Sigurdsson and Pickford see Blues past Hajduk in Split

Say it is a 4-4-2 and Rooney drops, then it quickly becomes a 4-2-3-1 as the middle two are defensive midfielders. Schneiderlin should sit, allowing Besic to chase and harry in the Gueye role.

Hopefully everybody stats safe..

Overall, I like the lineup.

I would've liked to see Rooney rested in favour of Mirallas to save him and allow us to counter attack with pace.

Negative I know but it's my sense.

Lined up in a 4-2-3-1. Looks quite fluid. Rooney and Calvert-Lewin are rotating, Lookman has stayed on the right and Sigurdsson and Calvert-Lewin popping up on the left.

I see DCL is on the wing again. Koeman loves an aul tinker.

Sigurdsson is showing some nice touches in the number 10 role. Nice and busy. Linking up well with rooney.

Besic has been nice and calm so far. Let's hope he continues.

Let's see how Koeman and the team react to that goal in the 2nd half.

Could be a very educational 45 minutes for many.

Lookman needs to show more, or got hooked.

DC-L continuing his very fine form.

The game overall has been fairly even but that wonder strike has made it interesting. I wouldn't be trying to hold out with the crowd pumped and the ref already looking a bit of a homer. Need to go for a goal... reckon Mirallas is the man for it.

Defensive 'dourpuss'

Sure we should go through but come on these are poor and we have the match intensity of a wet sponge.

Only DCL & Rooney look anything near decent.

We need to put this to bed now and shut their knobhead fans up. Glad to see Lennon on the pitch direct and pacey which is what's needed now. COYB!

Good penalty save by Pickford. Clumsy foul by Williams. Calvert-Lewin doing well still.

Next.

He made a mistake for the penno admittedly, other than that he made some great tackles and interceptions.

I was pretty pleased generally. To manage that game as we did was impressive, especially 3 days after a really hard match. Credit to the manager who I thought selected well tonight and made sound substitutions.

Pickford excellent again. We will come to expect it.

The stunning strike by Siggy so early in the 2nd half effectively put the tie to bed, but too many players on the park retreated too deep, much to Koeman's annoyance.

Now if we could play keep ball as we did at the close further up the pitch and be more clinical in finishing the chances that come our way (where is that striker?!) then we could be purring.

Because there is great movement and intercharge emerging between the players.

Oh! And other than the penalty, I thought Williams had a very solid game. Better than Keane on the night. And Martina also continues to shine.

Rooney brings so much craft to the team, but he needs to be well managed in terms of game time or risk burn out or injury.

Another test to look forward to Sunday.

Loving it!

Williams is a committed player and from what I see gives it and takes it which I like and tonight he made an error. I'm sure Koeman will be having a word or two.

A spectacular goal like that usually puts everyone on the front foot, but we looked like we had nothing left. if we can find a good centre forward now, then once we gel, then we do,look like we have got some real quality in the squad now?

Richard Dunne, has just called Pickford right then saying he just seems to have that aura, that he just knows he's good.

Besic? I don't know why he's got a shirt before Davies or Mirallas. We defended in numbers but with confusion of whose job was whose.

I don't think we've played that well this start of the season but hopefully we will get better.

I'd say we are a good LCB and a top striker away from a very good team/squad once Bolasie, Coleman and Barkley(?) return.

A result at Chelsea and in the words of Arthur Daley 'the worlds our lobster'!

£45m too much for an ageing midfielder we said.

Then today happened.

The way Koeman, is shaping his squad, looking to bring in a lot of players who are better playing inside, rather than staying out wide, then as well as a top centre forward that we desperately need, then we need another defender who is comfortable with the ball?

Come on though, they were not great, yet we as per usual sought to contain a side and in the end, like Monday gave them momentum in the game.

A stroke of breath taking skill from Sigurdsson, covered over cracks which weren't terminal but 'splitting' at the edges.

Lookman was by any standards poor, although he was hoofed the ball several times, erm thanks Ash!

The 2nd half was a non event, so any control we had was given to us as they became sporadic and disinterested.

The penalty. We all knew Pickford would save it, Said channeling his inner Mirallas as they scrapped over who would take it. Chortle.

Rooney and DCL the best of an average lot.

Through and unscathed. Moving on to another Koeman tactical master class at Chelsea on Sunday .yawn!

Tonight's game, we were playing very professionally until they scored a worldly. Then we scored an even better one. Sigurdsson's vision, balance, contemplation and darn right cheek was something to behold. His all round game considering his lack of preseason was excellent.

A mention for 2 players who divide opinion. Besic, his first game in ages, did some lovely defence splitting passes tonight. Schneiderlin, his close control, coolness under pressure and ability to find himself space and execute passes very quickly is a sight to behold.

Possession play was excellent tonight too, as was Williams, I don't think it was a penalty, but there you go!

The one thing I don't want to see in an Everton side though is too much gamesmanship, that is just my personal thing.

All in all, still work in progress, but the progress is there to see IMO. There will be bumps along the road, but we are going in the right direction at a decent pace.

Alderwierald not signing new contract because of low wages.
In top 3 centre half's in Prem for me.
Offer Barkley and cash and give him the wages he is looking for.

Big difference from the last time we was in this competition is that we have a totally different mindset within the squad now. Martinez, concentrated on Europe, at the expense of the league,but I don't think this will happen this time around, although it's going to be tough unless we get another two top players in.

I'm hearing that betting has been suspended on Van Dyke, joining the toffees, although I haven't got 100% proof of this though!

I thought Sigurdson in particular showed us what Ross has not been doing.

He was back in defence one minute, scoring spectacular goals and breaking through the oppositions offside trap with ease,

I thought everyone but Lookman played OK which is a shame because I would love Lookman to come good and actually picked him in my starting lineup.

Also thought Michael Keane has looked a bit less solid the last 2 games too.

I thought Sigurdson in particular showed us what Ross has not been doing.

He was back in defence one minute, scoring spectacular goals and breaking through the oppositions offside trap with ease,

I thought everyone but Lookman played OK which is a shame because I would love Lookman to come good and actually picked him in my starting lineup.

Also thought Michael Keane has looked a bit less solid the last 2 games too.

Job well done Everton and a special mention to dc Lewin who is looking better and better.

Our squad looks so much better equipped for all competitions than for years. We've got Coleman and Bolasie to come back as well.

The performance tonight was competent / professional. I thought we saw out the last 20mins really well. WR played well again.

What a goal by Siggurdson! For the Split player's goal to be second best on the night is saying something. (And that was some strike).
I am changing my nickname to Siggy now.
I suspect he's going to become a real cult hero.

And the best stadium in this vicinity - on the banks of the Royal Blue Mersey (we should trademark that)'is still to come.

The future is Blue.

Great to see the likes of Pickford, Keane, Schneiderlin, Siggurdsson, Martina, DCL growing in confidence with every game.

Rooney and Baines maintaining their high standards. I'd give some slack to Lookman and Besic as they're still rusty and need games under their belts.

I hope they enjoy the rest of the evening and can find a nice friendly place that is bouncing, where they can have a few bevies, in peace!

Rooney: I thought he would be a liability. He seems to be trying to make up for the years he was gone and is really motivated.

I was wrong on both counts. So glad.

The team is starting to take shape. We are by no means the finished article, but there were some very assured performances again, particularly from Schneiderlin. We just need to get the balance right up front, because we are looking strong in defence.

A striker is imperative. I would also like a winger, as we can't always rely on the ones we currently have...

The fact we knew Lukaku was going six months ago and we still haven't signed a replacement is driving me nuts!

Holgate threw one back 40 yards the other night. I reckon Koeman and Walsh with their statistical knowledge will surely sort that out over time. Loads of different advantages come from throw-ins and corners.

The way he harried the player in the first place to turn over the ball...

How quickly he computed the situation...

The vision to know what was 'on'...

The technique and ability to carry it off...

How cleanly he strikes and places a high falling ball, to volley the ball as he does before it hit the ground...

The distance it travelled and the aesthetic beauty of the ball only bouncing AFTER crossing the line, perfectly placed in the corner...

Name me a better first goal for your club than that.

Genius. Pure genius.

That's paid off around £5m of his transfer fee right there. Literally. That's a minimum teams earn in prize money from qualifying for the group stage.

Besic got stick for the failed back heel the other night but in his favour I was delighted to finally see a midfielder follow the move he started and dash past the front man. That's the way to open teams up. Watch Pogba do it time an time again just by gambling.

If Koeman is prepared to break up the static part of midfield and find a box to box footballer, along with the new striker he wants., this team can go places.

Rooney must be glad he's got a player like Sigurdsson near by. Well done, Blue Boys.

A couple of decent players just waiting to be sure of some sort of European football to be involved in.

Interesting the comments above regarding VVD I realy hope that ones true.

Win the Premier League, the Europa League, The Caramello Cup an finish runners up in the FA Cup coz we'll be knackered by then...

Agree 100% Brian, whether a player is a new player to the club or a youth who has experienced only a few 1st team games. there is a period of bedding in to be done. We are work in progress at the mo, but we are doing it well.

So we will probably get Zenit St P, Partizan Belgrade and Instanbul Basaksehir

The top 4 is wide open again this season with two slots between 5 clubs to fight for. I would rather be in the mix for that than getting 6-hour flights every Thursday night in a Mickey mouse farcical completion.

The only way to progress as a club is to attract the best players; to do this, we must crack the top 4 or at least try. We don't stand a chance playing in this format and 3 games a week.

We couldn't win a game away from Goodison last season and we were out of all the cups and no Europe. Watch the slide begin very soon, the more we play in the Europa. Big clubs set the bar higher than us and our fans – that's why we will never catch them up.

Billionaires and new stadiums are all well and good but the mindset throughout the club is all wrong. We are not winners – we don't have real ambition. As long as our fans can have piss-ups in the sun, you're happy. Look at the way Liverpool swatted Barcelona away over Coutinho. We couldn't wait to sell Lukaku to Man Utd for a pittance. Lack of ambition, you see. Just like it's always been.

We are still a work in progress and there's a lot to come back from injury. We will need the likes of Besic, Lookman, McCarthy and Lennon over the coming months.

As many have observed, we need another striker - somebody who can hold the ball up and get 15-20 goals a season.

But Pickford...I felt hopeful when it came to the penalty and he didn't disappoint. Loving him in the side.

As for the Sigg, well he's set the bar high because he's not renowned for feats like that. It's become a mad mix of faces old and new, of Moyes era defenders, youngsters, Martinez signings and the signings from this summer.

Tough start and I suspect Chelsea away will be too much with the injuries we have but I think we'll be going great guns by late September.

Lots of positives tonight. What a goal. Besic played great all things considered. Lennon playing also brilliant for lots of reasons. We are going to continue to get better as the season progresses.

Pickford. Best we've had in years. Such confidence. let's see if we can keep this team together.

Just concerned about our attacking okay, ok we had a few good chances with DCL close and Rooney but want to see us having at least 5-10 attempts on target. Maybe this team was better than I think who know. Next game can't come quick enough. Think might get done by Chelsea but who knows.

I have noticed he does that, not sure why he doesn't put his thigh in the way or even try heading it.

But it was a good strike and worthy of deciding matters until...!

Difficult place to go but jeez we made it hard work. Got extremely lucky in the first few minutes when Pickford took out their player who was clearly not offside.

I can't for the life of me understand why Koeman stuck DCL out on the left after his best game for us and clearly his best position is through the middle. Thought that was dumb. Swapping Sig and Rooney around behind DCL would make much more sense.

Other than that, I was ok with team selection. Koeman tactics? Well same as always. Safety first and hopefully nick a goal. Worked tonight, just.

Great strike from Siggy and Pickford penalty save deserve special mentions. Martina surprised me again, in a good way. Definitely a different player to what was as southampton.

On to Chelsea and the transfer market. We know what we need so fingers crossed someone comes in who is at least decent.

I don't think it was Koeman's plan to sit back. He was on the touchline constantly berating them to push forward.

Again, there are many factors to the performance so I'm not naming anyone for blame. Good result and march on. Chelsea next. Schedule is tough, with nearly no rest time. I would almost want to discount that game but hope we win at Stamford Bridge. The Spurs game will be the one I would start to judge Koeman on. Ideally we'll be adventurous and slick. Again, march on.

See you in the morning!

Was a photoshop hoax.

Bill Kenwright has taken his time and chosen very carefully a rich billionaire who will take us in the right direction. He in turn has brought in a manager who with money in his pocket will take us in the right direction.

He, who has fuck all emotional background to OUR club brought back Rooney, sold Lukaku but has basically replaced 80% of our team with better players. I trust this guy and his boss and we are on the way back to the top

Good times.

It is obvious that under new management and with the addition of many new players, we will not perform, overnight, in the silky smooth fashion that both the management and fans would prefer. It will take time. What is more important now is garnering points, victories under our belts and establishing a confidence and winning mentality. The pretty stuff will come in time. Be patient and believe.

For someone who didn't have a proper pre-season Gylfi's 90 minutes were outstanding. Besic over Davies? Midweek only please.

I would be curious to know why Koemanonly made two substitutions while well aware of the crazy schedule. (Give Rooney a little rest maybe?)

Just got done watching the 20 minute highlights.

Yelled out, "you gotta be fuckin' kidding me!" when Siggy scored.

That was just ridiculous. The vision and skill to pull that off? Amazing.

And I have to say, I absolutely love watching Wayne Rooney playing for Everton. He seems so driven to win with his Club. It's just a joy to watch him.

Brave souls get home safe!

I just want to get through top of our group and dodge the Champions League drop-outs!

There's a route to Champions League football if we win this thing. Good draws are key.

On 150 grand a week and with his experience, surely he shouldn't give ball away so easily with stupid mistakes.

And often when a quick first time ball or a square or through pass is required he takes 2 or 3 touches too many. Would expect him to have more vision and be able to pick people out better with 1 or max 2 touches.

I know he's getting on a bit, but hopefully we add another striker and Rooney can be a bit sharper

As someone else posted above, this may influence who we are able to sign. 6 guaranteed european matches.

Ron is starting on a solid base and building from that with results first and foremost. After yet another capitulation with Roberto, I remember many on here saying just give me a boring one-nil win! Patience and support from the terraces not moaning will give us the best chance of getting where we all hope to be.

Williams is a case in point. He is committed to the cause and had a great game last night but some on here say he was awful? Some on here would have sacked Kendall before he came good. Give Ronald Koeman the time and opportunity and show him the love!

Nice one lad. Made up you got back to your hotel in one piece. Hope the rest are okay.

I said before the game that I would settle for going in, getting a result and getting out. We did that with a wonder goal thrown in for good measure.

I've been a critic of Williams in the past, but think he's getting unfair stick here. I thought he played very well.

In hindsight, I was even glad they got a penalty (although I panicked a bit at the time). It was comedy gold. First, three of them argue about who takes it, then the guy who wins the argument looks at Pickford and wishes he'd left well alone. (Have you ever seen a player so clearly psyched out?) He didn't even take it from the spot! He must have felt bad enough, but when he asked their fans for their support, they fucking slaughtered him!

Tony A @96

Touch of class. It's not always just about the match – we sometimes forget that.

James #153. Beat me to it but still made me chuckle reading it 😂

It would be interesting to read more about your trip.

I was watching the game, saying that what I like about Sigurdsson is that he does the simple & effective things very well, consistently, then he goes and scores that goal.

Good professional performance. Job done.

So until I hear a convincing argument for pessimism (and non from the usual doom mongers have done it yet) , the sun is shining still in the la-la land I love to inhabit. Life too short otherwise.

He's a young lad and so he's entitled to a bad game now and again. It's not dented my expectations of him. Also, you'll have noted how much he has bulked up. I think we'll see more of him in the Premier League this season.

Surely we can't play Rooney and Siggy the whole game. Sandro ? Mirallas ?

It's going to be almost impossible to give Baines a rest ! We still have Connolly right ?

I wonder if we will sell Mirallas and loan Lookman - suppose it depends if we can get anyone in. Can we afford to sell McCarthy ? Again, maybe if we get somebody else.

Shame

So Koeman didn't make the sub as it was held in reserve for Sigurdsson and Koeman managed him well by getting the full 90 out of him.

Slightly concerned about the upcoming Chelsea trip, and hoping that the travels and the tough game has not taken too much out of players like Rooney, Baines, Besic, Williams.

I would rest Rooney for Chelsea (just for the sheer number of minutes he has played this past week) and my team would be:

Pickford
Holgate Keane Jagielka Baines
Gana Davis
Klaassen Sigurdsson Mirallas
DCL

Subs: Stek, Kenny, Williams, Besic, Rooney, Sandro, Lookman

Made up Rob, and John, got back safe, hopefully everyone did, but those buses were probably late for a reason Dave, "HAJUK BRICK-THROWERS" needing to get bored waiting maybe?

Paul A, the throw-ins are a disgrace, and sometimes I wish we would just throw it straight out for a goal-kick to the opposition, because at least the ball would be safer back there?

I actually pointed it out to show how unadventurous we are at times, so rigid with 9 men behind the ball, and was trying to maybe point out that this is what Darren is alluding to when he criticises the manager, for the manner of our style.

Ajay, the moment Gylfi scored they needed 3 more. It was a walk in the park from then on.

This is sort of out of context but I just don't like Ashley Williams. Did you see when the second ball came on the pitch last night? He wouldn't let the Split player kick it off. I know you'll all laugh but that shit annoys me. He started squaring up to another lad in the box after pushing him to. I just find it hard to like him.

Anyway, great result, great goal and I believe we have a lucky manager.

Many positives as identified by many above, couple of not-so-positives too.

Thought Lookman looked out of sorts. No flair, no energy, invariably lost the ball and frankly was a bottleneck down the right. There have been stories of family issues (settling etc.) off the pitch. He needs to quickly resolve whatever is affecting his form or he'll get left behind. Lennon fared no better 2nd half so in fairness maybe their LB was 'that good'.

Besic - love the bloke and am one of those who hope he pushes on . woeful touch at times and way down in the pecking order based on current form. C'mon Besic, shape up.

A better side, would have taken advantage, we can't play like that on Sunday, or it's game over.

Very disappointed with many of our players last night, apart from Siggy, nobody really showed much idea, DLC, and Rooney were okay but faded as the game went on.

Think the suspension to Schneiderlin, may do us a favour, apart from Man City, he has been off the boil.

I do not know how some people may be happy with this Everton game. It is shameful to defend all 90 minutes against a team like Hajduk (3rd in the Croatian league?!?!). Hajduk is not Barcelona or Real Madrid that you have to park the bus... you have to attack.

Most of all I was disappointed with the fans of Everton. I was in many matches, and I've never seen that the visiting fans are sitting the whole game?!?!?! They are for theaters and they should be banned from entering the stadium.

If Williams kicked the ball out of play and they scored with the other, he would have been murdered for his "naivety".

Ivan, sorry your impression of us wasn't the best, we are usually a rowdy lot. As for the football, I think the aim was to get through with the least effort possible. Big game on Sunday.

I think the hesitancy of the back 3/4 to step out and press the ball either comes from manager, or is ingrained. In last 3 games, same thing – ball could be about 20-35 yards out, but expectation is always for midfield to track the player on the ball even if defence on marking a single player.

Personally I think Williams is not a patch on Jags, but just an opinion.

I think Dunne's comments are true when he said, we need to believe we are a bigger team and go and dominate teams like this.

I was glad to see Lennon on and making a positive contribution – I think he still offers more than Lookman until Lookman matures a bit more.

I used to like Besic, but think he is a walking booking/sending off and more a liability.

Schneiderlin has definitely gone off the boil, and passes are too frequently back and side ways – bring back James McCarthy if that is all he plans to do. He can offer so much more going forward.

Would loved for team to try and score a few goals at end, many people were making good runs etc, but just seemed happy for a draw.

Overall, happy to get to next round, but still think we are a long way off.

Now if it was a beach ball!

Like it.

I agree he struggled last night but he was very good at City.

I agree he struggled last night but he was very good at City.

For anyone who has never tried it you should.

I stayed in Bergamo, when we played Fiorentina, and the historical,old town was really nice, if it's the same place that is. I can imagine it will be really good in September, but I'm already booked on a lads jolly to Benny, which probably kept me from crossing Croatia off my own list last night.

Rob, great supporter mate, hats off to you.
Hope I didn't do you a disservice earlier, are you flying business class or just using the lounge.

Anyway, I would have my last nicker you will be at Chelsea.

You are right of course. He was an awful buy, but he played well last night.

I just find the fact that those who roundly applauded his signing are the ones giving him stick when he finally play's well... very strange.

In the lounge at split airport. few bottles there. Then business class on the plane to Zurich. Couple of bottles. Then in the lounge at Zurich, few bottles and few glasses of champagne. Then finally couple of bottles on the flight to Manchester. Meals in the lounges and on the planes.

We've stuffed ourselves full of food and drink all day and not spent a penny, apart from the train fare from Manchester airport to Liverpool.

Just get in the group stages with minimum physical exertion and no needless suspentions , and especially no new injury problems , to go with Sandro and Klaassen, both out on sunday as is Scheiderlin .

Job done , we needed that extra quality at pivotal times with the team refusing to get out of second gear ,happy to contain Hadjut, and boy did we get it.

75 million pounds worth of extra quality in Pickford and Syggurdson, extraordinary goal and an extraordinary keeper.

Nap, knew my nicker was safe.
Enjoy it mate. 👍