Ancelotti secures second win with Calvert-Lewin brace

Walcott must step up. And big game for Davies. And what a chance for Moise Kean, hopefully the start of a fruitful career.

The young boy has been our best midfielder this term whether you like him or not. Yes he's struggled in his recent outings but there's others more deserving of your ridicule.

Makes for a strong looking bench. Cummon Moise Kean. You've got the ideal manager for you know. Show us what you've got.

More worrying is Keane's inclusion. He really should be returned to nurse Wrachet at the lobotomy ward.

Both the midfield and the defence retreated more and more and the ball was scrambled away, conceding the ball straight back to them, rather than played crisply through the lines as we had been doing.

With Richarlison, DCL, Kean and Walcott all high upfield Newcastle's defence had to stay at home. That gave Davies and Siggy all the time and room in midfield to keep us on the front foot.

But after their first meaningful attack we got the shakes and retreated to a siege mentality. I'm sure Carlo will be in their ears in the dressing room to get the shape and game plan back on track, rather than continue to let the Barcodes dictate how the game is played.

Based on the good stuff, the players again showing they've got ability. I continue to be impressed at how quickly first Ferguson and now Carlo is getting a tune out of them and by playing different formations and tactics.

We're in good hands here.

Back when Kean started against Sheff Utd I was shocked at how poor his movement was. Not seeing anything here to make me think it was a one off. There are spaces in behind or in the wide positions with this Newcastle defence.

Got a feeling the referee might have a big say in this game. Just seems to be losing the game a bit.

Hopefully he can grab one.

Who would have that since sacking Silva we'd have 3 wins and 2 draws from that run of fixtures?

And DCL scoring 5 in 5?

Let's celebrate my fellow Blues.

Richarlison man of match for me. Not his biggest fan but he epitomised everything good today. His work-rate, team play and set up for the winner being amonst the highlights.

His in-game management is superb. The way he knows exactly what to do to overcome situations is brilliant. Calvert-Lewin won't be winning goal of the month, but another two goals to well and truly silence his doubters as he gets to 10 for the season before the turn of the year.

Tom Davies was great again today. Not everything comes off, but he's all action, never stops, and fights like a Spartan. Holgate continued to cement his place in our best XI.

I've been critical of Jordan Pickford recently, but credit where it's due, he's responded well to the new manager and produced another excellent display. Perhaps there's a reason why Kelly has been kept on as keeper coach.

UTFT

Made up Calvert Lewin got a double aswell. Now he can extend his targets which should drive him on another gear.

Holgate continues to impress, and DCL is turning his good all-round work into goals, but I was particularly pleased for Sigurdsson and Tom Davies today; they worked hard, moved the ball well, and were competitive in the breakdown.

Moise was not getting anywhere near the ball or his man, misjudging the flight the direction and weight of every attempt to find him. Worrying.

Second half, the tempo was better and we took the fight to them again from the off, this time Kean was given the ball on the half turn and was far better suited to running at the defence rather than playing one-twos around it. What a difference, thee shots on target in about 5 mins! Hopefully we can engineer this situation more often.

DCL entered December a boy and emerges a man. What a great result and that should give us a confidence boost for the next away game!

Just shows as well there is more to Big Dunc than putting out the cones.

Big test against City next!

I also thought that actual possession with a purpose is great to watch. For so long we have been subjected to pointless possession going nowhere, now after the last couple of games, Carlo has given them a purpose to go along with keeping the ball. The passing is so.much crisper, the one touch football very evident, movement, all in all very impressive given the amount of chances we created.

It's still baby steps but we have seen off the Geordies away from home, very comfortably to be honest. I'm now looking forward to Citeh then the RS now. At least we are putting on performances now.

Great start from Carlo

You say hes become a man in december which I see some real sense in. He always looked an athlete with great aerial potential but hes often looked too friendly on the ball.

We are seeing more aggression lately (not just from him) and it has made defenders respect him more.

Once he gets that into his composure and shooting he can become a player nobody wants to play against.

Coming from lower level he was always going to be a long project but hats off to the lad, he comes across like a student of the game.

That's what happens when you bring in a proper manager who communicates well, organises and motivates the players.

As for Mason Holgate, he stood up to th physical challenge from Carroll superbly. That boy is going to be a top player.

I must however give kudos to our young centre half as well as the boss. We must sign him up now before any new players on a bumper deal to protect our asset and to give him recognition for his improvement truly brilliant performance in a test he would have failed twelve months ago.

When the free kick was given by Mason for Walcott's 'foul', no doubt like others I thought 'I'll be highly pissed off if they score from this.'

I don't know what annoyed me more. We were nailed on for a goal kick following Theo's good tracking back of Willems, so there was no need for Walcott to raise his leg offering the Newcastle player to go over it. Even then, given where the ball was, did it merit the free kick Mason awarded?

I thought the only thing Ancelotti got wrong today was not have a stronger game plan for the Orc that is Andy Carroll from dead ball situations. In open play Keane and then Mina did OK. You're simply not going to win every aerial ball against him. But on dead ball plays, it looked as if Sigurdsson was delegated with being responsible for Carroll. We paid for that mis-match with the goal.

Disappointing, because we had looked good to add to our lead with the formation that started the game. I would argue that was Moise Kean's best showing in Everton Blue and with a tad more luck could have scored.

But Ancelotti showed again why he is worth the big bucks with the changes he made following the equaliser.

First withdrawing Kean to have Delph at the base of the midfield with the tidy defensive work he does. Then a further tweak removing Walcott for Coleman to go with a traditional back four, Sidibe moving forward to further compact the midfield with Richarlison and DCL constantly on the move up front.

Leading up to the winning goal, there was a lot of patient possession and passing of the ball between midfield and defence before switching to the right flank, losing possession, but similar to the Burnley game, Siggy recovered the ball well on the touchline, sent Richarlison away who slid in a great ball for DCL to get enough contact on it to score.

Not content with that, Carlo made another radical formation change by withdrawing Baines - who reminded us again just how good he is - for Mina to go with a back three of Coleman-Mina-Keane, with Sidibe and Holgate in front of them on either flank, Siggy and Delph in the centre midfield, Davies the advanced link to the two forwards.

It smothered and choked off any chance of a Newcastle reply.

Once again, nobody had a bad game.
Once again, there was purpose and method at every phase of the game how the team was set up and asked to play.
Once again, these much-maligned players displayed that there is ability in the squad.

Pickford solid. Holgate growing with every game, no matter where he is being asked to play. Davies so good at receiving and giving the ball. DCL continuing to show he is far from a Championship player. Richarlison not looking like scoring for a couple of games, but my! How he puts a shift in for his team every game.

The second half of the season is going to be a joy to watch I reckon as Carlo Ancelotti increasingly makes his mark on the team.

Buzzing!

So pleased to see something different than 4-2-3-1. Getting the best out of Dom.

Never mind another goal scorer we need a shit hot midfielder who will be the engine of the tam and teach the likes of Tom Davies how to do it. Look at the future as we are optimistic as always. COYB bring it on!

Ferguson got the effort and pride back now Ancelotti is tweaking the systems to suit the players.

In the scheme of things this was a fantastic 3 points and performance. If we can maintain this commitment against City we could probably get something out of that game, especially is we can get DCL and A.N.Other up top to pressurise City's defence.

Well done the whole squad and staff.

Patience required, of course.

Ancelotti in his interview spoke immediately about the need not to lose control of a game. It's one of our biggest problems and he's on it.

I'm sure Carlo has much better links and leverage than silva did, for potential new players.

I wonder what those fans who were calling for Moyes to be reappointed (plenty were on here) are thinking right now?

Everyone was great today, even Walcott, but special mention to our younger players - Pickford, Holgate, Davies and DCL. Today the popped their (football) cherry and became men. Well done lads.

Shades of Harry Kane/ Gary Lineker with his agricultural ball control not affecting his notching.

Plus an "air" of competence about the entire outfit admittedly said cautiously given still early in "new manager bounce" territory. None the less very gratifying.

Well done blues

For the most part wasn't getting involved with the circus. Well done.

He seems to change things around based on what he sees on the pitch.

We can finally see these players performing.

He didn't come cheap but Carlo will push us on.

Calvert Lewin take a bow.

Replay the capitulation last season, and the change in purpose and belief, in all of the squad today.

Duncan has restored the passion and the pride in playing for Everton. Carlo is the tactical brains in changing the team, and tweaking the team to win. This game.

Best Chrimbo games in years. Early days but the candle of hope is burning bright for Everton.

Now for City.

Hopefully towards the final dozen games of the season we'll all be looking forward to a top six finish rather than a bottom half one. Mind you there's still work to be done to stay in the top half and hopefully Carlo won't allow any slacking off or complacency to set in.

As an aside just seen Norwich's 'Second' goal ruled out by VAR for offside, is this really what officialdom think the paying public want to see goals ruled out for? They have been given a progressive technical tool and have utilised it so badly, you could be forgiven for thinking that they really really don't want it in the game?

I've seen more formations in the last 2 games than I've seen in the whole of the last 2 years.

You get what you pay for.

Marcus is, of course, accurate and correct in his use of DC-L.

VAR can only enforce the rules as they are.

VAR can only enforce the rules as they are.

Dave #60, Holgate is contracted thru June 2022.

So proud of my team and players - finally

Heart, spirit and effort

DCL doing great and 1st goal was a poachers effort. 2nd a bit of a Mishit but I'll take it

Anyone know how Kean player? I really really want him to come good but I'm still not sure of him at the moment

So far we've had Ferguson and Ancelotti who have proved those two thoughts to be absolute shite!

First goal he attacks the first ball, and then instantly not just gets back onside, but gets far enough back so that he's already moving toward goal for the next phase of play. The chance looks easy when it's in front of him - but it takes intelligent play to not just have that coming with your back to goal.

Second goal he's got two centre backs in front of him. He didn't just attack the far post, he came away from goal and wide, so that again he can make a second run moving towards goal when the pass comes. Scruffy finish but he'd done the hard bit.

Plenty to learn. Control isn't always great and needs to do better in the air. But it's coming.

Overall the team's movement improved A LOT! I used to watch us play and run out of ideas quick because the positioning is horrific. I think some hung on to the word (lucky) too much and taking what I said out of context. DCL did the hard part, he didn't do some parts perfectly but that's not stopping me from patting him on the back for the good work he did.

I thought commentators' (and perhaps others') description of his first goal to be unfair/inaccurate actually. It was quite clinical imo. He hit the ball quite well, seems slightly off balance after Kean missed. Second one was, as you say, scruffy.

I don't know what happened in training but the team seems to have built on Dunc's positives, and perhaps the opponents are easier (not like our next 2).

I hope we can take as much from the next 2 games as we did these past 2. All in all, we have a great festive haul already.

We are all entitled to our views and if you believed due to recent showings or for better options then I wouldnt have commented. I just feel Tom began in 4th or 5th choice in the previous boss' mind and with Holgate they give him a stay of execution with their performances.

For me whether he is top drawer is irrelevant, on merit he is one of the few who should be proud of themselves this term so he should not get the level of stick he does.

Winning at Newcastle is no joke. It was worrying when they scored the equalizer, because you could feel St. James' Park come alive... but unlike last year, when we became completely unmoored, we held our nerve and regained control of the match. Early days obviously, but I already feel like the players are starting to emulate Ancelotti's calm, cool demeanor.

I'm also really glad Ancelotti came out and said he's not looking to add a striker in January. He clearly sees the potential in Calvert-Lewin and Kean, and I look forward to seeing what he can do with them over the second half of the season. Zlatan would have been fun, but it would have been a circus.

Regarding Kean, he still isn't integrated into the attack, for obvious reasons (youngster, little playing time, new manager), and nothing is coming off for him right now, but I like that he's eager to attack off the dribble every time, and his physical explosiveness is obvious -- on that chance in minute 50, where he hit the keeper in the chest, he was quicker to the ball than any Everton player I've seen in many years. His first goal is coming.

What struck you about this game?

I cant believe the improvement in most of them, but particularly Holgate who seems to be maturing into a top rate defender. The Sidibe move to a right wing back is just brilliant, the guy is best crosser of the ball in the squad and pushing him upfront has given us a creativity we were short of. Put on top of that a forward line clicking at last with Calvert-Lewin getting in on the goals. If Kean can nab one shortly, we hopefully will have that sharp frontline of 2 from 3 or play all 3 and I'm sure they'll deliver the goods

We need to get Keane back to where he was last year when sharing a partnership with Zouma, get Gomes back asap and we'll start to look as though he can go places.

I loved the way he repeatedly turned and took the fight to them, especially when they were launching balls in and we were fearing a Carrol knock down would rob us of victory.

I was critical of his behaviour in the past, so I`m delighted to see him get his head down and get on with it. Wonderful to have a player who can make the opposition turn around when they are desperate to get forward.

A great December would have been winning the penalty shootout.

We've got rid of Marco, we've got a world class manager, we've way more points than we were expecting to get with Marco in charge.

And probably most of all the players have shown fight, determination, passion and played for the jersey. We've got our club back.

The future is coming and we're the future.

I am not going to say were we will finish this season but will go with what the managers has said, and that is for the rest of the season his job is to get as many points as they can get, and see were they end up.

I am not sure if we will see more than 2 players come in in the transfer window but hope we are able to get rid of some of the deadwood we have. ( put the names here )

It is early days yet but the signs are Ancelloti will become the manager we have been needing for years, and that is a manager who will be able to back up his reputation.

Glad we got him see West Ham have sacked their manager.

The opposition has been perfect for a good run, again taking everything into account. We are yet to face a top side under the new manager and have one next. Another intrigue of a fixture for us to analyse the progress.

The biggest buzz I get from Ancellotti is, as a fan, I feel he is wrapped up in winning mentality and I feel comfortable believing he will look even harder all of us at where we can improve. I don't always feel that from managers. Most are protecting their CV.

Hopefully Ancelotti will couple the above with his experience, tactical awareness and man management skills in order to move the Club on.

However, as much as we should celebrate our upturn in fortunes, we have to realise we are going to have some setbacks, especially this season.

When these setbacks occur we have to continue supporting the squad and management, especially the younger players, who since the Allardyce reign have been instrumental in any positives we have had during that period.
It was mainly Davies, DCL, Holgate and JJK who got us out the shit after Koeman was binned.

Enjoy the night!

He needs to shape his game to maximise his strengths, which is what he's in the process of doing and he's another one who will benefit from working with Ancelotti. He also needs to gain a little bit more physical strength but again he's doing that.

I expect him to become a top player.

Without making accusations (though there has been plenty around Italian sports) there is something about Italians and magic potions that either prolong or raise a performer.

They will have Moise Kean playing until he is Roger Milla's age. 😂

Pickford's handling of crosses was impressive today, apart from one slight confusion which wan't his fault. Someone's been working with him, or he's been working with himself.

One thing I liked about Moyes messages was him saying the players need to know its a privledge to play for Everton..

I think a lot forgot and when a man like Ancellotti comes throught the door I think that messages smacks them mentally.

Haha Tony that could be it mate. I'd play them all half cut if thats the case.

Well done Dominic, your hard work, perseverance and just getting on doing your lone hard labour for the team is paying off, after finally Duncan and Carlo gave you a partner to help you out.

A call up for England is surely on the way, just keep playing as you are, mind you, you'll never play for a better team than Everton, or most probably, a better manager than Carlo. That's enough praise for one night!!!

How do you think Dominic Calvert-Lewin feels tonight, hearing this from such a decorated manager?

"He is a fantastic striker, in my opinion - fantastic with the head, clever in the box and sharp. I think he is going to be at the top in England and in Europe. He has all the qualities to be a top striker."

Nice, but really shocking at the same time, is this wee stat:

DCL is the first Everton player EVER to score the winning goal in successive Premier League games. You need to wind the clock to Tony Cottee in May 1991 for the last Everton player to achieve it in the top division of English football.

However. We were not out battled or shown up for effort or determination.

The end product? A victory away from home.

Something Silva achieved very few times as Everton manager wth largely the same tools at his disposal.

As an Everton player right now, if you walk into the dressing room having not performed then you cannot expect the buck to be passed to the manager. This simply will not happen with Ancelotti at the helm.

This is a manager who is able to get the very best performances from the very best players. He also transforms decent players into top classs ones.

The players that have performed under him adore him. Not just because he might be a great bloke, but because he's a sensational leader.

I am pinching myself.

Joking of course but that could be the unfinished business he has suggested when he has been linked with us.

On another note, i said this after Burnley also but do we look fitter or is it just me? Are other teams tired or is it us getting stronger? I believe the latter..

Last 10 mins of the last 2 games we didn't look dead or leggy to me?

The more Everton games I see that Silva is not in charge of just confirm how truly awful he was on a matchday. It looks like we have a real game changer in Ancelotti and hopefully the more time he spends on the training pitch with the squad the better!

Lots of room for improvement but the signs are extremely encouraging. Onwards and upwards Blues.

WHU might be a good fit for him.

Well, these last four have been pure poacher. Drive to the goal, stick your head or foot in and make things happen. The scrambled clincher against Chelsea, the diving header on Thursday and both goals today were all borne of anticipation and opportunism. All told, five goals in six during the December meat-grinder, in the midst of two manager changes. That's the instinct kicking in. Some guys have it naturally, some have to develop it. DCL's the latter. And we're watching the development in front of our eyes.

Jay #139, great stat on DCL's gamewinners. And I agree with your later post. I think West Ham will go all in for Jardim.

Even more refreshing to, at last, have a manager who makes meaningful substitutions and can change formations during a game.

So different from the headless chicken subs we've been used to!

With DCL doing the “doggies” it resulted in a lack of touches a lack of positioning and more importantly a lack of energy for the composure needed if he did get a half chance. He's certainly improved no end since Silva was jettisoned, he's beginning to blossom as you say.

In my opinion they will all improve, but Ancelotti will have his work cut out for him with Walcott.

I have no more words!

I never liked Linekar as a Everton player. Linekar was too one dimensional and the whole team had to be organised to suit him. I think Calvert Lewin is more a team p!ayer, with a better range of attacking options.

Linekar was playing for a team that had won League Titles, FA Cups and a European trophy. In my opinion he was the main reason that Everton did not win the League the year he played for them.

•Salah (140)
•Aubameyang (142)
•Rashford (149)
•Jesus (151)
•Lacazette(153)
•Mane (158)
•Kane (162)
•Martial (170)
•Firmino (242)

11 points from 15 since we shook hands and waved goodbye to Silva. No regrets, even if it might be too early to declare a new dawn.

We were just unlucky that our neighbours went on an unbelievable run, towards the tail end.

Gary Lineker rattled In 30 league goals for Everton that season.

Winning the league the following season may add weight to justifying it, but in my opinion, we would have still won the 87 title with Lineker in the team.

Let's remember that Kendall was in line for the Barcelona job, but then after the Lineker sale, Barcelona opted for another Manager.

Let's not forget Lineker was happy at Everton and suprised when Kendall said he wanted to sell him.

The Lineker of 86 was a top class finisher and a shame we only got a season out of him.

I do continue to feel that Walcott needs shipping out and replacing (Everton Soares or Neres for me) and a confident left-sided centre-back would do wonders for us.

I wonder how often the players doubted Marco's decisions? Because I did lots of the time.

Yet with Ancelotti I'm happy to defer. The guy is elite. Not every decision he makes will go as well as they have still far, but I'm happy to go with what he thinks.

I'm assuming the players would feel the same. What impact does buying into a leader's decisions have? If could only be a positive thing.

My memories of Linekar, was that in games Everton should have won, Linekar style of play and the team accommodating it was a hindrance to actually achieving the desired result. Linekar was a good player and did achieve the scoring rates you describe, but sometimes a good player can be a hindrance to the overall team which will result in them not winning anything. Kendall was right to sell him.

Wednesday will reveal again just how far we have come in a short period of time. Although I would be very surprised if we managed a win, I would settle for a hard fought draw now, to keep the momentum going.

Sitting here 12,000 kilometres away in my lucky royal blue and white polo shirt feeling happy.

Up the Blues!!!

I've despaired when reading the ignorant, ill informed, and what could often be described as angry abuse directed at this boy on these very pages. Ive seen whole threads dominated by his name, even when we have been beaten because opponents have been able to gleefully expose our pathetic defence.

Some people seem incapable of recognising a footballer until he is all grown up and producing the goods like a seasoned veteran. Thats ok but whats with the contastnt criticism, the finger pointing ? The abuse ? The crazy thing about this onslaught was that his critics couldnt even agree. Some said he didnt anticipate balls or make the right runs to get the opportunities, while others accused him of missing all sorts of imaginary sitters.

Dominic, Mason ( and Tom Davies for that matter) havent just become talented individuals. They always have been.
Rhino (one of the FF "living stealers") once took time out from winning his league to tell us "Once DCL starts scoring, there will be no stopping him"..Rhino saw him every day!!!.. After being played on the left and the right by Koeman and Allardyce and being used by Silva more as a battering ram rather than a striker. DCL's was finally given half a chance to show what he could do.
It took Duncan Ferguson (another FF living stealer) to finally give this guy support - Maybe because he knew how much of a thankless task playing up front alone is.
Ancelotti has now seen how to get the best out of players who have come through the ranks. His opinion will not be swayed by any misplaced allegiance to players he has brought to the club because he has not yet brought any.

I hope some good comes out of the progress made by DCL, Holgate and Davies. We tend to be patient with balloon headed managers who wont learn, but little patience has been afforded to youngsters who are desperate to learn.

I hope it also teaches people that despite a steady stream of dud managers signing average players and using them poorly. The criticism directed at ex players working at FF is born out of total ignorance. Ill informed guesswork. There is talent within our ranks and at the moment its very visible

It made my Sunday to see one of FF's biggest critics jump on the band wagon and declare. "I've always likened DCL to Sharpy" - priceless

Lets here it for the boys

There undoubtedly will be times where things go badly, and as others have written, we need to remember we're a long way off a 'finished article', and that finished articles need pruning and strong management to simply maintain their status.

Anyway, let's consider how lucky we are that Ancelotti's luck rubbed off on the team after Duncan Ferguson fortuitously got the team playing and converted DCL from a child who'd never played football (even with his U21 World Cup winning fluke) and was previously never good enough.

Ok, it's not the time to get all spikey, but Calvert-Lewin's movement for both goals was really good (arguably perfect as it resulted in us scoring) for both goals.

Everton will reap the benefits of persevering with Dominic, Davies, Holgate and Jonjo Kenny, when he comes back, gone but not forgotten Jonjo, your future lies here with the other three.

Hurry up and get fit Mike, see you soon over a pint or two.

The only way you could blame Lineker is if you take his story about losing his lucky boots before Oxford away seriously. Three games to go, he didn't score and we lost 1-0.

Great to get a result today. I thought a draw likely.

Have to give huge credit to the players, workrate and effort has been second to none since Ferguson and now Ancellotti have taken charge.

I don't expect us to suddenly become a top side, but we have enough talent along with the effort and growing confidence to give us some pride back in our Club.

Improvement and slowly moving forward together is all that we can ask for given the distance between us and the top of the Premier League.

Under Silva we only scraped 14 points, since the start of the season, and all this with basically the same group of players. Okay we have been desperately unlucky with injuries, but the fit players are almost unrecognisable from the ones a few weeks ago.

The feel good factor, that has been missing for so long, is back and each game is eagerly awaited with a renewed and realistic optimism of a win. Wednesday will be the true acid test, sleeves up socks down, into the Gladiatorial Arena.

Looks like the happy clapping has started prematurely - again. You would think people would Learn from lauding these managers before they have actually done anything by now.

the youngsters are not playing well because Ancelotti is here. They had been playing very well long before he got here. Since Silva left in fact. To give Ancelotti credit for work Ferguson had already done smacks of desperation to be overwhelmed by his fantasticness.

Lets be clear here. the goal Newcastle scored and their subsequent mini revival was down solely to Ancelotti reverting to the zonal marking which almost certainly cost Silva his job.. and I'm sure I wasnt the only one feeling uncomfortable at the amount of time it took to replace Baines with Mina when it was clear the Geordies were looking to get back by going all out route one.
Ancelotti cant be hung out to dry for these decisions because most of his staff will still be relative strangers to him. I have no doubt he will be making it his business to quickly learn all about them. . But please.

Lets not perform yet another premature coronation. Lets make this guy EARN the adulation. Lets see if Sigurdsson, Walcott, Benard etc still "can" and "will" after 2-3 months before we book the open top bus.

Ancelotti did his part in this game, but lets try to enjoy a win without taking credit away from those who also thoroughly deserve it.

I think this time last year you'd lost interest in getting hold of a ticket for any of the away games in London (you'd previously had one from me for a game in the capital). I suspect your appetite has been whetted for going to a few more games! Norwich now looks so close!

It's early days. All manner of things can go wrong. An initial motivational effect can wear off. Nobody crowning him yet. Few written him off already.

The future signings will be interesting.

However there are several in the Sky Studios who are all dining on 'Crow Pie' and choking on every mouthful, long may it continue! :-)

Do you go to away games, Derek?

In spite of this the margins are so tight that had DCL's confidence not been reinvigorated under big Dunc or if we had some decisions we haven't got all season (Keanes corner and 2 penalty shouts which may have gone the other way even though both debatable), we could be looking at a different scenario.

You point to the next 2-3 months as judgement time but for me it will be next season when I will judge Carlo. If you look at his career he has always had the ability to come in a make an instant impression. He still has so much deadwood at the club and a hugely imbalanced squad that whether we fly up the table or drift back into the bottom half won't determine my view.

He will have had two windows to get the right players in and out and he will probably have a top seven squad with Gbamin and Gomes back and hopefully Kean having his settling season. We will then see if Carlo can slightly overachieve and get a top six finish which will test his ability to motivate our players over the entire season, their fitness levels and the perpetual slumps or streaks his teams have always had over the course of a league season.

Great early signs but nothing more.

Dave 192-Holgate unlike some of our players has been a revelation despite managerial changes and has been class for all three which shows you his character .He is just getting better with experience

Genuinely feel, although early days, that the Good part may be returning, and hopefully here to stay this time. Getting banned from Europe last time through no fault of our own, was indeed the demise of that great team, and with it any hopes we had.

I am sure Ancelotti has made a couple of tweaks since he has arrived but with the games coming thick and fast at this time of the year, he has had virtually no time on the training ground to change fundamentally what Duncan had started.
But I am sure the players and Duncan are delighted to be working with a world class manager, and the more they listen the better they will get. I think he has now seen everybody except our 2 long term injuries Gomes and Gbamin, and has yet to select Tosun,Niasse or Iwobi, but he may give some game time to Iwobi in the next couple of weeks.

Derek, let's know the next time you're planning to do an away game.

I'll take 100% win record over 25% win record and wasting our best opportunity to win silverware in a while. Thanks.

No argument fro me mate.

The 2-3 months I spoke about was in response to somebody talking about him "already working his his wonders". I cant deny I didnt want him. I posted as much, but now he is here I am to give him 2-3 years to deliver. I cant bear the idea of chopping and changing managers forever.

There are lots of ways people describe a managers stint at a club when he hasnt been successful. "Didnt quite work for him" "didnt get the breaks". You've heard them all, but at the end of the day there is only two ways he will be judged - success or failure.

When you bring in a manager like Ancelotti on the salary he is on. it is quite cut and dried. silverware and CL football will be deemed success anything less will be deemed failure.
When the bar is that high. the manager simply has to be given every opportunity to deliver and Ancelotti will be given that time.

However If people are going to use words like "working his wonders" after a couple of games and making claims that he has got youngsters playing, when they already were. They (for me at least) forfeit the right to call for time and patience. Its good to be positive on a weekend like this, but there has to be a level of reality..

Martin Nicholls

I gave an opinion BEFORE Ancelotti was given the job. I wasnt passing it off as fact - You will find the clue in the words "I believe".

I actually gave my opinion a little thought. I based my reasons on the belief that he will not be given anywhere near the calibre of player he is used to dealing with.

You think I'm wrong ? fair enough, but people who think Everton will be allowed to break the rules and bring in 4-5 top class players are deluding themselves.
If Ancelotti is to be successful at this club, he will have to do it in a different manner than with his previous success's

I offer you a similar invite I gave supporters of the last four managers. Come and tell me how desperately wrong I have been when he has delivered a trophy and I will gleefully tuck into my humble pie

So far, so good, so very obvious.

Two big tests coming up. Big test in January when Brands will have to shift players if we're going to buy. Biggest test will be next season, when we're entitled to expect something of substance.

Ancelotti's not soft; he knows this is a decent squad that he can improve. He's not come here to finish 7th. He will be expecting what Darren, I and many others think he should be achieving. Isn't that why you bring someone of his calibre here?

Quiet optimism & confidence for me.

Ancelotti should be held to that standard and he will hold himself to it.

One of Silva's biggest mistakes was not using Baines enough especially when Digne wasn't exactly setting the world alight.

Hes getting old but he's still quality.

Allan 201-most of those "hundreds of times" of success you are pointing to is at the elite end of European Cup competitions. To get to those moments we will need overachievement in the league.

Carlo won 0 titles in 2 seasons at Juve.
He won 1 title in 7 seasons with the greatest Milan team of all time (granted he built them to that).
He won 1 title under Abramovic in 2 Chelsea seasons.
He won 1 title in 2 seasons at PSG
He won 0 titles at Madrid finishing 3rd and 2nd.
He won 1 title with Bayern Munich.

Carlo is clearly a man accustomed to winning trophies and if we are in the semi final of the Champions League in 2022 I would prefer him to Guardiola, A Ferguson or Wenger but his big challenge at our club will be to get the maximum from our ability over an entire campaign to get us to where we need to be.

For him to do that he will need to produce the kind of maximising of resources in his early career at Reggina and Parma. Certainly we cannot afford the types of slumps that we have seen at Juve,Milan,PSG,Madrid where numerous titles have been thrown away when in pole position.

I repeat I'm not taking anything away from the new manager, in fact I'm glad we've got him and expect Everton to carry on imroving under him, slowly but surely.

I wanted Mr. Silva changed after the Burnley away game,I'm glad we kept him, otherwise somebody else would have been chosen instead of Ancelotti, maybe Kenwright's choice, and that wouldn't have pleased quite a lot of fans. Now WHU fans, who didn't want him last time he was there, will have to see how much he has improved.

From what we've seen so far,the improvement from all the players and now realising that we can't go and buy a whole new squad due to ffp,where do you think he will buy in January?

We've had so much fucking disappointment, why not let folks revel in the moment. We all know we've had our expectations dashed in the past, but that's no reason not to be mighty pleased with current events.

As Paul the Esk has just outlined we won't be able just to throw money at this project.

He balances the reasons why the AC Milan term had title issues and what restricted him at times.

https://youtu.be/4EIViK6oHeo

He may feel a striker is needed too, but traditionally the January Window is seldom an ideal place to get a quality striker, so he may just persevere with what we have, for the time being.

I also think his directive (from himself) is to get as high as possible and prepare for next year, there is no point going all out, and panic buying because even with a good run of results, we are not really expected to get in to the Top 6.

Should we achieve that; Happy Days! I would have liked a good FA Cup run but there is a team standing in our way, if we could somehow dispose of them, then it may be a different story.

DCL joined us aged 19 in 2016, having spent the previous eleven years at Sheffield United. He's played in our first team nigh on 100 times from the get-go.

Apart from that you're bob-on eulogising Rhino and FF youth coaches for his development. Well done, but maybe have to try a bit harder in 2020, like everyone at FF hopefully!

Sometimes TW goes a little quiet. You know what I mean, When everything that is going to be said on the current threads has been said. Michael tends to stick to match reporting, editing and occasionally posting himself and although Lyndon is pretty prolific. Even he cant be expected put a new piece up every day.

At such times, You (all of us) are faced with two choices, you can either pen your own article, or you can simply log off and come back later in the hope somebody else has. If you choose to do the former. You do so in the certain Knowledge that one single line can be taken out and cast back up to you for months.

I've put up a few articles in recent months and anybody who has bothered to read them will not need me to point out that I'm no Lyndon Lloyd. I don't possess his writing skills (who does ?). I'd never in a million years be able to pen articles which can strike a chord with almost everyone like he can.

I see lots of very interesting OP's on here on here which barely get a response. In many cases they are almost too well written. I don't have that sort of talent, So I go for the controversial points. Stuff which I know will divide opinion and generate debate. The more responses the better. Thats where I will disagree with you. I DO listen to every opinion. after all I did seek it ?

Yeah its wrong to refer to people as happy clappers, but when people have sly digs at you and cast up things you have said in the past under totally different circumstances it is very difficult not to respond. I would never dream of saying something I didnt believe and I accept people will disagree but when when some slyly insinuate you are not a "true fan" simply because you don't agree with certain appointments (even if they do try to backtrack) I think the term happy clapper is a rather mild response.

I wont use it again

With regards to Marcotti he really loves Carlo and I heard him speaking about Napoli in which everything was excusable and passed onto others, even Sarri wasn't immune. So far Carlo is doing his talking on the pitch and the more he does it over the next few seasons the sillier my concerns will look.

I see Arteta is having some impact at Arsenal also.

Compare that with the insipid display against Arsenal where we couldn't manage a shot on target. This against a team in complete disarray and there for the taking and I know what I prefer.

The wheels were creaking after the initial euphoria against Chelsea and it would have interesting to see how Ferguson would have coped with the situation had he remained in charge. I'd much rather have Ancelotti thanks.

Why, when we've just taken 11 from 15 possible points in the last 5 challenging fixtures, under the stewardship of Duncan and Carlo, do some feel a need to castigate fellow posters as 'happy clappers' when - given where we were on December 4th after the annihilation at Anfield - there is a great deal to be happy about and to clap about it?

It doesn't make someone a great seer, superior to all others on TW, to recall they were less than enamoured at all managerial appointments since Moyes left 6 years ago, or that they alone knew all along certain young players had something about them.

It wasn't a view exclusively held by one poster and one poster only on TW. Plenty said exactly the same things and also consistently defended the young players from unjust criticism. But a lot who did so don't feel the need to restate it now out of mere vanity.

For someone who described the pursuit of Carlo Ancelotti as 'madness' and that 'Ancelotti failing at Goodison is not simply a possibility; I believe it to be a certainty... a forgone conclusion' now trying to present that view as somehow 'virtuous', compared to the harmless and just enthusiasm of Brent @ 180 that he mocks, is almost beyond parody.

I'll repeat a similar line I've previously expressed:

If we can't be enthused, happy and clappy when we appoint a managerial great of the game, AND see an immediate and evident upturn in style, ability and results from the team, then when can we?

He said he's a local lad who's a Villa supporter who stayed loyal when they were relegated but that if they didn't make a go of it this season Villa would look to cash in on him.

He won't be cheap and he reckoned he'd be going to a better club than Everton. But being a Villa supporter he doesn't realise there's no club better than Everton.

Everything is not binary. While it can add to the TW debate and polemic to state it is either this or that, it also leads to a daft assertions. Claiming Ancelotti was a mistake before he even ran a training session was premature and pointless, particularly given his track record compared to our previous managerial hires from the championship or lower premier league. We will all know more over time, but I am encouraged and that doesn't mean I am gullible or easily pleased.

TW consists of pessimists and optimists, which is why TW is so popular.

Agreeing to disagree (I would suggest) is the norm on TW.

I believe you are a realist bordering on a pessimist. However, your posts are well balanced, rather than the optimistic TW's, it's what makes the world go around.

I wouldn't bake that humble pie just yet! Although you qualified your statement about winning a trophy/silverware in 2-3 years, you have (dare I say) loaded it in your favour.
This season we only have the FA cup left to go for!
The next 2 seasons hopefully a cup or top 6 = Europe.

I hope this is not just another false dawn under Ancelotti.

So would I and agree that we deserved maximum points but Ferguson did magnificently and in fairness the Arsenal showing the players were out on their feet. We didn't dominate Newcastle except for the first 25 minutes and I would say edged may be fairer.

See Darren @ 186 calling out Brent:

"Oh dear @180. Looks like the happy clapping has started prematurely - again. You would think people would Learn from lauding these managers before they have actually done anything by now."

Plus the rest of the self-promoting content in that post.

You must have posted whilst I was composing my last post.

Very similar in content, and I probably wouldn't have posted had I seen your post beforehand.

Sensible stuff; however, something convinced Carlo to join us and it wasn't the challenge to get to top 6 with the current levels of investment. That said, he does have to demonstrate that there has been value for money in the current level of investment too.

Looking at the league table then, I'm sure Ancelotti and Ferguson are privately looking at Europe, which was unthinkable before Big Duncan got the players to play for both themselves and the shirt.

Jay, I think I've never been so depressed as coming away from "the other place" at the end of that game and walking through the gloating crowds of that lot. I swear I was almost in tears about how far we'd fallen, never mind how far they'd risen. I'm now going to "the other place" not necessarily expecting a win but at least thinking we might play with more nous, more tenacity, more guile. And who knows...

WHY? I'll tell you why:

Because the efforts of all those who REALLY stopped the rot turned things around since December 4th. Those who got us through a most difficult set of fixtures was deliberately airbrushed out of the picture in post #180... Read it! Just read it!

The blood sweat and sheer bloody-minded effort which the players (particularly the younger ones) and the acting staff put in to stop the terrifying free-fall, didn't warrant a mention.

I think we do have cause to celebrate the way things have been turned around since December 4th, but the post you claim was doing just that, wasn't. It simply gushed that a manager who has been here all of five minutes was "already working his wonders", suddenly getting performances out of players we hadn't seen.

Sorry, I don't do fawning all over managers. unless they have actually won something. I know what a collective effort this has been and I know that Ancelotti has only been here long enough to, at best, enhance it. He certainly didn't instigate it.

BTW, I have never claimed to be the only one who recognised talent in younger players. I know lots of posters who have always rated and supported them. I could even name the prolific ones.

Without a combination of increased revenue streams, player sales and getting Bramley-Moore Dock planning permission by the summer, it will be difficult to immediately spend significant money while staying within the limits.

Rather naive to think you can take one post and try to pass that off as all a poster has said on anything. Post #180 wasn't about who stopped the rot at December 4th. So the airbrushing accusation is a red herring.

I posted during and after Duncan's spell as manager what wonders he'd worked. Fact. I've now also posted that Carlo has added something in terms of formation, tactics, and flexibility. Fact. I've also acknowledged the individual and collective performances under both managers. Fact.

Being selective about what posters have written is a cheap but obvious shot.

I supported and will continue to support whoever Moshiri has brought in and always with caution. I hate getting caught up in every detail of what a manager is trying to do and find it all a bit too geeky talking tactics and strategies.

Fans used to just watch the game and analyse the 11 players and sometimes the opposition. It's become a "fanalyst" era now and even a 60-year-old manager can't do his job for a week without some hype.

We were known for being humble and knowledgable in our good days. Let's have some of that back.

I totally agree with you there.

Wot Brent says @ 247.

"Read it ! just read it!" you scream.

I did. You did. Only you have retrospectively chosen to put the malicious interpretation of Brent's totally innocent post you now offer for what he didn't write.

A customary red herring and cheap shot by you, as Brent calls it to prop up...well, nothing of substance, really.

Paul at 236 - behave yourself!

Having travelled and suffered almost all of the away fixtures this season I'm certainly very happy with the recent turnaround - but I continue to remain cautiously optimistic for now. What does that make me?

Calling out anyone on here who happens to have a different view from a fellow blue as a kopite - is crass and uncalled for but don't worry no offence taken...and actually I'm now irritated with myself for having even responded to your nonsense.

So cutting through the posturing the long and short of it is were not allowed to be happy and buzzing because Mr Hind doesn't approve and according to Mr Hind we cant praise Carlo until he's won something!!!

Well its Christmas two wins in succession a world class manager in charge, for once us blues can be happy and optimistic.

But no were happy clappers apparently!! We have to wait until the wheels fall off and Mr Hind can come on here and say to all us uneducated, gushing and fawning evertonians I told you so.

For those who remember the cornetto advert what about this for a song?

just one carletto bring him to me
oh what a nice man from italy
a winner a champion true
bring me carletto and trophies too

Marvellous

You two are bumpng into each other a little.

I responded only to post 180 even referenced it. I have not seen any other post

Jay - comes running and justifies it by pointing out how well things have gone before that ("from Dec 4th")

Brent - comes back and contradicts Jay. says it wasnt about what as happened since Dec 4th. Claiming the airbrushing accusation is a red herring".

Both of you reference an opinion I offered over a week ago. Brent for the third time this week.. and I'm the one who is taking a simple post in isolation and making it malicious.

I'm happy for both of you to keep coming back about the opinion I gave last week, Most people would have forgotten about it by now, but if Ancelotti doesnt win anything, .dont come back and tell me it was me who kept reminding others of it.

Exactly, damned by your own admission!

Everyone knows what a great job Duncan Ferguson has done. There's nothing to debate there. Let's not go down the road and try and make this like the West Ham win and whether the credit should have gone to Big Sam or Rhino. Personally, I'd have been happy if Duncan had got the job, but I'm more happy that he's now learning and working alongside a world class manager which will only benefit him and make him the No.1 choice to succeed Ancelotti.

If that doesn't make you laugh nothing will.

Carlo knew that we had the players to beat Newcastle and he showed all Evertonians how he would do it. I doff my cap to that.

It's been a while since a leader has turned up at Goodison, the fans can feel it.

Of course he doesn't. I couldn't have supported Benitez but still would have wanted achievements for him and the team.

Its important not to get personal about a disagreement. Especially in football where things change so quickly.
Grudges are cringey for me as 99% of us haven't a clue what each other look like so a cyber grudge I find pathetic.

I have tried to stress a few times its not impossible that the person you regard as the wildest comment may also enlighten you most on another matter.

Everyone has been hasty at some point including me. I just think -Enlighten each other a bit and its good for the lot of us.

Nice one!

You don't go to a garage and consider buying a Skodia Fabia but come away with a Lamborghini ffs.

Not so. I checked the entire thread before I posted. Others may buy your claims that you are simply giving an opinion, but I have seen the derogatory way in which you have spoken about youngsters.

You dismissed Holgate as even a possibility and not many posters would have missed your hilariously original "cows arse and banjo" jibe against DCL. at a time when he was struggling desperately to even get chances. While others exercised their right to criticise you had to go one stepped further by mocking him.
It would have cost nothing to give these youngsters credit for their recent efforts and if after the way you had so readilly dismissed them, you couldnt find it in yourself to do so, you could have simply said nothing. You chose to do neither.. You havent, as you claim posted anything by way of credit to DF for the progress these guys have made over a sustained period.

My problem with your post is this; You havent just prematurely crowned Ancelotti. You have proclaimed him as some sort of miracle worker who can change the careers of young men in a couple of days - "Ancelotti is working his wonders" you told us "They couldnt and they wouldnt, now they can and they will"
Others may think that fair comment, but I see it as disingenuous, an attempt to cover your previous dismissals by proclaiming a two day miracle.

Ancelotti has done nothing wrong, in fact he is to be commended in carrying on Duncan's policy of playing two up top.
But the improvement shown by these players was already there for all to see. They deserve to be praised for working so hard to overcome the rejections, dismissals and out right ridicule aimed at them from the very people they needed behind them.

Have a great new year guys

Good impact was that he improved players and gave time on the pitch to young developing players. This has built assets and value for the club. We are seeing some of the benefits of that right now, with more to come.

The added passion and leadership of a Duncan in care taker role and now promoted to what looks like Carlo's number 2 and immediate assistant adds clout and momentum, to Silvia's work.

Brands will maintain that asset build in subsequent cycles of transfers and player management.

Adding in a world class tactician, leader and man manager in Carlo has me clapping and very happy. One good step in our development and interested to see the development of the squad, club and playing style under him. Results will take care of themselves.

We as fans need to do our bit and clap our players in good spells and be supportive in the downs, blips and disappointing moments.

Now on to City COYFT's !!!