I'm surprised that new sites game Osman the man of the match, he was inspired as a sub, but the game would have been beyond Everton if it were not for Howard.

Watching the last 20 minutes of the game I realised how confident I felt, I did not believe Everton were going to lose or draw. I know it's flogging a dead horse but if Moyes was in charge of this game I can't help but feel after the game as 1-0 he'd have put all the players behind the ball and hold out for the 1-0, which would have inevitably ended in a draw or worse.

I have to admit I didn't think Martinez (Mar-tee-nez) was the correct choice, boy is my face red. He's so far been a fantastic appointment.

And that was never a penalty! The hand ball in the second half was though!

Great seeing Baines and Coleman up the flanks more today. With Barry and McCarthy doing the yeoman work, our threat up front, would love to see more and more Baines/Coleman involvement in the attack. Let's really give opponents something to worry about.

And that thru-ball Howard came out to smother at the top of the box, how was that fellow on-side? He looked to be a couple yards past the last man when the ball was played to him.

Also, well noted that "the Blues were looking a little ragged in the first quarter of an hour after the restart." That seems to be happening in just about every game.

Look at the recent "Talking Points" for example: "Do we need a new goalie"? I suspect RM has told Tim to check out that particular thread. He has, and by God it worked for us today.

No doubt he has had Leon Osman perusing the site lately. "The lads don't think you can cut it for 90 minutes any more, Leon. From now on, you're an impact sub." Seems to me it worked today!

Also, Roberto seems to have taken the hint that young Ross might be getting a little complacent. Well, he dealt with that today.

Now that it is obvious we have Roberto's ear, I think we should take advantage, So, RM, get Duffy back after Christmas and start slowly building the partnership with Stones that is our future defence.

If any one else has any ideas for RM let's hear them while we are on a roll!

Whether it's "allez allez allez au" or "allez allez allez oh", it's clearly a chant that starts in French and finishes in English, hence "Franco-English"... or Anglo-French, if you prefer.

As far as I know, the song started with Eintracht Frankfurt, was co-opted by Hibernian fans and has now been embraced by us with our version so no Spanish connection there.

I think it must have been your mention of the Spanish flag that steered Scott Robinson off-course towards the late Generalissimo.

What steered me off-course was two glasses of excellent rum... my only excuse for this nonsensical post.

Traditionally a Liverpool rhyme sung by school kids in Liverpool since the turn of the century, that's 1900s btw. Although its original reference is unclear, there is debate as to whether it's a reference to the Manchester Ship Canal, or as my mum, god bless her cotton socks, used to sing it to me referring the song to the Atlantic Ocean during the war. Either way, it's a stronger case for plagiarism than George Harrison ripping off My Sweet Lord..

Allez, Allez, Allez Oh
Allez, Allez, Allez Oh
We're Everton F.C
Roberto's Blue Army!

Great report L:yndon. The thing that is really impressing me is how we are shutting out games at the end, keeping the ball well and generally not giving the opposition any chances. Great use of the substitutes by Martinez again and oh to have Lukaku here permanently, he's only going to get better.

I think two things are interesting. Villa failed to register an effort on goal after 75 minutes when at 1-0. This a recurring theme.

And Villa complained their side “All too often our passes seem lazy, uncoordinated and nervous”. Again other non moneyed clubs are going to look at our place with a bit of envy.

This possession thing seems to be working. We are not merely hanging on at the moment like previously, whilst we seem to have the legs to hunt down if the ball is lost. Both are key to where we are.

The one thing that hasn't happened yet, is that we haven't put a team to the sword in the last 10 minutes, which I can see happening as the weaker sides clock up suspension, injury and fatigue.

COYB

Any association with the fascist oppressor General Franco who starved, murdered and terrorised in the region banning the catalan language to boot is akin to describing the Irish via Oliver Cromwell and the butchery of Drogheda!

Nonetheless great report, great win.

Wasn't the Spanish Inquisition where they actually gave people notice that they would be "calling"? I thought I read that somewhere.

Yes, loved Monty P and the Spanish Inquisition But my post was serious - i.e. that I did read (I think) that a "suspect" would be given a period of notice (now that is pythonesque!).

ps: I work all day and I sleep all night but I don't wear high heels (well on a weekday).

Villa ran out of ideas despite lots of the ball, then Bobby waved his magic wand. Perfection. Bish bosh bash and the game turned on its head.

Turning games like this around is surely a sign of a maturing manager? The team look like they're pulling for each other. I'm loving our ability to play football when we go ahead. I admired our former manager, but I'm starting to love waht Bobby is trying to do.

We are obviously going to lose games with this philosophy but it's more exciting and hopefully more successful than just waiting for something to happen. That's what Roberto's all about, his three main weapons are surprise and lack of fear.

What's the third Weapon?? 1. Surprise; 2. Lack of Fear; 3. ??

I'll add it for you: Structure.

Martinez keeps going on about getting to know players and partnerships and his canny substitutions appear to back this up. Whatever weaknesses we spot, he will be well ahead of us in seeking to put things right.

Thanks Christine.

The good ship sails on the alle alle ho.
The alle alle oh, the alle alle oh,
The good ship sails on the alle alle oh,
With Roberto's royal blue army.

Takes me back a bit.

So is our favourite Catalan as good at using his forces as we hope? The Pienaar example was just too good to be true, but the Ossie injection looked astute - I was happy to see him come on, in a forward position, couldn't do any harm at least. The rest we all know.

Spain - Catalunya? Yes, a definite difference, think England - Scotland. La Senyera, the Catalan flag, has four red stripes (fingers of blood) running down a gold background. But look out for la Estralada, same flag with a blue, yes blue, triangle containing a white star. Its the independence movement's banner.

And Mick@409 - thanks, got it.

In my opinion, he only made two "legitimate" saves in the game, but isn't this his job? When we were successful in the 80s we had the worlds best keeper; as was the case with Man Utd in the 90s. Great keepers don't get noticed if they have nothing to do so the proof is, successful teams need a good keeper, not a lucky one. Howard is a good shot stopper but other parts of his game leave room for improvement; with his new coach, I hope he can work on his weaknesses and overcome his aversion to crosses.

I have faith in the manager and the team and hope that – with or without luck – we can achieve something this season, and build on it.