Brilliant Everton win for exultant Sean Dyche

Dog's done a runner somewhere in the forest!

Subs: Begovic, Holgate, Gray, Mina, Maupay, Godfrey, Davies, Vinagre, Simms.

COYB

Has he not seen what happens when we play a lone striker. Christ on a bike, Sean, get a grip!

We know about all these players and what they can do or can't do but as a team they have been underachieving in most games this season even against other poor teams.

Whilst I don't expect an overnight remedy from the new gaffer, it would be nice to see some improvement soon.

On a negative note it does seem that Calvert-Lewin will plough a loan furrow which is too much for this lad with his limitations.

Clearly Ellis Simms and Neal Maupay aren't the best runners or trainers.

Can't agree with the thoughts expressed that they should somehow reign it in until the end of the season. It's fresh and it's raw and it's genuine.

Dominic will have auxiliary strikers coming up to support him. You might be screaming your head off with a goal or two for the Blues and possibly a point or three.

And when you scream, do it with a Scouse accent, you know the score!!

Onana has the physical attributes to play Fellaini type role off Calvert-Lewin. Doucoure has the engine to run in behind. Let's wait and see how it plays out.

We're doing well.

Still boggles the mind how incompetent he proved to be as a manager.

We looked a lot more organized, players seem to know what was expected of them, and the only winger on the park didn't make it look obvious that that was what he was. And amid all of this Onana looked superior to all on the park.

A lot still to be done and Calvert-Lewin needs to stay central when we attack but Arsenal look set up for something we are not doing and if this is down to Mr Dyche then more power to his elbow.

Calvert-Lewin looks much better though several cretins on the Live Forum slagging him off.

I think and hope he will get back to his best under Dyche.

I would love to see Maupay score today, more than any other player.

Entire midfield were fantastic, McNeil and Doucoure look like different players. Defence tight and compact, with special mention to the wide players, especially Seamus.

Maupay cannot be played up top by himself, but if it's for the greater good of the team, fine by me.

Not often you can have a smile on your face after an Everton game these past two seasons, but this is one of them.

They are top, we were bottom. Key word: 'were'.

How good!

Thank you, Sean, for this. Thank the Lord. The Holy Trinity are smiling down on you! UTFT's

The nerve of those fucks that sneered at us. UTGDMFT!!!!!

We still want you out, Bill. Don't forget that, will you — wherever you are!!!

Forza Everton

Organised, disciplined and hard working – they actually looked like they'd been coached.

5 more wins.

Sean Dyche — take a bow.

Bring on the derby!!

Yes, we're still lacking in plenty of areas and looked completely pointless once Dom went off but for now, it's three very valuable points.

Enjoy your weekend for the first time in a while, fellow blues.

Also who was that new lad McNeil. Haven't see him before.

Grit, determination, flight, passion. Everything that has been missing for sometime aside from the Palace game.

Onwards and upwards.

If anything, Simms should have come on, a big bloke they would have been wary of as they would have known little about him.

We played well but nearly let them off the hook. Why did we play well? To me, organization, nothing complicated just do what you are there for and play for each other. Oh, and the one corner that counted delivered properly.

And MotM, by a country mile, Onana,

Great support from the fans in the ground. Thank you! Thank You! Thank You! From Adelaide, Australia!

No needless backwards passing
First-time crosses rather than messing about with it.
Most of all – plenty of players in the box when the crosses arrived.

Special word for all you fans inside Goodison today, you were fantastic.

Sean Dyche – take a bow.

I reckon Simms would have been a better decision but - eh - we won! What a fucking great result!

Yes great result, but importantly a great performance too.
Everyone played their parts, but apart from being a very annoying little man, I can't see what Maupay brings to the team.

Onana – Man of the Match and great work also from McNeil and Iwobi to get up and down the wings and also help out the fullbacks.

Well done to everyone. Now just keep it up, lads.
COYB

Put £50 on us to win and cashed out for £200... should have let it run.

Well done to all concerned, especially McNeil.

Fantastic result and performance from the team. COYB

But that was only part of the story. We didn't try to play through Arsenal. Pickford launched his kicks upfield. We got the ball out wide and tried to get early crosses into the box. We kept it simple and direct without playing hoofball.

I'm shocked at how much Dyche managed to change our attitude and style of play within a week.

There is a long and bumpy road ahead. Today is only the start. But there is a route out of this relegation mess.

Lampard should never have been appointed in the first place. Nice chap, utterly clueless manager.

Great result and much needed. Did exactly what was needed; kept it simple, compact and worked bloody hard all over the pitch.

Excellent start for Dyche, can now kick on and get away from the truly shite teams around us.

I suppose what Sean Dyche got right was utilising Gueye, Onana and Doucouré and telling Iwobi and McNeil to stay wide and work hard helping out their full-backs.

I thought that made Iwobi more peripheral than he was under Frank Lampard and his performance was ‘bitty' as a consequence as he seems to be more vulnerable to unforced errors when facing towards his own defence.

Still, let's focus on the positives and enjoy the result. Maybe Sean Dyche simply has the ability to pump up the players in the right way? Maybe it's just the ‘ginger' magic at work?

Let's not hang Frank Lampard out to dry. It's the board that need to be continually reminded of the venomous feelings towards them.

Sharp looked pensive and worried sitting on his lonesome.

Almost unbelievable, the change in attitude, purpose, game plan, passing, working both for each other but, more importantly, as a Unit!

And there was me intent on prolonging Dry January into February...

UTFT!

Never know, might make it back to the Lockleys one day. Let me know if you make Perth.

Frank seemed to think he could ask them to play like Beckenbauer and Baresi which was never going to happen.

So pleased to see the board stayed away – not for them the exhilaration of a good win, they don't deserve it.

Dare we hope for the same next week? You bet your life! COYB!

The sun will come up brighter this morning.

It looked to me (and others may disagree) that, although it was a defensive formation, they still made enough chances for one or two more goals. It is 3 points and now the battle starts.

It is a different style of management than Lampard but it is a style that is more suitable with the players he has, plus the timing of his subs was correct, even if the personnel could have been better.

The most amazing thing to me was for once my weekend is not ruined right from the early kickoff.

How wonderful to have a proper manager in charge and the players responding

Dwight McNeil: a player reborn.
Doucoure: give him a contract extension.
Onana: our new figure head – superb.
Gueye: still got it in a system that suits him.
Iwobi: decent.
Calvert-Lewin: did well enough but clearly still not fit (I can't believe people question his commitment when he's clearly playing when less than 100%)

Defence excellent: Coleman absolutely brilliant and Mykolenko, marking the most in-form player in the Premier League, did great

Gotta say we were great. Come on, you blues!!

Any relation to Chris?

We haven't had a decent Saturday in ages, the first in a long time! Dyche will give us a chance, I reckoned we needed at least seven wins to give us a chance, that's one down.

There can be no slacking, now let's hope we get a few favours today.

The Board should stay away from all matches. Really got egg on their face today, need to go.

At last we have the right manager, next we need the right Board.

Did you forget about Seamus!

Still buzzing, what a result, deservedly beat the Premier League leaders. The pressing game was brilliant, Arsenal couldn't deal with it.

They are supposed to have a great midfield, completely outshone by Doucoure, Onana (MotM) and Gueye.

McNeill looks a great signing now. Can't wait to watch again on Match of the Day. Dyche deserves all the credit, and to see him so animated on the line, a breath of fresh air.

Obviously I'm not falling for it; no way does a new manager come in and immediately nail the Champions elect, Arsenal, it just doesn't happen.

Seriously, are we playing tonight or something?

And Cristy, Coleman had Martinelli in his pocket at game.

I didn't forget Seamus but didn't mention him as he has been a bit more all rounded throughout his career whereas the other 3 are very much just defenders so they more than he struggled with playing it out from the back.

If you want your players to perform, have a fucking plan!

Si, we were playing the Premier League leaders and have been shite for months; we were never going to be expansive but we still created several great chances and could easily have won by more.

I always hope the RS lose and today is no different – I think we will be okay regardless so I hope Wolves spank them and we do too. Could be instant cult status for Dyche if we beat them!

What difference it has made having a manager who can organise and get the team playing to its strengths. There was no weakest link today, long may it continue.

Such a good team effort but Onana stood out as the best on the pitch today. What a player we have got.

One of the best things today was to see Dyche lambast the players after 20 minutes. Telling the midfield in no uncertain terms “LINE OF FIVE, LINE OF FIVE!” – Imploring them to keep the shape and discipline.

That's like having an extra man on the pitch keeping the players focussed. Job done well today and an impressive start. In a week, Sean Dyche has brought back some optimism for the future.

Oh, I forgot… we WON.

Everyone played well today to restore a bit of pride and belief. Well done.

Curbishley did it 16 years ago at West Ham, beating Man Utd.

Checked the table and then checked the results. Why am I happy Liverpool are 2-0 down? We could really turn the tide at Anfield next week. Football is a funny old game for sure.

Only negative I think was the subbing of Calvert-Lewin for Maupay, I am hoping it was either tactical or being careful with him and he isn't injured. Maupay looked very lightweight and ineffective in comparison.

Happy for Wolves to win, and at the end of the season see if we can be higher than Liverpool in the Premier League.

I wasn't keen on Dyche but, with better players for him to work with, I'm sure the football can be a bit more inventive around the box. I don't think there's anymore relegation fears when you look at the quality of the first team.

At the end of the day, if we sacrafice pretty football but keep ourselves on the right side of goal difference every match – who cares. In fact, a lot of similarities to Carlo's team on keeping it tight and well drilled and not pretty football in every game – so very pleased.

A Doucoure all-rounder type suits Dyche, so we might need a younger version soon, but that's a long way off. Iwobi, is not a proper wide player but a great engine and loads of skill so, if Dyche can find a way to make Iwobi find a cross out wide, then this drilled Dyche team can be a very good team that no-one fancies playing against.

Onana – if that Brighton lad is worth £70 million and the new Chelsea boy is £100+ million, then we've got one hell of a player here, as he's up there with the best in the Premier League.

The mind boggles…

I can enjoy the weekend for a change.

I believe Dyche said Calvert-Lewin came off as a precaution with a tight hamstring.

Still, like everyone, I imagine, this has lifted us all and more importantly the players and the team. Atmosphere sounded great there today, and I agree if we go into the derby match with the same attitude, I think we can get something.

It's not necessarily slating Maupay but more recognizing that the Arsenal back four came more into the game when Calvert-Lewin went off; they had nobody to worry about. How many long balls did Maupay challenge for, never mind win?

Just kept it simple. Excellent display and well-deserved victory. Impressive start for a very animated manager. Well done, Sean.

Thank you, I was just about to say the same thing. It wasn't slating him but, in comparison to Calvert-Lewin, we lost our threat and allowed Arsenal to take off a back four player and put on an attacker… We lost our impetus.

I wonder how Frank felt watching it, maybe he thought, “Why didn't I think of that?”

Big question is how long these players can sustain this. With this manager, I'd say likely, though there'll be many ups and downs for the next 3 months.

Hoofball, anyone?

That's football… lots of hypothetical stuff fill with hindsight. Many wanted it to work but many thought it wouldn't. Now, we will never know, but the indications are the latter.

I saw that lol much different than the ramblings of Koeman or Martinez.

Also, quote of the week must be Onana: “I ain't leaving the ship.” Young fellow from Belgium has been here all of 5 minutes but is dedicated enough and professional enough to publicly honour his commitment to the club and rebuff the easy option of jumping ship.

I loved the whole approach to the game. Get the ball forward early and men forward too. The most obvious improvement, because of this, is that we created way more chances. We got crosses in early and got men in the box. It was not the stagnant football we have witnessed all season.

Onana was immense but I was also really pleased for McNeil and Doucoure who also shone. The whole team perfomed well and what's more, they looked like they enjoyed it too.

Thank you, Sean! I know that we need to temper expectations but I believe that we can survive the drop this season.

That's my point. “Our Anthony” the local lad is off at the first opportunity, Onana could've done the same and given his brief tenure at the club – who could have blamed him?

But he refused and showed greater loyalty than “one of our own”.

And money talks, especially with us these days!

I take all the badge slapping with a pinch of salt these days,; no doubt he is committed to the cause right now – as all the players should be.

The crowd sounded amazing on the TV. Now to beat some of the teams around us.

Fucking fantastic. I was thrilled when Dyche was appointed. He is such a perfect fit for Everton. I'm over the moon at the effort and result.

Particularly loved Maupay and his little rat tactics. We need more of that snide shit out there. Anything to win, anything. Keep it up you beautiful little shit Maupay.

We will NOT get relegated. I think Sean Dyche is Davey Moyes Mk 2. He's going to be at Everton a long, long time, and the style of play will be better than it was under the ginger one.

Great game! Absolutely fantastic.

I don't think Simms would've provided the same kind of performance, although our long balls would've suited Simms rather than Maupay.

On a separate note – not all is well with the RS by the way – Klopp has lost the plot with his focus on Chelsea and their spending – we've got nothing to fear next week if we can believe!

Frank just looked out of his depth – no structure, no plan, and just seemed to wing it every week. He should have done better with this squad.

Early doors but what a start, just wish Dyche could have faced Wolves, Brighton and Southampton.

That's if we have the same owner when the summer window opens.

I have high hopes that we won't, that the Yanks Najafi and Moorad will leverage Moshiri's chaos and buy him out.

And trust me, those two guys will NEVER let a young player like Onana get away.

Onana particularly impressive as was Seamus using all his experience in keeping Martinelli quiet. I'd have been happy with 2 points from Arsenal and Liverpool… now thinking 6 points could be possible.

'One swallow doesn't make a summer' as Linda Lovelace famously didn't say.

Only negative (very minor) was I thought we lost a lot when Maupay came on.

Dyche is a genius if he can get a song out of McNeil – did well.

Coyb Ftrs

McNeil seemed to have put on a yard of pace.

Onana is going to be a great, I hope it's with us.

Seamus Coleman — what more can you say about the fella?

Fucking top day.

I sit in the Family Enclosure, probably about 10 seats from the home dugout. The difference between Sean Dyche and Lampard in management style is incredible. Dyche and a Steve Stone constantly out barking orders at the players.

Every time there was a dodgy decision, he was in the 4th official's face. At one point ,the 4th official even agreed with him.

The telling point early on. He shouts tells them to stop the short goal kick, tells them "Go to press there!" They did and then Arsenal for ages hoofed every goal kick.

He kept telling them to press in pairs and was organising them.

Lampard nearly every game just stood there, arms folded and quiet.

Going the game has been a chore of late, going out of duty. Today, it was like we got our Everton team back!!!

The point I'm trying to make is it's smaller margins between being ‘shite for months' and beating the league leaders than some people realise, and whatever tweaks a manager makes to get positives from certain players can also be to the ‘detriment' of other players input.

The key is for the manager to make the correct adjustments so the team performance overall gets better. Will people get back on Iwobi's case if his involvement is reduced significantly?

Personally I haven't seen ‘shite for months', but I've seen far too easily ‘knocked out of our stride' and far too few full 90 minutes from all parts of the team. Likewise, I didn't see ‘brilliant' today, but I did see plenty of commitment and fight.

It was still a very close run thing, however, and the manager needs to get us converting more chances or that simple inability will prevent us from surviving. Clean sheets alone won't cut it.

I like commitment and fight, I like Sean Dyche's attitude. All that matters for the rest of the season is results and I will enjoy the positive ones as much as anyone.

Bolt Football Holdings, their partnership with David Blitzer of Crystal Palace, has recently bought into four European clubs, most notably Augsburg in the Bundesliga. I can't imagine them showing up at Goodison unless they were already in the box and teeing up a shot.

I interviewed Moorad a couple times back in the 1980s when he was a blossoming sports agent and I was a "journo", and this is one focused, confident guy. We couldn't do better for ownership than this group.

I thought it was a great performance from all concerned today. We should all be celebrating. Not sure why people want to discuss a player who left because he actually had the chance to.

Oliver.

I suspect you're right. Hopefully we will have new owners and a new board soon because, if a concrete offer comes in for Onana, I think this crew would sell him in a heartbeat.

By the way, Maupay was brilliant when he came on. He's a proper snide player. He wound up their players and they were going mad. It was great to see no more nice guy Everton.

You're 100% accurate about Maupay.

And the thing is, "pretty" teams and players HATE it when someone gets up in their gourd. Like absolutely hate it. It throws them off their game and rattles the bajeezuz out of them.

Maupay did brilliantly and purposefully drove them mad.

You can go a long way with good spirit, hard work, good organisation and direct football. Well done, Dyche.

Silence from the ultra doom merchants who had us dead and buried. Hope is back, bring on MotD.

But this has cheered me up some what, after a very stressful day. Thanks, Sean, for giving us belief!

Don't know… if Onana is chased, it would be his decision, no matter who owns us.

Dycho Magnifico! 🎵🎶🎶🎵

Where is Ian Edwards?

Everton put fuming Piers Morgan in his place with perfect tweet after Arsenal win

What a performance. Work ethic. Hustled. Harried. Fought. The win was fully justified. If Lampard was in charge for that game, we would have lost about 3-0.

The team was well organised. Dyche marshalled the team from the technical area and it was chalk and cheese from what we have seen this season.

I'm feeling very optimistic. Marching to Glory.

Dyche, Dyche, baby!

Football is a simple game and Sean Dyche gave the squad simple instructions with the emphasis on working hard and doing it together. We could get better when Dyche has more time with them and nine days to the next game might see further improvement against a struggling Liverpool team.

It was great after the game to see so many happy faces — so different to the last home game 3 weeks ago when our future prospects weren't worth thinking about.

Hope all is good.

Kieran,

Shows the different attitude from a blow in, Onana, fighting for the jersey, and a local lad who threw the toys out of the pram, and didn't give a shit about the club.

The lad has been our best player all season. He is 21 and in a new league, he is going to be immense. He was absolutely brilliant today, the whole team and manager and crowd. UTFT

After watching weeks and weeks of utter dross, I woke up this morning with a bit of a hangover; didn't check my phone or TV or radio. I set off for what I was sure was a 3:00 pm kick-off, only to arrive at the ground at 2:15, to see 40,000 people streaming out with big grins on their faces!

I thought it was a bit quiet walking up to the ground!! AAARRRGGH!!!

Nobody came in for Onana. He won't have his loyalty tested until somebody does.

The local boy you want to chase all the way up the A1 stayed last season. He was unanimously voted Player of the Season..... by the other players. He all but threw Seamus over his shoulder and carried him for much of it.

How many times do you want him to do that?

You do realise that the current Everton players beat the league leaders today?

Where do I start with today?

A long trip up from London. Cancelled train and late but thank you to Peter for his patience. Genuine thanks, Peter. I can't thank you enough.

On the train to Euston, surrounded by gobby Arsenal supporters shouting about my city. One of them suggested I enjoy my sandwich. I nearly rammed it down his mouth and I'm a calm person. But a fighter.

Great to meet and hug Rob today. Great to see George.

Great to see the Blues win. Absolutely made up. They were great today. Competitive and fought.

I don't know what it sounded like for those watching on the screen, but from where I was sat, it was ferocious from the Gwladys Street.

Mykolenko was first over as ever. Onana our best player by a mile. Pickford kept us in it.

Only at Crewe but smiling. Forever. The Anfield derby next. We go and fight. Especially against those bastards.

No complaints and some great shifts put in today by all the squad.

It's a great start to Sean Dyche's Everton career, and now for next week.

The same attitude and effort again at our old ground please next Saturday.

All have a great night.

🍺🍺🍺🥃🥃🥃🍻

I have supported Everton since I was at primary school and I am now not too far off half a century. I do apologise for not being able to get up sooner but I live in Somerset so it wasn't easy with young children…

Anyway what an experience, what an atmosphere and what incredible fans! Everyone was amazing, the players looked like they actually loved the club again and played with passion and fight. The fans, the people… incredible!

Thank you to you all!

He knows it's a tiny step against the distance we have to travel.

Still magnificent, of course.

Think I hit a nerve. If you think he carried Seamus, that's your opinion. I saw a different Anthony who never supported or helped Coleman in any defensive duties whatsoever.

Personally, I thought Richarlison was our Player of the Season, just ahead of Pickford.

Dyche has performed a miracle. Total change in attitude and players giving everything. I hope the new manager bounce continues into the next game to really make Klopp unhappy. That'd really make Dyche smile.

We made Arsenal look ordinary through hard work, discipline and a lot of heart. Confidence is restored for today at least. There were times in games when we did show some fight under Lampard but it was never consistent and rarely lasted for 90 minutes, the draw at Man City apart.

We now know that these players can do it; Dyche was not bullshitting us when he talked the other day about there being quality in the squad. Now it's all about consistency and showing this level of effort until the end of the season because it is really tight in the bottom half of the league.

My favourite part of the day was seeing not only joy on the faces of the fans but on the players'. Loved it!

It's nice to see you have something positive to say about our club for a change, I hope you continue.
-

Danny, glad you made the game and thanks to Mick and George for well wishes. As I posted earlier on the train up from London, first home game in 22 years – absolutely buzzing!

Also got 15/2 odds. Nothing quite like winning when nobody gives us a chance! COYB!

If Calvert-Lewin can stay healthy, we're in good shape. That to me is the biggest question mark going forward. Great to see Doucoure back and firing — he could also be vital if he gets in top form.

McNeil too was a different player. And as others have mentioned, Onana was and will be immense for us.

In addition to the structure of the team being night and day from before, there was a confidence and crispness to our game, not making stupid mistakes, that was pretty evident.

Remarkable what a difference a top manager can make. Time to ride the momentum into Anfield next week.

I wasn't going to, to be honest, given the shit-show orchestrated by the Board over recent months, but I'm sure everyone knows the feeling when the game is getting close; “I'll just go and watch for a bit, love, probably be back pretty soon…”

Anyway, glad I did, cracking performance from the team and new hope for the future. Right, off to celebrate with a £20 pint of Stella!

All respect to Dyche and the players who are here and wear the Blue of our great Club.

How the same bunch of wasters we've watched all season can turn a great performance in today is down to the manager and the one week he's spent with them.

I have no doubt whatsoever that we will be moaning and groaning at times during the rest of the season due to shite individual and team performances but let's make the most of what we have witnessed today.

Everyone put a shift in, which though the minimum expected, is what we have not seen so far this season.

I must admit I was hoping at best not to get embarrassed today and thought an outside chance of a point. I was surprised at the starting eleven and even more surprised when Maupay came on but now I can see what a great substitution it was at the time.

Now everything must be about us and our results and performances, we have to forget about the teams above us. I still think it will be really tight come the end of the season.

A fantastic 3 points today; another 3 next week and our confidence will be sky high!!

Well done to everyone today, team, management and supporters.

This should be a day of celebration, but you cant stop talking about the guy who doesnt play for us anymore.

Having claimed he wouldnt stay for the fight, it must be difficult for you to be reminded that is exactly what he did and the players (those who were on the pitch) unanimously voted him Player of the Season.

Seamus voted him player of the year for the way he fought the drop. So either your boy (and the rest of the squad) are talking nonsense... Or you are.

Let's hope Onana gets Player of the Season for helping us to beat the drop this season.

Your second paragraph is key. Dyche was astute enough to assess the team, figure out what they can and can't do, and get them playing effectively within their ability levels. Frank sadly couldn't quite grasp their limitations and focussed on game plan and tactics first, and then tried to shoehorn the players into it.

I don't expect an easy ride from here as everyone is fighting for their lives. But a heavy defeat (as predicted by many in the media) would have left us adrift with Southampton. Now, we are very much in the mix but, with 17 games left, there's enough football to recover from a few setbacks here and there as long as we generally do as well as we can.

Before today, we were joint-bottom without a win since October and I wasn't into polishing turds.

There you go telling me I'm talking nonsense. I didn't say anything about who the player's picked, I just gave my opinion on Richarlison.

By the way I was just agreeing with Kieran's post. That's my final word on it, and agree completely, it's a day of celebration, and looking forward to watching us again on Match of the Day.

But you accused him of not having the loyalty or the fight...I saw him do it. So did the players (clearly) and so did the crowd.

Onana is a more talented player. Let's hope he fights just as hard.

I'm too old and stupid to link to it but I'm sure others can. It's the one where he talks about the fans and the need for him and the team to earn respect time after time.

He has true humility, not the fake sort.

A standard game plan does not work at Everton. Dyche knew what to do. Set Everton up as a traditional English team which suits the ability of the players. You can even see players being stretched to play for the team.

Calvert-Lewin was being pushed all the time, with Dyche giving him personnel instruction to keep him at it. Former Burnley players knew where to put the effort in and the whole midfield was gearing to getting forward early.

This really suited Onana and both Iowbi and Gyeue contributed well, with the defence snuffing out the effectiveness of Arsenal attacks. Dyche is the thinking man's Duncan Ferguson with the added confidence that he can do the job.

The crowd where immerse and their contribution to this performance cannot be under-estimated. The Board cannot claim credit for anything since they were not there. But today is for the manager and team; the Board can wait for their day of retribution.

Sorry, not long home. What a performance. Only one game, yes, but I saw exactly what I wanted to see.

Amen. Wine time.

As much as I liked him personally, it's clear he'd completely lost the plot. Everyone was sticking forks in Mykolenko, but he showed what he could do today (defensively anyway... I think he's going to be trying (fruitlessly) to recreate that Leicester City goal for the rest of his career).

The only worrying thing – and the reason the transfer window debacle still rankles – is Calvert-Lewin's fitness. As good as Maupay is at making a nuisance of himself, he can't really do much of anything as a lone striker.

It's going to be a battle all the way, and we will need favours.

For instance, we could have done with Wolves, West Ham, and Leicester getting beat.

John @ 148 said that Wolves & Leicester were never going to be in this relegation battle – go look at the table, they are very much in it right now – all from Palace down are in the mix.

We need to pick up points every game we play – has to be the bar from now till the end of the season.

I said it here the other day, Mykolenko is way better as a left-back than a wing-back.

In spite of the failings of Finch Farm, the rampant nepotism at the club, the disinterest of Moshiri, the inadequacy of Barrett-Baxendale, the lack of money, the limitations of Thelwell, the insistence on not playing youth, and the obstacle of Blue Bill clinging on... Sean Dyche and the players showed how to win a game of football against the Premier League leaders.

Not that changing the manager makes much difference like...

This would end the war you started with the fans, add to a sense of change for the better, and we might even let you back in to watch.

Do it and prove that you are not a selfish, arrogant ego-maniac. We are waiting.

On the firepower front, Michael posted our xG which emphasized that. I think that's why it's important McNeil keeps doing his Hinchcliffe impression and looking for goals on corners.

Alot in Football hinges on the narrowest of margins. A referees decision, a var, one bad challenge. take today we score from a corner for first time this year ( if I'm right), coady blocks a certain goal off the line, dcl inches away from netting and dyche plays to them percentages.

Pressing when we have the right opportunities to gain the ball back not recklessly. Not playing little passes between Pickford and back 4 or short goal kicks ( just invites pressure) our back 4 are not that technical. Dyche played to the players strengths.

Positivity goes along way with players, telling them to do what they are good at. Onana was inspired again, dacoure looked like had a point to prove and mcneil gave his best performance in a blue shirt.
We know we struggle with goals so midfield will be so important. We need a few of them to chip in with a few goals( I know its a big ask) but that maybe the difference between staying in the leauge. Dcl and maupay are not going to score our way out of this.

We have more than a fighting chance if we keep this up.

Brought pride and hope back to Goodison Park.
Onwards and upwards.

You could pick any player and extol their performance, but I'll pick three:

McNeil who I previously thought a waste of space and money, but whose defensive work was superb.

Coleman who has never lacked commitment, but who put in a display that reminded me how good he was a decade ago.

And Onana who was for me the Man of the Match.
Brilliant.

We're in with a fighting chance. Typical of Liverpool when we could have done with them winning, they blow it. Still they just might be in a real slump when we play them.

Right from the start, the defensive setup was so totally different as was the work rate. I think Frank was running a holiday camp compared to what Dyche wants.

Yes we should have scored 2 goals early in the game but Arsenal should have too.

The Gunners came out a different team in the second but Everton had steeled up and worked so hard for each other to keep their threat to a minimum.

One game, I know, but surely this is a turning point.

Hopefully avoid a loss at Mordor (if not win!) and kick on against Leeds and Villa, both at home and both massive games. With any luck, by the end of February, we will be clear of the drop zone with a couple points buffer.

What a difference a week makes, ey?

Perhaps our board staying well clear is a lucky charm.

Bleep tests in training makes a massive change from the 6-a-side tippy-tappy bollocks under Frank and Benitez. They need to be properly worked and drilled.

At home in particular we're going to be tough to play against. Could even have won 3-0 today.

For those that like this sort of thing – there's an interesting Tifo football analysis called "Sean Dyche is not what you think" on YouTube. Really worth a watch.

I hope he is eating copious amounts of humble pie now, this is just the start, and although we have only moved up a place, a look at the Table shows just how a run of a few wins could catapult us up to where we should belong. After seeing Liverpool's abject showing the last few games, I see no reason why we can't get something there too.

McNeil's deliveries were superb today. So nice not to see Gordon – I only want committed players and he became a big time Charlie for no reason.

Dyche isn't all about dour defensiveness. I thought his role for Doucoure was a smart one. And I doubt Gordon would have started for us today.

Onana immense.

We may well go down, but for me, we more likely won't. April is when we normally see who'll 'probably' be the Champions and who'll be chumpions. We see it play out, season, after season, after season, after season.

And Anfield, now that would be tickety-boo. And maybe, my post has the most commas ever, like. Great win today lads. Keep the faith.

I had a little bit of silent reminiscing to myself, because I was proud of what these kids (they were kids when I really knew them) have achieved in football, and it was nice to think and begin to try to put my once very deep footballing head back on.

I don't think Gueye touched the ball during the first 10 minutes but it was noticeable for a reason to me. He hadn't gone chasing, he had stayed very central, and it was great to see this discipline in our team.

We had condensed the space between the lines, and it was extremely difficult for Arsenal to play through us. I also saw more midfield interceptions in the first half, than I've seen in all the other games we have played – put together this season?

Other than the goal, my favourite moment came in the first minute of the second half, and it was great to read what the manager had told them at half-time, when I started reading on my iPad after watching more football this afternoon.

You have had a good half, but it's already gone, and you have got to do the same and even more again (or words to that effect) Dyche told his players, and watching today, it was the first thing I noticed in the first minute of the second half.

Lampard has gone, but his team rarely played for 90 minutes, and never, ever, came out looking ready and focused at the start of the second half. (Palace – I know!) My thoughts today were that Lampard was actually trying to set us up like he was actually ‘playing against us' rather than trying to concentrate on what suited this squad of players the most?

Partnerships? We actually witnessed partnerships. Iwobi and McNeil, constantly tucking in and tracking back, and we even witnessed a threesome in the middle of our midfield!

Early days, a long way to go, but hopefully Dyche went straight down the tunnel thinking “I could really do something with this club, and it's absolutely mad, but brilliant supporters, and when I do, I will go and celebrate with them then!!”

Today we looked to have a plan, purpose and style (of sorts), which is something we have lacked, very early days under Dyche of course.

Looking forward to the next match now, which seems forever away. After that we see what we can do against some of our fellow strugglers.

Danny, glad you got to the game, result! Nicholas – what a tragedy of a hangover! That is hilarious though.

The manner in which the manager reacted to the win was impressive, straight back into the dressing room and on the next game.

Our side has too often risen to the challenge under caretaker coaches or the likes of Frank or Ancelotti before fading away a few games later.

One suspects that Sean is aware of this and is not going to let them suddenly think they are on Easy Street by defeating the Premier League leaders. He is absolutely right because this lot have the nasty habit of great one-off performances before sliding into oblivion.

We're long overdue for a manager with no limit to his ambitions and a realisation that he may be able to achieve many of them at Everton.

If Dyche turns out to be that man, who knows – it may be the catalyst to the much-desired changes in the Boardroom and maybe even in the Club ownership.

Random question for anyone at the game:

It looked like the pitch had not been watered today prior to match and at halftime. If that’s the case, wondering if another subtle, yet noticeable, move that took some of the zip out of Arsenal’s passing game and made it a bit easier for us to sustain the fast paced running play all game?

I love those young Evertonians. They deserve more than me.

I was happy with the formation. Calvert-Lewin worked his socks off for 60 minutes. Doucouré helped cover loads of ground in the midfield.

Onana and Gana were fantastic. McNeil was back in his usual position and had his best game for us.

This is the standard going forward.

Coyb...

Brilliant – you summed it up perfectly

It must have been a strange feeling. Was Woan there at the same time as you? Alan Myers says he's an Evertonian. So maybe you're influence and his will rub off on Sean.

I've been meaning to ask this for months but from your posts are you based in London?

I get the feeling I might have been on trains out of Euston with you when I had a season ticket pre-pandemic...

Calvert-Lewin had a decent hour and looked full of energy but demonstrated, once again, that he's not an instinctive striker.

An all-round much improved performance and Dyche had them doing the simple things well.

McNeil has been dismissed routinely on here and yet we should note what confidence can do.

We're a great fan base but sometimes, with individual players, we're an absolute disgrace.

Back them and they will thrive. Or if they don't, then we will have given them the best chance.

On the Vino Tinto, now, to save space, and listening to the Isley Brothers – This Old Heart of Mine – one of many tunes that resonates with Everton's fortunes the best part of the last 50 years.

Hopefully, true grit, guts, courage, the best Partizan support in the World, and this is effectively the start of Everton's season, today.

Celebrate well and enjoy as suites; today has been earned and merited.

UTFTs!

He told me he was signing for Bournemouth, but then Forest came in for him, but his biggest regret was when Colin Harvey, came to watch him playing for Runcorn, and he had a nightmare of a game.

It's probably ended up working out better for him because he obviously met a mate for life, with Dyche, and had a very successful career at Forest, which isn't bad for a kid who was playing for Runcorn. Hopefully his destiny with the Blues is going to be the icing on the cake for all three of them!

In a matter of a few days, he has transformed these players into an effective unit.

Well done, Sean Dyche, for giving me a weekend where I was not totally depressed and falling out of love with football.

Gawd knows what the real twats use to come up with their bizarre numbers... but I'm sure they'll tell me on MotD.

Let's just hope that this performance is not watered down at that lot's ground next week. Keep that intensity up and we stay up. 6 more games to win.

The result wasn't in doubt as far as I was concerned: only if Everton did an Everton did I think we would relinquish the points. A great win, a great atmosphere, and a great 3 points.

Unfortunately it's only one stop in what's going to be a testing few months. one small step for Everton thanks to one giant leap from Tarkowski. Only downside, none of me or my mates took the odds of 7-1 on an Everton win prior to the game.

I don't know about prior to the game, but at half-time there was a great deal of watering going on in both halves of the pitch.

Maupay played his role and gave everything he could. But that role was only to wind them up, not to really offer anything in terms of the football. We ceased to exist as an attacking threat when he came on.

As a lone striker option – he's barely an option. He would be more effective with a partner but with only two senior strikers I can't see that happening. I thought his performance highlighted exactly why we needed to sign a striker who can take some load off Calvert-Lewin (who I thought was revitalised for an hour).

We need to enjoy this but be careful about getting carried away. It's not suddenly a great team and the same weaknesses were there.

We will struggle to create chances and score goals. We lack quality on the ball and will make mistakes. Our full-backs will struggle to impact the game going forward.

Doucouré still struggles with the ball and Gueye still goes into reverse when he gets the ball. The only player who really surprised me was McNeil, who looked like he was 3 yards faster and 100% more determined.

They all put in a monumental effort – the sort that simply can't happen every week unless you're caffeine dosed or falsely diagnosed as asthmatic.

Hopefully we can get a similar effort next week. That lot look very vulnerable. I'm always wary of thinking there's any good time to play them... but it feels like a good time to play them!

Quick note on corners. They looked comfortably our biggest threat. Back to the days of Joe Royle and him identifying a key advantage (remember "Ooh, it's a corner"?). There wasn't one amazing delivery – it was the opposite.

Hang it long, nothing flashy, away from the keeper and give our tall timber something to fight for. Calvert-Lewin, Onana, Tarkowski, Coady, Doucouré are going to love that – who in the league would want to match up against that kind of size onslaught?

It's playing with a plan. You don't need to whip in pacy corners and screw half of them up when you've got that kind of size. Those players want the ball stood up for them to attack.

Maupay, what is he good for? Absolutely nothing, he might prove me wrong over time but I just can't see what he offers to the team.

Absolutely delighted with the boys today.

I'm still disappointed at the overt Police presence in the ground, both on the terraces and the concourse at half-time. Two stood in front of me looking at us as if I was going to cause trouble. And more stewards than I'm used to.

Anyway, it doesn't distract from a great day and result.

Yes, mate, these young Bues who never seen a trophy are amazing. Goodison rammed with youth. Groups of young lads. Kids with parents, every week.

These don't remember the glory days. I'm too young myself. Yet they are there week-in & week-out through all the shit management, shit teams, shit football. That's what the board should see, these young Blues deserve better.

Let's hope this result is the start for them!!!

Too many times in the past, and so I hope next week Everton play their game, and fuck the RS!

The survival plan for this season, salvage has started well, and so now to our old ground.

Take a point, and hopefully beat them, I'm taking McNeil to stick in a cross in the Kop goal and Calvert-Lewin to get a couple.

UTFTs!

Dom, it's always worth putting the miles in to follow the blues. I often get asked if it was worth it.

It always is, even when they upset me. They made me proud today.

I may not sleep a lot tonight.

We were well over an hour getting out today for reasons which are unclear but it was particularly ridiculous and it is always awful.

For £10 every time it is not acceptable. Parking is generally terrible for the "privilege" of watching the team but I strongly recommend alternatives to the Stanley Park traffic jam. It would be quicker to travel by pogo stick.

No worries, I don't even know where to find the xG. So I'll just go with your unofficial version.

I normally in the one off St Domingo Road that is about 300 yards up from Everton Valley on the left-hand side. Secure, £7 (cash only) and takes about 10-15 mins to get out.

A great day for Everton! True Grit, and The Best Supporters in the World.

UTFTs!

We did not add a player during January but we have the best transfer period of all the Premier League teams. I wanted Bielsa but Dyche was the answer.

I know it is only one game but we watched a team with an attacking and defensive system. Dyche in 5 days did more than the illiterate in a year.

Epic, Everton, is a lifetime journey, but what a journey... Never a dull moment.

Fair dos from Arsenal mates, who came up today, and had no issues with the best team winning today. As they said, we would win due to the manager bounce in mid-week.

They didn't fancy the ultimate Everton of all natural causes. Everton today at times were supernatural in context of their focus. That stuck to me today: the players played like their lives depended on that game.

Everton stopped Arsenal playing, squeezed them out of space. Regardless, all stick together, and this is the start, and we have Real Hope.

Very well done, Sean Dyche and his team, and the Everton first-team squad.

UTFTs!

I reckon I might have seen you getting on the Metropolitan Line a lot a few years ago. Your references to your age fit in with that.

I'm Finchley Road and I bloody hate it there when we play Arsenal! Until today...

I think getting from Uxbridge to Euston to Lime Street is one heck of a journey so fair play there!

My gripe, the adverts, coming up on TW, with Mr Ed, on some kitchen installation firm?

The last week, it's default on request...

Not previously, noticed, but now on every access attempt to TW.

Thank you,

By my count, his defensive pressure up top forced four Arsenal giveaways in his 30+ minutes on the pitch.

Up the Toffees.

He must have read Darren's comments. Proper blue. Born not manufactured.

Link

Love it!

Link

I sort of felt it is the game that we might get something out of because The Gunners did not have an impressive record at Goodison. And also, they have a 5 points buffer up top so the players must feel a bit lax. For us, no one expects us to win so, as long the players gave everything, the crowd would be pleased. And we actually did it! Yay!

Doucoure is my MotD. He is both attacking and defending. His long legs did help to just nick the ball away at times. And he could find an outlet to pass to when crowded in our own half. I think Lampard writing him off was a mistake.

To credit Lampard, he did fix our defence this season. What he failed with was to over-complicate things when attacking. Also, perhaps trying too hard to get that winning goal and, as a result, open up our defence to the counter-attack.

Dyche, however, is a pragmatist. Keep solidifying our defence and play simple direct balls to the top, forcing corners. The set-pieces must have been drilled as the ball was delivered again and again to the far post.

I think the logic is that, even if the defender won the header, it either goes out as another corner or a clearance that won't go too far (likely to be still within the box). Highly likely to get a second chance or forcing any silly challenges to lead to a penalty. Well thought-out!

COYB!

https://youtu.be/6bUUZynLZR8

I'll be there in July – doing the India Pacific from Sydney with some good friends from Victoria. Planning to go to Margaret River, which we've never before visited.

If you're in Adelaide any time let me know, too. It's a while since I've been to the Lockleys.

The only thing is … I'd transitioned painfully through disbelief, anger and denial, settling firmly in resignation to relegation. I was sure we'd be one of the 3 worst teams in the Premier League. Now I'm not so sure. Straight back to disbelief.

Dammit, it's the hope that kills me.

COYB

Onwards & upwards!

COYBs

He said he knows this club's identity, and he was right. We're not a tippy tappy team, never have been. We're a team that have always been, through our history, a bastard to play against.

I said before the match that I thought there was still a very good chance we may get relegated but that even so Dyche would prove the most popular manager we've had in a long time.

One swallow does not a summer make and all that but I suspect Dyche may continue to make it clear what a dubious choice Lampard was by the board (and a fair few fans); very nice guy but very mediocre manager.

This team has more recently not lacked hard workers but it has lacked solid organisation and identity. Hopefully we have seen the start of those vital elements being restored. Long way to go yet.

Passion, teamwork, discipline, skill, organisation, and hard work.

His game management was spot on too. Swapping wingers after the adrenaline spike wore off, changing formations throughout to deal with problems, and rotating the number 10 role. He was like a conductor at times. Early days, but very impressed.

I've no idea why but I don't get any ads, at all.

He had Saka in his pocket, like he had Salah last season, it's just going forward where he struggles.

Amazing win, all's you can say is, Everton that; turned over by the bottom club and the struggling 'Ammers, and beat the runaway leaders quite comfortably.

However, one swallow and all that and to state the bleedin' obvious we need 20 points to be sure of survival, but I suppose if anyone can, Dyche can.

The one thing I noticed that I’m sure the manager will highlight was Iwobi in the second half. He was constantly on the wrong side but kept shuffling slowly back rather than sprinting back. McNeill was outstanding in the same role on the other side.

Let’s pray that the late appointment doesn’t come back to haunt us. If Dyche would have had Wolves, Southampton and Brighton at home plus West Ham away, you’d think we’d be a minimum of 6 points better right now and not in semi panic mode.

Next it's Mordor. We all know what 'Everton that' means for Monday week. So don't let it happen blues. Win for the badge, win for each other, win for the fans but most of all win to stay up. WE ARE EVERTON. COYBs !!!!!

PS: I thought the ref had a good game. More like him for the rest of the season please.

It's only one game but my oh my Tony A's old mates from Forest could really take us on a journey we've been waiting a long time for.

A team that fights for everything and plays with passion.
How things can change in a week. Targets change with that as I now want 9 points from his first 3 games, lol.

What really worries me, is the New Stadium Access with an even potential larger capacity, very few Parking Facilities for the match going fans. Basically there is only one access road, which they have partially converted to a dual carriageway, which goes towards town and the Tunnels, or towards Seaforth/Bootle and access to M57/58 via Switch Island. There are some roads running up off the Dock Road to Regent Road and Vauxhall Road.

Several of us have tried getting there by train, and the shortest journey on foot from Sandhills takes approximately 15 minutes. As far as I know there are no plans for an extra Station, if there is, they have left it late! Equally, little mention of any Ferry Services which would alleviate the entry and exodus a little.

I can't foresee any solution as things are at present, but would be interested if anyone else has similar concerns, or indeed knows of any developments that may be in the pipeline.

On a tangent, I didn't realise Dyche's son, Max, plays as a defender at Northampton.

And imagine what iti/s going to be like getting away from that windy Dock at ten o'clock on a Tuesday night. So we're adding ten thousand to the crowd, and reducing the access by what, two-thirds? Then again, I'm sure a well-run club like Everton already has these intractable issues well in hand.

I know. I just must have bumped into the Inslington village idiots as I spend most of my time surrounded by opposition supporters up and down the country as well as at home and have no problems.

Catch you all at the next one. I'm not getting carried away, but I've not come down yet.

Why would you be racing off at 10 in the evening? Surely, you'd be deciding between the nightclub & the casino to while away an hour or two!

I was wondering what happened to the snidey little shithouse who use to play for Brighton, and instead we'd got his peace-loving hippy brother.

A target man he ain't and I think he would be effective in a 2, but his wind-ups were a joy to behold yesterday.

Vehicle access to the Brighton Amex Stadium is basically a no no. The club run a park and ride bus service from numerous locations in and around Brighton.
They also have the advantage of a railway station (Ringmer) which has been considerably upgraded, but quite a jostle to get down onto the platform with 3or 4 carriage (can’t remember) trains every 20-30 mins. The Amex basically is in the middle of nowhere.
Not sure how many coaches are accommodated in the stadium coach park, but plenty.
Perhaps BK could have a word with Tony Bloom how to run a football club commercially 😂😂😂

Falmer also serves the University of Sussex and is the 3rd station east of Brighton station, after London Road and Moulsecoomb, and one stop from Lewes (7 minutes) where many BHA and away fans gather to use the excellent pubs and local Harvey's ale in this town.

All points gained now will be gratefully accepted.

The formation of the midfield and hard work of yesterday is what is going to help Everton survive.

The problems up front still continue but Everton have some really tall players who can cause quite a lot in opponents penalty areas.

McNeil is a very good crosser of the ball and if he continues to show what he did yesterday then he can be a real asset to the offence.

And then then we stand in the Arkles (their pub), telling them it's our City.

Sorry. Getting wound up already.

When we beat them, we won't be that far off them.

Once again Peter, thank you for Saturday. It meant so much. I owe you big time and will repay you.

True gentleman and Evertonian.

Expect a few rants off me this week or so. I'll be going into conflict with family and friends and surrounded by London reds trying to wind me up.

It's that time of year when I realise how much I despise that club.

I share your disdain for our neighbours.

https://www.footballtransfertavern.com/everton-fc-news/everton-pierre-emerick-aubameyang-latest-transfer-news-rumours-updates/

Yeah, I know, it’s a rubbish website who probably don’t speak a word of truth.

It’s one thing getting a ticket, but I hope you didn’t keep him waiting outside, but your dedication to Everton, is fantastic Danny, and genuine Evertonians, always stick together and look out for each other.

Did he keep you waiting Peter? It’s a good job I phoned him because although he’s got a ticket for Anfield, I don’t think he realised it was a Monday night game, so he definitely should listen to you mate, and start pacing himself!!

It was a great day.

However a special mention for Maupay. He hasn't had the easiest time since his arrival at the club and has shown little to warrant selection. But on Saturday he put himself about, got in the faces of the opposition, rattled them and generally made a nuisance of himself.

If DCL is unfit for the Derby, I would have no qualms whatsoever selecting Maupay to lead the line. A similar showing against Liverpool could prove him to be a vital cog in the team. I could see him niggling their defenders and unsettling them. They've looked unusually shaky of late, Maupay could be the one to take advantage of any slip ups. COYB.

Phil, if we play Maupay up top on his own then the best we can hope for is 0-0. We won't get out of our half.

Not that I didn't enjoy his shithousery on Saturday, because I did, but it's not a 90 minute plan. He offered very little besides his cunning.

If DCL is injured again he may as well retire. He’s barely played in two years. Sean asked him to make a modicum of effort for an hour during which time he missed two easy chances. If that exertion was too much for him then call it quits and stop wasting our money on this joker. He’s getting paid a fortune for going through the motions and showing up in training in his snood, tights and wooly hat while offering nothing in terms of productivity.

I did keep Peter waiting, but he was a true Gentleman and held out for me.

It was a great occasion. Goodison at it's best.

I even got served at half time.

We are a family and whenever any of you travel down to London, let me know. I'll look after you. Peter, so grateful. I can't say it enough.

Preparing myself for the obvious. At least I know what time kick off is now!! Thank you for the reminder Tony!

From 2 days ago:

Link

My thoughts at the end of the Saturday’s game, actually turned towards Bramley Moore. Just get safe Everton, then we will have a much better final year at Goodison Pk, without the Jonah, whilst looking forward to moving onto the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey.

Then we can look to the future dominating that famous riverside even though it will break my heart to leave Goodison.

That new stadium will put us back on the map and is an opportunity.

Let's just hope we've got people in charge to make the most of it.

I think it’s going to be like West Ham’s stadium, Derek, but they have got a train station ten minutes away, and they seem to cope very well. It’s a bit slow getting to and on the train, but once you do get through it’s fine, and everywhere becomes accessible again.

A Monorail from Brunswick to Bramley with stops on the way.

A modern tribute to the Docker's Umbrella that serves not just Everton, but the city.

I still have nightmares about Howard-Distin-Stones parping about at the back. That time Stones told the Park End to calm down was one of the worst instances.

It looks graceful does our new home! I walk along to New Brighton and keep turning back to see it as I stroll along. Wonderful!

I feel now, that we've got a chance to enter our new home as supporters of a Premier League Club!

This is a similar distance from Kirkdale to Goodison, and it is served by 12 trains an hour each way from Central Station.

Just get safe, Everton, then we will have a much better final year at Goodison Park.

We'll have a little longer than that. Tony. ;-)

Since then of course a lot has happened or not happened with work connected to the council at that time.

2 things that are just not in Everton's DNA: tippy-tappy and 3 at the back with wingbacks. Guess what Frank had us doing?

I give him credit as a player but, to be fair, he is hopeless as a coach. I think this will finish him.

Yes, I remember Joe Anderson making all the right sounds about the new Stadium etc, but as he has now been deposed, is it Steve Rotherham (a self-confessed RS) who isn't doing much at all.

By the way, what is the situation with Joe Anderson over the alleged fraud accusations? Did he get charged, do time in Walton, or just disappear off the scene with a big fat pension or pay-off?

Answers in a brown envelope please, or better still back on here. :-)

Concerning our beloved mayor, I think the outcome, Derek, was that there was insufficient evidence!!!

Just getting safe isn't going to be good enough to have an enjoyable last season at Goodison Park. Hopefully Dyche is going to put some character and substance to the team but we have to break the slowly downward cycle we have been in for a few years and not just continue what we have been doing.

At the end of the season, our FFP situation will presumably have eased and the club must allow Dyche and Thelwell to put significant investment into improving the squad. If not, we will be in the same position this time next season.

As always, the fans are the last to be considered, and having driven past the new ground and surrounding areas — where are the parking facilities?

Talk of Sandhills Station – it just couldn't cope, unlike London (where trains run every minute), we're lucky to see a 15-minute service on any train route in the city.

I had hoped that a couple of Park-and-Ride venues would have been identified – works perfectly at the Open golf.

I suggested over 12 months ago about a ferry from the other side of the Mersey and a landing stage outside the ground. I believe a ferry can carry 2,500 people, so you could disperse the crowds quickly using the ferries.

But no; they will do nothing. And if it takes a couple of hours for you to exit the game and get home to various parts of the city… unlucky.

I'll be in tears, but we can send her away in fitting respect. Don't call me 'Bill' – mine will be genuine. I will be as gutted as I will be proud and happy.

I'd actually like Everton to have done something different to the plan they have, which I know is befitting and benefiting the community. But over time, that community will lose a lot once Everton leave. I guess a lot of us will still go to the places we grew up with, but those local places will suffer.

Goodison is going to be demolished (tears) and the club / council are going to invest in what is laid on the hollow ground... I'd liked to have seen them redevelop a downscaled stadium fit for the development teams to play on. I think that would have been a great legacy and inspiration for future generations of Everton players.

This is going to be an emotional 18 months.

I don't know with living outside the city that you have heard that the local businesses around the ground like the Wilmslow and the chippy and the Wok are getting together to try and organise a Park-and-Ride from the Wilmslow to the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

So, if fans wanted, they can still go the Wilmslow and have a pint before the game, and they will put buses on to take you and bring you back. Seems like these local businesses have more of an idea than the club.

I wonder if the Fat Controller had any say in this?

Derek - always a positive!!

And I can't go to watch Everton at home with out going to the Goodison Supper Bar.

And for my sins, having one in the Arkles for my Grandad. Not looking forward to that next time out but I will do it.

There is a new Facebook page called Keep Business in L4 and part of the plan is to run shuttle buses. The owners of the Winslow are involved I think.

I'll be sorry to leave Goodison but have to say I won't miss the streets between Kirkdale station and County Road. Never seen so much dogshit and litter. The residents obviously don't care.

We just looked so much hungrier, compact, organised and aggressive than we have all season. Back 4 worked a treat - why Lampard got so obsessed with a back 3/5 I'll never know!

Great spirit from the players too and they finally looked like they all knew their roles/what they were doing in and out of possession.

Good to see a desire to play forward too and actually get the ball in the box. Trying to score might well catch on haha.

Credit to Dyche for such a massive turnaround from how we have been playing in previous weeks. Looks like he has kept it really simple and easy to understand in terms of tactics/instructions, which is what our players need.

Loving getting that old Dogs of War feel back and some passion to inspire us fans with.

Let's see if we can build on this now and it's not another false dawn. I can't see Dyche letting levels slip though as other managers have. Really do fancy us to beat the other lot with how they're doing right now!

Does anyone know why Zinchenko was so wound up at the final whistle by the way?

Paul, I know some love the Dogs of War. Personally I was not a real fan. It was a necessity. I was preached as a kid about the School of Science and the Holy Trinity, who's statue I look at every time I go to Goodison. So I guess I'm a Romanist.

I know what you mean though Paul, regardless of ability, you have to work hard and earn the right to play football. The team done that on Saturday and we need to take it to that place next time out and get in their faces.

Even my boyhood heroes of the 80s had to work to earn the right to play their flowing, sweeping football.

Apart from Kevin Sheedy. He walked on water and done his thing!!! Because he could.

Here's to one of our players sticking two fingers up at the Satanic Palace (Kop). Just don't lose this time.

Kopites are . every single one of them.

I'm probably getting too emotional in the build up. I will likely be told to calm down.

Apologies Falmer station.

I live in Crowborough, was a season ticket holder at Goodison until last season (I'll health). But born a scouser, always a scouser. 😂😂😂

Waiting for a train in the wind and rain is a nightmare, when I go we park in Lewes and catch the train.

Season ticket holders get free travel to and from the stadium, I don't think anybody at Lewes station bother checking for tickets as everybody seems to push through. 😂😂😂

When the dust finally settles. I think the most precious memory I will take from Saturday is that glorious cameo from Maupay. It's not an exaggeration to say that that boy is a true shithouse. It's so great to see a master of his craft in the royal blue.

Todays fan seems to be more impressed by the individual rather than what a player brings to the overall team.

SAF sold Ronaldo as he was too selfish and wanted all the glory.

Early last season Man U were worse when they brought both Ronaldo and Pogba on.

For me, Saturday was a team performance first and foremost which then allowed the likes of Onana to show his individual talent when appropriate.

We haven't had a real team ethic for a decade.

Sheedy played the game at his own pace but contributed to what was an outstanding team.

Even though he was played wide despite not being a natural or pacy winger. I actually thought he was better in a more central position. I suppose what we would now call the number 10 position.

You'll have to forgive me. He's my favourite of all time.

It was interesting seeing Anthony Gordon come on yesterday and being played more central than we used him. I did often say I see him as an eventual number 10 rather than where we were playing him.

We have history. Poor Leon was played out wide for years and slated. It was obvious he was a central player. Well to me anyway. But then again, I'm no expert. But what a technically gifted player wasted out wide through no fault of his own.

We have drew at City, beat Arsenal, but have lost every other game for a long time, and mostly against equal or even inferior opposition to ourselves, so there are still massive question marks about the desire and capabilities of these players.

Hopefully Dyche can root the problems out, but it only takes a couple of bad apples, unless it’s real discipline, that this squad has needed for years?🤞

When the fans turned on the players, because the board had told lies, and failed to turn up, leaving the exasperated fans with nobody to turn their anger on, I didn’t really like them singing “you’re not fit to wear the shirt, to the very dejected players… But Saturday proved the fans were correct, when you look at the incredible difference in performance, from the Southampton to the Arsenal game.

“”Discipline”” is the key, both behind the scenes and out on the pitch, and once you get this right, I’m almost certain that everything will slowly start falling into place?

It was like two completely different teams from the last few games an most of franks time.

Gotta push on now and I don't think Dyche will let them settle.

Onana class and McNeil much better in the position he played at Burnley for years.

COYB

I’ve been listening to Peter Gabriel, singing Humdrum, in homage to Bill Kenwright, finally tripping himself up with a truly disgraceful and disgusting lie.

I RIDE TANDOM WITH A RANDOM BUT THINGS DON’T RUN THE WAY I PLANNED THEM IN THE HUMDRUM!

You created a humdrum at Everton, many, many years ago William, but it’s hopefully all going to be over soon, because you finally tripped yourself up, just like many have hoped for, and also predicted, for many, many years. Thank you.

A very, very underrated footballer.

I was sat in the Main Stand with a few City fans just behind me and they had nothing but compliments.

"Liverpool's abandoned St James Station is set to reopen in 2025 as Liverpool Baltic Station.

"Plans to reopen the station, in the city's Baltic Triangle district, are going ahead with funding secured from central government.

The current plan is for the station to open in 2025, with a planning application to be made in 2023 and construction to start in 2024."

The station would be located between Liverpool Central and Brunswick Station on the Northern Line

The site is on the corner of Park Road and Parliament Street. The link has a couple of photos and drawings.

Link

With the size of some of the dog turds in Westminster Road, they'd require planning permission in London.

Bob Dylan yesterday; Peter Gabriel today. Some classic music there, mate, and I hope it comes about. He's always thought that he comes first from The Kings Dock to now. Hopefully, finally we get investors in, who can call a special meeting to get rid of him.

Till then, if he stays away, and takes his oppos with him, that would do for starters!

If going to look at the King's Dock in the daytime, park your car near Sandhills, and walk up to the platform. Then walk down towards the Town end of the platform, as soon as you come to the open part, you get a fantastic view of our Ground overlooking the Royal Blue Mersey! It's stunning!

Yep, shit website, hasn't Aubamayang already played for Barca and Chelsea this season? And you can't play for more than 2 teams in one season.

Link

Don't I know it! I live by Wessy Road. The councillors for our district have done fuck-all, no matter how many complaints.

Mind you, if you see some of the dogs!!!

Sorry for any offence but the area from the Albany down Delamore Street, front and back, is as bad as I've seen anywhere. Must be a nightmare for the majority of good people who live there.

I know the Albany, it's about a 100 yards from where I live. So I well understand your view.

I see where Klopp threw his toys out of the pram again, refusing to answer a question from James Pearce of the Athletic, totally insulting. Adifferent reporter had to ask the same question. Why don't Sky Sports and the BBC show his real personality?

The Bobble who gets to know things a lot earlier than the rest of us has just tweeted Calvert-Lewin scan has shown nothing so they will monitor him from day to day. I thought it was interesting that Dyche said he told him that he was fitter than he thought he was.

I guess the bleep tests they did and other things showed that maybe Dom is worrying too much over little niggles that most players play with.

So basically more evidence that he is a skiver.

It could well be but judging by what he said last season about struggling with psychological issues, the problem may be related to that and Dyche is trying to give Dom some confidence.

I personally love driving over the little brow on Boundary Street, and suddenly the ground comes into full view. It's really starting to take shape, but Brian W doesn't reckon it'll be complete in 18 months time. I wonder why, Brian?

Doom and gloom, followed by a great result against Arsenal.
Instead of being positive, they post negative comments to create more doom and gloom.

Pickford, contract on table not signed? That's been doing the rounds for I don't know how long! Nothing else to comment on, you won't sell many newspapers with fake news.

Despite our situation over the last 18 months, Pickford is the England No 1 goalkeeper. Unless anybody knows differently, has he asked for a move or unhappy with his current situation? No!

I think a lot depends on what Dom was wearing during the bleep tests, was it the traditional shorts, or a tighter-fitting Vivienne Westwood number? After all said and done, he does have 'previous'! :-)

"Other than a new station in Kirkby"

Has Bill not told them yet that we won't be moving there?

You are right though. Our income is modest to say the least. I think in terms of matchday income, we are 3rd bottom in the Premier League. I haven't looked it up recently, but it was the case a few months back...

I spend a lot of money following Everton. Trains and sometimes planes. I'm not bragging or saying I'm better than any other supporter who travels with me, just leading into a point.

When I go to Goodison, Everton get the price of a ticket (around £50), apart from when very kind friends look after me – thank you, you know who you are. Maybe the occasional sausage roll when I can actually get served. Sorry, a thing with me, I must have one of those faces!

Fulham and Brentford get more out of me. Arsenal, Tottenham and West Ham certainly do.

Liverpool won't. I promise. I learned that years ago during a very harsh lesson by a very strict Evertonian in the Anfield Road.

Most of my matchday money is spent in the pubs and chippies around Goodison or in town before and after the match. It doesn't go to the club.

But for an often £250 outlay (sometimes more if it's an overnighter), they only get about £50 of that. That's not a good return of investment.

I think that's why it is imperative we put the life-belt and armbands on and swim (crawl?) to Bramley-Moore Dock. Hopefully the club has had the vision to provide facilities that keep the fans in the stadium and generate additional income.

Tottenham is a great example.

I love Everton. I adore Goodison. But we have stood still for way too long.

I just mentioned Everton and vision in the same sentence. Hopefully BMD is that vision.

Everyone, you are going to have to excuse me. It's build-up to derby day and to make it worse, I was in "discussion" with two Kopites from Aintree yesterday afternoon. I held my own and put them in their place.

As for Goodison Park, the club have plans (Plans?££) to build houses/ blocks of flats and a Garden of remembrance on the site.

https://www.skyscrapercity.com/threads/everton-football-stadium-lw-bramley-moore-dock-capacity-52-888-%C2%A3760m-u-c.1724078/page-543#lg=attachment_xfUid-3-1675766867&slide=0

Mordor on Monday, but when we glance at that palace rising above the Mersey, we can look them in the eye and tell them who's city it is.

God, I don't even live there any more!!

I think I need to take the advice and pace myself.

I remember when Duncan Ferguson (so only very recent) got the Manager Job at Forest Green, so wanted to monitor his progress I noticed that the mighty FG Rovers have their own TV (?) Furthermore I have heard from our US Blues about not being able to get an Everton shirt easily, again poor marketing by the Club not the Fans fault !

I go to a local Market most Thursdays in the Village of Frodsham, (excellent for most things) there is a guy there who sells Football related stuff mainly Towels and Scarves etc, I often look and have NEVER seen an Everton one there, but every other Premiership Club (within reason : no Bournemouth/Southampton etc) is there plus Barcelona, Real Madrid and the top Euro sides.

We are run by Dinosaurs who haven't a clue about the Commercial Opportunities that are out there, (well they probably do but can't be arsed).

Be interesting to hear from our own Christine Foster or Derek Thomas (NZ and AUS) if the situation is similar down under with regards to Everton Merchandise.

And you are spot on about our outward marketing.

Just a bit further down the same road, is the Bellemont Hotel, a Samuel Smith's Pub which also has a decent view of the Mersey on a good day, but not as good as The Forest Hills one. Okay going down, but it is really steep to walk up Cardiac Hill, to quench one's thirst.

I know we've got a shop on Walton Lane and at the ground. But County Road is a major thoroughfare every day of the week! Maybe we can't afford to rent a shop!