Blues fail to really punish the lucky Reds

Also we need a centre-forward on.

Martial cheats, Zaha cheated in the game earlier today, and if they both don't get done for retrospective diving, then football, and more importantly the fans, have got the game they deserve.

Speed it up, Everton — United are there for the taking but, if you're gonna get beat, then at least go down with a proper fight.

See that snide Ashley Young doing a Gerard when the ref gave the penalty; it should have been Martial going in the book for his cheating.

Very cruel on Pickford and fortunate for Pogba.

Other than the 10 minutes following the goal, I think we've been the better team. Just misplacing the ball in the final third when in good positions.

Bernard looks better than last week. Gomes less so. Walcott again hit and miss. Richarlison not able to bring his best talents to the table as things are playing out. Gueye walking a tightrope after his early booking. Keane rock solid.

And why am I not surprised that the commentary made no mention of TWO players clearly holding Zouma from the corner in which Gomes had a free header..?

We can get something from this game with a little tweaking and more composure in and around their area.

Walcott a passenger and Bernard too.

Sadly, Coleman is playing from memory.

Today, we played okay, but it was our right side that caused us most of our problems; and our lack of a proper striker.

Pickford was outstanding - again! - in keeping us in it. Keane was imperious. Zouma less so. I wouldn't be surprised to see Zouma make way for Mina next week.

Seamus is willing, but his legs and speed of thought and execution are clearly not what they were. Digne was also not great once he crossed the half way line.

Sigurdson was very good. Gomes really improved after the break and gave glimpses of what he can offer. Gueye doing very well at what he does best. Richarlison needs to go back to playing wide left where he is both a threat going forward and offers better cover defensively than Bernard.

I think Lookman is making a real case to replace Walcott on the other flank. Yes, he misplaced a couple of passes, but he made things happen far more than Theo in less time on the park.

We finished the stronger, but lacked guile and composure to create the one chance that could have bought us an equaliser. Overall, a better performance away to one of the big six we have been accustomed to seeing, but still falling short.

Still, good signs with evident room for improvement yet.

Overall we held our own but Gueye not doing enough in the middle and Gylfi needs to be more mobile or drop back.

Richarlison needs to play out wide, he is obviously getting pissed off not playing in his natural position which could affect him even more.

Overall though this is a team today that even when struggling have cost hundreds of millions to put together.

Interesting that neither penalties conceded yellows given – and will the FA look at Martial's dive for their penalty, á la Niasse??? Highly doubtful.

We should have done better though, but were useless when we had a clear opportunities, both in finishing and decision making when a pass would have meant a certain goal.

We should have got at least a draw.

The reason that ref is shite is because he's a fat baldy bastard who can't keep up with play, so half of his decisions are guesswork.

These games always remind me of how much I hate Manchester United and the media mavens who worship them.

Zaha was at it too for Crystal Palace, but they won't ban him for 2 matches either. Not with the FA's old boy Roy Hodgson in charge. If I remember rightly, Roy went into meltdown over Niasse's alleged dive.

Yes, the Pogba penalty was a shit decision, but it's our own bad decisions and poor finishing which nearly always lets us down in the games.

On paper, our front players look great and you think “wow” but you watch them and they just don't possess enough killer instinct.

It's not hard to kill games off as we are seeing with Bournemouth who have nurtured bac- to-back 3-0 and 4-0 away wins but you feel Everton players need 20 chances to score once.

We will beat Brighton next week, I'm sure of it, because they aren't a top six club with that aura around them... but the following week, at Chelsea, it'll be back to what we know best, a timid-in-front-of-goal performance and poor decision-making.

Until we play these matches and learn to just play our own game, then we will never progress... no matter how many seasons we wait for it. It's like a child learning to read: if nobody teaches it, then how can it ever learn?

Not playing a centre-forward is causing us problems too. Richarlison is better on the left, Walcott or Lookman on the right. Until they come good or we find a better centre-forward, we should stick to Tosun or Calvert-Lewin through the middle. It won't be perfect by any means but I think it's the best option at the moment.

Sad to see the deterioration in Seamus's game. The injury has taken its toll on a lad who has been outstanding both as a player and as a man.

Too many players were not up for it. Walcott was poor (again). I will criticise Coleman, he's not himself.

Some plus points in Pickford (again), Zouma, Gomes. Now is the time to change the team.

I'd say Ian at # 11 is spot on. Kenny is the better option now. Seamus is done. I would have played Mina today and even started with Cenk or Dom up front. For most of the game, it was crying out for a target man, that can at least hold the ball up, head, show commitment, and not keep falling over.

Richarlison has shown he's definitely not the answer. Change it at half-time. When Lookman came on, why was a centre-forward not brought on at the same time? We got one or two decent crosses in and nobody to finish. How does Walcott keep starting?

If we give it everything and lose using our resources correctly, I am happy... but we did not.

Beaten today; beaten at Arsenal... expect more of the same over there, at Man City and Spurs. I'm afraid we're on par with the likes of Leicester, West Ham, Bournemouth and Brighton etc

We may spring a shock at home against them but highly unlikely to win away and no-one would tip us to win at any of them grounds. Harsh to say but sadly it's the truth.

The penalty against Gana was a horrible call. Horrible.

Positives:

How good is Jordan Pickford? My God what a keeper.

How good is Gomes? Fantastic player. So cool on the ball.

This team is moving in the right direction. Of that I now have no question.

Have to say there's areas of improvement needed, and of course I'm disappointed. But I don't feel that “angry we are miles off” kind of feeling.

And that keeps me very hopeful for the rest of this season.

I've a feeling we're on the cusp of something good.

Overall, I thought the lads did okay – you haven't got that much of a chance when the opposition gets a penalty because you kicked the ball. Do you think Jon Moss's Mum thinks he's a good ref?

For this reason alone, I always argue that success for us will only ever come in the cups, which is why we should treat them with more respect, instead of the likes of Man Utd!

The Richarlision experiment at centre-forward has to stop – it's not suited and he needs to stay on the flanks. I thought our right side was very disappointing today.

I am sure this has given Marco some food for thought, put it down to further learning of where we are at the moment.

Centre-backs were good and the problem was that Pogba spotted our weak flank and focussed on it and Theo didn't give Seamus any help. Bernard and Siggy made little impact and Richarlison is not a centre-forward.

Next game, I'd drop Theo (anonymous this season) and Bernard for Lookman and either Tosun or Calvert-Lewin and play Richarlison on the flank. Mina for Zouma to give him a game before Chelsea where Zouma is ineligible.

There is the makings of a decent team here but it will take a while to tell and then, with a proper striker to boost the confidence going forward, we might start to trouble the bigger boys.

Oh, and Gomes is absolute class. He got better in the second half and controlled the midfield.

There seemed to be a lack of passion there today – we tried hard enough but possibly we need the belief that a proper striker would provide.

Not a bad performance overall and we will get better.

Today's display was an improvement on so many we've put up at Old Trafford but the Mancs are a poor outfit these days with too many poseurs and prima donas.

No doubt we shall hear we have to be patient!

Unforgivably jogging back for their second goal after failing to hold onto a great delivery from Pickford. I think Lookman will get his place next week. Theo is a fine player but needs to show more effort.

Overall, too many poor decisions when in an about their area, leading to the same familiar result.

41 years of being an Evertonian has told me now not to take anything for granted as Huddersfield, and West Ham are not top six clubs either.

Having said that, his case was made worse by Walcott leaving the right side exposed on more than one occasion, and not even having the wherewithal to break sweat to recompense his mistakes.

Although disappointed, nay gutted, there were signs that we are slowly getting there; let's face it, if it was not for the brilliance of De Gea, we could have drawn or even nicked it.

I think a spell on the sidelines may focus Walcott into thinking he is not indispensable.

Tosun and Calvert-Lewin from the bench didn't have any impact either. Maybe January, which may be too late, could see us land someone.

We are being linked with an unhappy (allegedly) Vardy, who I would normally say yeah to, but the figure being bandied about is £25M, not a King's Ransom for a striker these days, but at 31, how long can his pace serve him – or, more importantly, us?

No-one on this site has championed Seamus Coleman more than me. Right back to the day we robbed Sligo to get him. The best pound for pound signing in our history. However, I fear for him. The admirable Mike Gaynes has given me reason for hope but, Mike, Seamus was poor today, will he get better as he gets older? I fear not.

I loved that Silva put attacking subs on and it nearly worked.

Martinez may well have turned out a bad'un but I'll never forget that night when we went toe to toe with Manchester United at Old Trafford and beat them. The strains of “Oviedo Baby” going on long into the Manchester night and from merry blue hearts.

That game was a month before Christmas but it felt like I had my best Christmas presents all rolled into one on 4 December 2013.

For that, I'll always raise a glass to you, Bobby Brown Shoes, and Oviedo baby.

Mike is certainly able to speak for himself. He does so often and well.

But Seamus was up against one hell of a player today and got very little help. Martial has torn a few asses before, and can make the best look like a pylon when he’s on his game.

I may be the only one, but I didn’t think Seamus was awful today.

Mike will have more, and better things to offer I’m sure.

But the Coleman criticisms are a bit exaggerated if you ask me.

I think we all have to remember how far we have come in such a short space of time. Yes, it was desperately disappointing to lose to them today but the fact that we are so disappointed shows the progress we are making.

Seamus, Theo, Bernard were not great today but we still should have got something. We really need a proper striker as soon as... maybe 2, but you can't do everything all at once as much as we would like it to be. The difference between now and the end of last season is stark and we are definitely a work in progress but if we can make this much difference in a couple of months then the future looks very promising.

It has taken a cheated penalty to beat us today and the Mancs are ecstatic to win because they know they were fortunate. A setback for definite but we will get better. The future looks bright.

Poor decision for the penalty, great finish by Martial, bad miss from Bernard. That's the difference.

I think of those three dreadful seasons under Martinez & Koeman, where insipid play was constantly bailed out by Lukaku.

Imagine a striker like that in this team.

Weak on the right, Walcott ineffective and give Man Utd support play a free hand. Coleman is not fit enough for the right-back position and was identified as the weak link by Man Utd.

Watford got a player sent off against Bournemouth, last time I watched MotD, and the second yellow, given by Moss, was for exactly the same foul given by Smalling today.

Maybe it was the correct decision to keep Smalling, out on the pitch, in the scheme of things, but shouldn't that mean this referee should have been demoted?

We look like we can improve, but that's up to Silva, to get the right personnel onto the pitch, and we are crying out for a proper centre-forward.

Being honest, Pickford kept us in the game with four or five very good saves and, although United are a shadow of what they could be, they were better than us.

Pickford, Zouma and Gomes had good games, Keane, Digne and Gana also had decent games but the rest never imposed themselves with any real purpose.

I can still see an improvement overall but no-one is taking control and urging the others on It will come, bit by bit with each transfer window.

Starting with some of these subs also seems to make sense, especially the centre-forward. The whole balance of the team and likelihood of scoring changes when we have one, even if they're not brilliant. It's not his fault but Richarlison should not play in this position. How on earth did Walcott stay on so long?

We were unlucky having the penalty given against us but I can understand why the referee gave it. On another day it may have finished 1-1 but I think the manager needs to realise what his best team is and that away from home we should be counter-attacking teams, not trying to outplay them.

For me, Richrlison is better coming from deeper, getting the ball earlier and creating chances. He's not a centre-forward but has qualities to play upfront against lesser teams.

Gomes is a good passer of the ball and can shield it well but he can't play as a second defensive midfielder as he's to slow and not mobile enough especially against pacey teams like Man Utd, Man City, Liverpool. We needed Davies on to help protect our defense.

Coleman just hasn't got the acceleration or pace of old. Martial who played well, made him look very average. Plus Kenny would have whipped in some good balls, Coleman can't or wouldn't and continued to fail getting past Shaw.

I don't want to sound negative as I think we continue to show signs of improvement. The subs were positive attacking moves which is what I want to see when we're losing.

We just need to tweak a few things and with a little more luck can continued to be satisfied we are going in the right direction.

I've the feeling now that Walcott as a team player is unreliable and his body language today for me told a story and he didn't help Seamus, one iota. Shocking lack of care and support for his team mates and lack of responsibility. Maybe he was waiting for a hole to open up in the ground and he could disappear.

We need a proper hit man with nous in the box as I think we'd have put them out if the crosses had been attacked.

All is not lost but psychological damage and we still don't beat a top side away. Today was a very good chance and we blew it. The referee shouldn't be doing Sunday morning ale house leagues... Maybe he let Gana off but surely Smalling should have gone?

Chelsea and The RS next on the road. Brighton is now a must win.

He is 30 years of age so he isn't going to be getting faster, but he still holds his own and will now rely on experience to get him through sticky patches. All this after a terrible leg break not so long ago.

If Kenny had come in and shown to better than Coleman, then great, but he has not shown he is better in my opinion. The game is about defending as a team and taking your chances when you get them and once again today we didn't.

The penalty for them was not a penalty and if Walcott had tracked back after losing the ball, their second goal would have been avoidable. If some of you on here are blaming Coleman for that, you need to go and have a look again.

A frustrating day, as the game was there to be won, but up front our decision-making and poor technique let us down. The corner in the last seconds summed us up.

We are better than we were, but too many of our players showed today that they are not good enough to beat the best teams in the Premier League.

I was going to write on the Live Forum that we were reverting to the Everton of the past 5 years by wimping out on going a goal behind and ending up losing by three or four. In the end, I didn't write this because I really do feel we are making strides in the right direction.

I don't think we will get much higher than 7th or 8th this season but we are on the up. Credit then to our latest incumbents for bringing hope (at least to this long-suffering fanatic).

I really like Zouma and Keane at the back and Gomes is gong to be great once 100% fit. A bit of shopping in January and we may well be challenging for the top 6. The Silva administration so far? I'd give it 7½ out of 10.

At least we won't go down as there are worse teams in the Premier League. Staying up now counts as success at Everton.

First goal matters. Did we crumble like under the last few bosses? No.

Is this still part of a step forward? Yes... but a little one.

Expect penalties away to Chelsea and Liverpool. Not to us.

Heart breaks for our fantastic goalie today but suspect he is mentally tougher than many of us on TW. Let's learn? COYB!

I was impressed with Gomes today. Very rare he gives the ball away; he seemed to get better as the game progressed.

As Graeme Sharp pointed out, both goals came from Theo. Man Utd relentlessly attacked down our right. The irony.

Something was missing today; as soon as they scored, I never thought we'd win the game.

We're still playing better football than we have in years and that will do me for now. Centre-forward is the next piece of the puzzle.

I think it's time for Walcott to be benched as the end-product just isn't there and Coleman is still way off the pace!

I really don't want to see our players putting the ball out of play for an opposition injury. It's the referee's job to ascertain whether the injury is serious enough to stop play, not the players.

Top of the January shopping list should be a reliable striker. We're spurning chance after chance, particularly away from home.

I hesitate to join the call for a striker – so much is about the team scoring rather than one individual.

Coleman struggled from the word go, also so did Theo Walcott, our right-hand side didn't cope at all with the Mancs.

Bernard was eager, always working hard, but no quality from him today.

Richarlison looked frustrated, as did Sigurdsson, but you have to keep plugging away at Old Trafford and stay in the game.

Keane was probably my Man of the Match, followed closely by Gomes.

How long will it take muppet players at Everton to realise that officials can't wait to penalize this club in any way possible? So why the fuck make retarded challenges in the box knowing full-well Moss was creaming his undies in anticipation to put the whistle in his mouth.

Blame Gana for the penalty awarded against us – not the referee. We never learn.

Also, at 0-0, what the fuck was Coleman doing with that cross he put in behind 3 of our players in their box? Absolute joke... how is Coleman keeping Kenny out of the side. Anyone can see Seamus is finished but, as usual, good old Everton doing charity work, keeping the boys on the books. Won't be long untill we see McCarthy playing again soon also. Another sick-note getting decent money.

We need to be more ruthless on and off the pitch. Please sell Walcott in January to Fulham. It's the same players who let us down every week. It's sickening.

Whilst I accept we are a work in progress we have sorted the left-hand side, now lets get Kenny back against the lesser teams (and I mean them no disrespect) and get him concentrating on getting the ball into the box!!

Neither Walcott or Lookman look like they are going to come back and help so maybe next week would be a chance to start three across the back with Mina and Kenny and Digne whipping balls in.

This would give me a line up such as:

Pickford
Mina Keane Zouma
Kenny Lookman Gueye Richarlison Digne
Sigurdsson Tosun

Subs:

Steklenberg
Calvert-Lewin
Davies
Bernard
etc
etc
etc

My subs are irrelevant as I always prefer a few young lads on the extremely rare case that we can get a handsome lead and give them a run out!!!!!

So here goes, press that SUBMIT button and heads down.

Personally, I think it's clear things continue to evolve in the right direction... we've yet to put in a poor performance on the road this season. But the cheap penalty threw a wrench into the works early, and we lacked the cutting edge needed to get back into the match.

I just want to say how refreshing to have a sensible Manager whose after game comments were first of all directed towards the tragic accident in Leicester. After that, he gave an astute and accurate assessment of the game. Well done, Marco!

A cool penalty from Sigurdsson and the subs made a difference. I'm looking for a start for Lookman on the right instead of Diddlysquat next week.

Bernard, a great move to let you in; if only you could have found that net.

Moss called back play several times to award the free-kick when we had the advantage. I do detest that man.

We must continue to improve and struggle to achieve a higher profile. Winning the FA Cup or a good run in it would be a good start.

Beating some of the so-called Sky darlings will also help. I have no doubt that we are seeing improvement, I just need more patience. CoYB

We did okay, there wasn't much in the teams but, as usual, we lacked that bit of quality that would lift us to challenge for a 6th or better place.

Without much luck, we had our chances. Lost our nerve towards the end and never really looked like making the right decisions to equalise.

If I'm being critical, Coleman looks a shadow of his former self. His pace and his guts always disguised a lack of technical ability. With his pace finished and his youthful exuberance past, I'm worried he's done. Hopefully he can find his form again, remembering that he's still effectively on the comeback from a terrible injury.

The last two games have wasted Richarlison. So exciting early in the season; now being asked to play like Brian Deane. There will be times where it makes sense to throw him up front, but I think we need to put our efforts into Cenk and Calvert-Lewin. Until January when that position should be a priority.

What's Jordan Pickford worth nowadays? I was sure he'd save the penalty. I actually fancied him to get on the end of that last corner such is my confidence in everything he does! The guy has a real aura about him now... that's worth points in itself.

Pickford immense

Defence improving, Seamus deserves time to get back to his best and Keane is so improved and has impressed me. Digne has been excellent and Zouma has done a decent job.

Midfield, Gana and Gomes looking a good partnership and I'm excited for Gomes. Bernard only just starting games but is creative and settling. Siggy is coming through in the team. I'm slightly concerned by Theo, he can leave Seamus out to dry and end product is frustrating, but with Lookman settled competition is there.

Upfront, felt Tosun has done ok, not sure Richarlison is the answer, personally would swap Theo out for Cenk and have Bernard and Richarlison out wide.

Bench, arguably an ever increasing asset, Lookman, Calvert-Lewin give attacking options, nice to see McCarthy on the comeback (again unfortunately) with the U23s. Holgate, Dowell and Kenny, it a positive.

Today was a gutting result, but we played as if we had the right to play there which is a step in the right direction. Crap penalty decision, but I can't find too much to criticise as well, we were never out of the game and with time and possibly a couple of additions in January we should be confident we are moving the right way, even if we not where we want to be.

Next few years will tell, but Martinez year 1 was the outlier in terms of finishes. Prefer we get back to that in a position to hold it and improve than be stuck with one-offs. I try not to judge managers by one season, so will get back in 18 - 24 months to see if my optimism was well placed.

Individually, I think they're all good enough but, collectively, they are “just good enough” against the lesser sides but definitely lacking against the top sides. I just don't see them playing as a cohesive unit. Hopefully it'll come in time; otherwise, there might be some difficult decisions to make – potentially sacrificing individual ability for collective effectiveness.

I am impressed by how much more exciting we are this season and feel that we are definitely best of the rest. Challenge is that we will need some further transfers to get the quality to lift us above the top six and it is making sure we can attract high calibre players.

Give Gomes time, he seems to help Gana and he is coming back after a torrid time at Barca and injury. Siggy is playing where he should and his contributions are showing this. Bernard, Richarlison are just in the door.

Gomes has the passing range we have missed for years, but I'm not sure we should expect to see his best so soon. I hope he settles, because the lad has quality and he and Gana would be a solid foundation going forward.

Did no-one see, among the good stuff today, something missing. Did Walcott hurt? Did any of them? They tried but there was no buzz. No "Fuck me, let's get ripped into them" – no swagger, no bile. For a generation we have had laugh-in-the-tunnel nice guys. We have another team of them.

Walcott has looked disinterested the last few games and Seamus has been brought back too soon. He should have earned his place instead of being given it.

Our rights side was an embarrassment and, but for Gana's covering, could have been worse.

On the plus side, Keane and Zouma look immense and Gomes and Sigurdsson just run the game.

If we can only improve our flanks, we could certainly have a look at top 6.

Overall, that display was a big improvement.

My MotM was Zouma followed by Keane then Sigurdsson.

I do agree really with you on that, it’s the “it doesn’t matter if we lose as long as I get a selfie” brigade nowadays.

I compare today’s footballer with the dogs of war in the 90’s that won the Cup and beat Liverpool at Anfield, they had want and desire and victories ruled over anything.

I see talent but not enough hunger to get better in too many of today’s players.

We are not yet slick in attack nor solid in defence; we look open and lopsided at times in games whereas top teams always seem together, never masses of space between them.

In saying the above, I honestly think if we buy Wellbeck in January, we will see a massive improvement. I think he is made for our style of play and would complement our other attackers well.

Richarlison is not a centre-forward and Bernard looks to be a home-match player until he gets to know the Premier League.

We are getting better and are definitely more attractive to watch but have still got a long way to be a top team.

We let Pogba and Martial dictate play today. 2 utter Instagrams shits. Too many of our players made bad decisions. On to the next game. Another massive opportunity gone. Same as the last.

Martial is the new Les Ferdinand or Ian Rush, he turns into a world class player against us and sulks against most other teams.

On the plus side, we created lots of chances. With the spine doing well.

We are a totally different team compared to this time last season.

What a difference to the matches of last season on the same places where maybe we had less than 5 shots on goal in total.

I believe we are on the right track but we need a few more quality players to be able to compete on a regular basis. Walcott and, sadly, Coleman are the weak links in this team. Seamus might recover his form but Theo has always been a bit of a wallflower.

In years gone by, we would have folded after the second goal but no longer. This team has spirit and will only get better.

For the next game, I would change Walcott for Baines, and move Sigurdsson further up. For me, Walcott seems to offer little; he lacks finishing and seems to be unable to think one step ahead.

With Baines, we would be more secured on the left and he can do his running up the sides (but shorter ones) and play the ball, which he's far superior at than Walcott. Also, Baines should be rested now and up to the task. Walcott is surely not.

Also, I am not having a go at Walcott. I just believe Baines still has some tricks up his sleeve, more so than Walcott.

Also, Perhaps Richarlison should not play a lone striker.

On the flip side, Bernard looks lightweight (but I am willing to give him time). Walcott shows just how one-dimensioal he is. He went for goal twice when a simple pass may have resulted in a tap-in, and this has summed-up his career. He is defensively poor, and too greedy.

The return of Coleman is premature. The lad always gives everything, so the conclusion must be that his poor leg is just nowhere near right yet. We all hope he will improve, but he is being exposed ruthlessly by opposition managers. Kenny will also need at least another season to reach the required level, if he ever does.

I think we would have stood a better chance with one recognised striker up top, with Richarlison on one of the flanks. I would play Tosun next week and leave Walcott on the bench.

Come January, we need a striker and a right back.

Whatever Bernard is, he is not a left winger and his finish with De Gea on the deck was woeful. Pickford's saves kept us in the game but his kicking was appalling. Gomes was impressive in the final half hour but before then struggled to get in the game. Indeed few of our players could be completely satisfied with their contributions in a team performance which was much like the curate's egg.

On the evidence of today, Silva is still some way short of finding the right blend. We are not solid enough at the back and lack quality in attack. Talk of challenging the top six can be put on hold.

Nevertheless, we can be grateful we avoided the sort of 4-0 stuffing we suffered in this fixture last season. We should pick up enough points from the weaker teams to keep hold of a safe mid-table position.

But the same old story. Better football from us under Silva without a doubt. But we need to improve a lot more than we have because these results will keep on coming. Massive amount still to learn as we aren't anywhere near top six material. Expect the same in a fortnight at Chelsea.

Seamus I fear is on the decline after that horrendous leg break he had. Walcott needs dropping... and time for Mina to make his debut at the weekend in place of Zouma or Keane – take your pick.

We'd have lost 8-0 under the previos idiots. We'll come good, very good by the New Year. Walcott needs a talking to though.

I'm not even particularly disappointed – why would you allow yourself to get your hopes up about an Everton away match at a 'Top 6' © ground? We were always going to get beat, it's no surprise. We were nowhere near as bad as last year there, so perhaps there is hope of progression.

Pickford had a few questioning his first few performances this season, but what nonsense that talk turned out to be. He was excellent again, awfully unlucky on the penalty, and no chance for the 2nd. Martial was always destined to score as he always does against us.

Looks like we might have a chance to introduce Mina for the first time now for the Brighton home match. Whether that's as a replacement for Keane or Zouma is an interesting one.

Digne defended fine, but lacked going forward in comparison to previous performances. Not worried though, he's a good player, we all know that.

Personally I'd play Kenny at right-back, not because Coleman is awful, but because I believe Kenny is a very good player. He can cross a ball as good as any other player in the squad at the moment. He can beat the full back. Kenny today would have caused many more problems for Man Utd.

Gueye had... let's call it an 'off day'. Clumsy for the penalty, and on the verge of a red constantly. I don't think his general play was terrible though, and he has come off a good run of form recently.

Gomes was excellent again, absolutely unshakeable when on the ball. He could have played that match all week and never misplaced a pass. Always finds a blue shirt, and is unafraid to run forwards with the ball sometimes, and to use genuine skill and ability to play his way out of trouble. I think he's been my outfield MotM for two weekends running now.

The front 4 selection was strange today. The players who started today were the same ones who, in essence, failed against Crystal Palace, so why there were no changes – bringing in one of Lookman, Calvert-Lewin, or Tosun – is somewhat of a mystery.

Richarlison is better on the wing, that's been worked out now. Next week, I'd like to see Walcott (poor again) and Bernard (I'm yet to understand properly what he actually does) out, with Calvert-Lewin and Lookman playing.

Sigurdsson is the only player unmentioned – he had a few nice runs, some really good passes, but I always feel like he could and should do so much more. An interesting one.

Much as I admire Silva, in my view, the team selection was poor. Richarlison is not a centre-forward and, by fuck, he showed it to the coach today.

Poor stuff from Silva today and poor stuff from his team.

Martial's performance was of the highest calibre. His run was being blocked so he tapped the ball into a gap and threw himself over Gana's tackling leg.

Similar con jobs succeed in dozens of games. Most referees are becoming more aware but obviously not dear old Jon Moss.

What's that? He's a Man Utd player? Ah, in that case, as you were, nothing to see here.

I thought we were done with the square peg / round hole days of Moyes and others.

Then he has to sort out a new Striker and the old Coleman. Face the facts, he is no longer the 'keepie up' £60-grand Coleman of yore. It took a much younger Shaw over 2 years to get back into it. The same to a lesser degree for Oviedo.

And while we're at it, I don't think (and never did) when he eventually makes it back, that McCarthy will be the answer to our midfield prayers (see Shaw, Coleman, Oviedo et al).

As always with The Ev, jam tomorrow, never today and still more questions than answers.

In patches, we did play well. I doubted Gomes was match fit enough to reprise his debut. However, he did play well, as did Zouma, Keane & Pickford.

We created several excellent opportunities and just failed to take them, at key points. Combined with the penalty, the let-offs gave Man Utd momentum and life they previously lacked.

Ultimately, as the better players fill the team, the weaker links, albeit with a raised bar, become apparent.

I've posted previously about Walcott and Coleman. Still good players but neither have a brain: too instinctive, one needs to be dropped in favour of a better-balanced right side.

I'll agree with the notion Richarlison isn't to date a centre-forward or even a fill-in until Xmas. He may score some goals but I very much need to be convinced.

Some shoots of development but really the same old story.

Being hugely popular and a great ambassador for the club you love, and it's supporters, isn't enough. Obviously. It's all about the game. The Kenny shouts are understandable but in my view he's no better defensively.

Walcott getting shredded by Souness afterwards wasn't pretty, as you want to rubbish the red shite bastard as a natural reaction. Awkward then that Souness highlighted a stunningly poor passage of play with Walcott at its centre in a way that otherwise may not have got much attention.

What scares me about it is that Walcott is regarded as a supreme professional and has been a key part of the last year. But frankly he has cost us one and possibly two goals today. He needs a rest. But the calls for Lookman to get a run are high risk as he will be under intense pressure.

I think we need a different approach. It isn't a natural thing for Silva but, for the first time in years I think we have the quality to successfully play three defenders across the back in Zouma, Mina, Keane, with Pickford's mobility a big plus. Digne or Baines and yes Coleman or Kenny can then give us the width and penetration to make up for the loss of one forward player. I know it feels negative in our brave new attacking world but it doesn't have to be that way in practice.

Getting it right ahead of that back line is always the hardest bit. We are no Man City. But Gomes with one of Gueye, McCarthy, or Davies is a decent mix of creativity and cover in front of those big defenders. Sigurdsson behind Richarlison and Bernard, Lookman, or a number of others!! Why can't it work?

Some posts seemed to infer a lack of passion and/or motivation. I thought the team worked hard throughout the match and showed full commitment.

We are a striker away from having a very good team and the improvement on the hammerings we received at Man Utd and Arsenal last season is massive.

We played well enough to win this but were let down by Moss. I'm sure he'll receive the requisite response if he should be allocated one of our home games!

My big question is, will the authorities do to Martial what they did to Oumar Niasse for a far more blatant dive? Somehow, I don't think so – which only shows the one law for us and another for them mentality that exists when the so-called Sky 6 are involved.

What really grieves me about the whole business is the way the commentators make excuses for the Man Utd players. Smalling's challenge from behind on Richarlison and Young on Digne were both very bad but the commentators downplayed both of them.

If we are ever going to do any good (which we will), we will have to do it without support from any external source.

Two good things about this game:

Silva went there to win. And the players didn't drop their heads when they went two down – they kept at it.

There was a time when I had a lot of respect for Man Utd – not any more – I can't stand them. I'm fed up.

Gana and Gomes were superb today – great tackle for their penalty.

If Bernard did not panic, then Walcott gets a tap in... Man Utd then panic and Theo gets all the space to tear them apart… fine margins.

Will be interesting to see the side for Tuesday and see how Lookman performs in that.

I think it was Paolo Maldini who said "If I have to make a tackle, then I've already made a mistake."

Gana made a well-timed tackle but why make it? He's between the player and the goal. Stretching out legs in the box gives the ref a decision to make and inevitably they get them wrong occasionally.

What a difference a decent referee who actually applied the laws of football would have made.

I doubt it, as there is contact – even if it is after playing the ball. Enough to stumble if not go down like you have been shot.

I still take a lot of positives from the Man Utd game but I feel that it highlighted some of the issues that we need to address before we can progress.

Seamus is badly off form, he's become a liability, he has lost pace, ponders too much on the ball and is being targeted by oppos. He tries but it's evident that based on current form he's not good enough.

Ricarlison is best suited on the flanks.

Bernard is not suited to start a match as LM / #11. I think him and Sigurdsson should be a bit more fluid / interchangeable. Or keep Bernard as an option of the bench. I'm sorry but he's a bit lightweight. He's no Bernard Silva.

We need pace upfront.

Why do we never seem to know what to with throw-ins? Or am I being unkind to Digne (our best player to date) and it's Coleman pondering again ?

If Man Utd lost the game to a decision like that awarded to us, the Sky commentators would go into overdrive, our striker would be getting a season-long ban and the ref would be sent to League 2.

In the past, we have had to hold on as the funds were not there for a replacement. Now the funding is available, we no longer need to think about value for money, we need to think about squad depth.

If Coleman is struggling, we haven't the time to wait for Kenny to develop slowly. Gana has always been more of a 'sticking plaster' to cover up our inability to retain possession – can we expect to see if McCarthy can play a top 6 game again?

Walcott has now missed several important clear scoring chances (albeit ones that he has created – he is reminding me of Deulofeu – compare his efforts on the break to those of Mane or Wilson. We need to be better than those three performances as first choice and then we will finish off games like this.

I have every faith Mr Brands has that in mind. Those named should have 8 weeks to show that they should stay off the bench. If they can't then strengthen the squad.

Many of the things that run against us are caused by our lack of control against the big clubs, not luck.

Walcott needs benching for a couple of games. It's like he's lost all his confidence and doesn't have a clue what he's doing.

How badly I wanted us to equalise after watching Pogba prick about for the penalty and once they were 2-0 up.

That said, I don't want to be accused of settling for a loss because the result unsettled me. We should have got a point, minimum, had it not been for Martial's cheating and Specsavers Moss.

Tony Marsh (#79), Gana had to make the tackle because Martial was on course to score if he hadn't. Cheat he might be but he is a quality finisher.

The players should watch Gomes: he never attempts a pass unless he's sure it is going to an Everton man, he will not be rushed, keeps possession and delivers it to a man who is nearly always free. Only two games but he looks to be a very good brainy footballer.

They are modern forwards, not good enough to be a striker but not true wingers and not disciplined or good enough to play deeper. Managers need to install more discipline and 'team' mentality.

They believe they can play centrally as strikers, have the greediness of a striker but not the shooting accuracy or power. Without a top class striker, more often than not, they choose to try audacious shots from distance or tight angles themselves.

Credit to Richarlison and Bollasie they would, more often than not, put the effort in to win the ball back, the others often appear to lack that mentality. In Richarlisons favour is he appears to also possess genuine skill and a football brain.

If we had a top class striker to hold the ball up, we would have more runners and we could play more 1-2s and better-linked play and an outlet to help ease the pressure.

For me, it's what we lack but in Calvert-Lewin we have a young striker that is learning and improving who offers pace and work rate too and I'd start most games with him although Tosun is currently a better finisher.

He's far from the finished article or top 4 quality but I think it's the best option with players currently available and, like our full-backs, I think rotation should be used, depending on the opposition.

Bernard guile and creativity is completely wasted on the wing; we should play him alongside Gomes, with Gueye behind them both.

When Richarlison comes in from the left, and Walcott from the right, there is that threat of speed and trickery, which makes teams panic.

We should consider playing Tosun in the middle, with Bernard on the right and Richarlison on the left.

Gana was lucky to stay on the pitch, so the complaints about Smalling not getting a second yellow are a little hollow in that respect.

Fine margins often decide games, and the referee gave the correct penalty decision as he saw it, and from the angle he saw it – people go crazy on here about the wrong decision as they see it, but a lot of you are basing it on seeing 45 different replays from 7 different angles. The ref see's it once, real time, and from one angle. Have you ever tried refereeing a football match? I have, and it's impossible to get every decision exactly right every time. My first thought was that it was a penalty – for what it's worth. After 45 replays, well maybe it was, maybe it wasn't, it all comes down to how you apply the law and your interpretation of that law.

Bottom line for me, and I said this on the live forum before kick off, was that we gave them a run for their money, and could easily have got something out of the game – you can spend all day moaning and blaming the ref, our players, the manager, the groundsman, or the bloke who sells the pies, but ultimately it did come down to fine margins and that's an improvement on many of our trips to Man Utd over the years.

Silva will get his formula right down the line but it may take all of this season for him to sort out the frailties.

Richarlison looked unhappy leading the line and he needs to go back out wide to get the best from him; otherwise, he looked good.

Walcott offers little cover to a struggling Seamus and other managers have spotted this and are exploiting it. Theo made no attempt to get close to Diver Martial, so he had plenty of time to pick his spot. Plus they were both AWOL for the non-penalty.

Bernard's miss in front of an open goal, leaves me lost for words.

Gana & Gomes looked good at times but also looked a little lightweight and needed a bit more bite. Keane was a bit ponderous.

It was another loss to one of the big 6 but hardly a doom-and-gloom display. Can we get better? Well, we're always asking that same question.

As for the ref, well how many times do we need to be the subject of awful decisions? Obviously it won't be the last but, if you play on the front foot, as we had been doing, then maybe the poor decisions will be less frequent.

I posted at the start of the season that we wouldn't get a point at any of their grounds this season & sadly it looks like I might be proved right... two down, four more to go.

Sigh... at least we'll beat Brighton next week, 2-0 Blues methinks.

Time to start Tosun, we need a focal point up top too!

Smalling was never going to get a second yellow after Moss had already awarded us the pen. Moss is a poor ref and everyone knows that he is too slow for the Premier League.

On the whole, we lacked bite up top.

I am also a bit surprised at some of the criticism of the team. All this Man Utd are "there for the taking" etc. Their team is loaded with stars, their manager is one of the most successful in the game. By their standards, they aren't having a "great" season, but they are still a top team.

We have a new manager, several new players, and we are coming off an injury crisis. We have been hit and miss so far so I am not sure how they qualifies us to just show up at Man Utd expecting to walk away with three points.

I also think you need some perspective. Yeah Walcott failed to make the most of some attacks. But, at least he is attacking and getting into those positions. Not long ago, we had "Super Kev" in that role doing absolutely nothing. Coleman didn't have a great day defensively, but in the first half he did well going forward.

If you look at the stats it was pretty even-steven, 54% possession to 46%, same number of shots. Utd showed more quality in the 18-yard box than we did. That was the main difference.

We have issues up top as we know. Silva is trying different things with the options he has but so far nothing has really worked out. But again, it is early in the season and if need-be we have the January window to address that. Overall, I was content with our performance. It wasn't brilliant but it was decent.

Spot on regards passing. Gomes is only just match fit, playing for a new club, in a different country, in what is quite possibly the fastest paced league in the world and has hit the ground running (well jogging but passing well)

I felt they were trying to make those killer passes too often, and ceding possession to easily. More composure needed.

Thomas #134,

Its been a fairly active transfer window!! I don't disagree with most of your player analysis (except that I think we are writing Walcott off a bit too easily) but there couldn't be any more changes than there were in such a short time.

Someone posted a comparison of our team a year ago against our team now, think Steve Ferns, we have come a long way very quickly but still need a few more players.

Coleman may not be done, and he is a great example of a professional footballer, but he is having a dip and unfortunately, his back-up is a young developing player – not a first-class one.

I agree on your point on the "wingers". The roles of winger and forward started to blur about 30 years ago. Peter Beardsley started it. He would drift out wide for England and whip in deadly crosses for Lineker.

For some stupid reason, instead of being happy with the end product (eg, England get lots of goals) everyone started focusing on Beardsley's lack of goals and fooling about with jokers like Hateley, Steve Bull, and Tony Cottee as alternates. If Beardsley were playing today, he would be more appreciated, I suspect.

Missing one or two good chances can cost you a game but you have to create more than just one or two. Generally this might be a tad easier away from home where the home team tends not to play a tight ''park the bus'' formation.

So far, Everton have not shown they have that edge in midfield that is needed to get to the top six. Sure, the work rate is there... but the ball-winning and good passing is not up to snuff.

Ask yourselves this: How many times in all completions have we won there since 1976? I can't get past 6 (maybe more with the Screen Sport Cup). No doubt some anorak will come on and correct me.

Also, when was the last time we actually went there and created chances? Any games under Moyes or Smith? NO!

When you go to places like Man Utd, Arsenal or Liverpool, you have to take your chances or you will be punished, as we were yesterday, but hey we had a go at least and created the chances in the first place, and on better days, who knows?

I remember going there and being beaten in the Cup; Macari scored in the 60th minute of injury time! I came out after that defeat feeling that something was on its way and the rest was history, as they say. At least yesterday gave me hope that something is happening and not like previous visits when our kecks have rolled up before the game starts.

IMHO he had a good game, given that a blind man on a galloping horse can see that Walcott is weak defensively and leaves the right back isolated too often. Maureen knew this and targeted the right side.

It was the same when Kenny was covering for Coleman, it wasn't simply because of Kenny's inexperience that teams target the right side, it's Walcott. I'm a fan of Walcott as a technically gifted attacker but to ignore his defensive frailties when critiquing Coleman is unfair. I've set up a petition on change.org for the beatification of Saint Seamus.

As for creating chances, following the semi-final defeat to Liverpool, Everton managed to score four goals to earn a point in 2012, whilst David Moyes was the manager.

I do agree that there are some positive signs to be taken from our two encounters with Arsenal and Man Utd away from home, but we also have to appreciate that both those sides are way below the standard that some of the teams that have represented both those clubs in years past.

The Everton team has to start playing the opponents that are out on the pitch and not respond to the size of the club that it happens to represent; only then will they be able to achieve the results that we hope to see them achieve.

We need to see a bit more defiance from Everton; if the club wants to reflect its true size, then it has to treat every opponent as beatable and not hide behind the perceptions peddled by the media.

Have to say knew no action would be taken.

Niasse must be baffled why not.

In a reverse of last season we now look shaky down the right! Coleman showing worrying signs that the injury has finished him as a top full-back. I think it's now a straight fight between him and Kenny to claim the spot.

Walcott is off-form and needs pulling out in favour of Lookman, who has clearly put the failed move to Leipzig behind him. Theo is missing good chances and losing the ball too much.

Richarlison is half the player as a striker; move him back to the left and give Tosun a run. Move Bernard to the bench for a spell.

Gomes coming along nicely; Sigurdsson excellent again. Strong (brushing Matic off), great feet, vision, busts a gut and never loses heart. Our actual on-the-field captain. Should've had a couple assists but for wayward finishing. Our best player IMO.

Disappointing to come away with nothing. They upped their game a bit but were still there for the taking. So two away games against the big 6 so far, unlucky to get zero points. Encouraging but they got a free goal at home; always gonna be difficult to overcome that advantage.

Yes, I remember the 4-4 game, after the semi we went through away due to shit bag Moyes and his gung-ho approach!

As I remember, the 4-4 game was a gritty performance that flattered us and Moyes. You cannot compare anything that out-of-work ginger no Mark did to yesterday.

That was a year! It's good memories but seems like a lifetime ago; that was when we had a great team. Cheers.

I did remember the Screen Sport game but omitted it from my final tally... Doh!

2013-14 - Barclays Premier League
1992-93 - FA Premier League
1990-91 - Barclays Football League Division 1
1988-89 - Barclays Football League Division 1
1985-86 - Screen Sport Super Cup Group Match
1984-85 - Football League 'Milk' Cup 3rd Round
1983-84 - Football League Division 1
1977-78 - Football League Division 1
1976-77 - Football League Cup Quarter-Final

It still makes grim reading though!

I can still remember me dad letting me stay up late to watch the win in 1976. I think it was a League Cup tie? Andy King scoring...

When you look at those stats, it's a disgraceful record along with our recent trips to both Anfield, Arsenal and Chelsea.

Let's hope we play well and turn over Brighton.

Their penalty looked a stone wall penalty from where we were sitting and Moss was in the same visual line as us, so as soon as I saw it I knew it was a penalty. Replays show some doubt but Moss gave what he saw as did I see, a clear penalty.

Poor front line yesterday, all off: Bernard, Richarlison, and particularly Walcott all had a bad day. Walcott has no visual awareness; time and time again, he just didn't look where Shaw was, but I'm not sure Lookman will be any better.

It seems that we have poor reffing whenever we play the big boys.

That offside goal by Arsenal would have been reversed .

The Martial penalty would have been reversed.

We will never know, but VAR would have changed the dynamic in both games and could have easily delivered different results.

For me, it can't come in soon enough, inadequate referees cannot be deciding matches each week. Enough is enough.

Will Man Utd etc be voting against it?

Didn't we finish there last season?

I'm not on a wind-up here, I'm just concerned that, year after year, and millions after millions and managers etc, we aren't really progressing and will always be the best of the rest...

What do you guys think?

We are a work in progress, and you are right this season we may finish 7th. However, we have made great strides from last season. We are on the up, Brands and Silva are taking us in the right direction.

Give them time. Next season, it is top 6 or better.

We upped our game in attracting the likes of Walcott, Gomes, Mina, Digne, Richarlison etc and I should think we can continue to improve the kind of players we can attract. Everton's on the up and up...

The problem is the clubs who finished positions 1 to 7 have also spent millions and millions.

Of course, those figures may have radically altered but any placing higher than 8th in the Premier League would still mean that the club is 'punching above its weight'. At least the football so far this season is a little easier on they eye.

Top 50

K Maguire

I always liked Roberto, even though I despaired in his last 18 months, and wish him all the best. Who knows, in a couple of seasons we could be facing his Madrid side in the champions league.

Despite spending unprecedented amounts of money since and going through several managers we are only in 9th place in the league currently. Haven't had a sniff of a Wembley appearance and haven't won at any of the 'Sky four' clubs since his win at Old Trafford.

If they begin to struggle in the league for whatever reason, though, he's not the man to turn it around. Expect one glorious season and then booted midway through his second.

Compared to this stage last season:

Everton are...
Points: +7
Goals scored: +9
Goals conceded: -6

Despite the 3 disappointing losses and the draws where we should have won, I think we are all seeing signs of progress in the way the team are playing, and not giving up just think how good it would be with a great striker upfront.

So a win in the FA Cup has got him the Everton and Belgium jobs and, despite not winning anything else, he is now being considered for the Real Madrid job.

Now we know from his press conferences here he could talk the hind leg off a donkey... Probably the time he took to answer questions you could have cut the lawn and watched Pogba's penalty 10 times and Martinez would still be answering the same question.

They could learn a thing or two off the lads on TW.

I can't imagine that situation would continue were either of them go back into club management. Or could it? – the game is daft enough with the money bonanza these days!