A perfect Ten for Fellaini

2 - 1 to the mighty blues (he says with hope in his heart).

I am so excited for my youngest lad tonight (he is 14) it is not his first game but it his first game with his own season ticket, let's hope the boys can put on a performance for him. I will be cheering from my local in Nairobi.

COYB.

"Neville will hold with Gibson to stop United for 70 mins" - heaven help us, might as well give it up right now if that is the limit of our ambition.

Ossie on the right wing - that will really test Evra's ability to get back into position quickly (not).

If Naismith is fit (which he appears to be) then he should start and I would have him on the right, with Ossie in the middle behind the striker where he can use his trickery and creativity without being exposed for his lack of pace. When Naismith is done, bring on someone with pace and just tell them to buzz up and down that flank to keep Evra's head spinning.

If Fellaini and Gibson are both fit then pair them down the centre of the park to protect the back four and link with the attackers when we get it forward. If either or both are absent then Pip and Heits will do as back-ups.

This is the opening game of the season, at home and against a side weaker than normal in midfield and defence. Have to get at them, keep the pressure on and isolate their potent strikeforce as much as possible.

We can crack them if we get at them; play the waiting game and they will be overjoyed to seize control of the game.

Not only is it better to watch but we proved last season it's more successful in terms of results.

I think 'going for it' we have a real chance of a win tonight, BUT...any of that 'knife to a gunfight' attitude and they'll whup us.

We're at home, it's Goodison under lights, go for their throats, let them do the worrying.

Up the Toffees!

Praying that fella and gibbo are both fit, but we have to start with Jella and Naismith from the off. Naismith has had a bit of a pre season with us and no side is fully 100% on the opening day, so come on Moyes - HAVE A GO!

AHHH just over an hour to go COYB!!!!!!

COYB!

COYB

Also, there is nothing sadder than looking at a 31 year old "profesional" with very unimpressive physical attributes trying to do street tricks and failing miserably. Why is Osman not dragged over the coals for this tripe?

Fellaini... Out of this world so far. Looks to have made some progress in his offensive play

Gonna give Moyes the benefit of the doubt that he didn't want to dangle Johnny in SAF's face what with their CB woes.

(Who cares about goal difference?)

You are the love of my life !! COYB.

The team spirit is the best in the league.
To see Gibson singing "Grand Old Team" at the end demonstrated that.

Fellaini, Hibbert, Jagielka, Distin were outstanding.
Everyone else were great.

Well done Everton.
Well done David Moyes.
Let's make Goodison a fortress again.

COME ON YOU BLUES!

"...people talk about the power shift in Manchester. What about the power shift in Liverpool?"

His tactics were spot on - dropping Heitinga, playing Neville, not playing Naismith, all of that work was spot on. Wasn't pretty but got such a good win. Only thing is we dropped deep after we score, but thats such a small criticism from such a good performance

We'll obviously see the criticism slagging Moyes from somewhere though.

Playing Fellaini further forward was the key to it. He won everything in the final third.

After Fella's performances at the end of last season I have been advocating playing him behind Jelly and he was unplayable tonight. Question is, if he continues to play there then who is going take that central midfield spot alongside Gibson. As well as he played tonight i'm not sure that p Neville is the answer...

Maybe another dip into that transfer pot

Immense, totally amazing!

I love this fuckin' football club!

Did someone throw the Christmas Party last week?

Slow starters.........

Come to Goodison, THEY have to beat US!!!!!*

* Slightly drunk as I wrote this, hope my Boss don't read it.....

We were obviously knackered after 75 mins, but waited until 80 mins to bring Coleman on and then the last couple of mins to bring Naismith and Heitinga on. Fresh legs were needed to carry the ball and close people down. Don't understand it.

Honourary mention to Hibbo for some beautifully timed crunching tackles. I tell you what, Mirallas isn't going to get in the team if we carry on playing like this!

Classic anti-Moyes, blown away by the actual game.

Paul@746, Chris is spot on and it's the people who slag off the manager and players half an hour before we've even kicked a ball that need to give it a rest.

THOUGHT FELLAINI WAS OK BUT IS USUALLY SHIT {feel free to tweet this bit to all those agents that everyone knows on here} roll on Sept 1st !

Actually he was fucking awesome! and if this performance tonight is an indication of what we can achieve this season, then maybe, just maybe....the good times might be back.

Fantastic atmosphere at the ground and the players responded fantastically, now who was it that was going on about pre season prep being shite?

Made up!

Tactics are of course spot on if we win. But one shot goes in instead of getting cleared off the line and we lose two points. Another and we lose the game. Never mind, Moyes's tactics are unquestionable?

No; Moyes's Keep It Tight And Nick One worked to a Tee tonight. But it doesn't work in anywhere near enough games to convince me Moyes is worthy of the praise and adulation his supporters insist we must all give him.

Sadly there are far too many occasions when it doesn't work, meaning that it is basically a lottery. Hopefully he has the tools to make a better fist of it this season but no doubt you'll be right there spouting the usual shite excuses if he fails yet again.

That's basically what this forum was flooded with before the match kicked off. Well done to all of you.

You can knock Moyes all you like, but those tactics had no response, Fellaini did it last year in the 4-4 and he's just done it again. Simply awesome show from him and the only thing we lacked was creativity on both wings which I hope Mirallas can help sort.

Hibbo was great at the back but needs a creative outlet cos he is so willing but not really the guy you want to see getting the ball in space on the right after the left side pull the middle over.

Great start to the season! Let's build on it, although for the naysayer, yes, that was a weak Man Utd side tonight.

I notice how you point out the goals United could have gotten, basically saying we got lucky and could have lost. No mention of Ossie's shot coming off the crossbar, or Fellaini hitting the post, or De Gea making quite a few immense saves to keep them in the game. Could have just as easily been 3 or 4-0 for us. But keep doing what you're doing, you definitely don't have a bias, fair and balanced and all that.

However, awesome though Felli was in that position tonight it doesn't automatically mean that it suits every player in the team.

Maybe Pienaar and Jelavic just weren't quite on their games tonight, but they looked as though they were taking up positions where they weren't at their best.

Overall, it worked and that is the most important thing for now, but I still believe the team will operate better overall with a little tweaking.

Absolutely outstanding performance from Fellaini... it's been a long time since I've seen a display like that. Ten from ten is spot on.

Not too many brickbats for anybody else either... I'd rather not have seen Neville in the middle.. but he did ok.

Good work from The boys... and Moyes requires a bit of credit too.

Moyes would have been treated like an absolute god, if parts of the goal didnt get in the way of Fellaini and Osman, and David de Gea had the game of his life.

But both typed are irrelevant. Moyes' decisions were spot on, and you cannot question that. And we did have more shots than Utd btw.

So proud to be a blue right now!

Why can't you see that nobody says his tactics are unquestionable. It's the pathetic way in which they are questioned. Not saying, I'd really prefer to see Naismith in there, or I would prefer Heitinga instead of Jagielka. That's not what is said. Instead it is an onslaught of abuse, calling Neville some pretty colorful names. Moyes is lambasted with abuse about how wrong he is before a ball has been kicked, and how horrible Osman is, etc. They all speak with such certainty about how horrible his decisions are. When in fact, he gets it right more than he gets it wrong.

COYB!

Moyes ONE, ToffeeWeb's cynical, 'expert,' guesswork merchants, NIL..!!!

(Goodison bouncing tonight folks..)

Ps: Dreading a bid for Fellaini...

That is an example of the type of opinion that I think is lacking. Reasoned, your opinion, not stating as fact. You disagree with some, others disagree with you. But you're not stating as fact that this player or that is horrible. One opinion versus another, without the word c**t or twat thrown in every sentence. I know football is passionate, but we're sitting in front of a computer. Is it really that hard to have a bit more "civilized" conversation about this game, with just a little understanding that our opinion might not always be correct.

Surely tonight is not the time for such a mean spirited post....... Just enjoy for gods sake

I don't blame him for not putting Nais in the start, I think it was The Grauniad (of all papers!) to pick our XI spot on.

I knew their defence was weak, it was last season, and they haven't strengthened.

McNulty reckons Fellaini doesn't do it enough (I kind of agree, to a point). But he was massive tonight. Huge.

I thought we were the better team overal, Ossie very unlucky. Until we scored we pretty much dominated. Even when we sat back I didn't have that sense of panic I usually feel when we go in front

I liked Gary Neville's comment at half time. Something to the effect of "Screech can do what he likes, at will, all over the pitch".... Don't know what he's got against Will, though, like.

I get what Michael says but I didn't think that was a typical everton backs to the wall performance at all - simply a terrific professional dominant display

Yeah...last 30 minutes I was nervous. But that's just about the best performance I've seen our defense play.

You're right about Fellaini too. Spread it round....he couldn't hit his own arse with a banjo normally (for all those parasites, I mean agents, out there.)

Michael Barks — Moyes may have got the tactics right in the first half but he doesn't always get it right and he definitely doesn't get it right when it matters — in semi-finals and a final. I also think you should revert to your previous name of Richard Dodd!!

Michael K: "But one shot goes in instead of getting cleared off the line and we lose two points. Another and we lose the game. Never mind, Moyes's tactics are unquestionable?"

That's a new low.

We had many more shots on targets than Man Utd, we hit the post, we hit the bar, their keeper made 2 astonishing saves (from Osman and Baines). Gary Neville, in the Sky Studio, raved about Everton's dominance and deserved victory. After that performance, your "if my auntie had bollocks" point is ludicrous and I'm hoping it was just a hotheaded reaction to somebody winding you up about the pre-match negativity - and something you now regret.

Oh, and saying "no doubt you'll be right there spouting the usual shite excuses if he fails yet again" is just plain disrespectful to your fellow fans. Have a word with yourself.

I'm not going to let that negativity spoil it anyway. Tremendous performance from 11 players (well, Howard didn't actually have a great deal to do) and evidently superb preparation from Moyes.

Still not a fan of Jags as much as Heitinga, but the job got done and Jags did save our skin there with the clearance. Hibbo owned Evra, which is another telling sign of just how mediocre this United team has become in comparison to how they were.

I also think Fellaini has added to his game as that run he made to hit the post in the first half is something I've not seen from him before.

Good win, but now the pressure will be on to dispose of the lesser teams even more.

Was questioning Fallaini up-front as it reduces the quality of football but we seemed good until sitting back for the last 30. The team were shattered and really did give their all. Not sure what happened to Distin and hope Jely was just cramped up.

Utd had no height which did us favours and the Greeks I was with were raving about Mirallas.

Bloody hell, football.

Douglas - DM said he wanted to bring in striking support and pace on the wide right.

My opinion is that Felli can do an awesome job for us just a little bit more withdrawn, with Gibson being a little behind that, though of course all midfielders can get forward if the opportunity arises. I still think Felli will get into the box whenever he can but can also patrol the no mans land in midfield. This should release the wide men a bit more for attacking duties and allow Jelavic to stay moere central to convert chances that come his way.

Ossie's basic problem when playing out wide is that he doesn't cover the ground quickly enough. If he has been defending he is not going to get into an attacking position quickly enough to help out. Keep him more central and he can link-up play and support the striker. I think he is most at threat from the likes of Naismith, Mirallas and Niang (if he is signed).

Yes, I moaned out loud when I saw Osman out wide, Naismith on the bench, NEVILLE IN MIDFIELD (!), and Hibbo at RB (that one didn't get me riled too much but still...).

But...

Osman played fantastically, Nev did a job. Hibbo was fantastic.

Superb win!

I joked to my Blue M8 - Felli's off for 40 million tomorrow morning. My GOD what a game that kid had!

Games like this I realize I know fuck all about tactics cause I'da been the first one on here ripping Moyes a new one had we lost.

There, I got it out. Phew.

What a freaking game! What an effort! What spirit!!!

YES!

On another point, I was sat chatting with my mates before the game and slagging Moyes off for not starting with Heitinga, they were all taking the piss at the end (justifiably so of course) but it does make you wonder whether JH might consider his options now, doesn't it?

At least get my name right, David not Michael. And don't ever compare what I'm saying to Richard Dodd.

Ignore the posession stats, anyone watching that game knows who was bossing it.

What I don't get is why we sat back and hoped we could scrape by when we were so clearly in charge, and when our arses have been bitten so badly for doing the very same thing in the past (FA cup semi final anyone?)

I'm chuffed with the result but I'm afraid it only confirms to me that this manager is far too cautious to ever be a winner. Yes it worked tonight, but it won't at least as often.

Sorry for the moan on a night like this, well done Blues.

I'm all for protecting a lead but I can't help but think our 'sit back switch' is turned on about ten minutes too early? I guess what I'm saying is after dominating the game I'd like to see us have the belief in ourselves to hold the line a little higher and improve our chances of retaining possession.

BUT, and this is a big BUT, tonight was fucking awesome and I don't want to sound like I'm anything other than delighted with the result. I think a lot of us would've taken a draw too. Obs Felli was awesome but Hibbert...his best performance ever?!

Excellent performance and although l was surprised and disappointed with the team selection it faded with the performance.

Well done to the players, and Moyes, but a special thanks to the supporters for making it great.

Fellaini up front and Neville in the middle, people look at that as dodgy tactics when in reality it was a sacrifice of football to allow solid defence and an easy outlet.

It's against the lesser teams when people should demand more for their ticket. But against Utd, Rooney and VP — Just take it.

To be fair, Vidic kept Jelavic in his pocket for most of the game. But that's what allowed Fellaini the space to wreak havoc, Carrick was chasing shadows. A good result, and a good performance. I couldn't ask for more against United on the opening day, considering how poorly we have started seasons before. A really confidence boost to everyone, and a shot in the arm for the fans. Goodison was rocking, I wonder how Mirallas felt watching that tonight? If that lad can play decently on the right, our first eleven is capable of challenging for europe without a doubt. Ossie did his best, and played some decent football. But unfortunately the right side was the weaker link.

Let's hope we can keep up the momentum, and at least have a good go in the tough matches coming up. Hats off to all the boys today, and to Moyes for getting his tactics spot on.

"We were the better football team, they had eight shots on target and De Gea did very well for us in that way," he told MUTV.

"But we had the possession and made some great openings without actually finishing it. That was the only difference. These shots on targets the goalkeeper did really well. Other than that we played good football, good combination play, on another day we would have won the match."

Would you expect anything else from that grumpy old twat? Possession, yes, but we certainly had more clear cut openings than them.

Now let's take that spirit into the derby games and see what happens.

Little bit worried about Distin who collapsed on the pitch at the end.

Moyesy put out a team that did the job well tonight, but that doesn't mean he couldn't possibly have put out a team that may have done even better. I wasn't tearing my hair out when I saw the starting eleven, but I did think that there were a few players on the bench that could conceivably improve it. What I saw hasn't changed that opinion.

I support all who play (and perform creditably) for Everton, so I am not having a go at any of them, but JH and others will be important for us this season so I hope he is understanding that he didn't get the shout tonight.

Roman... ever thought Heitinga might have been put on the bench because he has had less of a pre-season than the other two? and as it turned out, the centre halves were fantastic. Osman was also, and I can't understand why you want him shelved... Mirallas wasn't available, who else is going to play on the right? Coleman? or a less than fit Naismith out of position?

Very few teams will stop Manchester United scoring this season. Great to see Rooney kept so quiet, and RVP's cameo reduced to a corner and a poor cross. Mirallas is in, hopefully we can get a couple of more as well, either on loan or permanently.

An exciting signing, a Liverpool humiliation, and a win over Manchester United in one week? I am worried this is all a dream.

Fabulous performance & result! So this is how it feels to win ur first game of the season?! Get in!!

Gents, tonight was NOT Keep it tight & nick one, tonight was guts, skill and class!!

I don't think we can blame fans for cynicism, based on previous, but I do think all credit goes to DM and his team modification in the summer, and selection tonight. His selection WAS predictable, but with the addition of Kevin Mirallas, he's got another option.

Jelavic looked isolated at times, but bloody hungry at times, and we won't be playing Man U every game. And for pushing Felli up from the off, DM deserves all the credit. Ask Phil McNulty...

It's getting to the point where it's like arguing with a brick wall sometime. It doesn't matter what you say, what everyone saw take place on the pitch. The opinion has already been implanted and everything is viewed with that bias. It will be a focus on the negative despite the overwhelming positive, that we dominated them. It will focus on Jags clearing a ball off the line and how that could have cost us the win, while disregarding the numerous point blank saves their keeper made and the number of times we cracked the post. It's pretty much become a political debate, with one side unwilling to budge from their view. I guess that's just the way it's gonna be.

It could be Moyes's last season with us, he knows he needs to pull something special out the bag if he wants to hold all the cards going in to talks. I know it's early days, boys, but I think he's really gonna go for it this season and maybe, just maybe, that's what we have seen tonight.

I live in hope of more of the same. COME ON YOU BLUES!!!!

Gentlemen and ladies, as we raise our glasses tonight to toast a superb win by the mighty blues, let us at least entertain the possibility that there might - just might - be a third way...

I'm off to bed now, before I get called a LibDem!

But at least equally, were Hibbo, Jags, Gibson, and plenty more from our side.

Great game and atmosphere, but it is 3 points and only the same as what is on offer at Villa on Saturday, let's hope we can pick those up too.

Highlights ! ! !

I have often heard it said he is only nice to people he does not see as a threat.

I you listen to SAF, and other so called "great managers" they never lose because the opposition played well, rather they had an off day!

Everton were excellent tonight, took the game to Man U and stopped them from playing, other than the last 15-20 minutes, when we sat back and let them come at us. Nerve racking end which we need to eliminate. Don't tell me we were tired. First game of the season!

This is what Everton is capable of and Moyes has to see this and build on this obvious strategy.

None of these so called top teams are that much better than us. Media hype. Get out there and compete. COYBs

Ladies and gentlemen, we could have a team on our hands!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19326974

Has training been "pin it at Fellaini's chest, and get him to to control and be awesome"?

Hated to see him in that position pre-ko... but brilliant. Brilliant night. What a start to the season!!!!!

Do you want to get into a mathematical debate about the correct usage of terms. I thought I would be nice and let you only name 8 better, placing him. You said he's mediocre, "of only ordinary or moderate quality", or "not satisfactory; poor; inferior". So, given that, I guess that would place him below 10th. Can you name me 10 keepers in the Prem better than Howard?

I got it, you're just a wind up merchant. Make a statement, refuse to back it up. Got it, have fun, I'll remember that the next time I read a comment of yours.

I can't think of any who I wouldn't be nervy about who are likely to be available.

All goalies have the potential to mess something up and Tim Howard is no worse than most, and a lot better than many. In my opinion he has probably kept us in many more games than he has lost for us.

What news on Distin and any potential transfer targets / loanees?

"De Ghea who punched under massive pressure from Fellaini but then collapsed in a heap for no good reason, with no whistle: more shameless cheating."

Gotta love the complete bias – Not sure United cheated and fouled at every opportunity, I thought it was just a really good, tight game that ended with exactly the fair scoreline – well done, Blues!

The chat about Howard needing to be replaced? He has been massive for us. Can't think of many I would have instead of him. Perhaps Big Nev, that's about it! COYB!!

Clearly Howard is above average within this group (i.e. higher than the median).

Why is this being discussed ???

On Fellaini's profile it says he's weakness is clumsiness and too many yellow cards. I believe you can erase the word "clumsy" now.

What a minute!

Although I do recall a couple of fouls tonite where he kinda walks into the opponent — not exactly the slick calculated sliding precision of say... Tony Hibbert!!!

Amazing that Paul Traill marked him down on that score, and denied him MotM... I thought he was imperious.... whatever that means!!

Did you see Man U's kit ? Terrible, haha.

What a great night (5am start for me), just what we needed.

Ferguson may say that all we did was lump it to Fellaini (BBC), but surely when you are up against it as we were for the last 1/2 hour, you play to your strengths to bring others in. On the whole, I think the midfield contained them. Just hope we have a more attack minded approach against Villa on Saturday.

Distin was immense and I only hope the end of the game was a result of him running himself into the ground. Jags seemed to be carrying a knock as well, hopefully only cramp.

Nice one tonight.

A quote from another forum :

"Everton don't half love playing United do they? They were bloody outstanding. Keep that up and they'll be heading for the dizzying heights of Europe next season. If one club deserves that, then it has to be Everton."

Amen.

Great defensive performance as well.

Squad is still a bit thin so I hope he can get another couple in before the deadline.

Well done Davie Moyes- very eloquent in his Sky Interviews- I thought Phil did well in that regard too.

Fabulous night, just sorry I was not able to be there.

No chance. We would have sat on 1-0 from 20 minutes if we'd had the chance, despite being quite capable of putting more past them.

Excellent performance and although l was surprised and disappointed with the team selection it faded with the performance.

Well done to the players, and Moyes, but a special thanks to the supporters for making it great.

Remember we have our new Players we can now switch formation and God only knows if the new Ronaldo Kevin M gets a game I would pay the £500 or so it will cost me to get to the game just to see him lace some of the villa defenders....

I have never been so excited as I am right now (actually I have) but that was back in the 80`s... I think the scare factor plays its part in how well you do in a season and I think if Everton do well the first 4 games, people will be wondering whats going on and they will know we have found that magic formular we have been missing to get off to a good start... They may back off or just change their tactics to suit us....

That could make the difference in us qualifying for the Champions league instead of the Europa League... either way we could do very well out of a long run without defeat... We did it at the end of the season and right now it looks like it going to continue into the new season... I just hope Everton don't drop their game after such a big game against Utd....

O`h by the way listen to what Redknapp had to say before the game... More Humble pie Please!

http://www.skysports.com/video/inline/0,,16460_7999602,00.html

PS. I am over in Norway today, Bergen, remember them Brann Fc... Well its kinda depressing as The Man Utd, Liverpool, Arsenal supporters are walking around today with their heads held low, so much it looks like they have lost some money and they are moping around looking for it....

I just asked the Man Utd supporter at the hotel if they sell Humble pie! He said he didnt know what type of pie that was! I said What? Liverpool supporters eat it all the time, I told him its a kinda Chocolate cake with crumble on the outside and words in the middle and you usually eat it after the football game... He said " ooh that sound really nice, did you hear Utd lost to Everton Last night? I could have done with some of that cake after that game" ha ha ha

Well done Everton, This just might be our year!

Fantastic performance...(I know I'm saying it again...but I'm allowed).

In 2012 we've beaten Man City, Spurs, Chelski, Newcastle and Manchester United at home.... so everyone but Arsenal from the top six. Has anyone in the league a better record in the calender year against the top teams?

Also, we had 16 shots last season, not including those blocked...pretty amazing going against Manchester United.

Give it a bloody rest and have some grace will you..

Whenever we play crap you're in with the excuses about us not having money, Moyes hands tied...blah, blah, blah..

But whenever we produce a display like this you're in with the big "I told you so, I'm so clever"...

Desist.

I don't know if you were at Goodison last night but you must have been watching a different game to the one I watched. Moyes tactics were spot on and all this nonsense you spout about keep it tight and nick a goal is quite frankly bollocks. We completely dominated the game from start to finish, with good open attacking foootball, I believe even Gary Neville said Everton were far the better side and deserved to win. So for you to post such churlish comments about Moyes tactics maybe says more about your lack of knowledge of the game.

Thankfully most of the posters on here think your ideas on last nights game were simply wrong, maybe you need to watch the game rather than let your bias against Moyes colour the real picture

The point that you won't acknowledge is that his team immediately retreated from a dominant position after scoring the first goal.

His tactics were spot on because we won and there is no dispute about who deserved to win this game. On another night it doesn't work out that way and a team that we totally own escapes with a point or more.

1. When we don't win
2. When we do win
3. Even when we're not 'keeping it tight and nicking one'

We won, be happy, sooner or later we'll lose and if your wont is to moan & criticise, do it then.

I think it's partly a psychological thing with the players, to do with confidence. Maybe we need a bit of brain training for the lads!

Apart from which, don't rule out the fact that when Man U go behind they redouble their efforts to score and get back on level terms. It's what any team does, isn't it, but it's more obvious if it's one of the top sides. We do it - iour opponents score then we think: "Hold on, we're not having that, let's up our game and grab an equaliser".

Why didn't last night matter?

Surprised Jonny started on the bench, hope this doesn't mean he's off as I can't see him accepting being on the bench again for any length of time. Also surprised Naismith only came on at the death and subs were not done earlier when we were running out of steam. Only minor gripes, main thing is the win and the confidence this will generate in the team.

We now don't play another top side until the end of November so this is a great chance to push on and build a platform for the whole season. Villa next up and they look in transition at the moment so hopefully we will get a result there - not a happy hunting ground for us though.

So nice to finally open the season with a win having lost the first game in each of the last 4!

Nothing as unrealistic as total dominance/posession, it's about the attitude for the whole 90. At 1-0 the game is not necessarily won, yes that is how it worked out last night but what about the next time?

We do need to work on that part of the game though, and performances against Sunderland, Fulham and Newcastle at the end of last season suggested that we were. I think tiredness played a part last night, and as I keep going on about, the lack of depth on the bench. We were playing a team last night who brought on Ashley Young and RVP, and City can do similar things. Chelski will typically beable to bring the likes of Sturridge, Oscar and Moses on soon enough, and Arsenal will be able to call on Gervinho, Oxlade, Rosicky etc etc. And Liverpool, who are tbf pretty shit, still can bring in players costing tens of millions off the bench. If we have any hope of getting into the top six, or perhaps even better, we have to improve our squad with a couple of talented players. Because Pienarr will get injured, and Jelavic will get injured for parts of the season, and when they do, we need to be-able to bring people in who can adaquately replace them.

The next 10 days will be crucial. We have a very good starting eleven, and if we can bring in a couple of good players, we are going to be in a very decent position heading into September. There are a few bloated squads in this league, and I think there's an opportunity to maybe put in a loan bid for a Manchester United, Arsenal or Chelski player, and pick up someone else from the Championship.

Why don't we put aside the analysis until another day (says he having just done some analysis) and take the opportunity for today to revel in the sheer delight of it all!

Personally, I didn’t see the ‘Keep-it-tight-and-try-nick-one’ mentality. We were at them from the start. I would’ve thought anyone watching would’ve seen De Gea had kept United in it by half-time with saves from Osman and Baines, not to mention Felli hitting the bar and then shooting when he should’ve squared it to Pienaar, Jelavic just being forced too wide by an Osman pass after a free-flowing one touch move, Pienaar lashing one high and wide when a ball dropped nicely to him in the box, and countless dangerous crosses and corners.

My fear at half-time was we never got the goal our play deserved, and we wouldn’t be able to create as many chances in the second half. Surely United would come on stronger. But no, we started the same. Ossie crashing one against the bar moments before Felli gave us the lead. I think the commentator at the time exclaimed "No-one can say it hasn’t been coming", or words to that effect. Yet, some on here will have you believe Moyes sent us out to keep it tight and try nick one.

Then came the last 20 minutes, Yes, we tired. Yes, we became poor in possession. Yes, we sat back... and yes, we hung on. But there were mitigating circumstances – it is the opening match and we played with an intensity that was always going to see us tire, we were playing the Champions elect, a team that were 10 seconds away from coming to Goodison as defending champions, a team that will have more possession than their opposition in the vast vast majority of their games this season, and a team that had the luxury of bringing on last year's Footballer of the Year.

But I guess had we have not tried to keep it tight we might just have beaten them 6-1 á la City. Then all we would have to complain about would be the goal we conceded and ask ourselves what all those defensive coaches do in training.

Put it down to tired legs, first game of the season, the quality of the opposition (ignoring how we battered this fantastic collection of players for an hour) if you like but David Moyes has previous.

DId they really raise their game? They brought on RVP, who was patently not match ready and continued to look toothless.

It's irrelevant whether we would have won 6-1 or 1-0 if we had continued to attack them, it is not about last night it's about the season ahead and the points we will lose by trying to defend a one goal lead.

I was impressed with the players attitude (for a hour), they had a go at Utd from the off which is all I've been asking for. The problem for me was the formation: Neville and Gibson were never going to venture too far forward which meant we weren't able to capitalise on our dominance, at times we didn't have enough bodies in their box.

That said, it was only one match and it was Utd so I can forgive Moyes for not playing an attacking formation and for the last half a hour. The real test for me is when the lesser teams come to Goodison, we need to be set up to score goals against the likes of Norwich, Fulham etc.

Absolutely agree with what you say, I think sometimes the fans forget how much effort the players put into that game and yes they deservedly tired towards the end. Yes United came on strong in the last 20 minutes but you would expect a team with their resources to do that.

Defending is just as important as attacking, and when you don't have the ball especially against the very best you have to defend well otherwise all your good attacking work goes down the drain. So while Fellaini was the outstanding player on the park Jagielka, Distin and Hibbert were not far behind.

Fantastic result and a great start to the season, there were very promising signs in that display last night.

I agree almost completely with your post but the only reason the RS can bring on players off the bench costing tens of millions is because the scumbags overpaid for crap in the first place.

I'm sure we'd all take our pride, passion and spirit over their "star"-studded, pony-tailed, con-the-ref, flash-the-cash approach any day of the week.

Regarding last night, I can't see how anybody can criticize the strategy or tactics. As Jim highlights, we were tired after a brilliant effort and hung on. And Man Utd had to press and go for it. The only stat that matters is 1-0 to the Mighty Blues.

Team spirit - priceless.

Fellaini produced a masterclass of football to give us the lead and then the defence took over to produce a masterclass of defending which is very much part of football.

Fellaini got Man of the match but Hibbo, Jags and Distin on another day could have walked it.

I think a mention should go to Gibson also. The bloke is a beast and could become a fantastic player for us. Loved him singing 'Grand old team' at the end.

A great performance from every player.

Just enjoy the victory, there will no doubt be plenty of other games for the moaners to slag off Moyes , Ossie and Hibbertt.

Great game, great atmosphere and managed to get a fresh, cold pint of Chang at half time too. Just need the chilli chicken pies to come back now.

Paul @ 016, if our formation was as defensive as you suggest, we wouldn't have managed to create as many chances as we did. Also, in your view what did you take from Man United's formation? Offensive? Defensive? Because they created very little in my eyes.

If it's a bad morning to be an Everton fan I can't imagine how the Mancs feel. I do agree our test will be when lesser teams come and defend and we are expected to break them down. (Although your Fulham example isn't the best — don't we slaughter them every year?!)

I think you'll find them at QPR now - although obviously they mainly be on the reserve menu. West Ham have put their eel pies on the market, and the word is that we're interested. Don't fancy them myself.

Good point, well made.
I love Toffeeweb but we definitely have our fair share of Dad's Army Frasers on here: "We're doomed!"

For crying out loud, we just stuffed the Man Utd, a team who have gained more Premier League points from us than any other.

Enjoy.

Yes, I am criticizing a default park the bus mode when we take the lead. So what?

Rubbish.

One, I don't think we're ignoring how we battered them, as you say, for the first hour - that's the very point being made about tired legs - because we put so much into that first hour.

Two, any DM "previous" is, well, previous. What happened last night was, well, what happened last night.

Let's face it , mate, you're almost on your own on this one - just look at all the posts against you. And you know you've lost the argument when all you can finish on is saying "Mike Hughes, Rubbish".

I would finish there if I were you mate - when in a hole, stop digging.

Dont want to get into "i don't know what game you were watching"
But if you believe we totally dominated the game from start to finish you may want to look at tapes of the game.

Please tell me where I said "I told you so, I'm so clever". I said nothing of the sort. I did call out the outrageous venom that was being spewed before kickoff at Moyes, Hibbert, Osman, Neville and Jagielka. It was pathetic, regardless of the result, and I said so while it was going on. And you must be confusing me with somebody else because I've never held Moyes in some infallible light. I just don't hate him the way many on this site do.

Plus maybe 1-2 more to come in. What a turnaround from our traditional close season activity! Roll on the rest of the season.

"Question is, if he continues to play there then who is going take that central midfield spot alongside Gibson".

Answer is Charlie Adam.

Watched a pretty good stream online and the old place did come across well and the filming of the exuberant fans well, it was great. There appeared to be a spirit of yesteryear about it The Bayern night in 85 for example.

One small criticism about the kit though. The long sleeve jobbees are ok but the short sleeved ones look daft. They look like the Tommys in the war wearing two oversized injury bandages on their arms.

To finish on a positive note I like the blue stripe on the shorts as one of the fellows mentioned above. Anyways they'll all be in long sleeves soon enough. Well done Everton a solid, never say die performance

My criticism is of the tactics for the last half hour last night, which we have seen before. My point, which GJ is having difficulty grasping, is that those tactics do a disservice to a team who have shown that have enough quality not to park the bus and if those tactics are unnecessarily applied in the future (not an unreasonable assumption when based on past evidence, what else do we have?) it will cost us.

Ross #063. Sorry, mate, went off on a bad one there. Permission granted!

Then came the last 20 minutes, Yes, we tired. Yes, we became poor in possession. Yes, we sat back... and yes, we hung on. But there were mitigating circumstances – it is the opening match and we played with an intensity that was always going to see us tire, we were playing the Champions elect, a team that were 10 seconds away from coming to Goodison as defending champions, a team that will have more possession than their opposition in the vast vast majority of their games this season, and a team that had the luxury of bringing on last year's Footballer of the Year.

Where we also differ is you wish to argue on lost points from future games due to future tactical failures. There is a distinct possibilty you may be right, but lets not lambast Moyes on a probability, and wait and see what happens instead.

Yes I probably did get a little carried away saying we dominated for the whole game. I have watched it again and United really had a good 23 minutes at the end. But I am just a little disappointed to hear some fans having a go at Moyes tactics, this was far from a team nicking a goal and hanging on.

They had an awesome attacking staff – 11 quality attacking players were on show, with only 2 real defenders on the pitch for them. what tactic did people expect? For us to carry on attacking and leave gaps to be picked off? It was the right tactic, and I think we looked pretty solid given what they threw at us with limited success.

Moyes 1, Ferguson 0

Moyes was bang on the money playing Fellaini up front. They were lucky to have had Vidic back as I suspect Ferdinand would have been humiliated based on that performance. For those overseas fans, the place was absolutely rocking, a bear pit, a real 12th man. I just hope the TV picked that up.

What boggles my mind is the argument that "we weren't playing kitap1" because we could have been up 3-0 at half time". Now, I appreciate that we did attack, and I think with the few new faces and Maro's improvement, we can contue to do so. But the fact that we didn't nick one in the first half means you can't argue either side of the kitap1 debate. IF we'd scored early we may half shut up shop like we did at City 18 months ago, we may not have as well.

The weekend's game will give a good indicator. Full house againt a Villa side that is truly aweful. We need to carry it over.

Finally, to those getting up in arms against the minority of the MoB on this thread I have this to say - in as much as a loss doesn't change your opinion of him, nor does a win change ours. Accept it, and maybe we can all get along.

2.5 minutes. 4 crosses. 2 corners, 1 good chance and a repeat of our goal.

Were you at the match last night? The body sweat from both sets of players could be clearly sensed fom my seat, and I could see legs sagging on both sides. Fellaini and Pienaar left nothing on the pitch, they went off drained as you and I possibly never will be.

Yes, we knew that Moyes would defend a one goal lead. But they were as knackered as we were, having had people like Fellaini and Gibson dictating the play.

If we surrender to the Boltons of this world, I'll agree with you. But the end of last night looked more like two heavyweights, dead on their feet, trying to take a swing at each other. Totally commited, nothing left.

I put that one down in a concise list of Goodison nights to remember - games actually, despite my many decades.

Just have to say, Tim Howard has been one of the most consistant keepers in the Prem for the last 5 years. Stats pretty much back this up.

Also has some nice statistical analysis of Fellaini's performance, and his linking up with Baines & Pienaar.

Fuel for the debate!

http://www.zonalmarking.net/2012/08/21/everton-1-0-manchester-united-fellaini/#more-9008

(apologies if this has been posted before)

I sometimes wonder how it works with handing in the team sheet at 2.30. DM must be guessing how the other team will line up. What happens if he guesses wrong? For example, most people thought RVP would start, and maybe that would have changed how we set ourselves out - even who was in our team. Likewise, SAF probably guessed (as most of us did) that Naismith would start. Odd to think that the course of the game can hang on this type of managerial second guessing in terms of team selection!

Still intrigued by the team sheet scenario I outlined. I'd love to be a fly on the dressing room wall when our opponents team sheet reaches us! Who knows, maybe Neville was picked precisely to man-mark RVP?