Everton roll on with comfortable win over Lille

I expect us to win now folks.

Lukaku needs to turn up tonight. Less of the talk, more of the action please!

Lukaku has done well with the link up play, but could really do with a goal for his confidence. We are playing well, and are in control. Baines has played some great balls, and Naismith is as inspiring as ever.

WeÂ’re 2-0 up at h/t with 9 men. Not sure who scored the first - looked like an invisible man - smart finish all the same.

Great effort so far. 3 up, time to rest a couple.

If you read some of the comments before the game, youÂ’d have thought Roberto was taking a page out of BrendaÂ’s book - ridiculous!

Ossie was good first half and scored a great (and crucial) goal.

Hibbo didnÂ’t put a foot or head wrong.

Great performances from McCarthy, Barry, Baines, Lukaku, Naisy... rest of the boys were very good also.

Coleman,

Stones,

Browning,

Alcaraz,

Galloway,

Garbutt,

Ledson,

Oviedo,

Barkley,

Pienaar,

Gibson,

Mirallas,

Atsu,

Besic,

Kone...

Did I miss anybody? Sorry EtoÂ’o, anyway my fingers are tired typing...

The future is bright, the future is BLUE! COYB

McCarthy tho? Superb that lad!

One goal conceded in 5 games? The dire predictions of how many goals we would concede over a season may have to be reviewed.

Pretty hard to think of any negatives tonight to be honest!

Great win — well done, the Blues... even Lukaku played half-decent and got robbed of his goal with a dodgy offside call.

Up the blues!

Aside from obvious top performances, some nice minor pluses tonight. Distin back and looking good; Gibson spraying the ball around confidently; McGeady beating men and putting in decent crosses and not least Lukaku showing he can do good link-up play.

Everton only need a draw in either of their other games to get through to the next stage. Win a game and they pretty much win the group.

Hope Barry is OK. We need to get through these games without further injury concerns.

Bad idea that - weÂ’d end up getting kicked out of Europe for rioting!!

Made up for Ossie – and Hibbo too – and team selection, tactics, application and result all spot on.

Well done Blues – manager included. More of the same, please!

PS And I won a few bob as well!

David Booth, Osman is a stronger, more confident player than he was five years ago and banging on about Wembley 09 is just pathetic. He links play well, has great feet, passes intelligently and has a goal in him.

RM has faith in him and he often repays it. Sure he can be lightweight but no-one ever said he was a man mountain.

Next time, save yourself from embarrassment and save your negative comments until after the game, eh?

And as for Hibbert, just look at his performances in the two games against Lille and think again..

This was a welcome, solid, comfortable performance with a couple of cracking goals. And McCarthy was outstanding.

It does frustrate me sometimes when I read people on hear slating Osman. Yes, heÂ’s soft and pushed off the ball at times... and yes, he makes mistakes. But technically look at his game, his movement, his clever little passes and link up play.

He is a fantastic talent and whilst I agree he canÂ’t often last the full 90, he is an integral part of our team/ squad and I for one congratulate him on another great game in a blue shirt.

Great header from him in first half. That was an awful ball to deal with as it dipped late and he had to stoop to get it over the bar.

For some to say we were playing with one or two men down before the game started is beyond pathetic. We all know what to expect from Hibbo and thereÂ’s more than enough attack minded players in the team to cope when he fills in for Seamy.

The most boring 20 minutes I think I have ever witnessed in all the time I have been going to Goodison Park. Yet everyone seems to be happy on here... IÂ’m afraid that kind of boring football is not for me.

Well played tonight, Gibson looked good when he came on and McCarthy was everywhere.

About the only negative I can think of is that Lukaku should have put Hibbert clean through in the first half and turned back inside.

On Tony, is it just me or is he getting forward more than he used to? I canÂ’t remember seeing him in the box much in past seasons yet this season heÂ’s got there in a few appearances. Maybe highlights that tactics contributed to his lack of a goal.

Does that mean directly into the group stage or the Qualifying round? If itÂ’s the latter then itÂ’s a con. If itÂ’s the former then itÂ’s worth throwing all we have at it now we are almost through to the knockout stage.

McCarthy was excellent but plaudits to Lukaku, he was far from perfect but contributed from start to finish, created plenty, could’ve scored a couple on another day and had several important touches which helped open up the opposition – just the sort of display we need from a young, developing striker.

Also good to see us hoof it out of defence now again when required, rather than getting caught out tapping it around.

The only problem with tonight is we dominated the game without Barkley – had he played, something tells me he may have served only to clutter up the midfield. Tonight’s team worked, Roberto’s task is to create more permutations that get the best out Barkley, Mirallas and Eto’o and then we’ve got a powerful squad.

All of this with no Coleman, or Stones. Great stuff.

IÂ’ll take a boring last 20mins in each and every game for the rest of my life, having gone 3-0 up.

We won the 2nd half in 2nd gear and have a big game to think about Sunday.

Cheer up ffs.

IÂ’ve also given a lot of stick to Lukaku on here recently but fair play to him he had a fantastic game tonight. Linked up well, held the ball up much better and was aways involved . LetÂ’s go on and win this group now .

He could have had 2 goals tonight and he would have deserved them for all his hard work.

ps: McCarthy was great again!

Atsu, even when the ball was delivered to his feet, just about anybody could push him off the ball without any difficulty at all. Z

The more serious one was the Goodison crowd, you could have heard a pin drop it was so quiet, yet the away support is amazingly vocal. Perhaps the time has come to pick out an area of the ground next season that will only be allocated to the Everton away supporters after a quick vocal test of course.

Apart from that, games at Goodison should not be that comfortable – it goes against years of carefully nurtured tradition.

Then we have: "Oh god: Hibbert and Osman both in the team, again. Lovely fellas, but that’s us down to nine men from the kick-off! They should never, ever have been picked again after the Chelsea Cup Final – and here we are, five years later. Worried now..." – My personal pick for idiot of the week.

and then: "The last 20 minutes, the ground was as quiet as a church, the supporters were streaming from the ground at the same time. I stayed only because I had to wait for my lift, or IÂ’d have joined them. The most boring 20 minutes I think I have ever witnessed in all the time I have been going to Goodison Park. Yet everyone seems to be happy on here... IÂ’m afraid that kind of boring football is not for me."

The Dave club must be great fun.

The next match will be interesting: Barkley and Barry will occupy the holding roles, and Lukaku will start, but then what? Both Barkley and EtoÂ’o were rested today, but can we drop Naismith after this display? And what about Pienaar, who might well be in line for a return? It will be interesting to see how Martinez approaches the Sunderland game.

You must have been shopping at IKEA during the Swansea game. That was 90 minutes of pure shite

I canÂ’t believe some of the negativity on here after a very good performance and especially from Ossie and Hibbo.
BTW – someone owes the Greg Greeidge Trust a tenner: Atsu came on – so do the decent thing.

Poor lad gets unfair stick, so IÂ’m made up heÂ’s stuck two fingers up to the knockers tonight. I really do believe some actually hope Ossie screws up so they can have a rant on here.

Hibbert was excellent tonight, hard to find a fault with anyone tonight.

Stones, Barkley and Mirallas to come back as well as Pienaar... things are looking good again!

If I can discover the original bet, I shall Â’name and shameÂ’ but IÂ’m sure I wonÂ’t have to as Evertonians are always Â’fair and squareÂ’.

Sorry, Tony – you were immense tonight.

You can tell Lukaku is getting back to his best. I believe he had to play with injections in his foot for the first few weeks of the season – but don’t let that get in the way of the knobs calling him a waste of money.

McCarthy will take this team places, but again, you wouldnÂ’t expect most to notice the running, tackling, and general breaking up of play that all great defensive midfielders get through.

Controlled and clinical. Love it.

I thought McCarthy was outstanding and McGeady had his second good game in a week.

Roll on Saturday and 3 points.

COYB!

See how stupid your post is, Dave @57?

Not trying to be controversial. Just asking!

How much is due to our own brilliance and how much was due to a mediocre Lille team is difficult to say but you can only beat whatÂ’s in front of you and the boys did that well.

My ratings for what itÂ’s worth.

Howard – 7. A passenger mostly but alert for one chance and distributed a bit better than usual.

Hibbert – 7. Never going to offer the same threat as Coleman attacking-wise though he did pass the ball well. Very solid at the back against Origi.

Jagielka – 8. Playing as well at the moment as he has ever. Dependable.

Distin – 7. No signs of rustiness and was seldom beaten to anything.

Baines – 7. Clean sheet and an assist. A few misplaced passes but that’s niggling.

McCarthy – 9. Immense. Was everywhere at all times somehow. Good to see him driving forward a little more. His best game of the season.

Barry – 8. Looking infinitely better than at start of the season. Faster passing and partnership with McCarthy was dominant.

Osman – 8. Probably gets an extra point for the crucial first goal. Linked play well and still running by the 90-min mark. Great way to celebrate the contract extension.

Naismith – 9. Dunno where him and McCarthy get their engines from but I need to go there. Great movement, endeavour and goal.

McGeady – 8. Looked our most creative player. Got two assists and should have been 3 if Lukaku had put away that header or left it for Naismith. More of the same please, Aiden.

Lukaku – 7. Much better from the Belgian. Held the ball better and was unfortunate not to get a goal. It’s vital to our play that he retains the ball when it gets played up to him and he mostly did that well tonight.

Roll on! Sunderland...some tough team selection decisions for senor Bob.

The energy and ability of McCarthy made him an absolute standout but everyone played well and Lukaku looks to be regaining his form.

There are lots of games to play and once we were three-up we just made sure we kept a clean sheet.

This evening was a very good team effort. We did get sloppy in the 2nd half but I was impressed by Lukaku. His movement on both flanks kept two or three defenders on him all through the match thereby creating loads of space for others.

The lad deserved a goal and some of his link up play was top drawer. I noticed Jags encouraging him throughout the game.

A few observations:

Gibson was in control when he came on. His ability to switch play, right and left and make the long pass up the centre is eye opening. WeÂ’ve really missed him. Hope he can string some games together.

Phil Jagielka....goal scoring machine!!!

McGeady ... MOTM. IÂ’ve personally criticized him before for being a bit lax defensively, but not this time. This time he put in a full shift, as well as being our most dangerous attacker.

Not the stiffest opposition, but a solid win, nonetheless.

Better game for Lukaku, whilst Gibson looked really bright. His passing quickens our game so much more, just wish he was fit.

I understand Tony Hibbert and Leon Osman being selected causes some people to lose the plot with some on here but they are both solid professionals and know what is expected of them.

They may be getting on a bit but so am I and I also have off days at work. At least I donÂ’t get thousands of people criticising my every performance.

Yesterday they both along with the team did really well. Even Phil Walling has posted saying how well the team played so good on you Phil. Glad you enjoyed the match.

Even though I said I had nothing new to add to comments I will mention that I did enjoy some of the very occasional basic defending that was on show.....the good old fashioned clear your lines variety. I appreciate that itÂ’s RobertoÂ’s and now the players way to keep possession and play your way out of trouble but from time just hoof it miles into opposition territory and then re-organise the defensive lines. Not pretty but effective......if used occasionally and when in need!

Yes, you’re right. I was at the Swansea game and it was pure shite – the same as the last 0 minutes of last night’s game. I know why they played like that, to conserve energy and play out the game, but it was, as I said, boring. If you and others are happy with that, fair enough; I’m not.

And while Everton played the game out in almost total silence Wolfsburg scored three in the last few minutes. This will improve their goal difference which could make a top-of-the-league finish harder to achieve.

McGeady showed that there is more to come from him although infuriating at times and loses the ball far too often. IÂ’d like to see him encouraged to carry the ball through midfield more often because heÂ’s capable of doing it at good pace which makes defences back off and lose shape.

I think the way you start these games is vital and too often in the past we have tiptoed into them leading to a flat, lazy show but this was spot on.

Football is both a results and entertainment business and, although I think I can see the bigger picture for someone in his seventies who has missed less than a dozen matches in over 68 years at Goodison, that was a big shout to make.

Not getting on anyone’s side here – because I think Martinez is a clever manager who is always thinking ahead – but, whilst conserving energy in November is something I agree with on a professional level, it does sometimes make for a boring end to a game.

Of course there will be a place for him from time to time but if McCarthy keeps putting in games like that, JB might only get in the way ?

And Darryl #92 rightly IMO adds to that what GibsonÂ’s passing, and ability to switch the angle of play, brought to the side.

As for people saying Lille are shite, these are the teamÂ’s that Man Utd, Arsenal and Liverpool get credit for beating, so donÂ’t diminish our performance.

What did strike me last night was the left hand side was a whole lot weaker for the absence of a winger, McGeady had a decent game and Baines should take note – a corner and a goal from it, rare as hens teeth at Goodison these days. Atsu came on and didn’t get much change from the Lille left back who was twice his size.

Wolfsburg game is going to need our strongest possible eleven to gain at least a point.

Peter, I too was sat in the sun that day, the tv claimed it was 107f at pitch side and what people are forgetting is that gobshite Howard Webb booked Hibbo after about 10 minutes for a fairly innocuous foul, after which Hibbo was crapping himself in case he got a red card.

Hibbo had a good game yesterday, as did Osman. The tools on here need to get off the players backs for a while..

Does anyone know the attendance for last nightÂ’s game.

As for Barkley, if he is to play anywhere on Sunday, then it has to be wide left or right. Although the boy is a talent, I donÂ’t think he has a football brain, by that I mean all the very good players know when to pass when to shoot but most of all what positions to take up on the pitch.

He has good dribbling skills and a good shot in either foot, which is rare these days, but for me his decision-making is sadly lacking. I am sure many will disagree with me, but although he has showed glimpses of his potential, can anybody tell me a game he has played were he was our best player?

If we get to the FA Cup Final this year, Lukaku and EtoÂ’o should run riot.

You possibly should have too. He was born and raised in a French colony in South America. French Guiana.

We are now three months in and have played 15 games which gives you a better perspective. I think we are still in a good position to build on last yearÂ’s progress despite a slower start than we may have wished for. I think that was largely due to a difficult fixture list and the players not really being at 100% at the start of the season. Whether the latter is a tactical master stroke as we get stronger and stronger or poor pre-season planning, I suspect views will be divided.

The biggest positive for me is the return of defensive solidity which served us well last year. We have only conceded one goal in our last five games. Goals are coming at a good rate, about two a game and from a variety of sources.

Also, the fact that the Premier League is very close means we are still in contention for a top 4 place and it looks like the Europa League knockout stages are very likely.

However, we will still need to strengthen come the January window. I would love Shawcross and Milner personally.

Mike Gwyer! You owe 㾶 to charity!

Anyone see him on a thread, please let him remember this:

http://ToffeeWeb.com/mobile/articleitem.php?submissionID=28436

One site says "32,000", which sounds like an estimate. ItÂ’s a very good question: what was the official attendance?

Great point made that Jags will be crucial over the next 2 months and we should all pray that nothing happens to him as he is vital.

With regards to Gibson he came on against Germany and dominated the midfield and helped earn that crucial point, which was quite a compliment considering he was up against Kroos and Co. He still needs to improve his fitness but still is our most talented passer and will be vital over the course of the season.

A final point: someone suggested Shawcross and Milner. No thanks — they are Moyes signings and not what we need. Dellboy should be our number 1 priority as once again Atsu looked woeful when he came on and I know he has a lot of potential but I think it was against Palace is the only game I’ve seen glimpses in an Everton shirt as he does have electric pace. Apart from that he has been very disappointing.

To be fair, heÂ’s not had much time on the pitch so itÂ’s surely a bit too early to write him off just yet.

You refer to Shawcross and Milner as Â’Moyes signingsÂ’. That will do for me.

DonÂ’t forget seven of last night’s team were Â’Moyes signingsÂ’.

Add in Coleman, Stones and Mirallas to return and maybe your use of the phrase as a derogatory term looks a bit ridiculous.

ItÂ’s how you use them

Likewise Milner is a hard-worker , has a great cross but has little imagination, incisiveness, electricity or flair which are the attributes he normally goes for in a wide player ie Maloney, Moses at Wigan and McGeady for us. Those signings you mention would be perfect for a Moyes team built on industry and competitiveness but not for the way in which Roberto operates.

I didnÂ’t use the term in a derogatory fashion so its not me thatÂ’s looking ridiculous by misinterpreting my point.

LetÂ’s all just support this team, ignoring pseudo-intellectuals and their sophistric, absolutist attempts to inject paradigms amidst the transcendentalism of our great team. In other words, just button it, Conor - theyÂ’re all Blues, whoever bought them.

He must rate the Â’woeful on the ballÂ’ Jagielka given he is captain. Shawcross is for me an underated player who has been tarred unfairly as a bit of a yard dog. I think he is better than the similair Cahill. Call me old fashioned but he is a cracking defender, something I value in centre halves.

Milner is a mile better than McGeady and the others you mention. He would undoubtedly improve our squad.

Good players are good players regardless of a managerÂ’s philosophy. Roberto has shown that by holding on to the core of the side but making us a more attacking and adventorous side.

HadnÂ’t seen your post but exactly.

I just hope we donÂ’t go and huff and puff against Sunderland but play with confidence and get at them from the off. Unfortunately, we have another international break which seems to disrupt our rhythm so itÂ’s a must to get those 3 points on Sunday.

Looks like Man City and possibly the other lot might be in the Europa League as well as a couple of very good teams. So for those clubs not in a Champions League spot could possibly view this competition as their best chance to qualify for next seasons Champions League.

This will make it an extremely tough competition to win.

I was shocked at how poor Lille played, but we are starting to steadily look a bit more like the Everton from last season.

Hopefully Barry and Coleman with be fit for Sunderland, though I thought both Gibson and Hibbert looked in good shape if needed.

I went out to the Europa League website to see how the draw is determined yesterday.

To top our group a win/draw against Wolfsburg is essential. A win would top the group and make the last game meaningless. A tie would keep us 1 point ahead with a positive goal differential.

As far as January signings go IÂ’d only like to bring in a new player if they could make a difference in the starting 11. Finding someone who could make the 1st 11, is affordable, is available, an wants to come to Everton is a long shot. They also have to be a "good egg" and fit into the current Everton dressing room.

I really think there will be more interest because of this new change.

If I were in charge (which IÂ’m not!) IÂ’d take it much further in this regard.

IÂ’d offer a Champions League group stage place to the winner, a Champions League final stage qualifier (like the 4th place Premier League team gets) to the loser of the final and IÂ’d have a 3rd place game at a neutral site where the winner also gets a Champions League final stage qualifier spot.

If these were the Europa League perks teams would really take the competition more seriously.

Hindsight is 20/20 and all that, but IÂ’d like to think most of us can come and hold our hands up when weÂ’re wrong... not that it would excuse the particular bs at the start of this thread.

No doubt they would be on saying "I told you so...blah blah". Makes you wonder what these people actually want to happen during the game.

Anyway, it seems that things are starting to ’click’ with the first team. If we can rattle off a few wins, gain momentum, keep the defence solid, get Mirallas back asap – could be a great season!

COYB

With regards to Milner once again you are misinterpreting my point. The players I highlighted he bought for Wigan and I never suggested he should buy them for us, was just pointing out the type he goes for.. Roberto bought McGeady because he can win a match and has that little bit of magic and was on a nominal fee.

Milner would cost more than 㾶 million and has little value or shelf life for that kind of money. I would love Dellboy as he has so much potential and would cost about ٤ million yet he could end up being the best wide man in the league.

The live forum seems to bring out the best and worst amongst some of us but there's 2-3 who just seem to be willing Martinez and certain players to fall flat on their faces.

It is ridiculous when people are admitting defeat because we start with a solid, old school, local lad, who has been with the club through a period of resurgence after the gloomy 90’s, and a cultured midfielder in his testimonial year, who has had more good days than bad.

Football managers often get it wrong, but they know more about the game than any of us posting on here. There are many reasons why Osman and Hibbert have been at the club for so long. Ossie can def still do a job and Hibbo looks as good as ever.

I’ll take an ugly win on Sunday (although I fancy us for a comfortable 2-0) and kick on from there.

That being said, the Blues are still unbeaten and the only blemishes are the two home defeats to two London clubs and giving away points when 2-0 up against the Gooners. We hope those ''hiccups'' are well behind them as they need to get into a run of winning games and Sunderland has to be the start despite the Black Cats' win at Crystal Palace.

Maybe it will turn out that the away games may yield more points than the home games.

"The sight of poor pink Tony Hibbert wilting and blowing in that sauna, but still trying to do his job, only increased my admiration for him to be honest, and he deserves the Indian summer he is enjoying at the moment, doing what he does best, breaking up the play and giving the ball to better footballers to get us on the offensive. Good for you Tony."

Personally, good for you Pete, the best comment on the thread. COYB

Are you always rude and condescending to people whose opinion you know nothing about? I have praised our players and manager more than most on here and I'm constantly defending the direction in which the team is going under Roberto. So you can put the dictionary away and perhaps heed your own advice.

Thought my bet was trashed earlier, didn't Atsu play against Lille at their place (sub). Anyways, let me have the bank account details and I will pay up.

I'm Not winding you up at all. You say I'm twisting your words.

#138 "My point is that Shawcross is woeful on the ball and we already have Jagielka as that type of player."

#152 "I said Shawcross is woeful on the ball not Jags"

Not hard to see how I interpreted your post. However I accept it's just poor syntax.

There is nothing wrong with two similair centre halves and it certainly doesn't prevent you playing football. City won the league last year with Kompany and Di Michelis, Chelsea lead the league this year with Cahill and Terry. None of whom I would describe as ball playing centre halves.

As for Milner, well we all have opinions. He is 28 at the peak of his career with at least four seasons ahead of him. He has also not signed a new contract which runs down at the end of this season. He would be available for less than 㾶m in January I suspect.

With respect to Cahill and Kompany they have always been good on the ball. Kompany was a central midfielder before converting and when O'Neill got rid of Cahill at Villa it was his defensive qualities he questioned and thought he was too elaborate in possession. It wasn't until playing with Terry that he has become more of a warrior and better defensively.

I don't know how much you watch of Milner but I've seen him quite a bit this season and he has been terrible. Against CSKA he started on the left and gave the ball away so much, it was so bad, 10 times worse than McGeady. He was kept on and moved to his favoured right wing and got less change out of the full back than on the other side .He is such a predictable player that he is easy to mark. He's no doubt excellent defensively but again Roberto doesn't ask his wide men to play that way, he gives them freedom to hurt the opposition.

The purchase of Shawcross will be at the expense of Distin? So if that's the case we will have only 1 left footed centre half in Alcaraz who has been out for a lot which would mean Jags would play on the left where he is much left comfortable as he has no left foot. My suggestion if we need a centre half at the end of the season would be Virgil Van Dyke of Celtic. He's a leader , really good on the ball and is lethal from set pieces which we don't have except for Alcarz who can pop up with a goal or two. He would also be within our budget.