Arsenal picked apart by magnificent Everton

Six games left, it’s still going to be hard to get 4th but I think another 12 points does it.

BK needs give Roberto a new and improved contract pronto.
Make him an offer he cant refuse.

Also they need to parley and decide how much RM can be given to strengthen the team for next year.
More especially important if we do finish in a CL position, which although we have some tough games to play yet, I believe with the form we are displaying right now we could win them all and qualify no sweat!

Cant wait for the Utd game.

PHENOMENAL - we can now start to use that word without cringing.

Moyes signed Nais. Roberto made him a player again.

I couldn’t get to the match for all number of reasons so listened on the radio. I have to say that Stan Collymore now joins Ronnie Goodlass as one of only two football commentators who don’t irritate the crap out of me (Jimmy Case being top of that list). Despite being ex-rs, Collymore is actually pretty straight and does not appear to be up the "big 4"’s arse. He called Arteta a "snide" at one point for the elbow on Arteta and was waxing lyrical about us throughout the match.

A pity about our blip a few weeks ago because we’re not that far off challenging for the title never mind top 4.

Onwards and upwards, Blues.

(West Ham bent over at their place today but, despite that, nothing can spoil the Mighty Incredible Phenomenal Blues’ evening. Not even the sight of the obnoxious Gerrard’s face on the BBC website which instantly puts my blood pressure up. (How many refs do they bribe / con to get so many penalties?))

Brilliant post, mate, (as usual) but I think you mean Arteta’s elbow on Barkley.

The tragic thing though is that the better Lukaku plays the more his value goes up and the harder it is to keep him. The real issue for Everton now though is how to keep Barry and Lukaku who are essential for us for next season.

A big up to the board and even Kim Jong Bill who have been essential pieces in the jigsaw that has seen us reach heights that would have seen unimaginable last year.

The other question is: Can we keep Martinez? He must have put himself right in the market for any big job that comes along.

Who’s the cool lad casually supping a bottle of water ??

We all wanted a win today but few of us expected such an emphatic score-line or top drawer team performance and the only very minor criticism is that we stopped going for their throats to aid our Goal Difference even more but that is only a little moan.

I am struggling to remember the last time we made a good side like Arsenal look ordinary. Yes we have gotten our gutsy wins against those sorts of teams in the past but this was a ruthless, measured and confident display in which every single player played their part.

Oh how I wish there were only a couple of games to go. Six matches is still a long and gruelling number of games at this stage of the season, especially with the two Manchester sides to visit the old lady, but if Everton want that fourth spot they are going to have to replicate the attitude of today and be as ruthless going forward as they were in the first-half.

But we would all have settled for being in the race at this stage of the season and now it’s up to us as supporters to get right behind the lads in these next six fixtures which could have positive ramifications for the next few years.
COYB Keep it up boys.

Hopefully this will only increase their nosedive in form. Massive psychological boost for us.

Let’s not cock it up against the easier teams in our run in and then hammer the Manchester clubs when they visit. I don’t think we’ll need to win every game to get 4th as Arsenal will drop points.

Great performance today, one game at a time but on that performance, Everton should fear no one in the remaining games.

It’s so hard to pick out players when the team performs that well, but Coleman was sensational. His 30 yard run doing kick-ups. His drag back and nutmeg down the line. That boy is some player!

Stones and Distin. Sometimes it’s hard to tell who is the teenager and who is approaching 40. Stones with his incredible maturity and Distin still at his physical peak.

McCarthy and Barry. These two are perfect for one another. McCarthy is so driven. Him, Coleman and Baines must be right up there in terms of ground covered. They are non-stop. Barry is just class. So much time on the ball, even with an opponent up his arse.

Barkley. That is what we want to see from him! Driving at players but giving it easy when he has to. His decision making was spot on.

Naismith, Mirallas and Lukaku. All three worked their socks off and were rewarded with their goals/assists. Great to see Naismith in the middle where he looks like a very good player. The lad certainly knows where the goal is.

Why have I left out Baines and Howard? I really don’t know. Baines was great - I almost expect it to be honest. Howard made some top saves. He touched the Ox’s shot onto the bar, I’m told, which must have been some save because I thought he got nowhere near it!

McGeady came on and looked bright too. How good is it being 3-0 up and bringing on someone like McGeady?!?!? No more Heitinga coming on for a forward and clinging on for dear life.

Folks, I’m in dreamland. I’m knackered and I’m working at 7.00 in the morning...but tonight I’m forcing down a few beers and can’t bloody wait to watch it all over again on MOTD.

COYB

It seems we’ve found our early-to-mid season sparkle again. I think this is due to Martinez’s first-choice team all being fit again. Remember Barkley, Coleman, Baines, Deulofeu and Lukaku have all been out at some point with injury between December and February. Now during that period it was evident we were suffering and cruising through games, and it resulted in defeats to Liverpool, Chelsea and Spurs. However, these aren’t necessarily bad teams to lose against, particularly as they were all away from home, and we were still picking up points and ticking the scoreboard over in the other games. Now, 6 successive wins on the bounce, coupled with Arsenal’s usual "March Madness" has seen us daring to dream again. And given the performances in the last 3 games, I don’t think we are overachievers anymore. We deserve to be where we are.

Listening to talkSPORT on the way back, Collymore was waxing lyrical about us in equal measure to how bad Arsenal were, but by the sounds of it, we made them look bad. That is music to my as-of-yet-not-turned-30 ears, having grown up in a period where Arsenal really were our bogey team.

Can just imagine OFM saying he wants to get out of Goodison alive!!!

Great day to be at the old lady, Great day for Evertonians everywhere. Some superb performances out there today: Stones Majestic, Baines oozing class, Barkley looking like the player we all hoped he would be, Seamus was McGrainesque. Martinez tactically perfect...

But Steven Naismith?!? Who knew? Two months ago I wouldn’t have cared if he never got another game. but look at him now! Tireless, composed in front of goal, selfless and most important of all, intelligent. Naismith may not be the most technically gifted player on the books, but his movement off the ball and the positions he is taking up have been absolutely top draw recently. What a bonus he has been.

Plenty of brilliant moments in a fantastic game, but this was my best moment. Seamus Coleman, take a bow.

Proud Blue.

I have to say a big difference in our play is Stones. As much as I love Jags, him and Distin looked very uncomfortable at times with our passing out from the back whereas this kid is running the show. It’s frightening; that Olé spell half way through the second half was as good as anything..

"Be careful what we wish for"... eh? Hiccup.

A touch of arrogance at times which for me will demoralise Arsenal in the race for 4th.

Tactical genius to play Lukaku wide right.

Absolutely monstered the left back.

His celebration suggests he is running to Roberto saying you told me that would happen.

If Lukaku wants to go to Spurs I’ll eat my hat. Get ready to give Martinez a new contract in the summer Bill, this guy could build a dynasty here.

And do you know what, I felt we had another gear to go up to if we needed to.

This is title winning form. Maybe the title wont come this year but we’ll be definitely challenging for it in 12 months time.

COYB!!!

There are six, maybe seven players whose names could realistically be run up the pole for MOTM... which speaks to a superbly prepared team with a brilliant winner’s attitude.

So I’m going out of the box... my MOTM is Roberto Martinez.

How could this side have been more exquisitely set up, more focused, more confident than this one? Just as they were at Old Trafford when Oviedo won it, this was a team that took the pitch absolutely convinced of victory. It was clear all over the park? Early misses? No problem. Early injury? Forge right through it.

That’s the mark of a brilliant manager who has changed not only the mindset but the culture of this team. That’s Roberto.

Special mention also to Seamus, who gave us all that wonderful moment when he was seemingly boxed in by Cazorla... and with two lightning backheels and two quick steps, he left Cazorla standing alone with arms outstretched and palms up in absolute bewilderment.

Spectacular.

We went into a shopping center and I went looking for the loo of which I couldn’t find but to my joy of joys I did find the holy grail, a Sky salesman who supports Everton actually watching the game — absolutely brilliant. He became my best friend for the next 20 minutes. What a win so proud to be a Blue.

Honoured to be in my seat today, Whatever happens up until May, it’s days like these we’ll never forget.

Amen - that’s it in a nutshell for me, this is where we want to be.

Ha! — that badge-kissing wanker scored an OG, did the crowd give him any touch of hostility? I hope so. will find out in about an hour.

4th place is s till a long shot........... but Cheers to you Roberto, you and the guys give it your best.

Brent #446 LOL I’m going to play that clip from YouTube.

Its in our hands, we have the momentum to finish 4th. Our earlier season nightmares are coming back to haunt us in some ways as we should be comfortably out of sight by now, but our current form and attitude tells me that this could turn out to be a very special season indeed. Fair play RM, you have put a faltering season right back on course. Looking forward to see if we can make some big steps forward off the pitch in the summer.

First of all, we could argue the game could have been different if Osman never got injured but, from that moment Barkley entered the pitch, the Blues took over and Barkley alongside Barry was a massive part in us grabbing the 3 points. All players were MotM contenders but the way Barry and Barkley showed composure almost every time they touched the ball was just a joy to watch.

Arsenal knew they had more to think about with Barkley's energy and skill in tight areas and it showed in Flamini's game as he started to make rash tackles while Barry and McCarthy started to stifle Carzorla and Rosicky. The manager's tactic to keep Lukaku on the right was a smart move which paid in great results in the first half and seeing Naismith yet again look much more comfortable in his favoured role gave Arsenal a lot to think about.

Today, I felt an extra smug happy supporter as I have stressed for a while that Barkley should play deeper and today he showed he can match and outshine top players. Naismith also, disgracefully made a scapegoat for a long time when played out of position... and now look at the lad. He's a clever player and credit to Martinez for letting the lad play his game.

Onwards and upwards, Blues – we can beat anyone on our day and I trust Roberto very highly to bring us more results like that one today. Fantastic day.

He said on the long drive back that today was the first time since he started watching in 2002 that it was the first really big game he had watched that we hadn’t choked or bottled it. That we agreed is the Bobby affect, what a guy we have.

All players were worth at least 8 today. Really great atmosphere, the crowd were nervous but backed the team magnificently. Great day, actually looking forward to work tomorrow: I’m working in Hampstead and they are all Arsenal fans, so I’m sure they’ll be ecstatic to see my huge smug grin. It’s been a long time coming. Well in, Everton!

A crap Villa, am incredibly poor Newcastle, or a relegation threatened Fulham - take yer pick.

We bossed a title chasing Arsenal, that is what we need to make the comparison with.

That is all.

Apart from a few hiccups in some games against teams they should have hammered Everton have been great and could well have been in the title chase themselves instead of scrapping for fourth. Sadly, if they are to qualify for Champions league they may have to beat City which may in turn be a big favour for RS. Realistically anything can happen but the Gunners may have the easier fixtures.

RS may not lose another game this season as long as referees continue to favour them especially with all the penalties.

All the lads had an amazing day but I think Barry had another inspiring day. He broke up everything the Arse tried and his passing was inch-perfect. All we need now is six more performances like this and, Europe here we come.

I really hope fatigue doesn’t catch up with the team in the Crystal Palace and Man Utd games, as they won’t be much rest for the players in between.

Only one win away from beating Moyes’s best ever points tally and top 4 is looking more likely with every passing game. What a season! COYB!

Sheeds opened the scoring early on then added a second 20 mins later. Inchy put us 3-0 up on the stroke of half-time then Stevo and Sharpey competed the rout.

Most of us thought that was the best we’d played since 63 (my first season). Today was every bit as good ....if not better. Who will ever forget the ’Seamus Moments’ !!!

Can I just say how genuinely refreshing it is to read some of your comments today.

I’m assuming someone has hacked your account.

Significant to me was us taking the piss. Seamus enjoying himself, tricks coming out. And our response to a former favourite. We’re actually here to win things now. No friends, it’s strictly business. Who knew Baines had that in him?

I know you’ve had your reservations about Stones since he’s been started to have games this season. But I think he’s starting to look almost as secure as Jags. The plus is he has so much more confidence and ability ion bringing the ball out of defence, and in hitting a pass.

Got to say that’s got to be the best performance by an Everton side against one of the top four teams since the mid-80s. Sure, we’ve won games against top four teams with back to the wall 1-0 performances but we totally outplayed The Arse today.

I just hope we show the same levels of desire and longing in all our six remaining games.

That’s what I read into it as well. In which case, Roberto class again.

What a win! We OWNED the midfield. McCarthy, Barkley, Barry and Mirallas co-MOTM. We always looked the more likely to score. Except for a 10 minutes stretch at the start of the second half, Arsenal never had a sniff. An easy day for Tim.

And weren’t forever in the refs’ ear. No more nice guy shit. Bainsey having a go at Arteta made me laugh out loud! He wore the captains armband well.

It’s all to play for now!! Blue ’till I die!

He looked like the Leighton we all know and love. It was beautiful to see him bombing up the left side.

But it wasn’t his overall play that makes me think he deserves the MOTM nod.

It was getting up in Arteta’s grill that I reveled in.

"Um, no old friend. Stop your whining. It was your elbow up in young Ross’ face that warranted you being shoved to the ground. So quitcherbellyachin ya bitch and as long as I’m wearing the armband you won’t ever pull that shit against one of my Blue Brothers again."

THAT was magic for me.

RM now seems to have instilled calmness & a belief into this squad that we can go out & play against any team and get a result.

The forward formation of Lukaku, Naismith & Mirallas bamboozled Arsenal, they couldn’t live us in the first half, what can we say about the performances of Barkley, Stones, McCarthy, Coleman, and the elder statesmen of the team, Baines, Barry, Howard & Distin.

We saw something special today not seen for many many years at GP, make no mistake Arsenal have been top of the league this season.

My prediction for the remainder of the season is that we might only drop 2 points & that will be at home to City? I’m as negative as the next man when it comes to Everton (I am honest!!!) but today has convinced me that nobody wants to come up against us in our last 6 games, put it this way by the time Arsenal play their next league game we could be on 69 points (having played a game more); that will be a huge advantage and, judging by Arsenal having no bottle, we can do it.

I’ve convinced myself anyway!!!

But I also liked seeing Baines and Arteta talking it out and hugging after the game. Football should only trump friendship until the final whistle.

I can picture the two of them still debating it over a beer ten years from now.

BK says "God, if you’re gonna take me, take me now!"

Felt a bit the same, myself!!!

gregchelsea
Everton is not top 4 material. You should be scoring a minimum of 5 at home vs. Arsenal if you are a legitimate contender.

And yes, he was kidding.

To be dreaming of Champions League football into April is fantastic. It’s what we deserve as fans of this club, and is a testament to possibly the best pound for pound team in this division. I do not think we will get Champions League football, because our fixtures are too difficult, and Arsenal’s too easy. But if we win the next two, we will go clear of Arsenal before they play away to Hull. That will be their biggest test, because Hull have the capacity to worry Arsenal’s centrebacks and pull off a result, and so much pressure will be on Arsenal.

Well done Martinez, and well done the team. Lukaku, pushed out wide, deserves special praise, as does the hardworking Naismith who has proved many of us wrong playing in his preferred position. The defence was exceptional, and Howard did all that was asked of him. There was not a bad performance in the bunch. And most pleasing of all perhaps, was the potential of bringing on McGeady and Deulofeu, who have the capacity to change the game. We’ve never had this squad depth before, and any chance of us getting fourth will rely on the whole squad, not just the first 11. To think we were missing Pienaar, Jags, Traore, Kone, Oviedo and Gibson today as well, all of whom would be involved with the playing squad. It says alot about our depth, which has never been there before, even if it partly relies on some loan acquisitions.

Well done Martinez.

Also the decision to go with what was effectively a front 3 was pure genius on Bobby’s part. Arsenal just had no idea how to cope when they were expecting to be playing against Lukaku up top on his own.

4th is in our hands now and you can bet your arse that the players are now starting to believe. I wasn’t just that we beat our rivals for 4th today. We embarrassed them. That glorious 10 minute spell in the 2nd half where we were playing with some proper arrogance was a sight to behold. We were taking the piss out of Arsenal and there was nothing they could do about it.

Today’s result was my fourth favourite performance (I wasn’t at the match today so that may have an impact) since my first match in 1976.

1. 3-0 win over rs (’06) - stitch that you filthy scum.
2. 3-1 Bayern Munich (’85) - revenge for WW1 and WW2.
3. 4-1 Sunderland (’85) - we were a well-oiled machine that day.

Can’t comment on the 5-0 Man Utd match as was working in the Middle East and there was a TV blackout.

Phil 539, if money isn’t an issue, there is no doubt Lukaku will stay with us. If only our loan had been a loan-to-permanent deal.

Harold 479, don’t see a difference between Jags and Stones given the formation and responsibilities. In fact, might even suit Stones more based on the style we play now. Still, see where you’re coming from and experience does help a lot in crunch time.

’And on the outside full of running is the blue boys, the red Londoners are staggering over the last fence, here he comes now on the bridle with Martinez smiling as as he passes the French filly........

I don’t really get this Jags vs. Stones debate though. For me, given Distin’s age, it would seem these two will be our first choice centre back pairing for years to come. I think this is what Roberto will be working on over the summer.

What a season to be an Evertonian!

On another day that could be the difference to one or three points.

Best performance for a long time by Everton today and on that performance it’s in our own hands and should fear no one.

I had my doubts about Martinez, but he is definitely technically astute with a good idea for detail – with no amount of flair. 6 more games – would 12 points be enough?

Watch for Cazorla’s reaction, it’s the body language of a man who’s thinking "WTF just happened and since when did Lionel Messi play for Everton?"

I’m not sure our club captain will be walking back into this team when he’s 100% fit.

Never seen the game but my little boy was there with his uncle - that’s all that matters, and a game he will never forget.

Thank you Roberto......................

But so does Jags test our nerves in other ways, bringing the ball out of defence, and those "passes"!

As Jamie #616 says, 6 game winning streak with Stones.

What a dilemma, though! And Alcaraz can’t get a game!

Second client is a bit of a hike, I wasn’t planning on heading there but the CEO has a box at the Emirates so I’m making a special diversion. Great day yesterday, not even the M6 southbound, my dad’s cooking, or Stevie Fucking Gerrard could spoil it.

The Goodison ROAR was brilliant – I love it when it’s like that. There is no reason we can not go on and win the remaining games. Looking forward to Man Utd coming to see how they cope with the Goodison ROAR.

Those players yesterday totally dismantled and outplayed a team they are often patronisingly dismissed as being a less effective version of. For the first time since the days of HK Mk 1, there was a sheer focus about the team, more honed than simple grit and determination. There was palpable hunger pulsing through the veins of those in Blue and a reluctance to back down, typified by Barkley being prepared to put an ex-teammate on his arse and Baines (stepping up like a proper captain) telling the snide Spaniard to shut it, stop the squealing, and give Susan Boyle her fucking eyebrows back.

As for the manager? Which of his detractors would dare now to complain about his supposed ’tactical naïveté’ and inability to switch things up to suit the opposition? Starting Lukaku out on the right with Naismith through the middle was a master stroke and totally blindsided Wenger, pissing all over his defensive game plan to leave him looking more like Mr Garrison off South Park than ’Le Professor’. He knew it too.

In his post-match interview, the poor sod looked totally shell-shocked and seemed devoid of any fight or belief they would soon put things right. If that is symptomatic of the mindset amongst his squad, then I don’t think their supposedly simple run-in is going to go as smoothly as some pundits suggest.

A great day, especially as the program had pictures of Bobby Collins playing in Catterick’s first game, a game I remember vividly as, like many Everton fans of that time, I was very upset that Carey had been sacked.

I am sure if you had said to any Evertonian 4 months ago that we would be in this position, most would have applauded your faith and probably doubted your football knowledge. Then, add the fact that we have been without our captain and Pienaar for a number of games, it makes it even more remarkable.

I would have made Naismith MotM but can well understand why there have been many names put forward; for me, he is a natural centre-forward and makes the runs that others don’t. The team and fans now believe they can achieve 4th and momentum at this time of the season is vital, because this brilliant manager has given us all the right to dream.

Class, hilariously true – giggling away like an idiot here in the office!

I’ve been studying the remaining fixtures. Trying to be neutral about it. We have one more game. Some might say "well there is more chance of us effing it up with that fixture pile up". However, I’m going to go with our manager’s positive way of thinking (glass half-full and all that...).

Having one more game is a wonderful opportunity for us to pick up more points than Arsenal. They have 5 games and 15 points to play for. We have 6 games and 18 points to play for. They have the FA Cup to think about. We have 4th place to think about.

I have it that they will win 3 and draw 2 = 11 pts Therefore, we would need 12 pts and a better goal difference. 3 wins and 3 draws. 4 wins and 2 loses.

For the record, I have;

Sunderland (A) = Win (a hard fought victory)
Crystal Palace (H) = Draw (they come and park the bus...)
Man Utd (H) = Win (it means too much to too many!)
Southampton (A) = Win (they have lost their best player)
Man City (H) = Loss (Aguero....)
Hull City (A) = Win (Hull Tigers applying their Factor 25...)

Total: 13 pts.

We’re Everton, we always dream. Moyes gave us hope. Martinez gives us belief.
COYB

I think there will be a few unexpected twists and turns and even if we lost to Sunderland we should not give up hope of 4th.....

I reckon 74 points does it on goal difference - 75 definitely

3 wins (Sunderland, Palace and Hull), a draw (manure) and 2 defeats (Citeh and Southampton) gets us 10 points or 73 (still amazing) but would mean Arsenal need 3 wins and a draw from their last 5.

I am not sure they will implode, we rarely have such luck!

http://www.independent.ie/sport/watch-two-pieces-of-footage-of-sublime-skill-from-seamus-coleman-against-arsenal-today-30159848.html

Every time we lost the ball up the park (nb: against Arsenal in the past, something that always worried me as we often left gaps) within a second or two, we had got our shape back and appeared to have everyone behind the ball.

To be able to do that, yet look like a side intent on attack, is no mean feat and takes a lot of running.

In boxing, there is little more dispiriting than catching someone with a great shot and... nothing – your opponent just keeps coming. That for me was how how Arsenal appeared yesterday; whatever they tried, we weren't having it and just walked through them. Magnificent.

Personally I haven't paid much attention to the 'ifs' of 4th or 7th or CL/Europa as it's (for me) kind of pointless until after the last game (a couple of 2/3 day trips somewhere interesting where the beer is nice would be good though).

With our lack of resources, all I ask is that our players/manager give their best and attempt to entertain us and for the most part this season, they have.

Season ticket will be renewed this week.

Up the Toffees!

It is very hard to keep players at full throttle for a whole season. Last year, Wigan (the rugby team!) deliberately eased back on training having qualified for the playoffs only to bring the team back to peak condition for the end of the season when they won the Grand Final.

I wonder if similar training methods have been adopted because certainly in January and February we looked off the pace at times. Maybe we are seeing the squad coming to peak condition just at the right time.

The heads of some the Arsenal players seemed to drop when Barkley came on, you could almost hear a unified yell of "fuck me". Then it's Lukaku on the right & Naismith up top, what the fuck was that all about?? It seems the Arsenal CB's didn't have a clue either!! As for their right back, well I thought he was almost in tears, now it was just him and Lukaku, which was a mismatch that RM saw and boy, did he set his attacking play accordingly. A major tactical statement from RM and something I believe Wenger did not envisage.

The king is dead, long live the king.........

No Instead I picked on Mirallas who is on my Fantasy Football team and sure enough he obliged or was it poor Arteta who my daughter felt sorry for as we were all booing him until he scored.

My wife is from Donegal so you can imagine our delight to see Coleman dispossessing Cazorla was it and then sprinting up the park doung keepy Uppies. Wow what a day to be at the Old Lady and see our best ever performance against Arsenal in my memory.
Having spoken to some locals I soon discovered that Senor Martinez has already transformed this club into something special again. He has reminded us of our history even though we sing it each week. He has players like Coleman who only two seasons ago was a young raw full back who had loads of energy and worked hard but could you have seen him try that when Moyes was manager. He has Naismith believing he's the new Tevez. I was delighted to see McGeady get on to do some Irish dancing with his quick feet. I think we'll be seeing a lot more of him next year.
My home Gaelic team got beaten by a point v Dublin but I couldn't have cared less cos I was a very happy BLUE and enjoyed one of the best days of my life with my 2 eldest kids. Thanks Bobby. You truly have us all back believing!

I think Romelu will find it very hard to walk away from us in the summer but I'm sure his agent will try to persuade him that money means more than happiness.

The lad has special gifts but lacks experience.....and the only way he will get experience is to play him. Yes, I go along with that. Unfortunately, because I don't yet rate him as the greatest thing since sliced bread, people are beginning to foam at the mouth.

It's all a matter of opinion. My favourite player is McCarthy. 100% effort, a sense of urgency and hard as nails. Some fans are are not so keen on him ....so what? Do I jump on my high horse and start spitting bullets?. No chance. We're all different and their opinions are of no interest to me whatsoever. I certainly won't be setting up a McCarthy Protection Agency. He's well capable of looking after himself.

Whatever we may think of them RS are in pole position to take the title.

Everton have their fate in their own hands to take 4th.

Is this the time when the 2 Liverpool tams replace Mu and the Arse?

Chelsea apparently want £24 million for Lukaka, we will pay it as his other options are either abroad or Spurs, unless Arsenal make the 4th spot and go for him. But I think this will only happen if Arsenal have a new manager.

As for Roberto don't worry he won't leave Everton until he has honoured his pledge to BK

I've had to watch the match a few times to finally believe it happened!

Crap view aside, what a fantastic day. Great performances all over the pitch, self belief, confidence, touch, technique, it was all there.

Seamus Coleman, what can you say, incredible.

We are on the brink of something big here people!

"The Stones Protection Agency is beginning to sound like The Gibbo Mob of a few years back, when no-one was allowed to utter one word against him. They see only what they want to see. FA Cup nightmares and defensive heart in the mouth clangers are glossed over as though they never happened."

In no way did my post suggest you don't have a right to post! And I think I did recognise his shortcomings, just contrasted them with Jags' shortcomings. "High horse...spitting bullets"? I hope I didn't sound like that!

Agree about McCarthy. Immense engine, fire, passion.

P:6 W:6 Goals Scored:15 Goals Conceded:4

I know that correlation doesn't equal causation but nevertheless, the lad deserves every bit of credit he is getting. His ability to bring the ball out really does make a massive, massive difference to the tempo we play and the way we create chances; I honestly believe that.

Chelsea are reported to want £24m for Rom, I think he might attract attention from some other 'big' clubs and his price might rise even higher!
I think if that happened we may/will be priced out of buying him, which would be a shame.

Who knows, Chelsea might even wish to keep him, although Mourinho will not want to admit that he under estimated Lukaku, so maybe he will be forced to leave.

I'm beginning to really look forward to the summer, what with the World Cup and possible new Everton developments/rumours on the players front.

And at the risk of introducing a controversial note to this weekend of joy, didn't Tim show his manager how daft it was to play Robles in that Cup Tie ?

" Everton have a 75% win rate in the 16 games Stones has played in this season and just 38% in the 16 he has not."

I am a little concerned about Jags' injury though. This hamstring seems problematic. It's quite easy to forget that its February since Jags was in the team which is quite a long time. I hope he is okay for the world cup because he deserves to be starting for England given his consistent quality over the last 5 years basically.

Jags and especially Distin I love, but they scare the hell out of me when they receive the Ball, after they pass the ball they don't want it back, they don't move into a better position(make an option), but they have obviously improved under RM.

It’s Man Utd we might need to keep an eye on for 5th place. I still think Arsenal will sneak 4th but we need to beat Man Utd at home to guarantee us that 5th place, at least, and then see how high up we can finish.

Now it’s time to see if we really have the metal to go for the kill. Sunderland are going to be every bit as difficult and yesterday’s game means nothing if we don’t come away with anything but 3 points. With a handful of games left Saturday is the perfect time to move into the top 4 and crank up the pressure another notch.

It’s now or never for us, we have always started well and faded away or vice versa! Everyone’s on about Man City at home and its different scenarios... But if this team catches fire like Saturday and Arsenal struggle to regain confidence, that game will be nothing more than a victory parade for us!

So to guarantee Europa we'll need to beat or draw with United and win two other games.

If we want to be a CL team, then we need to put in a string of consistent performances and results. For me, the Sunderland game is now bigger than the Arsenal game. The win would not only give us three points, it would also give us a boost psychologically, it would put pressure on Arsenal, who already seem fragile, and would also put us further out of reach of Utd and Spurs.

He looks comfortable on the ball but I imagine he would be mullered with the experience and strength of the World Cup forwards. Not good for a lads confidence. Get him on the bench perhaps and give him a feel of the action but be very wary about playing him.

In exactly the same place as we are now.

The dopes clapping him have no effect on who we buy and how a certain player performs. Unless these happy clappers buy the club and plow in big money, the fact that they are clapping the waster has absolutely nothing to do with anything.

BEGAN to look like a seasoned professional, mind. It is very early days. I love the fact that the manager is willing to play him and let him develop, and the fact that so far we have not had to pay to high a price for that. But he has a long way to go, particularly on positional sense and getting turned, in my view.

On a positive note, what a fucking tackler the lad is developing into. Get stuck in Stonesy.

Moyes used to run them ragged in training as we all know, which is OK up to a point but somewhere along the line you run them into the ground.

Martinez has seemingly set them up nicely fitness-wise to blow the socks off teams in the last few games - our willingness to run, and all round fitness levels were off the scale at the weekend, and if we can play with that same energy in the coming games, there's not a team bar City that will live with us. City is the tough one purely because they're such a talented side - we all know this. I still think we can lose to City and make 4th, and to be honest that would be perfect if it stops the RS winning the title.

Win our other games, lose to City, seal 4th and fuck the RS :-)

Just as so many of us can never forget the 6-1 defeat of Nottm Forest in '64, and the 5-0 battering of Man Utd in '84, so will the destruction of Arsenal go into folk history.

Champions League or not, last Sunday we saw something very special.

Well said, young man.