We really need to be up for these routine home games and I'm afraid we wasn't today.

Our players need a good bollocking from Bobby.

Sorry to be so negative but I believe Martinez has set the marker much higher than the shite we served up today.

Deulofeu has done his hamstring so we won't see him for 4-8 weeks.

No new things learnt, just a re-inforcement of things we (mostly) know: we need defensive midfield back up because Ross is only half the player there compared to his advanced position; the passing out from the back can get very scary when teams press us and we lack a bit of confidence; Seamus gets in some great positions but needs to learn how to cross the ball; we still don't seem to have found a way to feed Lukaku and he in turn is far worse holding the ball up than he should be; Howard doesn't command his 6 yard box very well.

That said, I don't think we should overact about a poor second half any more than we should get ahead of ourselves over a few very good performances. And we have closed the gap on the leaders to just 4 points!

I thought that game highlighted Osman’s abilities and frailties quite clearly. Superb technique on the edge of the box to get us the lead, but was too easily barged off the ball at other times. His general play was pretty decent though.

Barkley was excellent, as were all our defenders, especially the full backs. Bit disappointed with Lukaku though and I was expecting Jelly to make an appearance for the last 10 or 15 minutes.

Shame to see Deulofeu go off; we’ll certainly miss his abilities. Hopefully he’ll not be out too long.

"Great movement from Everton, and a great spirit. That's what they've got to display if they want to get into the Champions League. A word for David Moyes here though - he has left those players and the systems in place for Roberto Martinez."

The mark of a great side is one that takes their chances when not at their best, and we did that.

Thank God for Barry who never stopped running and put 100% effort into It and very unlucky to have a penalty awarded against him. Ross and Coleman were good as usual... just the midfield that lacked drive and pace; Osman I'm afraid was to blame. He plays a bit like a schoolboy running after the ball.

I can't complain about the final score and we do seem to get the points these days; under Moyes, he would have put defenders on and tried to hold it to 1-0 and ended up with a draw.

Well done, Robbie; onwards and upwards! COYB

The Keown quote is pure bollocks. What about the Championship winning team that Ferguson left that Moyes has turned into a bag of shite? No mention of that. And what about Lukaku, Barry, Deulofeu and a totally different playing system? Moyes may have been a shrewd buyer but there is no doubt that Martinez has transformed the whole team. To give Moyes the credit for it is ridiculous and shows what a fucking idiot Keown is. He doesn't like us by the way, I know that for a fact but can't be arsed explaining.

Roll on the blue boys!

As for Keown, he is very wrong about us playing OFM's systems with OFM's players. It just shows how much of an eye he has kept on Everton this season, lazy punditry! However, he did say that Everton could top the league based on our consistency and the inconsistency of other teams around us.

Also, 1 defeat in 16 games, in 4th place, above the Shite, and only 4pts behind Arsenal. We have the joint best defensive record in the prem, only Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea and the Shite have scored more goals than us.

Pleased we are in the top 4 and looking down on the Shite and Spurs, even if it is only for 24 hours.

Ossie took his goal beautifully, by the way......

I am more supportive of Moyes' record here than some on here, but you're right, that comment did make me smile, if systems means playing style. We've had one of the more dramatic changes in tactics that I've seen anywhere.

At times, our football promised to scintillate again but things weren't quite working and we all hoped it would just be a matter of time... instead, some of the passing simply got worse to the point of being horrific, and we came awfully close to going behind.

I just cannot understand this need to sweep things under the carpet while focusing only on 'the positives'. What exactly does that achieve? Getting better means recognizing the mistakes being made and taking steps to reduce them. I very much hope this is part of the plan going forward!

Ray Wilkins was the same excusing Moyes left right and centre on the radio in the week it's just ridiculously self serving you could almost hear him printing his cv off as he grovelled.

When Utd wise up he'll be forgotten as he returns north to manage Falkirk, the fact Moyes couldn't get this form out of these players drifts through their empty skulls like mist over a becalmed sea.

Just surprised at how people are so obsessed with Moyes that they find a reason to mention him in every post.

Fuck him, he has his own worries!

I'm sure privately RM will have a few harsh words with a few of his players, but equally he will be pleased that they managed to up the tempo and get the win. It's a shame for Del Boy, but unless he learns to look up and find a cross or pick a pass, I can't really see him being the top star, many think that he will become.

Good 3 points, but plenty of areas to work on in the coming week, which is a good sign, because if the team can attain the heights that they are capable of in the majority of remaining games we could have a very special season.

Absolutely, second half they were right in there. Scott Parker was all set to sign for us before he went to Newcastle (to win things and get $80k a week from Souness) but he is still one of the most honest hard-working guys in the game.

Phil 392 I completely agree with you regarding the obsession of some about non-blues problems, bizarre. Why they are bothered beats me.

Sad about our young Spanish maestro getting injured, any news at all about how long he's going to be out? Unfortunate, just as he was adapting to the rigours of the Prem, and settling into the side.

Whilst the tactical battle will tell us who is top dog, I do think we have the better players.

If I'm honest I'm not worried at all about that blip. I think Martinez has enough about him that he realises that taking our foot off the pedal when 1 up is not something he should tolerate. We should remember this is very much a work in progress for him; he's had a short period in which to put his mark on the side and limited opportunity to assess our squad and bring his own players in.

4-1, another win, 4th in the table after 16 games, 4 points off the top spot and there are no complaints from me. I think he's doing a first class job.

On top of that pressure we were without the best defensive midfielder in the prem at the moment and had to replace him with Osman which meant we would have to change our game fundamentally.

It did go that way for a while but in the end the end class came to the fore and when it came to taking chances we did and that is what the game is all about. Nobody can play blinding footy every game but winning teams always win when they are not at their best and that is what we are beginning to do.

If that had been the shite or manure beating Fulham today it would have been described as as a masterclass in how to trounce teams even when you don't play well. Because it's us I have already heard it described by a Sky pundit as flattering..

Well....fuck 'em...it was 4-1 and I'll take that thank you very much!

But now the title, surely not?

Distin?! A truly horrible game from him!

Barry is our new Peter Reid, simple passes, but just brings a calming influence to the whole side. So many misplaced passes from others, but it's unfair to single anyone out after another 4 goal haul at home, leave that to the Mancs.

No dressing this one up, we were very average, but the individual talent in this side can step up another gear when required.

Happy tonight when I look at the table. I know it's probably been near to a generation since we have been 4 points off the top of the table at this time of year. Hopefully that will put things into a little bit of perspective!

We could be top by the new year!

Put simply, too many of them weren't concentrating and one or two seemed to get (for want of a better word) 'bored' keeping the ball.

Too often balls were unthinkingly played to...nobody and Howard gave it the welly (ie; gave away possession) far too often for my liking when he could have just rolled or passed it out.

That said, an off day that brings a 4-1 win (and me my second correct score winning bet in two games) I can live with.

And as bad as things got at times, there WAS some very good stuff played over the 90 mins.

I think they have shown they have the ability/skill to play a fast passing and pressing game but they really need to work on their concentration - that for me was the problem today.

As for their pen, looked soft from where I was but that was at the other end of the park (was it a pen?)

Thought Barry and Coleman were excellent, Howard again came up with the goods when needed, just a shame about Deulofeu.

I thought Coleman was superb. His level of performance is very impressive in recent times. My MOTM again. A secure right back for many years ahead. Brilliant.

We can only become the 'best team in the land' by performing well in most matches.

(don't think that's what happened today but...)

Loving this ten-year-old on 606 right now aguero is better than sewer-rat coz he doesn't bite people!!!!

Jesus, the creepy voice on the bloke on 606 right now, chilling, flesh dripping .....

I thought Darren Fletcher's point that RM hasn't had to touch the defence (apart from passing the ball out from the back) in terms of personnel, allowing him to focus on midfield and attack, was a fair one though.

Great result today. Really need some squad bolstering in Jan with injuries beginning to bite.

A shocking decision for the penalty actually showed us how the team reacts to adversity with a pulsating last 20 minutes. The fans responded as well as the team and the directness and pace introduced to our play put Fulham to the sword.

Agree not the purist game of football from us today, but when it really mattered the team showed real class and determination to get the job done.

Some of our passing was dreadful today. Maybe a degree of over-confidence, but hell, what a great problem that is. We also played some excellent football, particularly in the first half. And once we were pulled back to 1-1 there was great composure, and overall we were well worth 3 points.

To me, December 2013 is starting to have the feel of December 1986, when we had several home games and just knew that, no matter what, we would come out on top.

And let's not worry too much about external pressure, the media, Keown. As we establish ourselves as genuine contenders we will be subjected to all kinds of nonsense, from transfer rumours to stories trying to dish out dirt to Mourinho winding up Lukaku. It will be a sign that we are feared, and should be relished as a great compliment.

Shame about Del Boy; I said that things were going too well, we'll miss him of course but he promises a lot in some matches but doesn't deliver. I wouldn't start him in games because he's a passenger when were defending, he also drives Lukaku mad because he never gets a decent pass off him!

I thought Barkley looked class today, he made a few duff passes of course, but what a player he will become. Not bad though is it when you can be off colour and win 4-1 and go 4th in table!

Great that we won 4-1 but, as even Martinez stated, the score flattered us. It's fantastic that we are where we are and Martinez has exceeded my expectations so far – long may it continue. But criticism of the play today is totally OK as far as I'm concerned.

To be fair, I did say in pre-season that I was more bothered about getting wins than eye-pleasing possession play and glorious defeat. So, all in all, I'm very happy tonight. 4-1 without Lukaku scoring or contributing too much was nice.

Hopefully another "Singing The Blues" weekend in store.

Inside the ground, the stewards were particularly protective of the youngster, as were the supporters in the Main Stand concourse. And at the end of the match, the "Bring me Sunshine" message was genuine good fun. I have slated the club in the past for its treatment of its customers, but today I was very impressed.

I think during the Christmas period RM will be looking to make changes to keep the squad fresh, as he knows better than all of us who needs a rest as the games come thick and fast.

3 games in 10 days with our squad has got to take something out of the players, and they put good shifts in against the Mancs and Arsenal.

Also,I agree we should analyze and criticise performances, but I think today is a game were we could probably hold back.

At times (once or twice in the 1st half and more in the 2nd half) Fulham looked more composed in possession than us, especially when Jagielka and Ossie were playing deep in our half. We didn't pass as well today as we have been doing. In fact some of our play was reminiscent of our first few attempts to try and play the way Roberto wants us to.

I think today we just got a bit complacent and just expected our passes to act like guided missiles and go straight to there target. I think that this caused a bit of a loss of confidence in some of our players. What was working brilliantly for the past month or more; didn't quite come off.

Fulham, to their credit, made a good fist of trying to get in our faces and also play us at our own game. This will be a good lesson for the lads and I'm certain Roberto will be telling them a few home truths over the next few days.

My belief is though, that he will do it in such a way, that the lads will not be feeling like they've been told off by the Headmaster. They'll come out of this even more determined to keep their concentration at all times.

What was brilliant today was, even though passes were going frustratingly amiss, the team kept at it and in the end, showed great spirit to overcome a very decent hardworking side.

I think Michael, that to accentuate the positive is a good thing. I've no doubt that Martinez will be utterly realistic but he always seems to get his point over in a positive way.

If you mean that we ought to take a dash of realism about where we are, in terms of challenging for a top 4 place, them I'm with you.

I felt Deulofeu should have come off earlier, he wasn't quite at his best, hopefully he's not kept out too long by the hamstring he's picked up. How times have changed under Martinez, Everton can be below par and yet still pick up 3 points, this game under Moyes would no doubt have been drawn.

ps:- How long did it take those chaps to get the stretcher on? By the time they got to Deulofeu, with the urgency from the crowd, it seemed that they were the ones that needed a lie on it.

There were times when we showed our class with slick passing moves and threatened but there was no consistency and once Fulham realised we were wobbly without our CM partnership they exploited it and gave us some scares but to be honest, when we lose a goal these days, it seems like we can go on and score another; that's the belief RM has drilled into the team.

McCarthy has to come straight back in and the only place I can see where Osman would be useful is exactly where Ross plays and in this case, youth comes before experience. 4th place, less defeats than any other club, joint least clean sheets and definitely THE most improved side this season. Winning by 3 goals and not playing at full tilt is the sign of a top side. A run of winnable games and BK getting the bank card out on New Years Day!!! The skies are blue again

Not saying that there wasn't any sloppy or wasteful play, but from what I have just seen on Sky there was only one team that deserved to win and showed the most cohesion and skill for a significant majority of the game.

Expected to see some horror moments and defenders all at sea in possession or when under pressure from the opposition, whereas they looked very composed in what was shown. Sure, Fulham obviously stepped up and threatened at times but then again so did Stoke (who had a number of clear cut chances before we settled it) and yet according to most accounts we battered Stoke whereas people are making it sound like Fulham really ran us close.

All the highlights showed in terms of Fulham chances were a number of snap shots from outside the box, one of which led to a great chance off the rebound, and even the penalty was not from a massively threatening position (Kacaniklic was cute and made sure Barry couldn't avoid the contact).

Our passing was lovely at times and the defenders looked very comfortable on the ball most of the time (did someone really think that Distin was awful?). Lukaku looked lively and linked play well although nothing fell cleanly for him in the danger areas.

Are people being a little picky due to heightened expectations / improved standards or does 45 minutes of highlights simply not enough to give a balanced view?

But nevermind... when your luck's in, your luck's in: we win 4-1, even after a whole game of miss placed passes.

So if it's a case of play bad and still win, then considering the exertions of the last four games and given Fulham's new manager bounce back, not the end of the world.

Bad Point (apart from the woeful passing): Delboy's hammy; not what we needed, usually 5 or 6 weeks. Our lack of true game changers on the bench, just dropped from one to nil.

Good Point: It has to be said; last season we may not / would not have won this game, especially not 4-1.

I always listen to 606 via podcast and just heard your contribution. You did marvelously.

I also thought it was a fair point re the back 4. But then again the way we employ our back line - spreading the center backs and having Barry drop deep to the middle thus allowing the wingbacks to push much higher up the pitch - is radically different from our previous system.

In fact, the way we play is simply radically different. And that, as well as our current position and general good vibe, is down solely to Martinez and the way he sets our team up.

Great representation on a hell of a big medium Mark. Well done!