Back to Basics for Ferguson's Battling Blues

How the hell does Sigurdsson continue to get a game? He has been every bit as bad as Schneiderlin, if not worse.

As for Walcott, the less said the better. Very disappointed with that line-up.

I'd be more excited if we swapped in Davies for Sigurdsson or Schneiderlin, Bernard for Walcott and Kean for Calvert-Lewin.

Schneiderlin and Sigurdsson in the same team is asking for trouble.

Walcott ahead of Bernard is just ridiculous. Three forwards on the bench but no central defender. No place on the bench for any of the under 23's.

Morgan starting is funny one. But I have to say I don't put much faith in Davis either.

Like to see Kean get a decent amount of game time.

Silva reported post-match on Wednesday that Tom Davies was already struggling with a niggle at half-time and he was withdrawn for two reasons: not to aggravate it and not to risk a 2nd yellow card.

He may be able to contribute from the bench, but best not risked from the start.

That has to be primarily a 4-4-2 formation, morphing into 4-3-3 when Walcott can get forward to support Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin.

Extremely interesting that Niasse gets promoted to the bench!

Overall, it remains a very fragile looking side in defence and midfield.

Ability and form wise we shouldn't have much of a shout.

Passion and sheer belligerence is going to have to be the order of the day I fancy.

The fans will be part of that. Can the players on the park replicate their passion?

I have to say players like Pulisic are going to rip the midfield and backline apart.

Fair play going for 4-4-2 though.

Personally I'd have gone 4-1-4-1 but we will see.

A) Duncan thinks he can get more out of Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson and Walcott than Silva did...
or,
B) He is just as deluded as Silva was and Koeman before that and can't see what is obvious to every Everton fan.

But he's been coaching the team at Finch Farm for four years – not just one training session. How much of the 'problem' is so engrained that he can only do exactly what Silva would be doing?

I really hope I'm wrong and something has changed drastically in our favour.

Hopefully his presence is a defining difference.

I wish him all the luck he can get, but not holding my breath. COYB!

Lot of work being put in off the ball.. especially Iwobi.. who's decided he can put a tackle in.

However our deficiency in the centre is becoming glaringly obvious... and they are starting to waltz through with alarming ease. A change needed. Not sure what though.

A word on Michael Keane.. he really needs to go. A complete footballing dunce. I wouldn't be surprised if someone has to dress him in the mornings.

Yes, we could play more football but I'm back to wanting the fundamentals. Hard work, shape, foot in. It's all there. Football hasn't changed that much.

As a number of us has been saying, this squad is not a relegation squad. It simply needs to be pragmatically managed.

Dunc has:

* totally abandoned playing out from the back
* you don't see the centre backs split either side of the 6 yard box within the penalty area, waiting to receive a short goal kick from Pickford
* you don't see Schneiderlin or the like coming short to the centre of the penalty area to receive the same
* Pickford is launching it long, from goal kicks or from hand. No short roll outs or throw outs
* No isolated striker with no one within 30 metres of him. DCL and Richarlison are playing within 5-10 metres of each other. That's what contributed to our goal...
* Good ball laid into Richie from Siggy, nice 1-2 with DCL, Richie wide to Sidibe, both DCL and Richie attacking the single centre back on the cross. 1-0 to Everton

Little possession. Little joined up passing. Pulisic and Wilian looking dangerous. But still no actual shot on the Everton goal from Chelsea with Everton fighting like tigers.

Long term solution? No!

Effective for what we need right now? Hell, yes!

Aesthetically pleasing it ain't. But effective coaching it damn well is.

I don't usually buy into the most basic theory being the true one... but Ferguson achieved something here. Smiles back on!

Hats off to him... good decision making on so many fronts. Looks the part in a suit and all.

Give him to the end of the season... and take time over the next appointment.

Please, no more mercenary managers who care just for the money and whose will and goal is to destroy the club.

Ferguson for 10 years. No more to say.

How incredibly beautiful was that?

What does it mean to be Blue you ask? Just watch that pitch after the game. The crowd, the players, Big Dunc.

Glorious.

Sigurdsson: did a lot of work.

Massive shout to big Dunc. His celebration for the second was priceless.

It was battling, but the defence did the dirty work.

WHAT. A. CONTRAST.

From how the crowd saw off Silva in the last home game, contrasted to the reception for Duncan at the final whistle.

I'm sure I wasn't the only one who constantly heard Dunc shouting all game and noticing how animated he was.

Not only did he shrewdly set the side up as I described earlier to get the best out of the team in the cirucumstances, but the cheer leading of the still packed stands at the end was very, very astute.

He knows his audience. He knows they want passion. He knows they needed a lift.

Maybe Duncan Ferguson has a lot more about him as a football coach and man manager than more than a few down the years have suggested.

Oh! And fantastic play by our two 'Championship' players for the 3rd goal today also.

Onwards and upwards, Blues.

I wanted to see players exhausted to the ground at the 90th minute because they fought for Everton Football Club.

And Dogs of War we got today.

My fading flame for this club has been rekindled. #BigDunc #Thishashtagishappening

Everton made 37 tackles against Chelsea. That's the most by any team in the Premier League this season and the most that Everton have made in a Premier League game all decade.

I have huge respect for you typing up the game as it plays out live Michael, but I must contest with you your description of the 3rd goal:

"Walcott and Davies contriving to see Calvert-Lewin get a chance to poke the ball goalward as Davies struggled to control it, a really scrappy goal, but a very important one."

You do all players a disservice, Michael.

Poor pass out by the keeper, quickly seized upon by Walcott and equally quickly played into feet to DCL. Good control and awareness to play the back heel to Tom Davies behind him, adding further confusion to the already out of position Chelsea defence.

Excellent feet and close control by Tom under heavy pressure from Chelsea defenders. Excellent follow up and alertness by Dominic, finishing sharply with the best option available to him in the situation.

It was NOT a scrappy goal. It was a superb one with no little ability at every phase of the play.

Brilliant. This guy's got something. It's intangible, but it's palpable - if that makes any sense.

Dunc returned Everton's soul today.

As any unemployed German coach would do on a weekend in December, of course, attend a mid-day KO in the PL.

Link

It was skill that created the confusion at the heart of Chelsea's penalty area.

It was Tom's skill on the ball that kept it alive in a dangerous area.

It was DCL's skill and alertness that brought him the goal.

Let's give Dunc a bit of time. It may be back to dogs of war, but we can make a more informed choice with a bit of breathing space

As well as taking in the match at Goodison Park, Kovac is planning to watch the Manchester derby later on Saturday, while he is also due to attend West Brom's Championship meeting with Swansea and Aston Villa's clash with Leicester City.

The former Bayern manager is also set to be at the London Stadium for West Ham's clash with Arsenal on Monday which is likely to again set tongues wagging given the managerial vacancy in north London after Unai Emery's sacking.

Given all things Everton a huge boost, well done mate.

Good headline. All good teams do the basics very well first. A few simple but very noticeable changes.

1. Every deadball was played forward.
Goal kicks and freekicks. No messing around at the back expecting defenders to dribble or play the perfect pass. Just get it forward, make the opposition defend.

2. Everyone looked to play wuick forward passes or deliver crosses earlier.

3. Forwards make runs expecting balls to be played. No messing around with it. Sidibe did this well. Digne and Iwobi lost possession too often and easily by not crossing straight away.

4. Schnides (who I can't stand) possibly for the first time ever played as many balls forward as backwards. Like Siggy, he didn't do much but by stayed compact and central to help block and prevent balls and runners around the 'D'.

Davies actually looked a little lost when he came on. Not closing down quickly or getting back into position. Not sure why but his contribution for the 3rd goal showd he was probably playing in Rich's position as a CAM.

Dunc, more so than Unsy appeared to get his back to basics message across. I hope we don't revert back to trying to play out from the back anytime soon. We'll done! 10 out of 10!

Inspirational.

(And they did it without Gana!)

Delighted for Dominic, he deserves his plaudits today, as do Dunc and the whole team, passionate and full of team spirit, digging in as one force when needed. After the last week we have had it is one of the most important Everton wins for years. No wonder we've got tears in our eyes.

After being forced to suffer through the beige reigns of far too many bland, poker faced, pocket fondling, freezing under pressure poltroons, it was a huge boost to both players and fans to simply have someone on the sidelines actually bursting with pride to be in charge of an Everton team, considering that the pinnacle and utterly desperate to get the 3 points for what it means to the club...not for themselves, their reputation, self preservation or some piss-weak ethereal notion of ‘a project'.

Far more rousing, uniting and infinitely less limp-dicked than the heavily media-pimped move of Moyes being brought back and trumpeted as some sort of returning hero 17 years after he first turned up with facial skin scientifically proven to be 67% less a scrotum simulacrum. That would have been as scarily ludicrous as Leatherface and his brood dragging their barely breathing Grandfather downstairs, slapping a big hammer in his decomposing hand and telling the poor sort screaming her lungs out in front of the old fella not to fret about his piss poor attempts to bludgeon her to death because “Grampa is the best. A one hitter. 137 years old and still fast as Jesse James”.

Actually felt like a football club again today.

31+ posts: brilliant, we're Everton again!

They looked liberated today. No over-thinking, no pondering, all today's mistakes were due to trying things rather than avoiding things.

In life you exist or choose to live. Today we chose to live for a change. And it was great to see.

Nonsense post.

Join in the celebration and passion of the win.

1) Sidibe's cross to Richarlison (getting to be a common thing to type);
2) Calvert-Lewin's brace (despite this performance pushing back Kean's chance by another month);
3) Dunc's absolutely fired up celebration

Calvert-Lewin's double gives Ferguson dream start at Everton against Chelsea

So he's innocently and coincidentally going around all the grounds where clubs have just sacked or are under pressure to sack their managers? What a shameless and obvious “come and get me” plea.

Kristian – spot on. That wasn't even close to a David Moyes performance. Not even in the same ballpark!

Sidibe is a must buy in January. He was a giant today.

It wasn't a brilliant performance, but it was a brilliant result. I would be tempted to see what happens in the upcoming games, if I was Moshiri before either doing any interviews, or confirming Dunc as supremo.

Just that win has got us temporarily up the Table, dependant on today's other results, but it will have boosted confidence, which plays a big part in determining the outcome of games. So let's enjoy take a few breaths and see what unfolds in the days/weeks to come.

That performance today reminded me of the Everton I fell in love with.

Duncan was my idol growing up for sheer passion alone. I didn't want him to take the caretaker role in case it tarnished his legacy.

Make no mistake. Today was not a masterclass. All Duncan achieved was getting the players to give the absolute bare minimum I expect from anyone pulling on that Everton jersey. (Pride, Passion, Effort.)

Goodison does not respond to sideways pretty football. We expect blood sweat and running through brick walls for the shirt.

For tonight, all talk of a new manager must be forbidden. We must just reflect on how good it feels to have our Everton back.

I'm too busy looking up and reading everything positive I can find about today's game and the inspirational Duncan Ferguson.

Lovin' it!!!

But spare a thought for us poor sods who have had to endure the shit show in your absence. :-)

"It's all gone quiet over here, it's all gone quiet over here"

When you run, fight and compete... things happen!

Well done, Big Dunc.

The posts on this thread pre kick-off giving out to Dunc and his selection before a ball was kicked is half the problem at this club: too many clueless buffoons posturing.

Like vultures, they'll be waiting for his first loss to put the boot in and tell everyone how right they were.

In any case, hopefully Moshiri has learned to ignore the vociferous spoilt kids brigade and give this appointment a bit more consideration than his previous efforts.

And, if Dunc keeps delivering, give him a shot.

And that's also why I said, rather than go down the Davie Moyes route or another nonentity no personality manager, I would just give it to Duncan until May.

Unless we can get a quality – and I mean top quality – man at the helm, not some no-mark, then Duncan Ferguson can do equally as much as David Moyes.

Great win but now the Everton board need to make the right decision, the next move is the biggest one in our recent history.

Nuff said... let's enjoy this brilliant day.

Well done to Duncan Feguson for getting the best out of some previously under-performing players! Long may it continue.

Passion, enthusiasm, motivation is everything we have lacked from all our recent managers and it's something that this club really needs. The crowd wants it, the players need it and it's something that could define us as a Club.

It's something Mourinho, Simeone and Klopp have in spades. So who can match that as an Everton Manager?

Okay, Point No 1: anybody watching that see Jordan Pickford roll the ball sideways behind our 18-yard line???

Point No 2: we got the best ball-distributing, accurate ball-launching goalkeeper in the world in Pickford. He's got other weaknesses but Big Duncan used Pickford to our advantage perfectly.

He didn't invite Chelsea on to us from our 18-yard line. He played to a No 9 in Calvert-Lewin, Man of the Match.

New system for the team but they did great, rode their luck, as a team that is nervy with a lack of confidence would be. But a masterstroke of simplicity from big Duncan.

Was it Route 1? No, not really... but a subtle balance of great tactics: put their back 4 under the cosh, lots and aerially. If he'd have taken them to Anfield, their back 4 would have had a dose of the same.

Fantastic shift from every player. It's been 5 or 6 years since Goodison rocked for the team. We showed some real quality in key areas, as well as swarmed the ball when they got into some dangerous places.

Yep, on another day in the Premier League, we could have been 3 down. But we made them make mistakes and took the chances; we also missed three or so too. Well worked, the 3 -1.

Now, will the Three Musketeers go appoint a manager who will want to bring in his backroom team and No 2 so he can have a lay-in daily, not do his job? No, I hope to God No.

Give Duncan some games; he's got a week before we play Man Utd. Yep, Utd will work it out if we do the same, all teams will. But, if we are great at it, then they are under constant pressure from Pickford for a start.

Big Duncan will know his limitations. But Walcott said after the game: "We were told to get at them, get ourselves on the front foot, and play our football." They did.

So any manager will need to be told: "If you want the job, Duncan Ferguson is your No 2. Or don't take the job." Or just let's see game on game.

Playing out from the back like Man City? We are years away from having that method in our armoury, if we ever want it.

Arteta and Big Dunc?? No; me, I'd just see how he does game by game with his team of merry ex-players.

Of course he will need different ways of playing and, when he has a fully fit injury-free squad in July 2020, we will see what he can do.

Game by game, Duncan will study the situation and play to what strengths we have for now. A centre-half... another No 9... a midfield boss. Will they allow him to spend?

Fantastic day. Brilliant from everyone.

Why go for another foreign coach? Are we so stupid in the UK that we can't figure out how to win football matches?

It's not rocket science, we have not the players in my opinion to beat the top sides playing pretty football; keep it simple, put the effort in, and you stand a chance.

When or if we are able to sign or keep the very best players, by all means try to play your Man City type football... but, until then, keep the game simple.

There is a long way to go but that performance today should be the line that we hit every week, hard work and endeavour cost nothing, players can have a shit game but you bust a gut then you are loved by everyone.

All I want to see from now on is an Everton team that works its tits off every week, and do you know what, it's not rocket science that you might win a few more than you lose.

Every player to a man today was superb, best I've ever seen Calvert-Lewin and Schneiderlin play.

It felt like 1995.

Stick the tippy tappy football, I'm not arsed about it, we are not Barcelona and never will be, let's just win matches any way we can.

There is still a lot that can be improved on and the usual suspects are still there but look better in that formation. We still sat back far too often and luck was with us for a long time as Chelsea looked like they were set up to play Silva's game.

It was also good to see a slight change when Davies, somewhat surprisingly for Richarlison, came on and was played in a more prominent role. I still only wonder if the answer has been sat under our noses for that long or if his predecessor was that poor or if it maybe was because of an early goal.

Still chuckling.

Sidibe excellent, ditto Holgate (one of his tackles was a blinder) and even Leighton put in a beautiful intervention when he came on.

Joy.

Why in hell would he want to leave that and come back, and why in hell would we want him?

But I'm sure as hell he wouldn't hire a replacement right now, and I'd be very patient, getting my ducks in a row for the next fella.

You can't take it from Dunc while he's lit the place on fire.

Ride this wave until it shits out! We're gettin' tubed at Pipeline right now! Ride it man, ride it!

I honestly believed that we were going to be relegated under Silva.

I do not believe that it is possible under Big Dunc! It simply won't happen if we play like that in every game.

That felt like an 80s FA cup Quarter Final.

Tell me a team that would want to play us now? Who would want to come to Goodison after that?

Yes it is only one game but I can't wait for the next one.

If the next 3 - 4 games are anything like today (especially the results given the fixtures to come) then I want Ferguson until May 2020.

Give Brands time to find the right managerial fit. We won't even need to go transfer crazy in January just bring in one or two (even loans) which would allow the next manager more money to buy players in the summer.

In Ferguson I Trust.

Look at Ole at Man Utd, they gave him the job because his interim the results were fantastic. It's fair to say they have been awful these last few months.

In the long run, the next permanent appointment needs to be right for Everton, a lot is at stake with Bramley-Moore Dock in the offing.

My only worry is that Kenwright will sway Moshiri to put Moyes alongside Dunc. I'd rather have Dunc with his own staff.

What a start from Ferguson, it's his job to lose after that display, he was a colossus on the touchline, he's our Klopp but better – he's an Evertonian.

Obviously it's too early to judge after one game but the signs are there; he was the inspirational figure we have been searching for many years... Long may it continue.

Our stuffing of Man Utd last season was great but this was even better. How good does it feel to be an Evertonian today? Pride is wonderful. Blue Bill, Moshiri and Little Miss Dynamite were beaming at the end. I think that we can build on this.

Link

It's followed by on pitch interview with Theo and Dom, the latter deservedly picking up the MoTM award.

Today and Ferguson's personae highlights for me that winning football matches is not solely about detailed tactics and preparation.

Simplify the game. Work hard. Perspire. Inspire.

In 90 minutes, just 4 days after the Anfield debacle, Duncan Ferguson has given Blues everywhere their pride back.

Today has been head and shoulders on a step ladder THE best day of the season, and then some.

Thank you, Duncan Ferguson.

Well done, Dunc, keep it up. Well done, the crowd, nothing finer than seeing Goodison roaring it's collective head off. We go again at Old Trafford next week, wouldn't a repeat performance and result be wonderful?

Play in Calvert-Lewin but absolutely hopeless technique...
to Calvert-Lewin but it just struck his head and flew off in some random direction...

Oh and he scored twice and some even put him as MotM.

Bit of balance please.

Don't know how accurate that is but, if true, it's demonstrative of the drive, fight and desire drummed into/cajoled out of the players today and of something sorely lacking for far too long in a team that ply their trade in front of a crowd who so readily respond to a bit of blood and thunder.

Of course, could also mean we were coming under intense pressure for prolonged periods of the game, but I prefer to stick to the positives after that performance, primarily because it seems a good long while since there was even a straw to clutch at this season that wasn't a bit shitty at one end.

Everyone gave their all – Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin included; Walcott was good; Iwobi worked his socks off and tackled; Richarlison was excellent and Calvert-Lewin Man of the Match by a distance.

Back four was good. Bearing in mind this was against the 4th-placed team in the Premier League, it was a marvellous performance in a style designed not to give stupid goals away and to press defenders into giving up chances.

Early days for Dunc but what a fabulous start and a fabulous day. Just need AJ to win tonight for the perfect weekend. Very well done Duncan and team – oh and what a noise!!

Holgate, Sidibe, Richarlison, and Schniederlin... Yes, Schneiderlin – who I don't rate at all – were all superb.

Turns out it was a 4-4-2 with an instruction to keep it simple, and two nuisance strikers giving their centre-halves nightmares from first minute. Compact, simple, hard-working, with a threat both in the air and on the ground.

Sure, Chelsea had their “moments” (fuck off, Silva) but they are a top team and that's natural. We were more than a match for them, though. Sigurdsson looked like a proper midfielder, Schneiderlin played his part, Iwobi and Walcott full of energy. Holgate and Sidibe monsters.

Absolutely buzzing.

No knee-jerk, please, Farhad. If the right manager is available (a decent one) get them. If not, give the big fella ago. The passion on the touchline was infectious, and the old lady fucking rocked again.

#COYB

As far as I was concerned, there wasn't a bad player in the Everton team, everyone (even Calvert-Lewin) could have done better, but no-one made serious errors, and more importantly still, when mistakes were made, the rest of the team fixed the problem.

Recently there has been lots of criticism of Tom Davies losing the ball well up the pitch and a goal (eventually) being scored. That rather sums up the recent issues this team has had; one error is enough to lose a game. Today's team was completely different – even though it was exactly the same.

If there is one thing that has been missing since... well, some time before Moyes left, it has been passion. Duncan Ferguson certainly got that into the team and the crowd. Let's see what he can do over the next half-dozen matches.

I also think it's become fairly clear that Sidibe is our best big pass man on the squad. 4 assists already in 11 matches, which already leads the team.

Mike, Zouma made 2 errors, 1 on each of Calvert-Lewin's goals. The more I watch Chelsea, the more it becomes apparent he's only starting each week because Rudiger has been out all year. Which makes me ask... is he the player we saw for much of last season, or the one who Ranieri pretended wasn't in the squad?

He laughs at himself, saying he had no idea what he was doing.

Those scenes are telling. The ball boys look an age that probably means they never saw him play and so are not necessarily fully aware of who and what he means for a certain generation of Blues.

The first pick up and swing around with the ball boy, Duncan initiates.

The second one, the ball boy himself runs from distance to leap into Duncan's arms.

That simply doesn't happen in professional sport, period, but in this incident it simply doesn't happen unless the ball boy gets the vibes from Duncan himself it's perfectly OK to leap into the arms of the manager to celebrate the goal with him!

I've always held Duncan did not make enough of his talents as a player, even allowing for the injuries he played with. But today reinforces once again, he IS a presence. He IS a big personality.

And more than anything else to lift us out of the malaise of this season, we need an inspirational personality.

Duncan offers that. In spades.

1. Passion and commitment from the team. Giving 100% for the shirt, Club and themselves regardless of the result. — Well, I reckon I got that!

2. I wanted a change of tactics, especially the failed tactics of Silva. I wanted an end to this tippy tappy stuff in our penalty area, and I asked for a 4-4-2, even though those who have asked for this over the past 18 months have been told it's old-fashioned and easy to play against. Well, Chelsea didn't! — Well, I reckon I got that!

I hoped if I got the 2 above items, we might have a chance of a result. Well, I definitely got that!!

The result was imperative today. We can play more attractive football once we're in a good position. Our defence is still highly suspect but we got away with it today. That result gives the Board a bit more time to get someone in.

I thought Ferguson's tactics, substitutions and exuberance were all first class. That level of commitment and passion should be the absolute minimum we should expect for the remainder of the season.

Well done to Ferguson, the team and the support.

No, Phil @139, you're right; I don't. And I know I'm gonna get slaughtered by some for saying this – especially today, but I'm sorry, I call it as I see it, win lose or draw. Watching him trying to play football, either with the ball at his feet or coming onto his head, I think he is just a terrible footballer.

Yes, he has good positioning to challenge the centre-backs, wonderful 'workrate' (he's a trier, and he has to be given his complete lack of skill) and can be a real nuisance... but, once the ball gets to him, it's obviously a total lottery what happens next. You saw it today with the great chances I lambasted him for missing, and with the incredible luck that rewarded his persistence for both goals.

MotM? Simply astounding to me, but there you are... It's a funny old game.

Of course there were individual errors that played on the nerves at times, but the players gave their all which is the vitally important quality required until the transfer window reopens and sensible recruitment can perhaps take place.

Many have been critical, particularly recently, in these columns, of Duncan's position at the club. Hopefully those doubters [and of course the board] will now give him the time he needs to dispel the threat of relegation. With his endeavour, tactical awareness and knowledge of the British game, he may well be the saviour we desperately need just now and may take us on to much greater things.

I have to be honest that after listening to the shambles at Anfield earlier this week, I dithered over whether to travel up to Dublin last night to come over for today's game. However, the prospect of having to trudge around Galway, helping with the Christmas shopping, made the decision a little easier.

Whilst one swallow doesn't make a summer [perhaps not the most appropriate proverb], I feel there is real hope that under the present managerial direction, availability of finance, combined with the essential ingredient of a little luck, the present worrying position will soon be no more than a bad dream. COYB

Next week, I fancy us to do Man Utd and, if we play like today, we have every chance to do so.

This is an early Chrimbo present and tonight we can celebrate and hold our heads up high.

Now to regroup and check the injuries as we have some very tough games coming up. All gave their all today, and Schneiderlin, I'd say had his best game and was our most effective midfielder.

Tom came on and stuck at it. A bit more luck we could have nicked a couple more goals.

It's only one game, but it's a very good start and a fine day for Evertonians. It's a long time since a result has felt so good.

I'm no shrink, but today's result after the humiliation on Wednesday, it suggests that perhaps Marco Silva was a more technical coach, than a football and people manager. The transformation in a positive can-do attitude showed in every player.

The players played for the shirt today, and that's what Evertonians expect every game. This must become the normal level of commitment for every game.

Zouma looked very slim and lightweight. He also lacked a lot of confidence.

I know what I saw last season and Zouma was immense for us. It is my personal opinion that Chelsea isn't a good fit for him.

Jason @163, my issue/fear re: Zouma is that he only looked good when partnered with Keane last year. He & Mina simply didn't gel whatsoever. So... does anyone want Keane back as a regular starter?

I know what he done today. And yesterday.

Enjoy your evening, fellow Blues. I know I will. I've lost my voice. Mrs Evans is made up.

Mine's a Hooch Duncan. Anyone for The Retro?

Score: Silva 0, Duncan 3

It's a genuinely good question, Jamie.

There has long been a narrative from some TW posters that he is a Kenwright plant, an informant, a charity case, that he has no coaching skills whatsoever, that it was suspect that he survives all the manager culls you list.

This ignores that during all these years he has diligently been working his way up, studying for all his UEFA coaching badges, and also credited with specialised work with our strikers, including Lukaku and – as confirmed by the player himself post-match – Calvert-Lewin.

Today was possibly the first time ever that Calvert-Lewin has played in harness with a second forward in such close attention. That wasn't accidental. Duncan even states that was deliberately part of the game plan. It was those two forwards that scored our goals.

Half a day's training Duncan had with the squad yesterday as THE main man, what with PR duties he had to fulfil.

The measure of what he achieved today, how he has clearly inspired both the players and the fan base, simply cannot be underestimated in such a short time.

Which, of course, would be a point well worth making if the response wasn't indicative of Richard Pryor in ‘See No Evil, Hear No Evil‘, let loose without the guiding hand of Gene Wilder to usher him away from public ‘peepers be bollocksed' blundering, by pointing out the mitigating second paragraph... and calmly reading it aloud in his lovably lamb-haired, ladies man tone.

I'm sorry, John, I've never seen that movie and honestly have no idea what you mean. Simply put, doesn't a team who has far more possession and more passing, etc. attempts invite more tackling?

Even the players who had stinkers – and there were a few – kept going and they did play to a team.

Every player had their game simplified, easily just one or two key messages and that's it. Centre-halves blocked and cleared their lines. Midfielders held their space and pushed balls into the channels. Forwards pressed and competed for every ball.

Basic and effective? Yes. Did it stop the bleeding? Absolutely. I dare say, if Silva had that level of awareness during his poor spells, he'd still be in the dugout.

That's the difference between a coach who deals in idealism and a manager who handles players and the game in real time. You need both.

In those dark times, all it really needed was Silva to reset the button and work his way back to the game he wanted to play. Playing like that has no shame in the short term and reminds the players who they play for.

Moshiri should be personally thanking Ferguson for buying his ‘incompetence' time to find the right solution.

I also have to say how fantastic it was to see Big Dunc running down the touchline when we scored and whipping the crowd up to sing louder. Great stuff. This is only one game and it remains to be seen whether Dunc can get any kind of consistency out of the players, but it's a great start.

As a side issue, I heard on the way home from the game that we only had 30% of the possession, just goes to show that possession stats can be just meaningless. Fully deserved win, Blues. I'm going to enjoy my pint tonight.

I doubted Duncan's selection of Schneiderlin, Sigurdsson and Walcott before the game and wondered if Ferguson could get more out of them. He most certainly did.

His passion on the sidelines was infectious. Of course it will be hard to keep that level of commitment over the course of several games, but I get the feeling Duncan will not be slow to take off players or drop them if he sees commitment levels dropping.

A brilliant day to be an Evertonian, long may it last.

My heart sank when I saw the familiar line-up but it just goes to show what a difference Dunc's traditional British approach made. No tippy-tappy possession-based playing out from the back, trying to play like the top teams but without the technical ability to do so – just old-fashioned 4-4-2, 100% effort, positional discipline, play the ball forward quickly with a big centre-forward to make life unpleasant for the defenders and allow the other attackers to cash in.

Now there is no rush to get the next manager in – he can keep the job for as long as is necessary until the board source a replacement. This time, we need someone with a track record of winning, not losing.

I'd ride Big Dunc as long as possible, live his passion for our Blues.

If Duncan Ferguson were to be offered a few more games as manager, it would be interesting to see how Dominic performs when he is taking instruction directly from the boss who wasn't a bad centre forward... Up to now, as a coach, I assume Duncan Ferguson has had some influence with Dominic, but ultimately has had to defer to the manager's approach to the game.

Also, amazing what a couple of goals can do to a player's confidence...

Tryin' to tell us something there, Bob? 🤣🤣🤣

ps: Why was he substituted?

So he gives a couple of 'assists' knowing that Chelsea also have had their Transfer Ban lifted, he will fall down the pecking order, and they will sell him to us for a song. Simples! :-)

I would have him back, he was probably our best defender last season.

Better than making a rash panic decision mid-season and regretting it.

Fantastic stuff! Maybe Duncan has potential to become an Everton manager. Today, we got a fighting spirit I have not seen in years, and a manager that show emotions and really cares for Everton. Did you guys see Duncan when we scored? That's the stuff I love. He pumped up both the players and the crowd.

Amazing shit. Ride on, Duncan!!

Has Zouma and Mina ever been tried? I can't remember offhand, or the other possible solution is to promote Lewis Gibson to first-team duties but is he ready, and would he cope?

We'll never know unless it is tried!

My Player Ratings (for what it is worth):

Richarlison: It must have been an emotional week for him with the guy who recruited him twice and mainly responsible for getting him into the Brazilian team being sacked. But full credit to Charlie, he played like a true professional, and played for the team and the new manager and the fans. Well done – 8

Calvert-Lewin: As one of his long-time supporters, I am glad for the lad; he gives his 100% every game, and he came away with 2 goals. What a performance! – 9

Iwobi: yes, he gives away the ball a lot, but he harried the Chelsea right-back all day, hardly allowed any danger from his side. Needs to up his composure on the ball, and I think we will have a fine player on our hands – 7

Sigurdsson: he is still rediscovering his form, but he played the role that the manager gave him, almost to perfection. If he can rediscover his mojo, we could have a very decent player on our hands – 7

Schneiderlin: he was playing under a lot of pressure given the hostility he faced in the last home game. But great credit to him, he played the role of water carrier to perfection. He is another player who, if he can rediscover his form, could yet contribute to a revival of our season – 7

Walcott - another much-maligned player, who was playing with very low self-confidence, harried Chelsea's left-back and Pulisic all game. I thought Sidibe and Walcott combined quite well on our right side, but would I prefer Bernard for that position to offer a bit more guile and quality? Probably – 7

Digne: I thought he had a tough game, but he stuck to his task. He is not playing at the levels of last season. His injury is concerning, but I am sure that Baines will be itching to help out his buddy, Big Dunc – 7

Holgate: had his best game in ages, did not put a foot wrong. Maybe him and Keane are the best centre-back partnership for Everton for the time being? – 8

Keane: Apart from his brain fart in the 1st half that almost resulted in an equaliser for Chelsea, he had a very solid game, even though he had to deal with the tricky Abraham and Pulisic and Mount – 8

Sidibe: Brilliant game by him, ran Calvert-Lewin close for the MotM – 9

Pickford: he did not have to make a lot of saves, he was calm, and his kicking was the best we have seen in ages. A settled back 5 is the start of any team's good run – 7

Davies: provided an excellent out ball to our players when he came on, he clearly has Ferguson's confidence – 7

Bernard: coming back from injury – 7

Baines: too little time to give him a score.

I like what Big Dunc did today, but I think it is too early to talk about giving him the job for a longer term. But what he has done is give Mosh and Brands more time to pick their candidate. Well done, big fella, what a fantastic day for you!

I hope we don't get hit by more injuries – Richarlison, Digne, Holgate, Walcott are all injury concerns in addition to what we already have (Gomes, Delph, Gbamin, Mina).

Today feels like a special day, like we have turned a corner. Too early, I know, but let us all enjoy this feeling!

If you win the league and are dour, à la Catterick, that's okay. But, if you're not winning trophies, the least you expect is an emotionally involved coach who shares your joy and pain.

The tepid, slow dull football, questionable tactics and substitutions under Silva got us exactly what we got. The 100% effort and commitment, simple tactics and good substitutions, today got us exactly what we deserved.

It wasn't pretty at times and in places we rode our luck but we deserved it.

Let's quite rightly praise Dunc and enjoy the weekend but let's not go overboard and say we should do an Ole Gunnar on him. A game at a time, folks.

I agree. “Luck” is a myth. The two Calvert-Lewin goals weren't luck – they were the consequence of Tim Cahill style aggression and commitment. You put yourself in a position to exploit mistakes – it's not luck, it's strategy

Above all, we looked and played like a team. You could see how fired up they were in the tunnel before the game. Holgate is really emerging as our best centre-half and looks a real potential leader.

It was a very tricky, difficult fixture and we came out of it with real power. The temporary manager made all the right calls. Very impressed.

Marco was probably a mid-table manager, wasn't going to get us into tphe Champions League but some of those players let him down big time. And let us down. <>Anyway. WOOOOHOOOOOO!!!!!

Imagine what we'll be like whenever we win something!

UTFT.

Lampard said that all three goals were because of poor defending, I don't agree: our first goal was nigh on impossible to stop. The other two were scrappy but were scored because of some good play on our part and persistence paying off.

We rode our luck at times but you always need some whatever you do.

As I say get it in the box!

What's not to like?

He said Klopp is completely in charge of transfers, and team affairs — even though they have a Director of Football at Liverpool. I believe the manager should be the No 1 and the Director of Football a go-between between the board and manager, and Dunc. Onwards and upwards.

Here's what I wrote on another forum when asked the same question re: Kovacs, based on my observations from having watch every single one of their matches since 2017.

He's a sound tactician, he employs an attacking front-foot style often featuring 3 goal-scoring threats crossing in & around each other in the area, and relies heavily on the fullbacks to join play. That said, one of the problems during his tenure was piss-poor defending. Sure Bayern had a phenomenal +goal differential but that's because, well, look at their roster. Which is another issue. I'm not sure we have a single player who would crack Bayern's starting XI. He inherited a team who had won the Bundesliga…and kept them there (although they had to overcome a 9-point deficit on the final match of the season to do so last year). It was clear he'd lost the dressing room, especially the veterans, so they went above his head, complained, and he & Bayern parted ways. He is also stoic, unemotional, and extremely reserved on the touchline. He's a Croatian Marco Silva, only with a much better team to play with.

He's a hard no from me.

But today seems a strange day to reiterate them. I have always liked the lad, he has succeeded at all the levels at which he has played, but has suffered in our first team largely because he has been playing in isolation in a slow-paced team.

Today, he was superb. His heading was excellent, he battled magnificently, and benefitted by having players closer to him.

And he scored two “lucky” goals. I love lucky strikers.

Now I'm not being sarcastic or anything like that, but it was before my time. So I'm asking why did he only win one league title, one FA Cup and no European Cup? I'm only asking in comparison to the greats such as Clough and (sadly) Paisley.

Mark #204, you're not wrong about his Bayern tenure, but his Frankfurt club was something entirely different -- an under-talented, lower-mid-table side that he motivated to the heights and helped them win their first silverware in 30 years. In my view he was simply over his head at Bayern, but I do not dismiss him just on that.

Pete #205, agreed. He also knocked Zouma around like a tenpin and won every ball in the air, flicking the ball on to teammates consistently. And with his ceaseless effort, his "luck" was superbly earned. Furthermore, his first goal didn't "fall" to him as Michael says... he won it away from Zouma with hard work.

So very ToffeeWeb early postings. All doom and gloom, we were going to lose blah blah. When will people learn? Let's slag off the players and set the tone... Honestly, give it a rest.

Anyway, we won. I can't say that many of them had great games but they all put a load of effort in. We did invite Chelsea onto us a bit and l didn't like us sitting back... we have good players too!

Holgate was pretty good, Keane was okay bar a couple of uncertain moments. Digne... just okay, not the player from last season but fine. Nice to see Baines come on; after signing a new contract, those were his first minutes for a long time. Sidibe tried. Both flanks didn't seem to work as well as l would've liked.

Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin offered some experience in the middle and, for the first time in l don't know how long, Schneiderlin actually didn't sit in front of the back four and played like a midfielder should. Sigurdsson worked hard. With a bit more confidence, he could've got forward a little more but l was please with the graft they both put in.

Iwobi and Walcott... well Theo did more but could've done better in certain dangerous areas. Iwobi didn't do much and l'm sure he will improve. Up top, they both worked their socks off. Calvert-Lewin could barely walk towards the end.

Richarlison... great to see his effort. Great to see him play in the middle, he's a danger in the box. Once again, l will say we look like we would suit a diamond midfield... but it would've been brave to have played a Number 10 behind 2 forwards.

Duncan. Yes, he played it simple, went for experience and asked for hard work and passion. He got it. From the players and the crowd. Putting Davies on was probably a wise thing to do in the second half to shore up the game on the front foot instead of from the back.

Impressed with the effort all around really. Maybe Duncan will get a few more games and we can get the right appointment. I think we lack a bit of quality in a few areas, and that is a bit disappointing with the turnover and money spent. Of course in another formation that might not of been so obvious.

Apologies for my long post... but l deserve it as l won't be able to post for a while.

3 points.
COYB

But it's funny the differences in viewing experience between being there, and getting all the angles on TV.

Sidibe was frickin' awesome, again, and while Iwobi was average on the ball for the most part, I guarantee he ran more miles than anyone today. He played more, and better defense than I think his last 10 games combined. I think all your other observations were pretty much spot on.

3 points indeed, mate.
COYB

The team that won the 69-70 title was magnificent. We then had four players playing in Mexico 70. Every player who played for England in Mexico seemed to suffer from the heat and altitude, and weren't in the same form in season 70-71 and a bit thereafter.

Alan Ball, a complete midfield genius, suffered particularly, and Everton sold him to Arsenal in 1971, breaking up the world's best midfield trio.

Ball's sale to Arsenal was very odd, and seemed to mark a decline in our fortunes. The 69-70 title-winning side should in theory have taken the football world by storm in the 1970s, but it wasn't to be. Coinciding with the 'Mexico effect', Catterick started suffering from health issues. It was never the same after that.

Martin @209: Absolutely spot on. Those who have been criticising Calvert-Lewin really do need a reality check.

More passion at the end of that game than the last 3 managers combined.

Thank you, Duncan Ferguson.

That's my Everton.

We are inferior to Chelsea in terms of ability and player for player but, my God, the passion!!! The crowd!!! Big Dunc!!! The effort - everything

That was proper Everton. Proper.

So, so pleased. We need more of that.

And Siggy proved he can play in a 2-man midfield. As should have been tried earlier.

Until we get to close season, we are stuck with this group; we have to get the best out of them. Duncan is the man for that. They would not dare to give less than 100%.

I think the answer is fairly simple.

It strikes me that it isn't that today they were hugely enthused and bucked up because of some form of infectious hysteria from the crowd or manager.

They played today exactly how they were asked to play by the manager and in the past they played how they were asked to play by the manager then.

It isn't the players that are different – it's the tactics and instructions.

You are correct, no European Cup. His team was knocked out early in 1963-64 by Inter Milan, in what were reportedly dubious circumstances in Italy.

In 1970-71, he made it to the quarter finals but lost on the away goals rule to the eventual losing finalists, Panathinaikos.

They simply couldn't communicate their philosophy to the players they had available and translate that into a winning game plan, and none were willing or able to go back to basics to improve results when times were hard.

Today goes to show the most important attributes in the game are a desire to win, teamwork, workrate and basic organisation. If your players are better than the other team, you'll win more games than you'll lose with that basic approach.

Is Duncan the next Alex Ferguson? He had a no-nonsense approach to tactics, took discipline seriously and lived for being a manager. Maybe, just maybe.

Well, for a start, Harry built two completely different teams and won the Title in 1963 and 1970, the competition during the whole of the sixties was fiercer than it was after Harry retired. Many clubs were title contenders during his reign and even those who weren't had enough about them to give headaches to the best of teams.

Champions during the 60s:
1960 Burnley
1961 Spurs
1962 Ipswich
1963 Everton
1964 Liverpool
1965 Man Utd
1966 Liverpool
1967 Man Utd
1968 Man City
1969 Leeds
1970 Everton

During the early 70s many of those clubs started to fade, Everton, Man Utd, Man City for example even Spurs and Chelsea who had good sides were on the wane – which meant that the other lot began to dominate the First Division.

As for Shankly, he won 2 titles and 1 FA Cup when Catterick was managing Everton, which is matched by Harry Catterick; however, the style of Catterick's sides is remembered fondly by those who were lucky enough to witness them.

Everton also lost out by being behind their neighbours in the table on a few occasions and therefore missed out on European competition due to the one club one city rule.

As for the European Cup itself, many argue that the Milan game in 1963 was officiated badly and Everton lost the tie due to controversial decisions and in 1971 a bad week at the office resulted in Panathanaikos beating Everton on the away goals rule, with I think some controversy attached to the first leg.

Sadly as Man Utd are 2 up at Man City, Liverpool are gonna be confirmed for another league title in just a few weeks.

Also, there's no need to be an arsehole about it.

Up the fucking Toffees!

It was also great to see Dunc abolish this ridiculous short goal-kick malarkey. I've always said if the ball is 70 yards away from your goal, then the opposition can't score. I don't think Pickford played one short goal kick or even rolled a ball to any defender out of his hands all match.

I guess you attended the match Dave with the South West Blues, I am happy for you lads you make that long arduous journey every home match and quite often away games too, and hitherto have been let down in terms of results/performance.

Today, you have been rewarded with what I hope is the start of similar performances. I bet there was more singing on your bus, on the return journey than there has been of late.

He's a fascinating player, capable of all the mess that Michael Kenrick rightly reports but with one of the best leaps in the Premier League and very quick.

He's also capable of lovely, telling touches like the one which broke the line for the first goal today. His finishes today were poacher's goals and that is very encouraging.

He's unpredictable but that's good because it's dangerous. Him and Richarlison as a duo might turn out to be potent.

I can't see why people are so negative towards Calvert-Lewin, he's not the greatest footballer we've ever had but my God does he put a shift in. And things happen when players do that. Give me a player with limited ability (I'm a little unfair there, I know) who takes the game to the other team rather than the gifted player who won't work for the team.

He looked better in 4-4-2, I thought, which is ironic because all the so-called great coaches shy away from that formation, it's yesterday's news. Well, not to Lampard it wasn't.

I've moaned before about what self-belief, application, confidence and will to win attitude can do and there it was today for all to see; let's hope we carry it into every game.

And kudos to Duncan; I wasn't convinced that it was the right move to put him in charge but I'm more than happy to see my arse on that one. Hope those ball boys he swung round are okay! If they'd have seen pictures of Duncan with Stefan Freund, they'd be cacking themselves when he ran to them with his arms out!

Big up to the crowd too, proper Goodison. I don't want to get carried away, but let's hope that self-belief is here to stay, and also that people will stop seeing us as flakes.

You are right it's different watching live. We get up close and personal one side, and squinting trying to make out who's warming up the other.

Watching on tv you do get all the angles and replays. Watching live thought totally different. You get to see the shape, the way we move and also you can watch certain players close to you.

The thing that matters though of course is the atmosphere. And today it was special... a bit cheesy with the Duncan Ferguson song but hey ho we haven't had that in ages. Loud today, it was great. Hopefully you can visit soon and take it in. All the best.

What has followed since then – apart from in a few years of Howard Kendall's stewardship – is no more than Fool's Gold in comparison. As Max Boyce used to say, 'I was there' although all who followed were mere pretenders!

Davies's lax attitude worried me when he came on. Total lack of urgency in his game.

The difference today, in all the performances I thought were poor, was the desire and not giving up.

I wasn't worried about Schneiderlin at all because he is still capable of one of those FA Cup performances like today was.

I don't know how anyone else feels but I don't mind even in a win, spotting where we can improve and what is wrong.

In fact, it is far better than analysing in the frustration of a defeat. That is why I agree with the editor on Calvert-Lewin.

I'm sure there's one thing that every fella in the dressing room has for Ferguson that they may have not had for Silva or those before him. RESPECT.

High achievers are motivated to perform, less about money but more about ego, the desire to improve and pride. They need someone to follow and give a reason to run their socks off. Ferguson has all the necessary ingredients to lift the team.

These players can play. They just need a manager who they like and respect and loves or is passionate about the club. Too often previous managers say on the side lines. Sure they wanted to win, no one likes to fail, but they need to express emotion, rather then treating management like a jig saw puzzle.

I could also see Kean playing this role too, so it could be interesting to see how long Big Dunc sticks around.

Hope your journey goes well and later to Israel, will update you with scores in case you can't get them, and a brief synopsis. Take care mate and bon voyages.

"I don't think Pickford played one short goal kick or even rolled a ball to any defender out of his hands all match."

Not once, Rob, not once.

So many myths about what so many of our players 'can't' do (or rather, weren't instructed to do under Silva) were completely busted by half-time today.

Football is a stupidly simple game, when you strip it down to its basics as Ferguson did today.

STILL buzzin' !!!

The whole team looked as though they were scared to death of coming off the pitch and having to face Big Dunc without a win.

Calvert-Lewin, cracking performance from him, we are so lucky to have him as he is going to be a top centre-forward.

Calvert-Lewin was my Man of the Match with honourable mentions for Sidibé, Holgate, Schneiderlin and Richarlison. The rest played their part with good teamwork and energy all around the park. Instead of employing tactics which exposed individual shortcomings today we used an approach which masked them and enabled some of the strengths to come to the fore.

I especially liked the way we hunted in packs. If a player made a tackle someone else was on hand to nick it away and get us moving forward. Calvert-Lewin's deft headers found Richarlison or one of the wide players running on to them. If the ball dropped away from Keane and Holgate, Sidibé was running in to intercept and clear. We looked like a team. Long may it continue.

Well done to Duncan and all the players.

If Duncan can get those sort of performances or better out of the players he will have proved he is the right man for the permanent post.

That should all work out in time for the Transfer Market in January, and we have both Cups to contend with between now and then. Exciting times, long overdue, ahead!

Walcott said it best at the end.

Football is a simple game made overcomplicated by those with vested interests.

Duncan got the best out of a limited squad. Love to see him kept on as Head Coach this season.

Do we need an intellectual in a suit when we have a well paid DoF?

Ferguson was also the polar opposite today to the totem pole statue he resembles every time he sits on the side-line under other managers. Why is that? Did other managers have the strength of will to force him to contain himself from celebrating goals even?

He certainly looked genuine today and it galvanised the crowd, and that's a big part of the positive Goodison effect that teams say they recognise and fear. I'm not criticising him by the way (although I've lambasted him as a player in particular), I'm just curious about the transformation in personality. Assuming we get another manager and assuming Ferguson stays on as a coach I hope he's going to be as animated on future match-days as he was today.

They look a shadow of the team they were last year and the year before. A fourteen point difference now behind Liverpool, can't see them making that up, or Liverpool going on a bad run, (unfortunately)

MoM - the English 650.

Duncan Ferguson.

Help me out here!

No DMs, No CAMs, no one doing half a job to make others look good. Just midfielders all putting a shift in. Defenders defending. Imagine a centre half who was just in the team for heading alone? No tackling just heading. No chance. So why is a DM acceptable?

So glad 4-4-2 was used. look at the workrate of the players. they all had to run their bollocks off. It was great to see them close down a technically superior Chelsea side. 2 Strikers 3 goals. Simply can't argue with that fact. Even Calvert-Lewin, who has struggled gets a brace. It works just by making it difficult for defenders. It makes space and chances but you must put it the hard yards and we finally did that. That's the least an Evertonian expects.

If that isn't the blueprint for the rest of the season, then I don't know what is. Well done Big Dunc. You can shove you're 4-2-3-1 or high press or what ever. 4-4-2 and workrate wins everytime for me.

Chelsea probably had a better starting 11, on paper, but I don't think we're that far apart when we're on our game. As you say we added heart and passion today and got a well-deserved result.

I think you're harsh on Iwobi. For me, none of our players were poor today.

Our manager today disagrees with you, just saying.

The last time I can recall Duncan celebrating at Goodison anything like as much as he did today was during the 4-0 win against West Ham, Unsworth's final game in charge two years ago.

I have however seen him on the pitch after our all too rare away wins, most recently at Southampton when he was hugging the players and saluting the fans. I'm guessing that in the position of third, at best, in the pecking order of assistants/coaches he felt it was not his place to be jumping up and down on the touchline.

Dunc's approach is the opposite (rightly) and should get us further up the table, but beyond that, what - are we just another Championship team with slightly better players?

Direct football, no playing it from the back etc, crosses in for the big man, passion and emotion where skill is lacking?

As a Number 3, Ferguson was hardly going to be tubthumping up and down the touchline grabbing ball boys each time we scored was he?

Today was HIS day, HIS chance to instill his “philosophy” as a Number 1 and what a difference and breath of fresh air he was, I know as a player he was a legend in his own lunchtime, but today he got the team back to basics and produced a result and 3 points which we desperately needed.

Today, he was allowed out of his box, and showed what he can inspire.

I've always said, our lads aren't bad players but they lack confidence and leadership. Plus they've played under so many managers in recent years they must be completely confused when it comes to tactics and strategy.

Iwobi was crap, as usual, but he tried at least.

If so, it shows at least some forward planning and may prove to be a masterstroke.

Struggling to remember seeing an Everton team and Coach showing such passion. Goodison was close to its best today.

Lampard bemoaning his team's performance and defensive frailaties. Actually I would say they shit themselves and couldn't match our desire or passion.

Great to come home hoarse, well done Blues. Plenty to improve but at least we now have hope again and lots to be proud of.

Getting the basics right and we won the day because we played as a full team and never gave up, nor let Chelsea off the hook for most of the second and third balls.

Keep this level next week, with a decent referee and some luck, I take us to beat United.

Onwards and upwards, and keep the 4-4-2. Sidebe crosses are nailed on, and long may they continue.

Enjoy this weekend Evertonians.

Iwobi is always trying to make positive things happen in the areas of the pitch where it is most difficult to do so. Unlike some of our players before today, he always tried to stay involved in the game even when things were not running for him.

For me, at present, the poor passes and touches are outweighed by his positive contributions to our attack.

With all due respect Duncan is bound to big up all our players after today. But today's not a day for arguing with fellow Blues. I just said it as I, and many around me, saw it. COYB.

John #272.

I certainly didn't mean it to be derogatory, just an honest assessment. Their team, man for man, is IMO superior to ours.

It is of course too early to hang out the flags and bunting but we can now go to United in a better frame of mind than we might have imagined four days ago.

I can't remember him winning the ball once and he did work hard most of the game but often chased shadows, (which did make Chelsea rush) but he won and created virtually nothing.

I am not great fan of Walcott who gets nothing but stick but split their defence far more.

Nice spirit of EFC shown today. Where has that been hiding? Bit of blue blood lurking around... Does wonders for the atmosphere.

I believe we need a Duncan in charge who gets back to basics, passion to tell the players from the touchline. That's for another day. Today is a blue day. Let's enjoy it!

I was looking up (unfound!) PRONUNCIATION of Latin numbers, thinking they would sound like Duncan Ferguson!!!

D C L.

Et bastardis!!!

A positive step forward but we're not out of the woods yet by a long way. Be interesting to see what happens away from home next week. I hope that Doctor Dunc's backbone elixir can continue to work its magic.

As to those who questioned the Richarlison substitution - he was on a yellow and it was this referee who gave Richy a straight red against Wolves. He has also double yellowed Davies in the past. Best not to risk playing with 10 men and losing Richy for next week. Sensible IMO.

Interesting to see once again how VAR is being deployed. They looked at two of our goals desperately looking for anything that could rule them out (they are only supposed to intervene where there may be a clear and obvious error by the officials?) and fortunately found nothing. At our end a clearly offside player directly in the line of sight of the keeper was ruled not to be interfering with play and the goal stood.

Now I've just watched VAR award a penalty against City for a challenge identical to one on Richarlison a couple of weeks ago. It was a penalty as ours should have been. The difference was, of course, that the one awarded has virtually handed the title to the RS.

I'll change my view to he worked for the team but on the ball was poor.

I loved today's workrate and I seen them all put a shift in but that's a one-off today and I loved every minute of it.

To kick on, we clearly need better performances on the ball to match the desire.

What a win, though. I am delighted for Ferguson more than anything.

Life is simple, hide behind people and what they say, or stand up for yourself, and prove to people, that has long as you express yourself, you will be okay-and Duncan Ferguson today proved that football is not a rocket science, as long as you believe, and can also get others to believe in what you stand for!

Better than walk on, better than anything I've ever heard, it's an Everton song, and it's saying we shall not be moved! EVERTON!!

That is a very important part of football. to push the other side to make mistakes. How many times did that happen to us this season the other way around?

A large part of winning football games is to:
1. Push the opposing team to make mistakes.
2. Capitalize on them.
3. and try to not make so many mistakes yourself.

We need more of this. Did not Duncan mention that this was one of his strategies?

1) First and foremost, the team was missing the pride for the shirt and it's no good having the talent if you aren't prepared to work for it. It showed today that we bust a gut and all 14 lads were going to work their hardest, knowing who was on the touchline

2) Talk of a permanent position is premature. He clearly feels not ready for it fulltime but is happy on a game-by-game basis to serve the club who served him best.

I would definitely say leave him in charge up until the Cup game against Liverpool and then see where we are, and if there is no starting candidate available to take the reins with the transfer window then ask him if he wants it to the end of the season, particularly if the results and performances merit it.

Today he looked like a man possessed and long may it continue that way.

Sorry I can't give Moyes and his team no credit, but I grew up expecting “My Everton” to win, and without spoiling anything I got a feeling that was very easy to understand today, UP THE BLUES,,!!

Just chuckling at some of your comments.. clearly never been to many EFC games in the flesh have you! And you have the cheek to slate me (a former season ticket holder) for having a go at Silva, a chump who's has brought us the very real threat of relegation with the most expensive squad we've ever had (3/4th net/gross spend in the premiership).

Well that chump goes, and we win our very next game with more heart and energy than we've seen in the entire season so far. What was it, 37 tackles? More than any other game in the last 10 years?

I'd say my rant was on the money! Silva's gone, and we might just fuckin' stay up.

Anyway, I'll be getting tickets for the next game you can just watch on TV like you usually do I guess

I might even take a Brexit manifesto with me LOL!

It stars our illustrious chairman today.

To me Duncan Ferguson has instilled in the players what successful teams have and that is confidence. If what he said in his interview that he realizes that the club is looking for a new manager, if one is hired, I hope they keep Duncan Ferguson as his assistant.

Happy to eat crow over suggesting that Kean should start over Calvert-Lewin (though I would have been just as happy to see them play off each other while Richarlison slid into Walcott's spot). Two second-half goals that were the product of pure tenacity - well-done.

A trip to Old Trafford next week seems a little more daunting than it did a few weeks ago, but Arsenal will absolutely be there for the taking at Goodison, as will Burnley, obviously.

Also, methinks (ironically, seeing as how Chelsea just had their transfer ban lifted) it may be time to just let the Zouma ship sail. He was quite poor today and while Silva managed to get the best out of him, Silva's now gone so we may as well look to other targets.

I believe prudency should be to see how the next couple of games go, and if it is along the lines of today especially an away win, then the Board should appoint Duncan on a permanent basis.

You could only imagine the responses on here if knee-jerkingly, they appointed Duncan as full time Manager and it turned out that today's performance and result was a one-off.

By all means give him the next few games, see what happens, and then make a decision on the future. I am not being negative or taking any gloss off today's result, but one swallow does not make a summer.

I'm sick of people moaning about Richarlison making a meal of things all the time – he gets fouled loads – he's our best forward & goal threat.

Get off Calvert-Lewin's back to too – he's a proper centre-forward who may in time score more – when he doesn't play there's nobody linking up the play at the top end. Other clubs would happily pay big money for both these two.

Also, Schneiderlin gets an unfair amount of stick – yes, he's been very poor on plenty of occasions, but so have several others. He was great today – I've never seen him put in so much effort and move so quickly at times – a big well done & lets see more of it. Very well done to Mason Holgate too.

There were a couple of poorer performances today, but even they stuck at it and worked hard for the team.

No need to rush an appointment – if we bring someone in we need to get it right and give him time – we can't keep changing the manager frequently. We do need no more injuries please!

I wasn't messin Christy, maybe it's because Everton have been shite for years, but suddenly I have a feeling for th3 game and more importantly the team we all love!

Dave W, I will see you at Wembley in feb or in may, god willing, and although I've followed Everton everywhere during my lifetime, I don't ever think I've shown the commitment that you and your crowd have put in over the years mate!

so it's people like you, and my children who have sacrificed a lifetime, that I wish our next success to, my friend, SINGING WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED,,!

Just reading the last posts, and thanks for reminding me of Schniederlin, Keith, I've been his biggest critic, but he invovved himself into the game from the first whistle today, which made me think that footballers might just hate over complications?

I really don't know how successful Ferguson would be in the long run. I would be delighted if he was able to continue to inspire the players as well as the fans. He certainly deserves a try. He is one of us, true blue. He was an inspiration on the sidelines.We have had far too much of nothingness by any of our last few managers. To me they have all been insipid.

Moyes was the last manager we had who showed any sort of emotion during a game. However he has burned his bridges and he would not be the right guy for the job. Who knows perhaps Dunc IS the right man.

I loved him as a player for displaying the sort of passion his team showed today. His rapport with the ball boys, the crowd, and with the players was something Marco Silva could never have achieved in a hundred years.

It's been said by many a poster in recent weeks that we need a manager who has that steel in his character, one who can motivate and galvanise the players and one who can get the crowd on his side, and turn Goodison Park into Fortress Goodison once again.

Big Dunc, or Fabulous Fergie, could be that man. A lot will say he has no experience at this level, or he's not ready for it yet, but in life sometimes, cometh the hour, cometh the man. I would personally have no problem with Duncan being appointed as manager until the end, of the season, and if he does okay, then give him a 2-year contract.

Today was the first time I've actually seen Moshiri actually beaming, a genuinely real smile of pure pleasure, in all the time he's been here. Perhaps he too now knows what Everton is all about and again we have Duncan Ferguson to thank for that.

Come on, Moshiri, give him the reins for a few weeks, then, if he's done okay, give him that short term contract, to be extended at the end of the season, subject to satisfactory results.

We could just have found a real diamond in our midst, and, as Martin Keown said on Match of the Day tonight, Duncan Ferguson has woken a sleeping giant. And he's only had the job for two days!

With the tough run of fixtures coming up, Duncan could be just the man to motivate our squad into believing they can go out there and take something from every one of those games. We might win some and we might lose some, but, by God, it'll be a real fun ride, that's for sure.

If nothing else, Duncan will get this lot running through brick walls and playing for the shirt. How important may that be if we still need points towards the end of the season?

Playing 4-4-2, however, means we can benefit by playing a scorer off his shoulder; Richarlison and others benefitted today. I'd love to see him and Kean rip ut up together.

My only gripe with today's performance was the number of times Iwobi made runs, or we had 2 v 2 on the halfway line, and Pickford didn't launch it early.

The atmosphere was unreal today, and there was a Catch-22 of the crowd feeding off the team, feeding off the crowd ad infinitum. Drove home happy for a change, and looking forward to going to Old Trafford next week for hopefully more of the same.

With the current injuries and personnel at our disposal, I can't see any Manager ahead of Ferguson that is likely to get a tune out of these players.

One swallow doesn't make a spring but our pride is back. Give him the job till the end of the season and the squad can be given a reboot with possibly a new top class manager with a blueprint. Brands needs to make one January signing – a top class centre back, spending big money if needed.

Great result for Duncan, chuffed for him but he is not the long term solution.

Once swallow doth not a summer make. Let's see how we do at Old Trafford in a week.

I thought Chelsea would be the easiest game of the three latest ones; if you give some clubs 70% possession, they will make you pay for it.

Man Utd seem to be steadily improving at the moment so that would be the acid test for me. Still, I enjoyed the result today and the obvious enjoyment people at the game got from it.

Apart from getting exuberant hugs from the manager, weren't a few of our ball boys getting heavily involved in the player's celebrations as well. Is this a club policy thing or do we just have a bunch of super confident (cocky) ball boys?

Mark, at the time it looked like a soft goal. It was close to him. I thought at the time var would either give offside or infringement. Have to trust it l guess.

Derek, cheers mate, hope this builds into something. I don't yet know if l will be able to get any reception. I've lost my phone so will hope the iPad works.

I've spent the evening trawling the internet watching all the interviews. Not done that in a while. Hoping for a good quarter final draw. It's about time we won the league cup. I was listening to all the finals and replays against Villa in my grandmas kitchen aged 7. (Thinking oh well, we will win it next year instead).

It seems that VAR has now caused more consternation for the on-field officials as those off-field don't seem to understand or consistently interpret the rules and Linemen (Assistants or Persons?) seem reluctant to raise the flag. Perhaps they should have two coloured flags, one of them being WHITE to indicate that they wanted to call an offence but didn't for fear of influencing defenders or affecting the outcome of a game.

It was simple tactics - keep our shape, go direct, contest the balls in the opposition half.

That is not to deride Big Dunc. With barely a day to prepare, what else could he do?

I expect we will see him play to the strengths of Ricky and DCL. Good.

But longer term, a few key issues. As many have pointed out, Digne is positionally suspect. Meanwhile, those deriding Iwobi need to look at how many times he was puffing back to cover. Its not his strength but he gave it his all. He would be wasted covering for Digne. I hope focus is given to our left side by the new coach.

Schneiderlin was - I can't believe I am saying this - a destructive wrecking ball. This system suited him. He could get close to his man and challenge him when the team hunted in packs.

All about keeping shape, close to one another, fighting for each other.

I think Delph, Davies and Seamus will do better in this side. Moise Kean too - up top next to DCL or Ricky. Leta hope we see him toom

We've long yearned for a manager to play two up top. We got it. I hope the next guy takes note.

United are better than us but I really think our front two will give Maguire and Lindelof a tough game. We will sit deep and go long. If our left side is sorted out, we might have a chance.

UTFT. Thank you Big Dunc. I was choked with emotion at the end, seeing the Old Lady finding her voice once again.

It was simple tactics - keep our shape, go direct, contest the balls in the opposition half.

That is not to deride Big Dunc. With barely a day to prepare, what else could he do?

I expect we will see him play to the strengths of Ricky and DCL. Good.

But longer term, a few key issues. As many have pointed out, Digne is positionally suspect. Meanwhile, those deriding Iwobi need to look at how many times he was puffing back to cover. Its not his strength but he gave it his all. He would be wasted covering for Digne. I hope focus is given to our left side by the new coach.

Schneiderlin was - I can't believe I am saying this - a destructive wrecking ball. This system suited him. He could get close to his man and challenge him when the team hunted in packs.

All about keeping shape, close to one another, fighting for each other.

I think Delph, Davies and Seamus will do better in this side. Moise Kean too - up top next to DCL or Ricky. Leta hope we see him toom

We've long yearned for a manager to play two up top. We got it. I hope the next guy takes note.

United are better than us but I really think our front two will give Maguire and Lindelof a tough game. We will sit deep and go long. If our left side is sorted out, we might have a chance.

UTFT. Thank you Big Dunc. I was choked with emotion at the end, seeing the Old Lady finding her voice once again.

Coming on the back of the total embarrassment of Wednesday and the sacking of a manager the performance and spirit yesterday was quite an amazing achievement accomplished in a very short space of time.

Whatever Duncan said to the players in that time would be fascinating to know because as others have said Morgan was very good yesterday, Calvert-Lewin played like a man possessed, Richi was superb, etc,etc.

The question now, of course, is can he do it again? One thing is for sure and that is he has rammed the doubters words about freeloading cone man well and truly down their throats.

Well done, Dunc.

I'll give you a tip mate, leave all past games against the RS well alone. What happened, happened and let's move on. We go there again in a few weeks time and for me, it will be a different game.

I witnessed on Wednesday quite a gutless and lost group of players.

Being bullied by a 20 year old full back and a 10.5st full back on the other side.

Yesterday was the complete antithesis of Wednesday night.

I am not a Ferguson fan to the extent of a lot of other blues.

I had major doubts about his role at the club.

I had major doubts about his ability to communicate anything more than a ‘get stuck in' kind of message.

Clearly there is a lot more to Duncan than I am aware of.

He wears his heart on his sleeve, a huge set of emotions, positive and negative appear to simmer just below the surface.

But what I also witnessed was a team clearly working to specific instructions. For him to have got this message across so clearly, and for the players to have taken it on is quite remarkable.

His subsequent press conference also illustrated some knowledge of game strategy and tactics that I was not aware he had.

As a player, Duncan was an enigma for me. He showed up on big occasions and was found wanting in many others. When we needed our talisman to help us win points agains big standard opposition, he failed to turn up.

On many occasions the likes of Ken Monkou, Richard Shaw etc had Duncan in his pocket. Because he didn't fancy it.

My worry if we were to install him as manager would be how he could cope with a non cup-tie style game away from home. In this league, there are many of these. Can he inspire himself and his team to get results in these games?

When teams sit back against us and allow us 70% possession. How will we cope with that?

What's he going to be like in the transfer market?

Who will his staff be? (I categorically do not want jeffers there).

It's and Interesting time. I think he should get at least a few more games. If he picks up enough points, give him until the end of the season.

Keith @ 352, entertaining post, and like all things in life as well as Football, what if? As Mike Gwyer said, it is now water under the proverbial, so we just have to get on with the future but hopefully learn from the past.

"Hopefully Duncan has unleashed The Kraken!" I liked that, the Craic or the Kraken, was mighty!

To use an excuse and say they didn't play for the manager is a disgrace. They should have done it for us, the fans. They owe us, performances have been shocking and we have had to endure it all.

I read and hear a lot about "motivation" but I am of the opinion that if you are paid to due a job, especially the money that these players are on, you shouldn't need any motivating to go out and give your best.
.

Every week, they should be playing for us, the club, the manager and for themselves and in that order. They should look at themselves in the mirror. If they can collectively turn on a performance like yesterday like a tap, then shame on them.

Well done, Duncan, for exposing them.

Fast and direct, and scrapping for every second ball, might not always be pretty, but it can be pretty effective, and is also very easy to understand, which was definitely the case yesterday.

We will move on now, happier in the knowledge that the players can fight, but we rode our luck at times yesterday, especially when Chelsea, like Liverpool, realised how much we suffer by just playing simple balls over the top. Until we sort this out, then not every day will end up like yesterday, because a team will never gain enough confidence, unless they can sort out this very basic art of defending.

I've seen this in my work with corporate teams. People care about their organisation, like their manager, but that spark & purpose goes and it's hard to get back. It came back yesterday. Now it's all about whether they develop new, better habits.

Because we love the game and our club, we tend to make excuses for them, but in the end their job is to play football and do it to the best of their ability. If the workers throughout the country did that, the place would collapse; because they are footballers, there is no difference.

I re-iterate what I said in my previous post – they should do it for us the fans and treat us with respect. No excuses.

Amit @349 some really good observations. Only thing I'd differ with is whether or not Coleman would do well. I don't think it matters in the least. Sidibe is our right back unless injured. As for Digne, completely agree. I think he would be better served with Richarlison dropping back on the left simply because his workrate is top and he's perfectly willing to cover when needed. We could then play Kean up top with Calvert-Lewin too. I'd then rotate Iwobi or Walcott as needed and use Bernard as a fresh legs sub.

Paul @359 I think you're completely correct. 'Rut' is a perfect way to describe what was going on, and the reasons why were numerous and honestly not worth our time dwelling on any longer.

This was the main reason for the downfall of Chelsea, while the rest of the team were supported by another player, which you always get with a 4-4-2 instead of being outnumbered in Silva's baffling formations. That finally says that 4-3-3 does not work.

These players were lost. They weren't not bothering or caring.

The players just pressed in a very specific way yesterday, at the expense of getting on the ball and keeping possession.

I'm not suggesting the way the played under Silva was better. It was different. But they were still trying. Just trying at his way of playing.

It's an accusation Barkley used to constantly get because he wasn't steaming into tackles or chasing lost causes. He was too busy making himself constantly available for a pass and constantly trying to make things happen. He didn't always get it right but his effort was faultless for me.

But a lot of the fans find it easier to see effort in chasing down players and sliding into challenges. I get that. But I completely disagree that these players weren't trying.

And that was the main reason why Everton won 3-1, instead of having just one striker competing by himself in an ineffective 4-3-3 system favoured by Silva.

He's my favourite Everton player and to see the scenes yesterday genuinely brought tears to my eyes! I've watched the celebrations with the ballboys about 100 times today! I love it!

I'm not sure if he's the long-term answer but as he rightly said himself that moment cannot be taken away from him!!

I'd love him to recreate it at Wembley in February! We all deserve (Dunc included) our moment! Well done Dunc!!

We went from being over-complicated, to playing a very basic game, no fucking about trying to constantly play out from the back, and two forwards which helped us get the ball forward much quicker.

I thought Everton did alright against Man City, but I'm sure if Silva would have used Duncan's tactics that day, then we would have beat the Champions, instead of playing a game that suited a team playing with a patched-up defence.

I have never seen any Everton player not trying. The trouble is, no matter how hard they try, if they're off form or setup badly by the manager, the effort might produce little end product.

The key here is organisation. When a team is well organised, we get the best out of players, they enjoy the game, want the ball more, and produce a better end product.

Professional footballers started out playing football because they love it. The money they get is a bi-product of that, just like any profession where an exceptional level of talent is required in addition to effort. Their job cannot be compared to most jobs. Most people go out to work to get money to live, not because they love the activity. It's time that criticism of players for supposedly not trying is knocked on the head.

I have seen many recent occasions when Everton players are not giving 100%. Jumping out of 50-50s, hiding instead of showing for a pass, etc. Plain to see on too many occasions.

I think its appalling, but it says as much about the management as it does about the players.

I think everybody should be fired up for their work. When they're not, and they're not aware of it, it's management's job to notice. All too often in recent years, lax management has allowed our players to get away with it.

Hate to say it, but that lot across the park always look fired up – that's their management instilling good habits. Should be a given, it sadly hasn't been for us.

We all love our club and want success but apathy and blind support amongst the supporters to me encourage what we have been watching; our expectations must change.

I think the only people that are really in contention are Duncan Ferguson and Eddie Howe. It's clear to see that Duncan Ferguson wants the job and will accept any sort of offer. On the other hand Eddie Howe is clearly unsettled at Bournemouth and would also accept an offer from us.

Whoever the new boss is, it's pretty clear to see any hopes of top 6 or even Europa League are completely off the cards unless we have a miracle second half of the season which is unlikely. We will get top 10 at best but the new manager will have plenty of money to spend ahead of next season.

How a professional can think it is okay to stroll through a game and not give everything to win is very strange to me.

That is how they got there in the first place. Maybe Silva should have spotted a lack of desire and urged more but I think it's a prerequisite anyway.

Yes, I fully understand the logic of expectation expressed by Tony and others, but, as others have said so many time on here, the players are not robots. You are using very simplistic logic to reach a completely false conclusion.

The team performs badly; obviously the players are not trying. A new manager comes in, the team plays better, the players are obviously trying more than they were... meaning they weren't trying.

Sorry, but that completely misses the point of what happens (a) when you have a hopelessly incompetent incomprehensible manager in charge, and (b) when you replace him with a Goodison icon, a former player, a passionate lifelong Evertonian who changed the way they play, who organised and motivated them to play differently.

It's not going to work every week, but to invert the passion and desire of the occasion yesterday into a condemnation of the players' previous efforts, rather than the stifling effect of the previous manager, for everything we have suffered beforehand this season, is completely wrong.

What is your explanation for players jumping out of tackles?

I have seen that several times this season. Not dainty wingers of course but supposed battling midfielders.

Sorry, but I'm not a stupid fan who demands every player goes 100% into every tackle. Every situation like that has its unique split-second circumstance and nuances. Sensible players will jump out of some tackles and not others.

Anyway, your point is a complete red herring. The change of manager and its impact on the team and how the players play as a team... try and focus on that, John. That is the issue.

Ferguson had the same pool of players to choose from, but reorganised them, simplified the plan and inspired with his own commitment and performance. It may not continue in same vein, but - no doubt - he vastly exceeded expectations in a really difficult fixture and fully deserves a further, serious chance in next few fixtures.

Managers are rarely on social media and if they are its usually to check if their players are behaving correctly.

I believe a lot of players go through the motions thinking -its ok, the fans are not on my case and the manager will be the fall guy.

As a man trying to be honest, I could never do that knowing kids and adults in great numbers depend on me.

When I realised all this stuff counts with this generation I decided to give managers more respect without really thinking about it.

Imagine being a fireman and your attitude was, ah its ok, whoever started the fire will get the blame anyway.

Silva and his team combined to make both look bad. Silva did his best. It just never fell into place.

He should have reverted to type because this squad is more suited to yesterday's 'in your face', 'we win the battle' style.

The high line with slow centre-halves was his biggest fault for me, whereas, with Zouma, it was progressing.

Caveat: I think it's disgraceful that any player gives less than the maximum.

Player is human. Player has demotivating manager that give too much information and detail. Player plays shit. Team plays shit. Player lives luxurious life that we dream of but still feels unloved and unfulfilled. Player is egotistical man than needs assurance. Player goes onto pitch demotivated. Player subconsciously goes through the motions thinking he's giving his all. Player knows that coach and club will keep picking him because they're as weak as he is. Player doesn't go the extra mile. That includes not putting himself at risk, so he decides he 'can't' make the tackle and pulls out.

Or I could just say he's a lazy bastard. That's easier, but doesn't solve anything.

Footballers earn good money, but like every workplace I've experienced, some are more committed, more resilient, more courageous than others. Some will work their socks off (as they all should) and some will need a kick up the arse.

Over 50% of our waking hours are spent on autopilot, so when your workplace is a shambles, you have a different, ineffective manager every year, you don't perform and still get a massive pay cheque despite underachieving, there's a chance you'll work the same way.

The only solution is to get a manager who makes it clear that nothing below 100% is acceptable, that there's no automatic picks and that you work, you deliver or you're out. You set the culture and you stick to it. That's what Liverpool did and look at them now.

On the pitch and off it.

Schneiderlin. Played for Southampton, played well enough to get a move to Man Utd. Got a move to Everton.

Position? Holding midfielder who loves a tackle, a lot of the time going on the floor into tackles he had no chance of winning, resulting in yellow and red cards.

I have seen him jump out of 50-50 tackles this season. Are you suggesting that is because Silva didn't give him instructions on tackling?

The difference in the mid 80s and 94/95 was that those teams cared passionately about winning. They developed a competitive, winning culture that we haven't seen for years. It was easier to forgive the blips, because we trusted them.

In 1983, those same players were called lazy and worse. Did they care less then? Did they try less? It may have appeared that way, but I'm not convinced.

We need someone in post that has the players enjoying working their socks off so we trust them again.

I wasn't surprised we reacted yesterday.

I don't care if Schneiderlin jumps out of some tackles. He may be preventing a broken leg. Or do you not agree that considerations of self-preservation may enter the equation?

When playing for Southampton and Man Utd, did Schneidelrin go into every tackle 100% regardless of the danger and never ever jump out? Is that what you're saying? How can you be sure? Did you watch every minute of every game he played for them? I think not...

So you see him jump out of some tackles when playing for Everton... Again, I don't care one jot that he does, but you do. All I'm saying is maybe the factors raised above affected his judgement, desire and commitment when playing in teams poorly organized and (un)motivated by Silva?

Some of us think that's a reasonable explanation for what you see as a lack of commitment. Nobody ever suggested it was because Silva gave him instructions on tackling. How ridculous! How would we even know?

Please stop now.

# things that Silva lacked and big Dunc has in spades.

That was the difference yesterday.

Now all we need is a manger with those qualities and be a master tactician.

I think yesterday showed what motivation can do. I'm a massive football purist, but you can't win unless you earn the right to play football. You do that through passion & desire. Passion & desire alone won't win you football matches, but you have to have it or the ability doesn't matter; and vice versa.
So, it seems apparent that having watched the same players yesterday as we have for the previous part of the season, motivation was missing. That was Sliva's problem. He seemed very popular with the players but there was no fear factor. To coin Peter Reid's quote on the recent Howard's Way film: "I'd have run through brick walls for him". Silva was / is a coach, not a leader. Like Martinez before him.

To repeat what I said on the forum yesterday, let's not knee jerk here and make an emotional decision. Let's not have a United / Solskjaer moment. Forget yesterday, that club will unfortunately have to sack a club legend & fans' favourite at some point in the near future.

Let's continue the search for the right manager. Duncan can buy the club time so they don't have to make a stupid short term decision (e.g. appoint Moyes god forbid). But don't ruin Duncan by riding the wave of emotion & making him an offer he can't refuse.

Elevate his status and make him assistant manager in any future structure but don't give him the top job just yet.

And again, you are totally on the mark with what Klopp has done at Liverpool. He's not necessarily a Pep in terms of tactical nouse or ability, but he has motivated a bunch of players to the point of forgetting how to lose.

I agree that the players were trying under Silva, they looked gutted at every goal conceded and every game lost. It was his tactics that weren't working.

However, Duncan found a system that suited the occasion and found a way of getting what Everton is about into the players heads. The difference yesterday was self belief and belief in the tactics being employed. Perhaps the old adage of “a change is as good as a rest” was a factor.

Collectively Ferguson, the team and the support brought a level of pride back to Everton FC at a time when it was desperately needed. The next few games will be very interesting as will the next few weeks regarding the manager position.

Whatever happens, the moment belongs overall to Duncan Ferguson who, against all the odds, may have just saved our season. Like others, I am praying that he continues to succeed if only to see him on the same touch line as Mr Ed.

Sod's law (and gratefully), I was proven wrong; however, we rode our luck. Tom Davies was ironically involved in the 3rd & decisive goal; however, prior to that, he almost done what he did against Leicester in giving away possession cheaply (he cost us 2 goals in that match).

All's well that ends well, I suppose, and gives us something to build on.

I think we'll see Ferguson get Tom in for the Man Utd game if he's still in charge. I think Tom did fine and, whilst Gylfi ran a lot, I'd much rather see Tom in that position in a 4-4-2.

Still euphoric after yesterday, and couldn't sleep last night, even after a couple of Lagers, so I re-watched Reds & Blues, The ballad of Dixie and Kenny.

Okay it's a bit old hat but still funny, and for anyone that hasn't seen it, try to watch it, you won't regret it. You will recognise a lot of its stars and includes Howard Kendall too!

Link

Steve, I like Tom Davies but worry about the number of times he gives up possession. Difficult one versus Sigurdsson who I thought improved the longer the game went on.

If Siggy's form and goals return, then I would rather see him than Tom. Having said that, Tom's high energy certainly adds something to the team and perhaps we will need that against Man Utd.

It's ridiculous and incorrect to talk about how he gave it away. He's a fantastic player and he fights hard, never gives up and makes things happen. I wish we had more like him.

But please, 4-4-2 is an absolute formation in the modern game. Over the course of a season, you will get overrun in midfield, as we pretty much did do yesterday.

I was crying out for Tom Davies from the time we went 2-0 up as we needed to get an extra man in the midfield to stop them just dancing through our lines as we were so outnumbered and Gylfi and Morgan kept getting so far apart.

I don't disagree that Tom is very talented but prefer to see an in-form Sigurdsson playing (assuming of course that his form is returning which is, I know, perhaps optimistic based upon 45 minutes).

I'm lucky enough to have been around in the 80s. We're a long way from there but it's not impossible. It begins with belief. That came back yesterday. Systems, formations, tactics are all important but irrelevant without that sense. If Dunc can instill that in the players beyond today then he has my vote.

All I know about his role in the club is that he has been retained under 4 managers. Lots of people have disparaged him as Duncan McCones and suchlike, but I've always felt he has been underrated. On the few occasions he has granted interviews he's come across as much more intelligent, thoughtful and reflective than the common view of him suggests.

Finally, he has met my 8-year-old nephew on trips over from Ireland over the past 3 years and every time he has been warm, welcoming and made his day. That little man has suffered slings and arrows in school from Man City and Liverpool fans but kept the faith and he's watched Dunc hugging the ballboy at least 25 times. He'll go into class with his chin up tomorrow.

We can be heroes, just for one day.

As Chris Kamara would say " Unbeliievable Jeff unbelievable".

Davies was poor but the extra man made it better for the team.

Also, factor in Schneiderlin's run-in with Duncan Ferguson with Kevin Mirallas. Maybe that is all water under the bridge. It makes more sense to me that Duncan went with Morgan Schneiderlin due to Tom carrying a knock; also note the affectionate kiss by Duncan to Davies.

Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin both have the legs and stamina to press and cover space, between them, that an extra ‘advanced midfielder' would provide, but limiting our counter-attacking potential.

Richarlison on many occasions was performing the duties of an extra midfielder anyway.

Calvert Lewin, with someone alongside him, can be an absolute nightmare for defenders. How many aerial challenges does he either win outright or prevent defenders from retaining possession and quickly allowing their team to get back on the front foot.

Direct balls, set-pieces and crosses will most likely make up a significant portion of our attacking output and with Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison on the pitch, we have a chance.

Once they have given it their all and sapped the defenders' energy levels, then Kean is a perfect impact sub, at this moment, to go sniffing for a goal.

Did Davies retain possession or win more duels than Richarlison?

This happened at least 5 times and we survived by sheer will and determination. You cannot rely on that every match. We had gaping holes in the middle as a result of the deficiencies of 4-4-2 and we cannot run that risk again.

4-4-2 could work if played with different personnel. Say we had a Gueye or a Kante who can cover the ground and play like two men. Gbamin should be such a player, if he ever gets fit! Davies if fit will cover a lot more ground and should make a difference.

I don't think Delph would make much impact though, as he doesn't have the legs, however, he can read the game well and maybe this could make a difference if paired with Davies and so able to control the youngster.

(I am new to this, so please don't pass judgement on any formatting mistakes)

Long-term, I believe it will require a different approach or personnel change but, for the situation we are in, I say roll the dice again and try to outwork and outmuscle a result.

I don't believe Davies, deployed as an No 10, offers much more than Richarlison does when he is involved in both phases of play.

I wouldn't say Davies offered any more protection, once he came on, either in ground covered, space occupied, tackles won, or retention of the ball. This is not a negative post about Davies but a post championing the merits of ‘more of the same', please.

I just hope we can really show that level of intensity in our away matches and also in both our upcoming Cup ties when the pressure to achieve will be ramped up to the max.

All credit to the big man when it mattered on Saturday... thank you.

COYB

You think he kissed Davies because it fits the narrative you pose about Davies being injured. It's absolute gossip and sounds more soppy than Kenwright.

So how come he kissed the ballboy then? Was he playing through injury too?

Davies was poor vs Norwich, had a hand in both of Leicester's goals and I am pretty sure if you are out of form and injured you are not being risked at all. In any sport.

Sack all the hearsay and believing muppets like Greg O'Keefe who has an agenda of his own and is trying to get reactions for his new venture. Which is also common practice to the streetwise.

Greg O'Keefe. I watched him torn apart by someone who shouldn't have stood a chance against anyone educated. Like all the other modern-day journos, he follows Twitter for ideas and now has a podcast.

Let's see if the little shithouse interviews someome like Paul Gregg or someone with real information about Everton. Instead of all the guesswork and no quotes.

I note you don't like Greg O'Keefe. I always found him to be a decent guy, and that's from meeting him often through work, and in the gym at the top of Old Hall Street.

Pretty special when he got the same players who had been rubbish for Silva recently playing so well in such a short space of time. Well done Dunc! I would certainly give him a few more games in charge now and, if he continues to do so well, let him have the job properly.

I think the big man being in charge at the weekend showed some key things too:

- How important it is to have a manager who is actively involved with the game and what is happening on the pitch. Seeing Big Dun shout, show passion and celebrate was such a refreshing change from someone merely standing there like a statue, passively watching what was going on. I think it not only helped the crowd to be up for the game but also rubbed off on the players too. When the man in charge is showing passion and desire, the players will too.

- How important it is to stick to simple plans and basic instructions. We all know Dunc did this on Saturday with a formation the team understood and apparently no complicated set of instructions or masses of data weighing on their minds. By keeping it simple and not making it all full of complex formations and messages, he unlocked the on-field paralysis and allowed them to simply play. It's not a hard game - get the ball and put it in their net or work hard when you don't have it to stop them.

- How important it is having someone connected to the club in charge who really understands us and can get the fans excited. Big Dunc showed how much of a difference this makes by being a figure everyone was behind from the off and understanding what Everton fans expect from our team. I just think some of the managers who come from outside the club don't have this grasp of things or that connection with the fans. Especially the foreign coaches who don't get how much we value fight, passion and desire.

https://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2019/12/09/paul-merson-suggests-marcel-brands-should-take-charge-of-everton/

I see his point here to be fair.
Yes I remember he thought Richarlison was overpriced.

I see the point in him doing the negotiations and sorting contracts throughout the club but picking the players for the manager?

That is an accident waiting to happen in my eyes.

If you get it right, then it matters not who the coach (note coach, not traditional Moyes style British manager) is. You can replace the coach because the structure throughout the club doesn't change. Theoretically anyone should be able to step in and pick up the reins. It's how all the top European clubs work. It's how Chelsea have operated for more than a decade with an impressive trophy haul to show for it. It's pretty much what City have done. They can change the coach and it doesn't really impact in the way changing a traditional British manager does.

The key is allowing the manager / coach of the day to have a say. I think (don't know), that's maybe where we have so far fallen down with adopting this model.

EDIT: One last thing; never ever listen to anything Merson says. He a total arse. I'm usually more constructive than that, but I can't think of anything more constructive to say about Merson.

He does make a good point here in my opinion because of our current situation and because of the last crop bought by a director of football.

I understand your point too Danny and its not a fact it doesn't work but to me, Brands needed a year or 2 in British football before he decides what the criteria is to bring a player in.

I am not sure how all the other directors of football work but anyone bringing the City, United, Shite etc Directors of Football into the equation is a nonsense because it doesn't take a Brands to identify the targets they go for.

Doing the deal as said above I see fine mate but the criteria for a very good deal in the premiership has to be far more scrutinised.

The system I saw Moyes used to bring players in seemed to work fine and with the funds available now we could entice higher up the kind of lists he drew up.

I do want it to work mate but I don't think the club have structured the roles properly.

Players love him, fans love him, he's a true Toffee!

It works for most successful European & English teams that actually win trophies in the modern game. Moyes never has and never will win anything.

Second, name me a Britiish manager who has won the league in recent years outside of Alex Ferguson. Noone. And none of those non-Britiish managers had previous Premier League experience ot the "Britishness" so many deem necessary until they were given there first in the Premier League

"I've seen us win the league twice" so have I and I am up in arms about how we buy and sell now.

Frankly, I find it a ridiculous assertion to say that a manager (of any nationality) cannot achieve anything, because of their nationality.

In football, It all comes down not just to the individual ability of the manager, but also the players they manage and all the support structure behind them, at any given team.

As in all walks of life, some individuals are more gifted than others, for many different reasons.

However, the nationality of the individual, is not one of them.

From the interviews with both Brands and Silva over the last season, it seems more a matter of the manager telling the DoF the type of player he wants / needs for a position and then the DoF going and finding that specific type of player and negotiating the terms of transfer and player salary etc.

In the past Bill Kenwright used to do the financial part and in recent time Moyes did the identifying part.

These are the two roles that I believe Brands has taken over.

I bet if you look over the past say 40 years there will be a fairly even spread of success versus nationality.

There may not be a UK manager that stands out at the moment but it doesn't mean to say there isn't one at all. I am not saying that I want any of these names; Howe, Dyche, Rodgers, Lampard, Potter, Gerrard but who knows what they may achieve given the opportunity.

Too many factors involved to rule out any nationality.

Ferguson got the team playing today, he gets what Everton means, I would certainly not be in a rush to bring a Manager in just yet.

I would give Dunc a game at a time, I would certainly have him in charge of the Leicester cup game next week, Goodison under the lights, crowd up for it, gives us an advantage against a good Leicester side.

Like I have been saying for a year or so on here, football is a simple game, made complicated by over tactical shite, too much information and pages of notes drilled out to the players.

Duncan made it simple, every player knew what they had to do and did it.

Why over complicate the game, keep it simple, go out and do your job and help your team mates out when needed.

Same again please Duncan for me, put the new Manager on hold for now.

The trouble with some foreign managers in the EPL is that they neglect to understand how important playing with passion and desire is to fans and also to succeeding here. like Silva et al, they think that a clever formation and dossier of facts is all you need. They just don't get that teams here won't stand around and watch you pass it around the 18 yard box to your hearts content.

The other thing that you have to accept is the barrier having a foreign coach who doesn't speak good English presents. listening to Silva, Martinez or Koeman speak usually saw me switch off after about 30 seconds. Can you imagine how the players felt hearing them waffle on without making sense every day? This is the other reason a British manager is so important - they can make themselves understood and get the players motivated with the right phrase or words. I know Big Dunc or Moyes don't speak the queen's English but you can bet the players listened to them and knew what they wanted. with most foreign managers all you get is the same two phrases repeated over and over again.

I suppose my point should have been look outside the Premier League be that to the continent or the Championship. And I don't care about nationality.

Fair call out on Moyes Paul. I was trying to point out that the DoF model can & does work too. I do have faith in Brands. I think out most calamitous "strategy" was the season we bought Rooney back. Bill, being the sentimental old fool he is, went and brought "our Wayne" back. Koeman bought Klaasen because he was Dutch & Walsh pursued various targets who escape me now (although credit him for Guaye). It's like they'd all gone out shopping, agreed to meet afterwards & told each other what they'd bought when they got back!!