now at times we look a bit lost and yes I can say that despite three good wins.

Derek Thomas
159 Posted 05/10/2013 at 23:18:57
We got handed various lessons today, not a Bayern type lesson that City got but the lesson that our depth on and off the field is illusionary.

The lesson that (from city's terms) if you throw enough money at it, sometimes it will stick and you will get what you pay for.

The lesson that Barkley ( to name 1 ) and Martinezes tenure is work in progress.

The lesson that a good few Players won't be here in 2 yrs time if we are to progress. to Roberto's new Jerusalem or given his Spanish connections Compostela.

James #797 There is a League for the 'proper fourteen' as you call them ...it's called The Championship.

The only thing worse than being in the Premiership is NOT being in the Premiership

Oh and if he's not the worst Reff we've had up to now I'll eat my hat

One game at a time, there are going to be days like this.

Karl Masters
160 Posted 06/10/2013 at 00:20:39
Warning signs should be flashing. 9 goals conceded in the last 4 matches. We need 3 every game at this rate.

Sort out the defence Roberto.

Si Cooper
161 Posted 06/10/2013 at 00:28:19
Defending has to start long before it gets anywhere near our 18-yard box, otherwise top class strikers will continue to thrive on excellent through balls.

I have seen Coleman and Distin blamed on this thread for goals which cannot be placed at their feet, The defenders have to try to hold a line which a clever and quick attacker will exploit. We simply have to try to stop the ball being played in the first place, which means tons of hard work and closing down for the midfielders. James McCarthy looks good with the ball, but he is the one we need to become a major pain in the arse for the opposition play-makers.

I know James Martin (for one) will disagree, but that is something that I thought Fellaini was actually very good at (I don't care how poorly he may be playing for his new club).

Paul Ferry
163 Posted 06/10/2013 at 00:56:25
Blue comfort food Patrick!

Patrick Carty 939 Just watched Duncan Ferguson the legend on YouTube.... I feel a lot happier now.

Harold Matthews
165 Posted 06/10/2013 at 01:08:10
"We allowed the performance to get away from us." This one short Martinez sentence suggests that, amidst the myriad of distracting excuses, he was well focussed on the poor display and will strive to put things right.
Brian Sharples
168 Posted 06/10/2013 at 09:05:00
I'm beginning to wonder if ' the Roberto way' of looking to attack at all times could well be a recipe for disaster.

Don't get me wrong, I'm loving the excitement, but it is costing us dear. Moyes took great pleasure at point gaining from 'Alamo type' defensive performances and I often panned him for it.

Now I'm not so sure that we have players of sufficient quality to balance the two main facets of the game.It cost Wigan dear and if we don't take more of our chances,flair players like Mirallas and Del Boy, in particular, just become pointless luxuries.

But we were playing one of the most talented teams yesterday - it's the Cardiffs,Stokes and Crystal Palaces we need to be battering.

Thomas Windsor
169 Posted 06/10/2013 at 09:30:53
Let's have a week's break now and then get back to winning ways against Hull. Wrap Barry up in cotton wool, though – he is the player that holds the team together.
Brian Waring
170 Posted 06/10/2013 at 09:32:58
"this club is fuckin heading for the Championship" What a load of fucking bollocks.

Also, everyone going on about how many goals we have conceded, we have conceded 9 goals in 7 games, and 3 of them came in one game, so hardly shipping them in.

Brian Waring
171 Posted 06/10/2013 at 09:44:39
Here's another thing, 5th in the league, 4pts off the top, only Arsenal, the shite and Man City have scored more (City have actually conceded 8 goals, Man U have conceded 10) so it's not all doom and gloom as some would try and paint it.
Barry Rathbone
173 Posted 06/10/2013 at 09:58:17
Laughable some daring to call for Moyes stuff only 2 weeks after he lead his team (the champions remember) to this very arena and shipped in 4.

We get you can't get over him but he's gone and isn't coming back - just pack it in please.

If a team with lesser players and resources play to their potential and a team with better players play to theirs there is only one outcome.

Football was ever thus - that is all that happened yesterday.

Brian Sharples
174 Posted 06/10/2013 at 10:35:49
Sorry to prolong this one, Barry, but in spite of the revisionists on here, Moyes was not the Devil incarnate. I do not long for his return - only the recognition that in certain aspects of his stewardship ie. fitness and defence, his organisation was superior to that of Roberto's.
Matt Smith
175 Posted 06/10/2013 at 10:33:00
Have to take a step back, and put it into perspective: we lost 3-1 to a top four team at home. If it had been Stoke or Hull then I might be concerned.

I like this fresh approach under Roberto Martinez, my only slight gripe is the team looks slightly too open but I'm sure they know this and hopefully more games will tighten it up.

Graham Mockford
176 Posted 06/10/2013 at 10:28:02
Barry,

I'm certainly not asking for a return to 'Moyes stuff' but my fear is that we may be heading in a similair but different direction. The greatest criticism was always a lack of tactical flexibility under Moyes and for me that it was what we saw yesterday.

Going to City is always going to be tough, they have won 36 of the last 42 PL games at home, so no real surprise at the result but if we think we are going to play an open game against players of that quality we are likely to keep getting beaten.

We were missing two key players for me in Barry and Pienaar but we were set up wrong and we didn't work hard enough when not in possession of the ball. That's got fuck all to do with Moyes but all to do with RM.

Barry Rathbone
177 Posted 06/10/2013 at 11:15:59
This "fitness" jibe is so much baloney as is the "set up" comment.

Failure to recognise a new way of playing MUST be experimental with plus and minuses along the way probably for the best of a season is precious indeed.

Not only is it new but a proportion of the players simply won't be up to it and need weeding out.

To draw any hard and fast conclusions as above with such a variable in the mix is bonkers.

Presently we have a span of claims predicting relegation to finishing in the CL spots, if that doesn't illustrate the futility of conclusions at this early stage I really don't know what does.

Sean Kelly
178 Posted 06/10/2013 at 10:50:26
No real shock yesterday losing to City but amazed at the way we were set up. Ossie vs Ya-Ya... no contest.

With Ross Barkley given relatively free roll and not chipping in for the ugly side then there is only one outcome.

I'm not pinning it totally on Barkley as too many stood and admired City. Roberto Martinez set it up wrong and should have had Heitinga in to stop Toure.

Get a proper defensive coach in there Roberto or we will be in shit street after Xmas. Teams are finding too much room and are able to run at our defence.

Mike Gwyer
179 Posted 06/10/2013 at 10:58:23

You would think I'd be use to it after almost 40 years of watching EFC, but why oh why are we our own worst enemy. When you score, especially away from home, you prepare for the onslaught, you know that they are going to come at you - its at City so you fucking know it. Nope not us, no fucking way. Hang on to that lead for about 15 more minutes and who knows what would have happened.

Now, Osman, a holding centre mid - not a fucking hope, it is not even a topic you could discuss. Osman was left hanging (I mean hanging) for both speed and body weight - no, not just with Toure but Silva & Aguero were both breezing past him. Say what that fuck you like but I really don't care - I go to the games, I sit with the supporters and we ALL feel the fucking same, match after fucking match Osman get's pulled apart.

So with Osman gone missing then McCarthy had to do the lot. Could it get worse, of - fucking - course. Mirallas could not give a fuck, he was injured so it was obviously at gun point that he was forced to play - what the fuck was that all about. He could not wait to come off. So for the 60 odd minutes that he played, McCarthy and Baines had to do HIS donkey work - hence very fucking little attacking play from Baines.

RM took too many chances yesterday and a lot of his chances were in the midfield - his 4 man plan consisted of an injured (I don't give a fuck) Mirallas, Osman in CM (ha fucking ha), McCarthy and Naismith (who believe it not started well, say the first ten mins, then reverted to his normal shite self). City, after 20 minutes, had the midfield area well and truly sorted. Now me I would have sorted that problem out pronto - fuck I would have played Robles in CM rather than Osman, fuck it, I would have dragged a blue supporter from the away end and he (or she) would have played better than Osman. Fucking fact.

RM really needs to look at himself and his players regarding that THAT midfield because believe me it was shite. Oh yeah, Barkley's game added salt to the wounds and the ref was obviously an Arab - with a big fat fucking wedge on City to win.

Ciarán McGlone
180 Posted 06/10/2013 at 11:34:24
A lot of our second half woes was our own fault... unforced errors.


This was far worse than last weeks second half.

Stuart Eaton
181 Posted 06/10/2013 at 12:32:13
Probably already been said but Naismith and Osman are just not up to it, There passing was a disgrace and shouldnt even be on the bench never mind both getting a game.

I know we didnt have Barry available and Gibson just coming back but Deulofeu should be ahead of those 2 surely.

Lets take Hull apart in 2 weeks and resume the winning habit.

Paul Smith
182 Posted 06/10/2013 at 12:35:44
I think sometimes we must recognise we are up against superior opposition ( swallow are pride almost) and set the team up accordingly.

Trying to match city in the technical and individual ability stakes was always gonna be tough.

It might not of been pretty but reckon a tireless dogs of war approach is sometimes the right way.

Brent Stephens
183 Posted 06/10/2013 at 12:52:57
Stuart #019 "Deulofeu should be ahead of those 2 surely". Ossie and Nais certainly didn't play well (but who did). But to suggest Delboy should start instead! He doesn't do an tenth of the work the other two do. And is there to play a different game anyway - and even there he's yet to really show that he can deliver the killing blow or pass consistently.
Drew Shortis
184 Posted 06/10/2013 at 12:48:25
I'm obviously feeling slightly deflated that our winning and unbeaten runs have come to an end and now we have to endure another international drought. However, some of the play in the first half (well the first half of the first half) was excellent. We weren't afraid to build up the play and the passing was quick and crisp. OK our goal was from a long ball, but we didn't look overawed by City.

However as the game went on they got themselves together and the class of Silva and Aguero began to tell. It was a real shame we conceded so close to half time as it may well have altered how we went about the second half. After the break they came out strong again but our passing got really sloppy. Still at 1-2 I still thought we might get a lucky break and nab a draw. The penalty was soft, but they always looked like they would get something and after that point we looked finished.

Just as I wasn't getting (too) carried away after our recent run, I'm no going to overact to this defeat. Yes the second half performance was disappointing, but I'm bearing in mind that this team of multi-million pound players were at home, desperate to bounce back after a poor run and they recently smashed Man Utd at the Etihad by a larger margin. At worst this was a point dropped. More lessons to learn and hopefully a positive reaction against Hull after the break!

Regarding Osman and Naismith. I have said it many times before, but neither of them should be starting. I think we need to strengthen the midfield in January as well as getting in another striker.

Graham Mockford
185 Posted 06/10/2013 at 12:42:17
Barry,

I agree with some of that. The changes will take time, I have said that on a number of occasions. There has been some very encouraging stuff and we have more points than I expected us to at this stage.

But that doesn't mean we should all just sit by and say it will all be alright in the end when there are some worrying signs that accompany the progress we have made in some areas. There are some who used to be critical of a 7th place position arguing that we should expect more now saying what do you expect given the difference in resources.

James Martin
186 Posted 06/10/2013 at 12:55:25
That sounds like KITAP1 to me Paul but I agree with you just as Moyes needed to alter his approach for some games so does Martinez. I thought against Chelsea he showed signs of altering the formation and style of play depending upon the opposition. I think the recent praise of the team perhaps led us to think we could go out and just pass City off the park and our amazing attacking threats would just see us through any defensive woes. In the real world however members of our much vaunted attacking trio are either inexperienced or unfit. They paled in comparison to Silva Aguero Negredo. Like that fool Merson says on Sky Sports if you play that game of 'you have a shot we have a shot' away at City then there's only going to be one winner.
Paul Andrews
187 Posted 06/10/2013 at 13:15:31
Mike Gwyer,

Just out of interest
What midfield would you have picked yesterday?

Tom Bowers
188 Posted 06/10/2013 at 13:08:15
It is sad that first Moyes and then Martinez seem to see something in Osman and Naismith that many fans cannot. Whilst both have skills, they are both similar in many ways, the most obvious of which are poor tackling and being one-paced. If that wasn't enough to be a problem for Everton, then how about that both seem to start well for about 20 minutes and then just fade out of high-tempo games that need intensity for 90 minutes, such as yesterday?

Now I am not saying that some of the other players don't have off days but these two seem to have more than most and Osman has been way past his sell-by date for a long time. Yesterday, it was obvious that City were going to come back hard and the defensive side of Everton's game was exposed again especially when you really needed to park the bus with players like Barry, Heitinga and a fully fit Gibson.

A learning experience at last for Martinez? Hopefully.

Brian Sharples
189 Posted 06/10/2013 at 13:15:23
Let's face it, there is little prospect of us finishing above City, Arsenal, Spurs, Man Utd, Chelsea and RS, so the battle is on with the rest for 7th place.

Not very ambitious I know, but that's how it is and quite a task at that!

Kevin Tully
190 Posted 06/10/2013 at 14:08:50
I said at the beginning of the season let's see where we are after 10-12 games, if a discernible style is bringing results, and good performances. League position was not really a concern to me, as long as we were not in any trouble (clearly, we won't be)

I can't actually believe the jerky knee mob want to even begin to write off any manager, or judge how this new playing style will see us all doomed to mediocrity, or even relegated.

Another thing - there will be more defeats like yesterday. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.

John Zapa
191 Posted 05/10/2013 at 17:42:45
If anyone needs to cheer up click this:
http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=NWRy3oJrZMQ&desktop_uri=%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DNWRy3oJrZMQ
Michael Winstanley
192 Posted 06/10/2013 at 14:38:50
Mike 016. Spot on mate regarding Osman, Naismith and Mirallas.

I'd put more of the shit in Mirallas's face than Ossie and Nasmith, they may not be world beaters but they give 100%.

You can't expect to carry three players against City and get a result, our squad isn't good enough but hopefully RM is looking to strengthen in January.

James Stewart
193 Posted 06/10/2013 at 14:52:34
Mirallas was utter garbage. Naismith had a decent game by his standards. Osman was well Osman. Howard was poor but the reason we lost that game was the ref plain and simple. We didn't play well but even if we had we would have lost. He was a disgrace.
Barry Rathbone
195 Posted 06/10/2013 at 15:27:43
Paul, we just need to hear him say "waiting to see where we are in summer".

We all know what that little porkie means.

Colin Williams
196 Posted 06/10/2013 at 15:37:12
Look, if Baines wants to go, let him! move on. The one thing that has to stop is playing Ossie and Naismith they really are " not good enough" FFS Robbie open your eyes to this obvious problem. We will "never" really move on until you grow a pair!! How the fuck can't you see the obvious???? Yes, we have other issues within the team that need to be resolved, but until these players are taken out of the firing line, we won't move on.


Norman McIlwain
197 Posted 06/10/2013 at 16:03:42
Too many players had an off day and allowed poor refereeing to affect their play. Substitutes fared no better. Some key players were absent and others were either carrying injuries or coming back from injuries.

The international break could be just what we need!

Colin Williams
198 Posted 06/10/2013 at 17:04:11
"Too many players had off day" — Bollocks! Certain players not good enough which creates more work load for rest of team which eventually affects team performance and produces a poor result.
Carl Sanderson
199 Posted 06/10/2013 at 17:59:11
The better team won, ably assisted by an utter cock of a referee.
Mike Gwyer
200 Posted 06/10/2013 at 17:37:40

Paul Andrews #029.

Fair comment but for me post match hindsight can seem like cheating. Though lets get one thing straight, not you or even the great man above will ever convince me about starting with Osman. Local lad or not he is shite.

First off, this is City, on their turf who we are playing so with our injuries you would have to look at keeping the ball and making them work hard to get it - a goal would be great (oh fuck - we did that bit).

Oviedo, McCarthy, Heitinga & Coleman (with Stones at RB), would suit me - we would need to get into City and not let them rest, basically a holding midfield. Lastly, that dirty fucker Milner needs a kick, any part of body would do.

Tom Bowers
201 Posted 06/10/2013 at 18:40:57
Everton are missing a real midfield dynamo. One who would be a driving influence for the others. Whilst Gibson and Barry might be looked at, they both have weaknesses in that department. The kind of player I am talking about is a Peter Reid, Alan Ball type performer. We have had many pretenders since his day but nobody really good enough.

Everton have several decent midfield players but that one missing ingredient could take this team to the next level. They should look to get rid of some of the underachievers in January and try to get that midfield kingpin.

Gary Reeves
202 Posted 06/10/2013 at 19:18:24
Just reading through this thread and I can’t believe Barkley’s performance isn’t higher on the agenda. I’ve been keeping a keen eye on him, and I’m just not sure. Controversial, I know... but he’s still a long way off for me. Yesterday, he was particularly poor, and shouldn’t have been on at the end. He’s still young and I still have hopes for him,but he has to do much more than that.

If he’s gonna make it, it will have to be as the supporting forward IMO. His decision making and his closing-down aren’t up to playing centre-mid.

Colin Williams
203 Posted 06/10/2013 at 20:21:36
Mike – well said!! When will Robbie ever learn, FFS?
Brian Harrison
204 Posted 06/10/2013 at 21:42:42
Sadly we lost our unbeaten run but it was against a side who are expected to be vying for the title. I think sometimes we play with a slight naivety in believing that we can play an open passing game against City.

Having said that we should have defended better for both their goals, I thought Coleman was ball watching for the first and seemed completely unaware that Negredo was making a run on his blind side. For the second I thought Tim Howards positioning was very poor. But no team plays consistently well all season as results this season have shown even the so called Sky 4 have lost games most thought they should win easily, and I doubt many would have thought we would beat City at the Etihad despite our recent run of results against them.

James Martin
205 Posted 06/10/2013 at 22:00:31
In fairness we've had quite a difficult run of games recently. The West Ham result today shows what a good result away from home that may turn out to be whilst Newcastle are never the easiest team to beat throw in Chelsea and City and its a good return to get nine points from that lot.

Martinez can only work with what he's got. Some of the criticism of Osman and Naismith is ridiculous but who else did Martinez really have to pick? After McCarthy who else could play centre mid apart from Osman and Gibson. Gibson wasn't fit for the full 90 so Osman played. I know some people want to go really mad and just chuck Ludstram in for his professional debut away at the Etihad, some have forgotten every time Heitinga has ever played in there for us and bizarrely want to repeat those horrific experiences (probably the same people who criticised Moyes for too many defenders and playing people out of position but there we go), and others like to distort reality and just pretend that Osman wasn't playing centre mid and that Deulofeu was somehow a viable replacement for him. Who else could Martinez have chosen? The only option I could think of would be to move Barkley back alongside McCarthy to make a completely new midfield pairing with two players who have never played in those positions away at the Etihad - hardy going to happen.

Likewise with Naismith. Mirallas barely hobbled out and was always going to need replacing at some point. Who else in the team could play left wing. Deulofeu was probably in Martinez's mind as the sub for Mirallas and if we were behind, which we were, what would be the point of bringing on Naismith? Who else did Martinez have to play on the left iwng? Oviedo, a left back with barely any big game experience? Perhaps but the options are hardly overflowing for Martinez.

Had this game been Crystal Palace at home we'd be sat on the back of another comfy win snugly ensconsced in the top 4 and everyone would be happy. an away loss at the best side in the league and people are questioning our very existence as a premier league side and the effectiveness of proven premier league players who have played well for us for whole seasons.

Mick Davies
206 Posted 06/10/2013 at 22:06:42
Unfortunately RM inherited an ageing squad but with the inclusion of Barkley, Lukaku, McCarthy and Deulofeu he's injected more vibrancy and energy. The trouble lies with the weakness in central midfield when Barry and Gibson are unavailable (almost permanently with Gibbo)
Osman never has been strong enough to play there and at 32 I can't see him improving now. Surely there must be someone else, temporarily Heitinga maybe, who can fill the gap until January. I trust him to improve our squad and if we lose once every 7 games that's only 5 defeats in a season. Definitely top 4 stuff
Raymond Fox
207 Posted 06/10/2013 at 22:02:14
I agree Brian, Roberto has said that we need to be flexible how we play, and to beat sides like Man City we need to exploit weaknesses in how they play, if that means being more direct for this game ,so be it.

Ok, we may not be able to afford the extra players needed to play many different ways I don't know, could be a factor, and another reason why weathier clubs end the season at the top of the table!

I see Tottenham have got beat and Arsenal held to a draw today, which again points to the Prem. being wide open this season.
Maybe the result and our performance although disappointing wasn't so bad in that contex!

Drew Shortis
208 Posted 07/10/2013 at 02:23:13
Well said James Martin 188!

If we can keep on playing as we have been until January and stay in the top bunch of teams the window will be a great opportunity for Roberto to bring in two or three players who will fill in the gaps. Long term we need a top class striker, but as long as Lukaku is with us midfield is the priority. The defence looked a bit shoddy yesterday, but they were up against world class players like Silva and Aguero. That's not going to happen every week.

Breaking into the Champions League would be a massive achievement and with nearly every top team in transition this season is a great opportunity to do that. However, we are in a transitional period too and we are going to have a few bad games. Overall I'm very encouraged with the direction we are headed in. If we get the squad Martinez needs together this year but miss out on the Champions League I would be more than happy. The CL is a dream and something to aim for, but it should not be the barometer by which we gauge success or failure this year.

On the bright side Barry will be available again versus Hull and hopefully Mirallas, Gibson and Pienaar should all be fit by then.

Harold Matthews
209 Posted 07/10/2013 at 04:46:02
They were able to pass to unmarked men all afternoon, because that's the way it was. We didn't close down and we didn't mark anyone. Instead, we continually lined up in two rigid banks of four and allowed them to play in and around the spaces. The longer the game went on, the worse it became. They had worked out how to pass and move through us and we didn't adapt. As the commentator remarked," They are playing with Everton now."

In the Chelsea match, we were still vulnerable at the back but Barry closed down rapidly and the spaces were not so obvious.

Finally, some people have blamed Coleman for the 2nd goal, some have blamed Howard. The real culprit was Distin who could and should have played Aguero offside. Actually, the striker was in an offside position just before receiving the ball but Distin decided to join him. A bad mistake for one so experienced although I did notice that he lay too deep on several occasions.

Paul Andrews
210 Posted 07/10/2013 at 06:24:39
James Martin 188

Best post on this thread

Eric Myles
211 Posted 07/10/2013 at 06:04:54
Harold, we passed to unmarked men all afternoon as well. Only it was City's unmarked men we passed to, not our own.

That seemed to be our main failing, too many misplaced passes breaking down our momentum and possession.

David Ellis
212 Posted 07/10/2013 at 08:00:16
Mike 016 - were you drunk when you wrote that? Osman and Naismith clearly are not what we need - but also clearly the most suitable to be picked on Saturday. Hopefully come January we will have a couple of better options to cover the absence of Barry or Mcarthy or loss of form of, or injury to, Mirallas/Pienaar
Ciarán McGlone
213 Posted 07/10/2013 at 10:19:11
Oviedo, a left back with barely any big game experience?
-------------

Stop calling him a left back to suit your own agenda. He's a far better option than Naismith in left midfield...and so is the Barcelona Kid.

And what's big game experience got to do with it...They're all bloody big games - it's the premiership.

Mike Gwyer
214 Posted 07/10/2013 at 10:00:56
Dave Ellis 238 - Nope, not drunk. Pissed off, yep, probably, fuck it I was totally pissed off. I must have sat through 200 chorus's of "Blue Moon" – I almost started singing it myself it was that regular, but then I'm guessing that the City mob were getting a bit to used to us turning up and winning, because fella, they loved singing it.

As for the performance of our players, well I guess I'm entitled to say who played crap and ask why RM would put out such a weak midfield against the EPL title favourites – bearing in mind that Mirallas was definitely carrying an injury, I mean he almost hobbled onto the pitch and did absolutely fuckall (nothing).

And, like it or not, Osman was poor (and that is me being extremely kind). Not just my view, ask any blue who went to the game. For me Osman is past it or really, is he not quite as good as he thinks is? Forget the City game if you want because Silva will give most teams the run round, but he also went missing at Cardiff & West Ham, and the GP games against WBA and Newcastle (both halves).

Barkley was kept out by Moyes but RM has stuck with him in the position that he enjoys – hey presto, 1 shite game 6 good ones, what more can you ask for? For me the same can be said for Osman – drop him, his performances this season have varied between poor and fucking shite (Chelsea first half he was in the game). RM needs to replace him and for me that can be with any of current midfield player (any-fucking-one), but drop him.

James 188 – How do you view or rate the players? I mention Oviedo and you knock him back as an out of form LB, did you watch all of the West Ham game, for me he ran the left side with Baines, which allowed Baines to attack at will. This was something that we missed at City because (A) Mirallas was shite and (B) so was Delboy – believe me Baines was repeatedly shouting at Mirallas and Delboy to fucking improve their game. Oviedo has good ball control and plenty of ball skill plus the boy can tackle – West Ham had only one hit at goal (their penalty) for the whole of 2nd half, additionally you have mentioned what a good side West Ham must be as they have just turned Spurs over. For me Oviedo was the perfect fit for left midfield and no way should an unfit Mirallas play before a fit Oviedo.

But what the fuck, it's Monday; we still lost, the midfield was still shite and RM will still pick the side that plays Hull – no matter how bemused, fucked off, concerned, or totally mystified we are.

Paul Andrews
215 Posted 07/10/2013 at 17:20:41
Mike,

Thanks for the definition in brackets of "fuckall"
I was struggling to get your meaning there

Harold Matthews
216 Posted 07/10/2013 at 22:41:29
Paul. You have been awarded this weeks wooden spoon.

Out of interest. Are you really Kev Johnson?

Troyd Stevenson
217 Posted 07/10/2013 at 23:03:50
Nine yellow cards dished out by a Premier League referee who had clearly lost control of the game between Manchester City and Everton. James Milner and Man of the Match David Silva defied belief by lasting the full 90 minutes after being allowed to continuously foul unpunished,

Man City were the better side in the second half but still Everton may have got something from the game, without the one-sided assistance of Mr Moss. I feel it's time for the FA to bring the beautiful game into the 21st century without relying on a referee who was clearly out of his depth.


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