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Mike Gaynes
1 Posted 01/12/2013 at 07:07:52

There's that word again... "sumptuous"... great way to describe this game.

Good point about the impact of the new breakaway speed... I would put Lukaku in that category as well, certainly our fastest forward since AJ. (Remember when our paciest player was Pienaar?) And I think that capability helps our defense as well... opponents are likely to be more cautious about committing players forward when they know they can get burned at the back.

Great observation also about Deulofeu's unwillingness to fall when fouled. I applaud him, although if the game had been 0-0 at the time of the breakaway I might be less sporting in my feelings.

David Ellis
2 Posted 01/12/2013 at 07:29:58

This was a joy to watch. Three points to add
1. We went with 3 at the back once Stones came on. It looked quite an attacking formation with Oviedo and Coleman effectively becoming wingers. Oviedo seems made for that particular role.
2. Stoke tried to press us as we passed it around the back - but all it seemed to do was create more space for our midfielders - as a result we were able to move the ball much more quickly than in previous matches. Not sure it that was down to errors by Stoke in their execution of the pressing game or increased comfort on the ball by the boys in blue. But rarely if ever did we get bogged down passing around the back.
3. Osman had a cracker as did Dela. Great to be able to rest Mirallas and Barkley and have confidence in them being replaced by match winners.

Ognjen Mojovic
3 Posted 01/12/2013 at 10:07:35

I think that one little mistake sneaked in article. That's the spelling of Begovic name. I think that it should be spelled "Asmir". Beside that it's good article! Let's smash United!

Tom Bowers
6 Posted 01/12/2013 at 12:27:07

This was an expected result after the great derby display and, after learning Huth wouldn't play, you knew the task would be made easier –and so it proved.

Sometimes there are crucial moments that swing games and usually scoring the first goal but scoring right on half-time really choked Stoke who arguably missed the best chance of the half thanks to Howard.

The team can now go to Old Trafford on a high knowing they have a real chance of a good result providing the defence comes up big especially on the set-pieces.

Richard Tarleton
7 Posted 01/12/2013 at 12:42:41

One of my rare trips to Goodison these days and Everton were excellent and could have scored more. But Stoke were poor and their midfield non-existant. That could have been because Everton were so good and Barry was immense, but Stoke, they weren't even dirty!

Paul Andrews
8 Posted 01/12/2013 at 13:01:25

Gareth Barry is the pivot that allows it all to work.
To keep him for next season is priority number one

Richard Tarleton
9 Posted 01/12/2013 at 13:06:28

Very much agree, Paul.The three best players were all here on loan and I think there's only Barry whom we would be able to sign long term.

Tom Bowers
10 Posted 01/12/2013 at 13:10:05

Why are some fans saying Osman had a cracker? They were not watching the game close enough.

Ossie came on strong in the last half-hour when Stoke were all over the place and that was about it. He was carried by Pienaar up until then and Pienaar had the "cracker".

Phil Friedman
11 Posted 01/12/2013 at 13:44:25

Another important fact about yesterday was we doubled our Goal Differential to +8. The race for the top four will continue to be tight, and it might come down to GD. The downside of leading the league in draws is it hurts the GD (in addition to all the dropped points).

Denis Richardson
12 Posted 01/12/2013 at 16:57:28

Maybe a minor point Tom, but I agree with you. Pienaar had an excellent game, 'cracker', not Osman.

The confusion may be down to the fact that Joe Royle mixed them up in the first half commentary and kept on praising Osman for stuff Pienaar did. Not bashing Osman here, just think Pienaar should get the recognition he deserves for having a great game and bossing the midfield.

Peter Mills
13 Posted 01/12/2013 at 17:40:09

How the hell do you mistake Pienaar for Osman?

Richard Tarleton
14 Posted 01/12/2013 at 18:27:13

They're about the same age, Peter!

Denis Richardson
16 Posted 01/12/2013 at 18:51:37

Peter - presume you mean the fact that they're both not white?

From afar they are both farly similar as they're roughly the same size. Only when the camera zooms in can you clearly see the difference.

Tbh, at times I had to wait to see the shirt number myself to be sure which was which, so can understand how big Joe could mix them up - some of the camera angles at Goodison are from pretty high up.

Andrew James
17 Posted 01/12/2013 at 19:08:27

On the Osman/Pienaar confusion, I've had that ever since the latter cut his hair. But then I have had the same problem with Naismith and McCarthy and, back in the day, with Cahill and Arteta (until they got the ball and moved as they had very different gait)

Raymond Fox
18 Posted 01/12/2013 at 19:12:23

Great description of the game, Lyndon. Most of our players are indeed in very good form and things are coming together nicely, also we will only get better as the season moves on.

As far as the next 2 matches go, I've been as bullish about Martinez as anyone, but I think we have our work cut out in the next 2 games. I'm not going all 'Moyes' on us, but I don't think we should get too disappointed if the results are not altogether favourable.

I watched the full game that Utd played today and was impressed, they're still a very good side, Rooney's on fire, he was everywhere. Arsenal are in a purple patch also, and while I'm hopeful, the two games are probably our two most difficult we've yet to play this season.

One thing I am confident about is that Roberto will have a good strategy for each game and the players will be as prepared as it's possible to be. Here's hoping.

Kieran Fitzgerald
19 Posted 01/12/2013 at 20:43:56

Raymond, I would be happy with two draws. What I am really looking to see us get out of the games is the likes of Oviedo and Delefeu not looking out of their depth, Martinez continueing to be brave with team selections and substitutions, and us taking the game to both Utd and Arsenal.

While I would be very pissed off to lose both games, I think seeing the above happen would bode well for the rest of the season.

Nick Armitage
20 Posted 01/12/2013 at 21:18:07

Paul Andrews - you are dead right in pointing out the difference that Barry has made to us. Not having anyone to combat Gerrard effectively has hamstrung us for years in derbies, Barry just got stuck into him from the kick off and never have I seen tennis ball head whinge so much in a derby - brilliant.

This next game is the one I want us to win more than any other this season. COYB.

Raymond Fox
21 Posted 01/12/2013 at 21:09:34

There 2 games Kieran where its very difficult to predict and I agree that 2pts is not too bad a return, I think I would take it!
Don't see us winning both, but neither 2 draws somehow, maybe 1 win and 1 loss?

I know RM will send us out to win both games which is the best approach, but I've not a clue how the games will pan out!

Bob Parrington
22 Posted 02/12/2013 at 06:26:57

Took me back to my teens in the sixties. I was smiling the whole way through as I watched with anticipation. Sumptuous is a great description.

Ian Burns
23 Posted 02/12/2013 at 12:08:43

Great report Lyndon, spot on. I read your report last evening (Sunday) but couldn't write then because I had too much gin and couldn't spell Deulofeu! - What a performance from this boy and I genuinely hope he plays on Wednesday.

Having said that, what a great selection problem RM has for this particular game. Deulofeu/Mirallas; Barkley (I presume he comes in?).

Can't wait, I will be on TW for certain.

Tom Dodds
24 Posted 02/12/2013 at 17:15:11

The thing we really need is for this board to flex their Financial muscles and try and buy one of them...Two hopes and their both flat No's.

Peter Mills
25 Posted 03/12/2013 at 05:45:50

No, I've never confused Pienaar/Osman. The old eyes must still be laser sharp. Just as they were at the far end of the Main Stand on Saturday when they thought Deulofeu had scored the third goal.

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