Professional Blues see off the Cherries

Robles saves a first-half penalty. After the break, Barkley scored a deflected goal, then Lukaku sealed a 6th Round berth from a corner.

Michael Kenrick 20/02/2016 153comments  |  Jump to last

Joel Robles made a superb penalty save to keep things goalless in the first half
Bournemouth 0 - 2 Everton

For the FA Cup 5th Round tie against Bournemouth, Roberto Martinez resisted the temptation to change the side, despite Oumar Niasse being available finally. Stones and Howard, presumably both fit again, stayed sat on the substitute's bench as goals from Barkley and Lukaku put them through to the 6th Round.

Eddie Howe has wrung the changes for his Bournemouth side, putting seven replacements into the team that lost at home to Stoke City last weekend, and suggesting that maybe he wants to concentrate on retaining their precious place in the Premier League, with Distin and Gosling making up the ex-Everton contingent.

Oviedo won an early free-kick but Cleverley's delivery was lacking, the ball flying beyond everybody. Lukaku, instead of powering forward and shooting at goal after a nice pick-up, chose to lay off a somewhat overhit pass for Barkley who scuffed his shot from a narrowing angle. Everton continued to press the home side but a series of poor crosses from Coleman.

Barkley took a snap shot but it spun away from Ovideo for a Everton's first corner but it came to nothing, McCarthy committed a late foul from behind and as carded by referee Martin Atkinson. The free-kick saw a rare Bournemouth move forward as Everton continued to dominate play without really creating much in the Bournemouth area. Barry gave away another free-kick, but Everton defended it away and Coleman did well with limited support down the right but again forward possession petered out to nothing.

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Everton built again, although far too slowly and Barkley did well to retain the ball but is forward pass was to nowhere. The then swung in a better-looking cross for the lonely and increasingly depressed Lukaku who could only watch as the ball went through to Frederici. Barkley finally had a shot on target but from far too far out and it was easy meat for the Bournemouth 'keeper.

Stanislas got a chance to run at the Everton defence and shoot... high, wide and not too handsome. At the other end, a fantastic run down the left from Lukaku, who shrugged off everyone and looked all set to drove home but Frederici was too smart as the striker's attempted dink with the outside of his left foot was really rather poor. Why not hit it with power?

Distin smartly dispossessed Lennon and the Cherries surged forward but good defending set up another Everton attack that ended with a good ball for Lukaku that was not in his game plan as he watched it role forward from a distance.

Bournemouth looked for a penalty with Gosling going down but Jagielka had just scrapped the ball with his studs. Everton were defending effectively whenever the Baggies did come forward, although a good cross needed the head of Jagielka to head it behind for Bournemouth's first corner, floated to the far post, and handball called against McCarthy, who put his arm out needlessly... PENALTY! Executed by Daniels, saved brilliantly by Robles, and the rebound fired wide!!! McCarthy escaping a second yellow for what must have been deemed a deliberate handball, although that would have been very harsh. Good judgement from Atkinson?

Coleman won another corner at the other end, Oviedo swinging it in to the far post but it a headed behind for a corner by Cleverley from the other side, also headed away, Everton unable to threaten from the set-pieces. Barkley was again on a completely different plane from Lukaku, anther forward pass wasted.

Barkley picked out Coleman with a lovely wide ball that Coleman sent back in a little deep and Oviedo attempted a dramatic diving header from a long way out that went wide. Lennon was fouled by Gosling who saw yellow from Atkinson just before the break.

Bournemouth kicked off the second half but the tempo continued to be pedestrian until Lennon's shot was defected for a corner, swing in by Cleverley and met on the run by Coleman who was a little ahead of the ball and he could only head over. Daniels won a corner at the other end, defended away well by Everton, but the break did not really develop.

Oviedo thought he'd made a good tackle on King wide left but he had not touched the ball and it set up the Cherries for a couple of Chances spurned by wide shooting. Lukaku played the ball back nicely for an excellent driver from McCarthy that curled away. But Everton went ahead on the next attack, Ross Barkley shooting from nothing at the edge of the area, the ball deflecting up wickedly off Gosling's leg and over the backpedaling Frederici into the net for the opening goal.

Lukaku finished a great pass from Barkley well but he was deemed offside, when strictly level with the Cherries defenders. Bournemouth pressed with another corner but the Blues looked to break although Lukaku rather poorly failed to command a bouncing ball and Bournemouth attacked again, winning a dangerous free-kick by Stanislas that was deflected inches wide with Roles beaten. The home side, however, had dominated possession since the goal and pressed the blues back, who had to defend solidly. Jagilelka played King well wide right, who was deemed to have fouled the Everton defender, and was booked, perhaps for his energetic dissenting views.

Murray, on as a sub, ran at Jagielka and his shot was deflected for a corner. Gosling should have scored off a great cross, but headed straight at Robles. Then King did well down the Everton right, crossed in well to Ritchie who spooned over, under a lot of great defensive pressure from Funes Mori as it was attack after attack from the home side. When Everton did loft the ball forward to Lukaku, he had no appetite for any kind of battle with Distin.

A great passing move across the Cherries area saw Barkley curl a lovely shot just wide, deflected for a corner, from which, there was Lukaku, who reacted first to the lose ball that had been flicked on, to drive the ball home with intent, his 21st goal of the season.

Mirallas replaced Barkley and Niasse got his debut, with a protective cast on his writs, replacing Lukaku. The Senegalese striker's first action was to foul Francis. Bournemouth continued to press forward, knowing that a two-nil lead for Everton meant that the game was anything but over. Mirallas, with a chance to make it three, lofted his shot high over stand and into the car park.

Ritchie won a free-kick off a poor challenge by Barry but Niasse headed it away, although a great cross was swung in by Stanislas for King who powered wide under pressure from Robles. Robles had performed faultlessly in the Everton goal, and continued to anchor the solid Everton defence.

In the dying embers before 4 mins of added time, Coleman thought he should have had a penalty. Everton went on to manage the game through to its conclusion with no further threats on their goal, thoroughly professional and competent performance from the Blues, in stark contrast to the Premier League game at this stadium.

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Reader Comments (153)

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Chris Gould
1 Posted 20/02/2016 at 16:26:26
No complaints there. A lot of pace on the bench. No Kone.
Joe Duffin
2 Posted 20/02/2016 at 16:26:34
Good to see the same side out – we were unlucky against West Brom. Same again and should be enough to go through – with options of Deulofeu and Mirallas coming off the bench.

It would be nice maybe to see Niasse replacing Lukaku (who must be lining up to leave at end of season).

Thomas Surgenor
5 Posted 20/02/2016 at 16:35:54
Possibly our strongest bench in the last 20 years.
Brian Wilkinson
6 Posted 20/02/2016 at 16:36:03
Not a chance Kone will not be in the squad, must be a misprint this team.
Ray Roche
7 Posted 20/02/2016 at 16:38:17
And West Brom are currently 2-1 down....horrible shower of bastards.
Brian Porter
8 Posted 20/02/2016 at 16:39:16
Yay, It’s a traffic-free bench!
Sean McCarthy
9 Posted 20/02/2016 at 16:44:02
Surely that team (and bench) is more than enough to see us safely into the next round??

On a side issue I'll be in New York City in a couple of weeks time and was hoping someone can point me in the direction of a bar that shows the Everton games "live". Any clues???

Jim Hardin
10 Posted 20/02/2016 at 16:49:31
Joe,

I am just curious as to how you know Lukaku is lining up to leave the club based upon his inclusion in the side by the manager. Is it him only or are all of the selections doing the same?

Barry McNally
11 Posted 20/02/2016 at 16:53:14
What a bench and XI - it's like a top of the range computer ran on Windows '95!
Craig Mills
12 Posted 20/02/2016 at 16:56:49
I thought there might have been a few changes after the disapointing result against West Brom (who were brushed aside by Reading today which again shows how poor a side they are).

Personally, I think Mirallas really should be starting on the left, and maybe Baines back too.

John Graham
13 Posted 20/02/2016 at 16:58:25
Yes happy with that. Gives the team a chance to redeem themselves and with that bench plenty of options to change if things aren't going too well.
COYB
Henrik Lyngsie
14 Posted 20/02/2016 at 17:06:14
It is a really strong bench. But I don’t agree to select Oviedo before Baines.

Did Baines say something that has put him next to Mirallas on the bench. He can’t be caring a slight injury because he has been on the bench at least thee matches in a row.

I simply don’t believe that a manager thinks Oviedo is better than Baines.

Roman Sidey
15 Posted 20/02/2016 at 17:13:21
I dare say, after Baines' comments regarding his contract in October-November-ish, that he may be on his way out at the end of the season and RM is selecting the team accordingly.

I may have been tempted to start Gerry in place of Lennon only because Lennon has been working his bollocks off and could use a spell, but then I remembered we have nine days off before playing Villa so no need.

Great to see a Kone-free bench.

Colin Hughes
16 Posted 20/02/2016 at 17:50:26
Christ, we are fucking boring to watch at times.
Anto Byrne
17 Posted 20/02/2016 at 18:08:58
How to beat WBA easy with well worked set pieces. This is a yawn fest with Bournemouth playing on the counter. One mistake and game over, need a change at half time if they want to win this.
Christy Ring
18 Posted 20/02/2016 at 18:19:19
Shocking 45 mins against a second-string Bournemouth team. Cleverley is not a left winger, and no support for Lukaku upfront. Creating absolutely nothing, slow and laboured in midfield, I know McCarthy is on a yellow, but Barry has been very poor.

I hope for a big improvement in the 2nd half.

John Graham
19 Posted 20/02/2016 at 18:38:32
Time to do a Mourinho I think. Mirallas, Del Boy and Niasse on for Lukaku, Lennon and Cleverly. Do them for pace.
Anthony Manning
20 Posted 20/02/2016 at 18:44:46
Heard off a good source from Finch Farm that Baines spoke his mind regarding team tactics etc at a team meeting 3 weeks ago and has been frozen out since.
Ken Williams
21 Posted 20/02/2016 at 18:46:38
Lucky, Lucky, very very Lucky.........
Keith Meakin
22 Posted 20/02/2016 at 18:50:40
I wish someone would smack Martinez over the back of the head and tell the idiot to make a substitution.
Charlie Burnett
23 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:19:15
Anthony, that’s the reason why he's been hiding him.
Brian Williams
26 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:27:12
Am I the only one who thinks that was no more than an average performance, with the odd exception?

Joel Robles deserves great credit for a really good penalty save, as does Barry who I thought was his usual self – breaking up play, putting his foot in and distributing the ball well ....and what’s with Lukaku’s non-celebration after scoring??????

Mike Berry
27 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:33:55
MotM all day long was Barry. Thoroughly professional job done – except for McCarthy’s stray arm. Joel a god send after Howard
Gavin Johnson
28 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:36:29
Well done lads. It wasn’t the perfect performance but we got there in the end.

I’m very happy that Martinez has made Joel our No.1. We look a lot more comfortable defending from corners and his penalty save changed the course of the game. That’s now 4 clean sheets in 5 games so there has been marked improvement improvement defensively for me.

I didn’t think Rom should have been Man of the Match. I thought it was a pretty lacklustre performance from the big man. He only comes alive when the other team plays offensive game and the game becomes more open. In spite of this he could still do more when the opposition sit back. Barkley or Barry would have been my Man of the Match ahead of him.

Peter Askins
29 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:36:57
Very good performances from Robles, Jags, and Barry, and OK from the rest. Also very good from Martinez, to select a strong team in the first instance.

We got a nice slice of good luck, which makes a nice change from the bad luck in the last match. Barkley's goal got a semi-block but looped nicely over the goalie tonight, but Lennon's shot last week jusy looped that bit higher, and the goalie scrambled back to tip it over. Small margins.
Mark McLoughlin
30 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:37:27
Was the penalty save Bobby's Kevin Brock, 1984 Backpass moment?

Let’s hope so! COYB

Jeremy Jansen
31 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:38:35
Pleased with the win... not even close to our best but a win is a win. Happy for Joel and while I’m still a fan of Timmy it is obvious that he is past it and Joel should finish the season as our #1. While the length of his appearance wasn’t much to go by I liked the looks of Niasse. He did well to head the free kick away and had some good interplay.

I’m really interested to see how him, Ross, and Lukaku would get on together. I’m hoping he’ll get more time, replacing Cleverly on the left if we don’t change our formation.
David Price
32 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:38:44
It was average with plenty of hard work and luck. Robles superb, worried at 1-0, no changes, they miss a sitter and we kill it with the second. Yes we deserved the win and yes deserved some over due good luck. Name on the cup perhaps, but it was crying out for Mirallas at half time.

Roberto, well done but don’t think this was perfect and go same again. We can be so much better with the players available. Enjoy tonight though, definitely a better feeling than last week.

Patrick Pulis
33 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:42:47
Sean (#7), The Football Factory in Manhattan. All games downstairs there. Somewhat private rooms for each game. On vacation, I watched the Chelsea game there recently. I was the only Evertonian but great atmosphere. Heartbreaking game though. Lots of singing and chanting for the games. I think someone even had a drum there watching the Crystal Palace match.
James Marshall
34 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:42:58
Brian@22

I believe it's the anniversary of Rom's Belgian mate who died - the kid playing in Germany, killed in a car crash. That's why Rom was a little subdued today and barely celebrated the goal.

Dave Abrahams
35 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:44:29
Brian (22) most probably embarrassment, despite his goal he was poor again but voted MotM by Martin Keogh, or whatever his name is, people like him, (Keown) are earning brewsters and haven’t got a clue.
David Barks
36 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:46:29
Professional wouldn't be the word I'd use to describe that match. Lucky and repetitive is more the way I saw it. If they had scored that penalty, which usually is what happens, then I didn't see anything that would have been different in today's math than last weekend. But, luckily the penalty was saved and we got a deflected goal later in the match.
Jimmy Sørheim
37 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:46:33
I am worried about our left-midfield as we still have not found a capable replacement for Pienaar.

Why not play Mirallas there or Deulofeu?

I still think we lack balance and there is a lack of free flowing attacking football.

Jeremy Jansen
38 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:46:44
@Brian22 - Not sure what to make of the lack of celebration from Rom. Definitely leaving some concern in the back of my mind but the stream had a lot of shots of the bench after Rom and Ross were subbed off and they seemed to be conversing and enjoying themselves.

So hopefully there isn’t much to it and he was just frustrated by a lack of service all game (I was frustrated by it as well). Great flick on from Barry for his goal too...
Jon Withey
39 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:47:45
Thoughts

Lukaku has some strange moods sometimes, but he still scores, so great.

Coleman is a bit of a nark, isn’t he? God bless him.

Niasse is a big bloke.

Does Deulofeu still play for EFC? Does Mirallas remember how to play football?

Winning ugly is fine, and it wasn’t the prettiest performance I’ve seen from us.

Terry Aylward
40 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:48:47
I still can’t get over-excited at that performance, I don’t think the other teams still in the competition will be overly concerned at the prospect of drawing us in the next round.
Victor Jones
41 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:50:36
Job done. Not spectacular. Raggedy at times. Lukaku isolated for a good part of the game. Takes far to long to get the ball to him. Our play looks very laboured at times. Not really very entertaining, but that is OK (for now) with me. The result is all that matters.

Noticed a number of times when we had the ball well into the Bournemouth half, we stop, turn, and start passing backwards. The ball then ends back with our Goalkeeper. Very poor play. Very slow. Better teams, faster teams will always exploit that.

Just a few things now that should be obvious. Joel is now our No 1 Goalkeeper. Howard should now not be reinstated. Even if JR makes a mistake next week. He would need to make dozens before I would drop him. But I have a feeling that Robles will fare out OK. Would Howard have saved that penalty? IMO.....No. Tippy tappy will take Everton nowhere. Martinez has tried that. He is still persisting with it. But Everton will win nothing with it. The better teams have it sussed it out. Why do I think that tippy-tappy will not work against better teams. Simply because we are rubbish at it. We are too slow. Our players even look confused. And that is not good football. Cannot see this Everton team troubling the top 6 this season. So let's make sure that we are safe at least. Get over the 40 points mark... Then give this FA Cup a good old rattle. Just think... three more wins... that's all we need. Even Everton can raise their game for three matches.

That's three wins now in this years FA Cup. No goals conceded so far. We did not concede on the run to the final in 1966. Fifty years back. I believe in omens. Clutching at straws. Yes, why not. Right now I will take anything that comes our way. Good night.

Anthony Flack
42 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:53:09
There’s nothing wrong with dull and efficient when you comfortably win a tricky away game... I would much rather win this way, than tear them apart and then throw it away, as we have so often managed to this season.

Several solid performances, Barry as usual, Jagielka, Barkley, Funes Mori, Joel Robles... all-in-all, not bad.

Watford or Reading at home will do me.

Barry Pearce
43 Posted 20/02/2016 at 19:56:43
I agree with you, Brian (#22).

Poor performance, still vulnerable from crosses into the box.

To me, only Barry and Robles played up to scratch. Still, at least we’re in the draw.

Oscar Huglin
44 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:00:32
Really solid win, nice to see us play a lead out. 11 scored and 1 conceded in the last 5, looking much better.
Peter Murray
45 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:01:35
Job done. Last 4 games: P4 W3 L1 GF 11 GA 1.

Not too bad.
John Austin
46 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:03:19
Anthony (42) – I think I’d rather play away at the moment with our home form!

Not the best performance today but they got the job done. We’d have settled for that result beforehand. Well done Robles for the penalty save. What was McCarthy thinking of?

2 up going into stoppage time and I was still worried. Credit to the players though for managing the game out as the modern saying goes but we haven’t turned a corner on the strength of today. But we are in the next round and we can live in hope.

Can’t agree with Keown that Lukaku was MotM. Barry for me.

Paul Tran
47 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:06:50
Anthony #20, you might be right, but sources close to me (my eyes) say that Baines has been off the pace and has had a foot like a Toblerone for a while.

Shocking first half, got the goal, defended it well, got another. That was what used to be called a 'good professional performance'. It's about winning in the cup and we won. That's it.

Colin Glassar
48 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:07:39
What a difference a Joel makes. The big difference between him and Howard is that Joel has a football brain and Howard doesn’t.
Joe Cavanagh
49 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:13:41
Watched over a dodgy stream here in Brazil – which certainly adds to the tension when action freezes as the ball’s bobbing around our goalmouth... Keep expecting the stream to resume only to find we’ve conceded 2 goals...

OK – we were better than Bournemouth, but still not very convincing. Once we got into the final third, we seemed very disjointed, and I struggle to remember a good attacking drive from midfield – too many sideways passes and turning back even though there was space to run into. Very frustrating to watch – we promise much but don’t deliver. Very few good chances despite the possession and the players at our disposal.

That said, congrats to Robles – he just adds so much assurance to the defence, and the penalty save was top drawer.

And we did "manage" the game very well, for the most part, after we went ahead.

Roll on the next round and hope for an away tie!

Brent Stephens
50 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:14:23
Colin, I also think a big difference is that Howard is scared of physical contact whereas Robles isn’t – witness his low covering dive for the ball at opposition feet.
Andrew Presly
51 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:16:59
Poor stuff overall but the inclusion of a competent keeper saved it. No Howard this season and we'd be at least fifth now, irrespective of other Martinez related defects. Such a pity.
Andrew Yates
52 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:17:59
What troubles me is the fact every time we start out, every and any team seem to want it more. Is this a game plan we actually have?

Still pleased with the result and nice to see Niasse, let's just win all 12 games and I'm sure we'll have something to cheer by the end of the season.....

Don Alexander
53 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:20:07
Delighted by the win. Robles is getting better from a reliably sound start. Penalty save aside, what really pleased me was seeing him dive towards the six yard line late on to prevent any of the onrushing attackers even getting a shot. That takes real balls and must inspire your defenders.

At half time I had to go out to calm down. Endless pointless passing with sod all ever creating the ghost of a chance, again. It does my head in (and Rom’s to judge by his "movement" – I don’t blame him either). With one notable exception everyone in football knows that possession alone is not the object of the game.

We created very, very little (their keeper had barely to make a save) and got a big slice of luck with the first, but who cares? A workmanlike second half but we’re in the quarters. My joint MotM was GazBaz and Aaron.

Dave Pritchard
54 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:20:53
Dave A (35) I was also amazed at Keown giving Rom MotM. What game was he watching? I thought Jags was our best performer in what was an average display.

We'll have to play better whoever we draw in the quarters. Keeps the interest going for the next few weeks at least. Robles looks confident and must now be our keeper through to the end of the season.

Mark Tanton
55 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:22:02
Very frustrating that it's massively apparent that what might have been a really good season has been a write off because of Martinez's bizarre, misplaced and utterly ruinous support of Tim Howard.
Paul Ferry
56 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:22:35
Sean (#9) – there is only one place to watch the blues in New York mate, and that’s Mr Dennehy's in the West Village. There will be plenty of blues there:

http://www.mrdennehys.com
https://www.facebook.com/MrDennehys/

Christy Ring
58 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:27:11
I have to say, I think Oviedo deserves to start ahead of Baines, he's a lot tighter defending. I thought McCarthy ran himself into the ground, and the amount of times he regained possession in the 2nd half.
Peter McHugh
59 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:29:26
Lukaku created a chance for himself, good save by the goalie. He finished off a good move, wrongly disallowed, and got a poacher's goal. I think he’s great – the best of our youngsters by a mile at present.
Paul Kossoff
60 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:30:01
Gavin 28, I thought Barkley was average at best, his passing was woeful at times, and he got lucky ’ about time’. with his goal.

Twatkinson had a good game for a change and could have sent McCarthy off for his hand ball as he was on a yellow.

Barry was MotM for me, Lennon good too. Rom has a lot to learn. I hate Sturridge but Rom could learn from him how to do it yourself if you aren’t getting the service.

Nigel Rickman
61 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:31:17
Two weeks in a row with the same team, even though they couldn’t break them down last week. Again it was hard work; I feel Martinez has no idea how to change tactics or the team during a game. All too predictable and teams have us worked out.

These two games were screaming out for a player to carry the ball, take someone on, and create chances.

Andy Crooks
62 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:31:57
We have a proper goalkeeper, a real imposing goalkeeper who has an immense amount of scope. I thought Gareth Barry was magnificent and that there was a what, a least an attempt to defend with aggression. Also, I thought Mirallas was excellent. I have defended Kone but with what we have on the bench he really is finished.

I thought Niasse showed a will that was promising. When fit I think he will offer us a lot. A good day.

Paul Kossoff
63 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:33:17
Peter 59, Say what???
Paul Kossoff
64 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:39:25
Christy (#58), I don’t think Oviedo is fully fit yet; if he is, then the fact he got skinned a couple of times for pace means him being an attacking fullback would see us vulnerable at the back.
Steavey Buckley
65 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:39:37
I thought it was a lack lustre performance by the blues against a team that lacked any real dangerous players to worry Everton. Yet, Bournemouth could have gone in at HT 1 up if not for the brilliant save of Robles from a penalty kick.

Why Martinez persists with real width on one side and not on the other always put's pressure on whoever is the left back. Deulofeu would have given the full back a roasting and allowed Lukaku to play in his normal position as a centre-forward waiting to prod crosses home.

Also, too many passes when astray to give Bournemouth unexpected and undeserved possession. And too many shots well wide of the mark.

Finally, It would have been nice if the scoreboard had read Cherries 0: Toffees 2 to give the scoreboard a more delicious look.

Dave Pritchard
66 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:41:04
Andy (#62), please expand on your "Mirallas was excellent" comment. He was only on for about 10 minutes and did very little for me.
Martin Mason
67 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:49:22
Good job well done. MotM for me was Barkley with good attacking and defensive effort, winning the ball well in midfield and often from excellent tackles.

Still not good at the end of moves and we nearly gave a goal away from him losing the ball near their area but he is international class now and in a year or so he will be the best No 10 in world football. Mark my words. It is wonderful to have Ross with us but it won’t be for long now.

Jeff Armstrong
68 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:50:55
Mark (#30) – I wish people would stop with the history repeating itself bollocks, it’s absolute non-sensical romancing, the type of shit the Echo does 4 times a year; that was then, this is now.

Can’t we just have a Robles moment and be happy with this?

Ray Smith
69 Posted 20/02/2016 at 20:57:27
A game of 2 halves.

Robles hopefully keeps goal for the rest of the season.

Niasse showed promise.

Barry or Barkley (but not Rom) was Man of the Match.

Clive Rogers
70 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:08:31
Baines must come back. Nothing down the left going forward again.
Mike Price
71 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:09:23
Mark Tanton #55

Absolutely spot on Mark.

No matter what happens from now on this season has been sabotaged by a mixture of incompetence and stubbornness.

Dave Lynch
72 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:10:55
As my arl fella says:

"We’re in the hat, lad; can’t ask anymore than that."

Andy Walker
73 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:12:26
No way did we ’ease’ past. We were lucky, but so what, we won and are through. Barry was my MotM but well done Robles too.

It was a poor show against Bournemouth’s reserves. A draw would've been a fair result.

Paul Hughes
74 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:13:43
Barry was MotM with Lennon next. Keown as we all know is a complete idiot. We got the rub of the green for a change, and took our chances - which is all you want from an away performance in the Cup.

Our final ball was pretty woeful all game, so there is still much to do. Here’s hoping for a decent away draw for the 6th round.

Andy Crooks
75 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:18:56
Dave # 66, in my view he looked keen, wanted the ball, did a view good tricks, took the pressure off the defence and looked a team player. I think in a short time,that is excellent.

I think any good club needs players who will bide their time and grab an opportunity. I never thought Mirallas was that type. Today, in his interaction with the coach and his team mates I felt he did. I should add that I think he is a class player whose absence from our starting eleven baffles me.

Craig Mills
76 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:28:11
In the cup, a win is a win. It wasn’t a vintage performance, but we’re into the hat and that’s all that counts for me. Setting aside last week's bitterly disappointing result against West Brom, we’re actually on a pretty decent run.
Tony Abrahams
77 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:29:28
Clive 70, if it's true Baines has said his piece, then I'm sure that this would have been one of the first things he would have said to the manager.

Only watched it on TV, and thought it was painful at times, but it seemed very windy, which is always the worst conditions to play footy in.

I also think it was a good job we were playing away from Goodison, because no way would the natives have put up with that first half display.

Possession is great to me, because the opposition can't score when we have the ball. But football is about scoring goals, and I think we would score loads more, if we went direct and got players up in support of Lukaku.

That said it's great to be in the hat tomorrow, and a special mention for Aaron Lennon, who is a real team player, and also real help for Coleman.

We looked very strong on the right, now we just have to sort out the other side.

Gavin Johnson
78 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:34:41
Paul (#60),

I hear what you’re saying about Barkley. Yes, some of the passing was awry this evening but I think he was the only player who tried to make something happen and made the incisive pass, even though some of which didn’t pay off.

I don’t think Rom helped though. He was pretty immobile and he could have helped Ross a little more in that regard. Man of the match he wasn’t.

Victor Johnson
79 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:35:57
Well done, Blues! Not an easy tie that one. I thought Lennon put in a sterling shift (yet again) and Barkley is a smidgeon away from being very, very special. I don’t fear anyone in a knockout match... and I mean anyone!
Jamie Crowley
80 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:45:20
It would appear from the barstool in America...

Our away support was just fantastic.

Pat yourselves on the back. I could hear the through the TV urging the players on. Great show by best fans in the world.

Anthony Millington
81 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:53:52
Can someone explain how Cleverley is a nailed-on starter every game? I don’t rate him at all. Squad player at best. If Mirallas or Deulofeu had a poor game like him, they’d be dropped.
Colin Glassar
82 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:55:19
Brent (#50), no disrespect to our American cousins but Robles was brought up playing football whereas, I believe, Howard came quite late to the game (teenager?) so his reading of the game isn’t as natural as Joel’s.

Also, he played basketball which is a non-contact sport but where the starfish is encouraged.

Trevor Peers
83 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:57:38
Sweet cup win!

Lukaku does finish well, but only if he’s given the right service. Anyone who thinks he’s lazy is a fool. He’ll walk through brick walls, his only fault maybe his first touch.

I still think we lack another creative player in CM who can open up defences, maybe not with every pass, just 1 or 2 times in each game.

Ross provides other qualities – passing and goalscoring –and is looking more self assured, that’s a big plus especially away from home. At home, we will still struggle when other teams park the bus.

Darryl Ritchie
84 Posted 20/02/2016 at 21:58:54
Colin, haven't played hoops much, eh?
Colin Glassar
85 Posted 20/02/2016 at 22:01:50
Darryl, I once tried to play basketball in school but when I was told I couldn't slide tackle or volley the ball I gave up. Hands are for eating with amongst other things.
John Brennan
86 Posted 20/02/2016 at 22:03:57
I thought we did enough to win. I also thought perhaps we could have done a little more, ie if one more goal had been scored, 3-0 seems so much more comprehensive compared to 2-0 or less.

We tend to leave big gaps between the defence and midfield when clearing the ball, and it can often come back far too quickly and in dangerous areas when we think we have dealt with the danger.

It frequently bothers me when our defence clears (or so I think), when the ball gets powered back in to our own area in no time, and we have to man the pumps again, when, if our midfield had managed to get a grip, the ball could at least have been caressed forward by our water carriers, thus giving the defence a breather!

Still, in the next round, and Watford at home (as Mystic Meg informs me) and maybe a date with the cup inscriber. PS it's spelt Everton, not Everten, mate.

Eric Holland
87 Posted 20/02/2016 at 22:24:25
With the amount of moaning and slagging off going on, you would be forgiven for thinking we had just been beat!!

Not a fantastic performance.... But an ugly win is better than a unlucky defeat.

Name on the cup?
John Malone
88 Posted 20/02/2016 at 22:28:17
Anyone else notice Lukaku’s glum face today? Even when he scored he never smiled. It looked like he was pissed off about something... I wonder what?
Sam Hoare
89 Posted 20/02/2016 at 22:31:27
A win away in the cup against a Premier League side. I will take that any day of the week.

Lennon worked his socks off, Barry continues to be serious contender for Player of the Season, defence looked fairly solid and Robles must be growing in confidence in every match.

Pretty good weekend so far as I'm concerned....

Colin Glassar
90 Posted 20/02/2016 at 22:35:03
John, he was arguing with his teammates all game. Some of the passes to him where awful but he didn’t look too bothered either. Maybe he was getting some stick from the away supporters as well...

I’m not sure but he doesn't look happy right now.

Si Cooper
91 Posted 20/02/2016 at 22:43:11
Paul Kossof (63) – what is it about Peter’s post is so baffling? Seems a fair summation.

The lad was a tad unlucky not to have three, being denied a brace by another very poor decision from an official, in a game where he hardly had anything played to him in such a way as to give him a proper attacking opportunity.

Si Cooper
92 Posted 20/02/2016 at 22:52:42
Didn’t see any petulance or bickering from Lukaku myself, Colin. In fact, I thought he acknowledged any attempts to play him in even if they didn’t come off. He and Ross seemed relaxed on the bench.

Someone has suggested it is a significant anniversary for him. A reminder to us all that these young men are liable to have all sorts of events and potential distractions occurring in their private lives, so maybe not everything we see on the pitch is a reflection of their relationship with the club, manager, and team-mates.

Ray Smith
93 Posted 20/02/2016 at 22:58:36
Trevor (#83) Rom is a very good finisher.

However, Gerry is becoming increasingly frustrated when he plays balls into the box for Rom to run onto, only to see him outside the box.

Has Gerry's frustration cost him his starting place?

John Raftery
94 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:07:55
Anthony (#81),

We win more games with Cleverley in the team than we do when he isn’t. The manager knows exactly what he will get when he picks him. He is a busy player who closes down opponents and passes the ball well. He can also score a few goals.

Admittedly his qualities are more suited to away games than home games where the opposition sit deep but he is one of our core players.

Tom Bowers
95 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:09:44
Despite the glitch last week, it would appear that this is the best starting eleven at the present time. It’s not perfect by any means but, given the quality of the lads on the bench, it can only serve to create good competition and keep the starters on their toes.

Although the Cherries did rest one or two players, they are no pushovers and who knows ... they could have won if not for Robles's super penalty save.

The clever flick by Barry was a sign of real experience.

Julian Wait
96 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:32:38
Not too many games left in the Pemier League and FA Cup – even if we get to the final. We need to play our best 11 every week and forget about resting players. We can still make a push up the league and there’s a cup to win still.

Based on today, when Oviedo was not as strong (he didn’t do much wrong either), Baines has a shout to get back in and should get sub time at least against Villa.

Plus we still have Besic to come back in and challenge McCarthy, and if required provide some relief for Barry. Baines could also potentially help out there. McCarthy to me seems like someone we bring on to hold a 2-0 lead and close a game out. He doesn’t offer anything going forwards. On that note, Barry is a rock back there, and gets my Player of the Season vote by a long distance. For a man of 35, who looked to be fading at one point, he’s been keeping us from collapse at times this season. And the flick for the second was lovely, I could watch that all day.

Jamie Crowley
97 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:32:56
Colin -

Americans who (almost always) play multiple sports – that can be a massive bonus as well as a hindrance when transferred to soccer.

No one should take offense to your comments.

Colin Glassar
98 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:37:39
I saw a few spats Si, but I think it's healthy that they have a go at each other on occasion.
Colin Malone
99 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:39:58
BBC Pundits put Rom as Man of the Match. No fucking wonder they aren't in management.
Colin Glassar
100 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:42:46
Bo Jackson was one that comes to mind Jamie (NFL and baseball) and what was the name of the other guy who played both sports as well, not Michael Jordan, the other extrememely arrogant one?
Nigel Gregson
101 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:43:34
ha ! so this is a lucky win and all those losses with fine margins, dodgy penalties not called, ball hitting post were shite tactics from the spanish whatever. Incredible how one eyed to their views some people get.

Great win today and either Reading or Watford will do me for the semi's and here's to hoping Hull get the gunners out.

Colin Glassar
102 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:46:00
Deion Sanders, that was him. Couldn’t stand him.
Jamie Crowley
103 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:46:41
"Neon" Deion Sanders Colin.

It's "primetime"...

Quite a character!

James Marshall
104 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:47:50
Lukaku – the reason (and I’ve already said this once but nobody seems to have noticed) he was subdued today, was because it was a year ago that his best friend died in a car accident in Germany. Notice the crossing of his chest after the goal and pointing to the heavens.

Cut the kid some slack, and realise he’s a human being – not just a footballer. He clearly had his friend on his mind today, and was irritated (quite rightly) by the lack of service, then dedicated the goal to his dead friend.

I think Rom gets way too much unwarranted stick for his performances – he’s there to stick the ball in the net, and he’s done that 21 times this season. He’s a beast. Get behind him for crying out loud.

Jamie Crowley
105 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:51:21
Excellent point Nigel at 101! Seems that barb only travels one way...

And we were certifiably unlucky again!

That "offside" goal from Lukaku...

Another call against us as he was clearly not offside and the goal should have stood! I thought for sure they'd level after that...

We actually beat back bad luck today, but seemingly it's still shite... you really can't win can you?! I for one thought we simply misfired in the first half and got it right enough in the second half to win and move on.

It's not nearly, nearly as bad as some would make it.

Jamie Crowley
106 Posted 20/02/2016 at 23:52:51
Rom was worth the price of admission for that single run down the left side.

That was a beautiful thing to watch.

Ian Smitham
107 Posted 20/02/2016 at 00:03:07
John (#94), quite. Personally, I am not quite sure about Tom, but you know what you will get. He is reliable. Maybe not the best.

Antony (#81), the two characters you champion may well on the day, at their moment, offer more than Tom; however, if I was a Manager, I would pick players who I could rely on and the two are simply not that. They are brilliant one minute and a waste the next.

I guess Martinez wants at least an idea of what he will get, maybe that is why Lennon is ahead of them now, along with view that Lennon will do his defensive duties without complaining; he just gets on with it. That said, I am also not sure about him either.

It’s about opinions, which is I guess why we are on here...

Si Cooper
108 Posted 20/02/2016 at 00:10:53
Jamie (#105) – TV replays were notably absent apart from one, and the incident didn’t make it to the MotD coverage!

From the one replay that was shown, it looked like Rom was about a yard behind the ball when the pass was played but the commentators didn’t seem interested in confirming it one way or the other. (Keown always seems to play down his association with us.)

Oliver Molloy
109 Posted 21/02/2016 at 00:38:32
James @ 104.

Lukuka has been pointing to the sky and crossing himself even before he joined Everton!

Julian Wait
110 Posted 21/02/2016 at 00:45:55
Lukaku was behind the ball when the ball was played.
The goal should have stood.
Mark Wilson
111 Posted 21/02/2016 at 01:32:42
Sometimes it’s a lot easier to understand a team's performances when you know the squad isn’t good enough and you're basically trying to push water uphill. But, with Everton, every game just serves to underline the frustration of watching some very good players often fail to click in anything resembling a coordinated, planned and ultimately effective fashion.

I’m made up we won today. We deserved the victory, despite a bit of luck contributing to the result, and a win is a win in the cup... we just need a good draw tomorrow night and who knows...?

But isn’t it worth looking at today’s win and trying to explain a few things? We’ve just beaten Bournemouth reserves with our full-strength team and we did struggle, a lot at times, to look in control or ease fears that we could concede.

Why did we need Cleverley on the left when putting Lennon there and giving Geri a run out would surely have improved the service to Rom?

Why can’t we alter our shape just a wee bit when we had a sense beforehand from Howe’s statements that he was going to make a lot of changes?

How can anyone underestimate the terrible stubborn mistake made by Martinez of not replacing Howard with Robles two months ago ?

How does Rom get MotM when Barry basically played like two men in midfield on another off day for McCarthy?

It’s not a fume, or even OTT ranting and it was a very welcome win. But every time I watch us play now, I just get angry that we don’t seem to believe in ourselves, that we cannot change our gameplan at any point, and basically that these players are so, so much better than our results this season. It’s horribly frustrating... and made more so when I start to think that we will probably lose two of the best in the squad in the summer while others will strengthen again.

Roberto get it sorted in the last 12 and hopefully three more cup games.....it’s tantalisingly close.

Brian Porter
112 Posted 21/02/2016 at 01:36:11
Well said Mark Tanton #55. The penalty save aside, Robles just seems to be a far more commanding 'presence' in the box who can be seeing talking shouting and generally 'geeing up' the team from within the area, something you never see from Howard.

Now however, we hear Martinez trying to attribute Robles's penalty save to some kind of 'mystic influence' from Tim Howard, who apparently allowed Joel to be calm and ready to make his great save. Roberto just can't open his mouth without putting a big brown shoe right in it. Instead of simply praising Joel for a great save he has to sour the lad's moment by attempting to share the glory of the moment with blunderman Howard. Who is he trying to kid? Himself maybe, as an attempt to carry on justifying selecting Howard as he threw away goals and points almost ad infinitum, which has probably been a big factor in us being in the bottom half of the league this season.

As for the result we've been saying for weeks we'd settle for winning ugly rather than being praised for our entertaining (but losing) style of play, so though we didn't play particularly well we got the result we needed. Well done lads, and my only beef was in Keown giving man of the match to Rom. Fair play, he got his goal, made one grew run, but was quiet apart from that. Barry, Lennon, Jags and even Funes Mori stop out for me far more than Rom today.

Here's to the next round and please let's not hear of anyone returning from their warm weather break with a hamstring injury picked up from tripping over Roberto's sandcastle on the beach!
Jamie Crowley
113 Posted 21/02/2016 at 01:56:10
Si,

I’d have to believe, were it any other team, it would get a mention. It was a perfectly good goal that was disallowed.

Imagine if that had occurred against an Arsenal or Man City... The margins are sooooo thin it could have easily affected the outcome.

As I stated in Lyndon’s piece, our luck this season is horrific.

I’m wondering if we played well enough that we can actually say we MADE our own luck today? How 'bout it, all you "you make your own luck" folks out there? We actually beat some really shit luck today! We must have made our own, right?

Clive Mitchell
115 Posted 21/02/2016 at 02:27:29
Great to play with a goalkeeper again. Good performance, but we aren’t a cohesive unit or a happy ship. Ramiro Funes Mori was great – he’s not perfect but he’s up for it and never dies wondering. That’s why this team needs Besic as well.

Lukaku was MotM because either (a) all the other players on the pitch were ineligible, or (b) Keown wants him to sign for the Arse.

Moment of the match: Keown as Bournemouth were about to take a penalty, "This is a massive opportunity." Richie Benaud award there.

Don Alexander
116 Posted 21/02/2016 at 03:12:22
Through the same gateway that leads to this discussion there's another that was closed after just one input, by Paul Kossoff. On this game, and more, Paul hits the nail right on the head.
William Cartwright
117 Posted 21/02/2016 at 03:48:25
Barry or Howard for Player of the Season?

Now that’s a phenomenally close call...

Craig Fletcher
118 Posted 21/02/2016 at 04:14:13
James (104) if you’re referring to Rom’s mate Junior Malanda who died in a car accident, he passed away 10 January 2015.

Of course the pointing to the sky etc. may still have been a reference to him, but it is definitely not the anniversary of his death.

But as you say, these kids are humans too, probably best not to try and read too much into players' reactions unless we are world-class psychoanalysts and experts in body language.

Harold Matthews
119 Posted 21/02/2016 at 06:59:43
A decent win in the end but a first half to forget. Not that Bournemouth were much better but they did quell our attacks by closing down quickly in midfield while we adopted our usual nerve-racking tactics of all dropping into the box and letting them have the ball.

Not much better after the break with the very rapid King giving both fullbacks a hard time but we won the day and go through to the next round.

For me, the big plus was Niasse who looked a serious player.

Tony Abrahams
120 Posted 21/02/2016 at 07:22:37
Mark 111, if we never had the talent, it wouldn't be so frustrating. I have to agree with you on most of this post, because I feel exactly the same as you regarding Everton.
Ian Jones
121 Posted 21/02/2016 at 08:01:51
Would it be fair to say that our defensive performances have improved since John Stones has been injured and not playing or is it more about Joel doing a good job? Would be interesting to see how we get on with Stones and Robles in the same team or Howard and no John Stones.
Peter Lee
122 Posted 21/02/2016 at 08:25:34
This was a horrible game to watch for all kinds of reasons.

Bournemouth's 4-1-4-1 was pushed back into 4-5-1 for much of the first half and they doubled-up on the flanks whenever we got the ball wide. Aaron Lennon, sensibly, tried to take his markers inside but they were having none of it so Seamus Coleman was left facing two most times.

That said, we did get crossing chances from both wings but even Tom Cleverly, usually reliable given a moment to measure, fluffed his lines today. Wasn't at the game but did the wind play a part in all of that?

One or two players looked off the pace today. Gareth Barry, who still put in an incredible shift, and Romelu Lukaku, who was again too static when we squeezed the game into their half but what pace when he had that run!

There was something to be drawn from that run that helped explain the nature of the game. Both defences had no really quick covering players for a ball through when they pushed to the half-way line and in RL and King each side had pacy threat so neither side did it. Each was looking to knock balls up and retain it whilst midfield players got forward in support with defenders only cautiously moving out. The ideal of attacking and defending as a unit wasn't on. In short it was a very "tactical" game with both sides playing to similar orders.

Regarding Lukaku, Harry Redknapp made some comments about pinning the centre-half, which made sense, but I'd also like to see in games like this, and last week, Lukaku pulling to the corner opposite the point of attack and then occasionally running across the back four to leave space in the disruption behind him for others to try little runs in behind. A switch to a play-maker with vision near the D to play a little ball in behind might open things up. Don't think that player is Ross Barkley though.

Lot of criticism of Martin Keown here, who is usually spot-on on MotD, but not the best co-commentator. In a comment on what Barkley needs to do to improve he mentioned vision. He's not wrong. David Moyes reflected on what Ross was as a 16-year-old before his triple leg-break. He talked of him being a, hard-tackling, 90 minute box-to-box player, the nearest thing to Brian Robson he'd seen. Where did that go?

Finally two points: we defended their few corners at the near post today, yippee! They did help us by having a big lump standing there waiting for the ball to come in though. And Ramirez Funes Mori had a very solid game at both ends. If he had real pace there would be talk about him going to Chelsea, Man City, Man Utd, etc at season's end before John Stones.
Ernie Baywood
123 Posted 21/02/2016 at 08:52:10
Great to get the win and hopefully there's a bit of luck in the draw (do we want an away fixture nowadays?).

In terms of match analysis, I've given up. It was the same performance with a different outcome. This time around we got the lucky break.

Eddie Dunn
124 Posted 21/02/2016 at 09:01:44
James Marshall 104, Well said mate, it amazes me how people can’t be arsed to read the earlier threads. Probably because they are only really interested in having their say.

Lukaku took time to get into the game, largely because the wind was playing havoc with our attempts to get the ball to him.He was criticised on BBC by Keown, for not trying enough but then Keown gave him MotM.

Credit to Martinez for keeping the same team – perhaps continuity is the key. We had our shaky moments but generally deserved the win. Lennon, Barry and Robles stood out for me, but there were solid performances from everyone.

Paul Conway
125 Posted 21/02/2016 at 09:04:24
In the 'Appeal to Coincidence' thread there was a hell a lot of talk about luck. Bad luck, good luck etc. Luck irons itself out. Yesterday I witnessed that theory! We must have ironed out all our previous bad luck in one game yesterday.

I can't take this scoreline seriously. Bournemouth were a weakened team and put up a good fight. although the match overall was atrocious! Great penalty save from Robles. As for McCarthy, he is a liability for us. I am not hanging him out to dry for conceding the penalty. It’s his general play, he was already on a yellow and has a tendency to collect cards for rash tackles. This could've easily been a different result!
Dave Abrahams
126 Posted 21/02/2016 at 09:08:02
James (104), Lukaku must have had his friend on his mind for the few weeks.
Denis Richardson
127 Posted 21/02/2016 at 09:12:06
Performance in the cup is irrelevant, all that matters is that we’re through to the next round, so job done.

Before anyone starts getting their hopes up though, keep in mind we’ve haven’t played anyone decent yet (Bournemouth made no less than 7 changes for the game yesterday....). We’ve been very lucky with the draw but sooner or later we’ll get a decent side taking it seriously.

Likes of Spurs, Man City, Arsenal, Chelsea still involved. Nevermind West Ham and Man Utd.

Hoping for another away tie...

Terence Tyler
128 Posted 21/02/2016 at 09:20:37
Just watched Match of the Day again this morning. In the cold light of day, anybody who things our defending has improved, I would ask them to think again.

At one point, a Bournemouth player was allowed to turn and cross the ball, even with two Everton players around him, to an unmarked Dan Gosling standing on the six-yard line, giving him a free header, from which he should have scored.

I think we all know what the outcome might of been if that header had gone in. Once again, basic defending. We need to put this right, otherwise this team will never achieve anything.

Tony Abrahams
129 Posted 21/02/2016 at 09:46:31
Terence that was so poor of Lukaku, who showed no desire whatsoever to get out quicker and try and stop the cross. Doesn’t matter what your position is on the pitch, he should be doing a lot more there for the team.

I think that came from a corner that Funes Mori had headed away, and was the only time Bournemouth really threatened. But you're right, players have obviously gone missing and we were lucky Gosling’s header was so poor.

Kim Vivian
130 Posted 21/02/2016 at 10:41:02
I was absolutely made up with the yesterday’s win of course, despite having to stick pins in myself to stay awake at times.

However, and I don’t know if it was the dour nature of the game or my total belief that we WOULD win (although I thought it might be a bit of a goal fest – I had a tenner at 66-1 on us to win 4-2... so I got the margin right at least), but my excitement levels after that victory are disappointingly low.

Maybe the reason is I am a little bit of a fatalist (can’t help it) and am feeling an impending sense of déjà vu.

I would love us to win the FA Cup this season (just 3 games away) but wish we could combine it with a really good Premier League run, or – under a different manager or something (á la Di Matteo when he took Chelsea to Champions League victory as caretaker manager) or something – ANYTHING – that doesn’t compare us with Wigan.

The similarities between us and THAT Wigan season are worrying for me. No way we're going down this season, but next season, with RM still entrenched after possibly winning or getting damn close to winning some silverware, and our squad likely weakened because of summer departures, might be the doom season.

It may, of course, be the total opposite with the team mixing it at the top buoyed by a bit of success... but, like I say, the omens are a bit ominous and I wish I could (but I can’t) make them go away, sadly.

Anyone with me on this? (Maybe I shouldn’t have watched the brilliant Apocalypto again last night.)

Steve Hopkins
131 Posted 21/02/2016 at 10:41:28
I believe that, had Bournemouth scored the first-half penalty then we would have been in for a repeat of the West Brom game.

Eddie Howe’s no fool, he’s seen that we can’t break down a massed defence; he had them set up pretty defensively in the first half and consequently we struggled – it was more pass, pass, sideways, sideways, backwards, backwards with no end-product.

Martinez surely has to see that it needs mixing up. I really hope that Niasse is the rocket up the backside that Lukaku needs because, goal record aside, I don’t think he offers himself or works hard enough at the moment. He reminded me of Yakubu yesterday, ambling around looking bored, at least Niasse looked willing to put himself around a bit, had a couple of neat touches and looks willing to impress. Lukaku looks like a guy who knows his name is on the teamsheet, week-in & week-out, no matter what he does.

Howard has also suffered from this perceived lack of competition over the last couple of years – although in his case there was competition but Roberto just refused to see it.

Shane Corcoran
132 Posted 21/02/2016 at 10:54:58
Are posters over-doing it with the back-slapping for Robles? Don’t get me wrong – I prefer him to Howard every day of the week. However, in the first half he had a dodgy clearance (or two) and he also came for a cross/corner towards the end that King got to first and headed wide.

Keown giving Rom MotM was very funny. There weren’t many stand-out performances but he wasn’t even close. His goal doesn’t mask his poor form of the last two months, whatever the reason.

And back to the luck thing. A deflected goal and a penalty miss... I will have to see the Lukaku disallowed "goal" again as I didn’t realise he was behind the ball.

James Marshall
133 Posted 21/02/2016 at 11:05:37
Robles saved a penalty – he’s good at that. He was iffy on crosses – he’s not great at that, despite people thinking he’s commanding in his 6-yd box. I’m not sure that’s true – it’s a perception thing because he does come for crosses... unless you take into account the looping goal conceded against West Brom which he just watched sail over his head into the goal.

I like Robles; I think he has a lot of potential, but he’s far from being so much better than Howard as some people on here seem to think. Howard has become a figure of hate and people will back Robles over him regardless of his performances.

I thought Robles was steady but not any better or worse than Howard has been. The penalty save makes him look better yesterday.

As for our luck yesterday – as the manager keeps saying, small margins, right?

The offside goal wasn’t offside – Rom was behind the ball when it was played. Weird the BBC didn’t mention it last night. I have a feeling they ran out of time in the edit and just chopped our game together a bit last minute.

Man of the Match for me yesterday was probably Barry again. Ross was decent too but nobody really shone massively. Macca was lucky to be on the pitch with the deliberate handball for the penalty, after already getting a yellow – I’d have subbed him around 60 minutes.

Either way, we can all analyse the game to death, but the bottom line is we won 2-0 and personally I don’t really care how we win, as long as we do!

Brian Harrison
134 Posted 21/02/2016 at 11:16:00
I posted yesterday that I feel we are a team set up to play better away than at home. Although yesterday Bournemouth played more like the away side, hence we struggled. Every time a team play defensively, we struggle to break them down.

Our goals had a little bit of luck about them, but I am not complaining. Although had they scored from the spot or had Gosling scored with the header from point blank range, when we were a goal up then it could have been a different story.

I thought it was quite interesting listening to Redknapp, Shearer and Moyes at half-time. Redknapp was quite critical of RM's tactics and said what many have us have said on TW. Shearer also said we should play more early passes to Lukaku, and play to his strengths – again, something that has been mentioned more than once on here.

Another cringeworthy comment from RM when implying that Robles's performance was due in some way to Howard.

Les Martin
135 Posted 21/02/2016 at 11:16:11
Job done. It wasn’t pretty and we had some deserved luck but we’re in the last eight.

I thought there was too much tippy-tappy stuff with no idea how to get the best out of Rom. He is best played in on a running breakaway ball but we never play to his strengths which annoys me.

I also don’t like the idea of two defensive midfielders as they can't get up the field to support Rom. I would love to see Mirallas play just behind and Ross, taking the Barry or McCarthy role, as he has the legs to get forward but also anchor midfield. Rom was isolated so often and did not seem over pleased when he scored.
John Daley
136 Posted 21/02/2016 at 11:38:09
"Shearer also said we should play more early passes to Lukaku, and play to his strengths – again something that has been mentioned more than once on here."

He did, but it was immediately pointed out by both Moyes and Redknapp that Lukaku at least has to make some semblance of an effort to offer himself in those situations. Move into space rather than just standing there motionless, lifting his arm up and down now again.

Redknapp even made a wisecrack about himself displaying more mobility than Rom when he walked his dog that morning.

Phil Walling
137 Posted 21/02/2016 at 12:01:34
Delighted as I am that we are still on the way to Wembley, my assertion that Premier League clubs have devalued the FA Cup by fielding 'reserve' teams was evidenced by Howe's choice of players yesterday.

If Martinez could win the trophy with Wigan, then the same possibility should apply to the Bournemouth manager. That he chose to protect the majority of his 'first choice' players says it all to me. The 'glamour' of the Cup is now not much more than a relic of memory. The Premier League rules all – and 'the game' is worse for that.

For all his bluster about the relative unimportance of yesterday's game, at least Martinez realised that it was getting near to his last throw of the dice and fielded his 'best' team. And set out the tactics to win it. For that alone he deserves our approbation.

Peter Carpenter
138 Posted 21/02/2016 at 12:16:38
Agreed Phil. Clubs that aren’t interested shouldn’t enter and, if they field weakened teams, should be made to start a round earlier the next year.
Kim Vivian
140 Posted 21/02/2016 at 12:39:28
Phil, Peter – you really can’t blame Howe, in this day and age, for his priorities with the real prospect of relegation looming over them.

Also, if that penalty had gone in, and/or Gosling knew how to place a header, he might actually have pulled it off.

Would we then still be criticising him?

Peter Carpenter
141 Posted 21/02/2016 at 12:54:15
Kim, I think a lot of managers are just following a fashion.

The FA don’t help themselves if they want to boost the status of their competition. The 3rd Round was preceded by midweek League Cup semi finals and followed by a full league programme a few days later. The 4th Round had a full league programme following it in midweek. This round has European ties before and after. Actually, if you wanted to kill it off, why not organise it like this?

If there are too many fixtures, scrap the League Cup. Start the FA Cup much earlier in the season, have a clear week before and after each round, keep replays, play all matches simultaneously on Saturday apart from one televised match each round, no Friday or Monday fixtures.

Oh, and can we have Cup Final ’It’s a Knockout’ back and meet the fans on the train to Wembley, please. We would need a replacement for that dirty bastard Stuart Hall – how about Bobby? ’Just look at the Swiss! Incredible! Phenomenal!’

Christy Ring
142 Posted 21/02/2016 at 13:04:19
Mark Wilson (#111), Totally disagree that "Barry had to do the work of two men, as McCarthy had an off day".

He got booked early in the game, but his work rate and the amount of times he tackled and regained possession in the 2nd half was immense. Maybe I was looking at a different game...

Brian Dagnall
143 Posted 21/02/2016 at 13:07:06
Well I didn’t consider that a professional performance. I thought we were bad, and Bournemouth with 7 reserves out gave us a real battle.

Professional in this sense to me means we keep the ball, have a good shape, maybe don’t threaten much, but are tight and in control. Giving away a stupid pen and losing the ball just outside our area, as we often do, are the opposite of professional.

Still, so glad to go through when we played so poor.

Frank Crewe
144 Posted 21/02/2016 at 13:11:37
Lukaku hasn't done much since Deulofeu has been relegated to the bench.

We have four wide players Lennon, Deulofeu, Mirallas, and Pienaar. Yet only one of them is ever on the pitch at any given time. The lack of game time Mirallas gets is criminal.

We have the means to play to Lukaku's strengths but we never do. He spends game after game isolated up front as a lone striker as he did yesterday. If RM wants to get the best from him (while he's still at Everton) he has to give him more support from midfield. A second striker or play two wide players instead of one.

Bill Gall
145 Posted 21/02/2016 at 13:13:37
Talking about the Cup Final, is it not about time that the FA stopped the money grab for the semi-finals and revert back to playing them at neutral grounds instead of Wembley? It seems to me it just favors London supporters as far as travel goes.
Kim Vivian
146 Posted 21/02/2016 at 13:16:55
Hear hear, Bill Gall. You pipped me to it on that one.
Kim Vivian
147 Posted 21/02/2016 at 13:18:21
It makes the final – the actual trip to Wembley a bigger occasion as well.
Tony Abrahams
148 Posted 21/02/2016 at 13:34:16
Peter, I think the teams who qualify for Europe would hate it if we scrapped the League Cup. Not every team admittedly, but the teams who want to win things, definitely.

People say that the teams who qualify for Europe have an advantage in the League Cup because they play one less game, but I disagree with that.

I actually think the fact that it’s a midweek competition gets the cleverer managers using it to get their players used to playing more midweek games, just like they have to do in Europe.

More often the team that wins the Premier League, wins the League Cup, so maybe it’s become more valuable to these teams because of the midweek format?

Phil Walling
149 Posted 21/02/2016 at 14:02:22
I do agree, Bill Gall, that the useless FA are as much to blame for the demise of their showpiece competition as the pragmatic managers.

The apparent need too maximise the income going into New Wembley has cheapened the image of the venue and the excitement that surrounded the Final. Own Goal par excellence!

Soundbites coming out of the organisation seem to indicate that the FA are clueless as how to 'save' the Cup and, no doubt, anything they do come up with will only serve to worsen their plight!

Steve Carse
151 Posted 21/02/2016 at 16:55:37
The only thing that would save the FA Cup would be a massive increase in the prize money. It's all about money these days.
John Raftery
152 Posted 21/02/2016 at 17:01:58
Peter (#122), Yes, the swirling wind certainly played a part yesterday. Early on it caught hold of a Cleverley free kick which travelled harmlessly to the far side of the penalty area.

Both teams struggled to to control the pace of their passing with balls being under- or over-hit. If anything, we found it slightly easier playing against the wind in the second half.

Charlie Burnett
153 Posted 21/02/2016 at 18:45:31
Why didn't Lukaku celebrate? That's weird.
Denis Richardson
154 Posted 21/02/2016 at 19:24:00
If the winners of the FA Cup got a place in the Champions League then EVERY club in the country would take it seriously.

Trouble is I can’t see the Premier League allowing that to happen....

Dave Williams
155 Posted 21/02/2016 at 21:06:41
All season we have criticised the team and RM for playing too open and letting in goals. Yesterday, he played his most solid team with wide men who will defend, it works, we win and everyone criticises!!

He picked a team to do a job and they did it. Yes, we would have been more entertaining with Kev and Geri instead of Lennon and Cleverley but would have been a lot more open in defence.

In time, we can hopefully defend well, and play with flair... but yesterday wasn’t the time to try.

Job well done for me.

Harold Matthews
156 Posted 21/02/2016 at 23:09:25
Ditto Dave. I thought we did fine. McCarthy is still not fully fit but, with Besic absent, he had to play and we remain on an upward curve.

Pleased to see Mirallis get a few minutes and Niasse looks a serious player. A very serious player. Definitely our main man next year. I know one when I see one and this lad is the business.

Yes, Lukaku is also the business but I think he'll move on. Players with his goal scoring stats are high on the shopping list of rich clubs.

Peter Roberts
157 Posted 22/02/2016 at 09:20:20
Unfortunately my irks and suspicions with Lukaku seem right. He is going through his "can’t be bothered" patch.

It’s a bloody shame that a player with so much physicality and athleticism should play in this manner. BBC tried to highlight our slow build up play; all they did was highlight that the big man stands still with his hand raised as if by magic the ball is going to find its way to him through the man standing in front of him.

It may well be that we have to utilise a harder working and maybe less clinical goalscorer which I guess is why Niasse has been signed. Lukaku will be off for decent money as he is classed as a marquee striker – I feel his reputation is greater than his level of performance.

I just hope he can pull out a few more big performances in the cup and get us some silverware. I think £50m would be a nice kitty for a new striker and attacking midfielder.

Anthony Flack
158 Posted 22/02/2016 at 10:35:27
Peter,

I disagree, and think Lukaku is a bloody marvel, who we would be crackers to move on. He:

- did a great run in the first half;
- had a good goal disallowed;
- scored.

I would rather he did all this than look excited and interested !

Also someone posted that it was the anniversary of his mate dying in Belgium....

Brent Stephens
159 Posted 22/02/2016 at 10:42:37
Re Lukaku and "I feel his reputation is greater than his level of performance". I’d prefer to see it the other way round – he is performing wonderfully (goals per game) and (for me) his reputation is based on that so is justified.

We have a guy who scores at ,or better than, a goal every 2 games. Why sell and take the risk that any replacement might not perform to that level – despite the reputation they bring with them?

Peter Roberts
160 Posted 22/02/2016 at 12:29:30
Anthony, his friends anniversary was on the 10th January - 6 weeks ago. I appreciate footballers are human and I am more than aware that football is far far far less important than life or death - in comparison it doesn't register as being anything worth considering at all. its a game.

For me Lukaku has had very easy opposition of late and he has looked pretty poor and disinterested. People say he's carrying a knock... he didn't look like it when he did that run. That was the most he moved all game.

Lukaku's goal stats are like English summers... you look at days in isolation and think "where is the summer?" At the end of the month you get a statement saying driest June on record.... well yeah it's been bloody cloudy though. Lukaku has two goals in the last 10 games.... a penalty and a goal against Bournemouth.

People will see what they want to see with him. Lots of excuses get thrown his way, for me he needs to do a heck of a lot more.

Chris Scully
161 Posted 22/02/2016 at 21:20:49
Sean #9. Try contacting these guys...
http://Evertonusa.net/local-chapter/nyc-Evertonians/

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