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Derek Knox
1 Posted 12/01/2020 at 21:46:26
Good and interesting report again Paul, I wondered about last week and thought your usual post-match report was missing because of a self-explanatory reason.

There was little or nothing to report, apart from all the wrong and negative reasons. Like I said on another thread, maybe it was the 'kick up the arse' that was needed for everyone. Apart from the fans of course.

We have a chance to get a few points on the board in the upcoming games, let's hope they do.

Roy Johnstone
2 Posted 12/01/2020 at 21:57:17
Paul, I agree with 99% of what you've written. Referee awful. Definite penalty. The wind being a massive factor in the second half. Richy as man of the match. Bernardo playing really well for them. Bernard and Bernardo in CM? Stranger things.....Ridiculous booking for DCL and also pickford after their man pushed him away and got off Scot free. The most assured defender on the pitch was Mason for me. Growing by the game. The full backs scare me as do Tom and Gylfi. I love Tom, but wish he was physically stronger. Delph shouldn't have played any part. I get your opinion, but he went for angry fans who had to go into work on Monday after the shambles of last week. Poor decision from him, no one else. A win is a win at the end of the day. Glad I saw us win with my lad for the first time. Priceless.
Dick Fearon
3 Posted 12/01/2020 at 22:16:37
A good description of what was wrong at Mordor and the Brighton game.
We all hope C.A. succeeds but there is no harm in dishing out a bit of criticism when needed. I also cannot believe the treatment Davies gets from some quarters. For sure he makes mistakes but name a player that dosen't. I have often mentioned the great Alan Ball who comes into that category. He was a World Cup hero who regularly topped the list of passes and tackles yet caught an awful lot of abuse from the Goodison crowd when he made a few mistakes.
Tom has got a long way to go before he reaches Alans level but is on the right path with his attitude and effort and time is on his side.
I would also suggest that he would be Klopps first and possibly only pick from our entire squad.
I agree with your marks you gave.
Danny Broderick
4 Posted 13/01/2020 at 01:49:08
The only problem I have with Davies is his engine - he always seems to tire in the second half and becomes less effective. Hopefully this is something he can work on.

That said, I like what he brings to the team - honesty, endeavour, character. All qualities lacking at Anfield. He’s also brave - always wanting the ball, trying to pass forward, never hiding. I’d much rather have Tom in the team than Schneiderlin or Sigurdsson.

Mike Gaynes
5 Posted 13/01/2020 at 03:22:29
Tom should be in the team with Sigurdsson, not instead of. They work well together defensively.
Ajay Gopal
6 Posted 13/01/2020 at 04:13:42
“I’d had a boozy evening in Manchester the night prior. “This could go either way this” I said, referring to my first sip of beer. Thankfully it went down well.” :-) Classic stuff, Paul.
Gerard McKean
7 Posted 13/01/2020 at 07:01:04
Thanks Paul, I find myself in violent agreement with all you say!

The introduction of VAR has achieved something I thought impossible: lowering the standard of refereeing in this country even further. You know it can’t get much worse when they put Old Mother Riley, one of the worst ever, in charge of the whole show, but make it worse they have!

On a day when the RS are given the benefit of the doubt because VAR pictures were “inconclusive” as Henderson inadvertently handled in the immediate build up to a goal, equally inconclusive evidence about the player’s intent brought us a cancelled goal and a yellow for an incredulous DCL. There’s something rotten in the state of Denmark.

Phil Sammon
8 Posted 13/01/2020 at 07:43:57
You missed the other blatant penalty, Paul. Holgate shoved in the back as the ball was dropping to him. He went over a bit theatrically, but who could blame him after seeing Walcott get punished for staying on his feet.

The DCL handball I can accept, though the yellow card was harsh.

I feel like two penalty incidents aren’t getting talked about much outside of the Everton community. It just makes no sense how either one could be waved away. It’s really annoying that nobody seems to be discussing it. I was even a bit miffed by Ancelotti’s understated response to it. I thought he should have been screaming from the rooftops that we have been unfairly treated.

Dave Abrahams
9 Posted 13/01/2020 at 09:07:33
Good report Paul, as usual, agree with almost everything you say except for the ratings, but we all have different opinions of how each player performed, but you rating Michael Keane’s game better than the little wizard Bernard, I think that should go to a “ stewards inquiry’

Keep the reports coming Paul.

Jim Bennings
10 Posted 13/01/2020 at 09:37:47
I think when Bernard played through the middle it’s hit home just how much we have missed that kind of central midfielder.

We haven’t had a player run with the ball since Barkley but he didn’t have a football brain to work with the talent.

Maybe Bernard can at least on the short term work in the middle?

There’s nobody else at the club that can pick the ball up with close control and look comfortable gliding across the ground whilst moving forward.

Eddie Dunn
11 Posted 13/01/2020 at 10:50:48
Jim, that's what I was thinking, watching him jink through the middle, so much has been directed to the wings recently.
The lad has so much quality. If he played for Man City he would be lauded in the same bracket as Sterling and Silva.
Jim Harrison
12 Posted 13/01/2020 at 11:03:05
Good write up

On the Richarlison goal, for me what was really pleasing was to see an Everton player fashion a chance for themselves and finish it. A bit of flair and vision

Rob Dolby
13 Posted 13/01/2020 at 11:03:20
Agree with your assessment of Bernardo. He will be playing elsewhere soon enough. I also like the look of their centre mid Proper who would do a job for us.

Bernard our Motm by some way in my book.

James Lauwervine
14 Posted 13/01/2020 at 11:15:30
Great write-up Paul. Like others I was fuming at the lack of a penalty for the clear foul on Walcott. It was an unforgivable decision. The icing on the cake was the childish yellow card for DCL. VAR is being mishandled beyond belief.
Len Hawkins
15 Posted 13/01/2020 at 12:03:43
Dermot Gallagher apparently was at VAR control and he has stated it was a goal scoring opportunity that was prevented by fouling Walcott and being the last man it should have been a Penalty + a Red card for the defender.

It is criminal that "certain" teams get everything their way even dubious claims yet "others" get nothing there is a very bad smell that the FA/PL should sort out before some £Billionaire owner cleans them out in court.
If every ref who has shafted Everton be it on the field or in the VAR room were made Persona Non Grata at Goodison there wouldn't be a PL Ref left to officiate.

Brian Harrison
16 Posted 13/01/2020 at 12:17:45
Regarding the penalty, every pundit who has commented on this has said definite penalty, and today Dermott Gallagher said it was a definite penalty.
So you have to ask why if the ref didn't give it why did VAR not overturn his decision. I understand that Michael Oliver was the VAR for this game, and I consider him to be one of the better referees in the Premier league. So given that everyone says definite penalty, I can only offer one possible reason Oliver didn't overturn the decision.

I think that Oliver knows its a penalty but he has thought David Coote is a new referee to the Premier league, and this has happened in the first couple of minutes of the game. So not only have I got to overturn his decision but I will also have to instruct him to send off the Brighton player as he was the last man. So he has decided to rule no penalty because it was a new young ref to the Premier league, I believe had it been an established ref Oliver would have overturned the decision and sent off the Brighton player.

John Raftery
17 Posted 13/01/2020 at 12:22:20
Good report Paul. I concur with your opening sentiments regarding Carlo’s role in the cup defeat and with your view about Mr Coote. The decision not to award a penalty for the clear foul on Walcott was a disgrace, compounded by the VAR confirmation of it.

I made Bernard man of the match. Richarlison also had a very good game but his fellow Brazilian brings something different to the team in terms of his ability to control possession and move the ball in tight situations. He is definitely at his best in central positions rather than out on the wing. It is a pity he cannot add a few more goals to his game.

That touches on a major problem with the current squad. Of the 34 goals scored in league and cup this season, 20 have come from Dominic and Richarlison. We need more from other parts of the team.

Tony Abrahams
18 Posted 13/01/2020 at 12:24:00
Absolutely absurd logic that Brian, but you might also be correct, such is the inconsistency, and not by VAR, but by the “people” who make the decisions in Stockley Park.

Gallagher did say it was a pen, but he said the Brighton defender was to strong for Holgate, (honest) instead of saying he got hit in the back just as he jumped, but was maybe a bit to theatrical, (the truth) and he also said that the ref was right to book DCL? A stupid program if I’m honest, but I wish I had time to watch it every week, to highlight how much certain teams can make these refs change their minds.

Kevin O'Regan
19 Posted 13/01/2020 at 12:29:57
Thanks for the report Paul. Pretty sure Sigurdsson was given the captaincy as a challenge to step up to, rather than as any kind of reward. It shouldn't have to be that way as each professional needs to take responsibility, but maybe it worked this time for him. Now we need to see who is capable of actually taking responsibility, gelling the team, giving a kick up the arse when needed but also is a positive communicator on the field. Carlo is not going to be shouting like mad on the sidelines so we need everyone to step up. And we need to make sure that we overcome any blockages to scoring the sitters which are presented. And we still haven't replace Mikel in the middle with a killer pass - 8 and a half years since he worked his magic in blue. But I guess we need a few people to actually put it in the net too if we get him replaced. Siggy is miles away from that.
Jim Whiffen
20 Posted 13/01/2020 at 12:30:19
Watch the extended highlights on the official site, when this novice ref is walking back he can barely contain the grin across his face
Jim Bennings
21 Posted 13/01/2020 at 12:38:07
Coote lived up to his name, an absolute coot of the highest order.

VAR needs ditching at the end of the season because these gobshites won’t alter the way it’s used, it’s ran by the Muppet Show and it’s spoiled the season as far as I’m concerned, and it will spoil next if it’s allowed to carry on.

Andrew Ellams
22 Posted 13/01/2020 at 13:00:35
I reckon a big part of the VAR decision on Walcott was to save an inexperienced referee from having to send off a player after only 5 minutes and then having to deal with the pressure of that for the rest of the game. Not acceptable but VAR gives this sort of power to the officials.
Rob Halligan
23 Posted 13/01/2020 at 13:22:31
Brian (16) and Andrew (22). Just because it's an "inexperienced" referee is no excuse for not giving the penalty and sending the Brighton player off. A penalty is a penalty! Had Walcott been scythed down when clean through on goal, would Oliver still not have given the penalty and the referee not sent the player off? I'd have been astounded if Coote hadn't given the penalty in that scenario without the need of VAR.

David Coote was promoted to the list of football league referees in 2010, so I wouldn't say he is inexperienced at all. His first premier league game was in April 2018, and to date he has done around 21 premier league games, showing 72 yellow cards and only one red.

Brian Harrison
24 Posted 13/01/2020 at 14:04:41
Rob

I was absolutely furious at the game first to think the ref just didnt award a penalty, but then for Michael Oliver the VAR official not to give it made me even more angry. My post earlier was to try and think why Michael Oliver didnt give it, especially that every television pundit plus ex refs and ex players have all said it was a nailed on penalty which it was.

Why else would Oliver not given it, as it happens I think he is one of the better refs in this league, it just makes no logical sense. So I could only think he has thought more about the implcations it might have on a young ref rather than making the decision on what he saw, which he patently didnt.
So I am not making any excuses for Oliver, he was totally wrong not to award the penalty and if he was thinking about the young ref he was wrong on that count as well.

Ray Roche
25 Posted 13/01/2020 at 14:24:30
I’ve yet to see the incident but let’s be honest, he’d have sent one of our lads off to even things up later on (And don’t any bugger come on here and say refs don’t do that sort of thing)
Bill Gall
26 Posted 13/01/2020 at 14:32:40
I don't agree with the comment that the referee was inexperienced as this raises the question that the laws of the game are different in the premier than any other league. He is just a poor official that should be suspended by the referee's association for poor performance's, and the person on the VAR should be suspended from this position.

Although VAR is still effective in most cases, it is still vulnerable to human error and interpretation of the laws. VAR is supposed to be reviewed at the end of the season and that is no use to teams i.e.Everton who have dropped points in its initial season.

Steve Ferns
27 Posted 13/01/2020 at 14:32:51
Pretty sure I posted to this last night. Something on the lines of good report and glad you survived your night out in Manchester. If you're superstitious you'll have to do that every home game now!
Dave Abrahams
28 Posted 13/01/2020 at 15:02:50
Jim (20), I’ve that three times at least, and you have the same thoughts as me, a self satisfied smirk, it seems to me.
Jon Harding
29 Posted 13/01/2020 at 17:25:58
Excuse my ignorance but I thought if a pen was awarded then you no longer get a red card too - or does that just apply to goalkeepers?
Good report anyhow Paul including particularly your comments on our set-up for the Cup game last week.
Derek Taylor
30 Posted 13/01/2020 at 19:20:28
Great report, Paul, and good ratings. Loved the beer reference which reminded me of Kris Kristofferson's 'Sunday Morning coming Down' -'The beer I had for breakfast wasn't bad so I had one more for dessert !'
Darren Hind
31 Posted 13/01/2020 at 19:23:34
Thats an interesting question Jon.

I felt sure I read/heard somewhere that you would no longer be punished twice, too - pen, no red card.

Mind you we got neither, so I guess it doesn't matter now

Laurie Hartley
32 Posted 13/01/2020 at 19:53:27
On Bernard - it is a long long time since I have seen a player with his ability to bring the ball under control. It is a delight to watch.

I think Carlo Ancelotti will use him more and more in the middle of the park.

Steve Ferns
33 Posted 13/01/2020 at 19:57:27
Would those enough lucky to have seen both agree with Garth Crooks' comparison of Bernard to Colin Havrvey?

"Bernard: This lad was only on the pitch for 72 minutes but the impact he made on Everton against a resilient Brighton side was clear. Bernard buzzed around Goodison Park like the legendary Colin Harvey used to - and he had to do it without players of the calibre of Alan Ball or Howard Kendall supporting him. That's the problem for new manager Carlo Ancelotti - Everton lack quality in midfield, Bernard apart.

Did you know? No Everton player made more passes in the opposition half (38) or created more chances (four) than Bernard against Brighton in the Toffees' 1-0 win."

Link

Charles Brewer
34 Posted 13/01/2020 at 20:05:36
Jon Harding. Your ignorance about VAR and fouls is a disgrace.

The rules are as follows:

If a Liverpool, Manchester United or Chelsea (sometimes Spurs, rarely Arsenal these days) hacks another player's legs away in the aforementioned team's penalty area, the correct decision is "Offside".

Conversely if a player from those teams receives a ball kicked while the player was in an offside position but they fail to score, the correct decision is "Penalty", perhaps adding a red card for an opposition player if they have sought to get involved in play at all. If they do score the correct VAR decision is "Not offside".

There are certain special rules for Everton. If an opposition player sticks his hand in the air and handles the ball in the penalty area the correct decision is "Goal kick". If an Everton player is fouled but fails to fall over the correct decision is "No penalty", if the Everton player does fall over the correct decision is a yellow card for diving. If an Everton player accidentally stands on another player's foot even if he is facing the other way, it is a penalty.

In slightly older non-VAR related special rules, a goal scored by Everton before the final whistle can be disallowed if a) it is against Liverpool, b) the referee feels like it. Other goals scored by Everton can also be arbitrarily cancelled and if the referee feels like it. Other rules can also be applied to Everton in an experimental manner and never used on other players of teams. The "Niasse Dive" and the "Jagielka Takes the Ball Cleanly but Bumps into the Opposition Player" sending off are two of these.

John Cook
35 Posted 13/01/2020 at 20:30:23
Charles think you just about summed it up there.You could add that EFC are also not allowed to appeal such decisions as they would deem us to be bitter.
Charles Brewer
36 Posted 13/01/2020 at 20:35:01
Thank you for that correct observation, John. I had forgotten about the "bitter" aspect.
Paul Traill
37 Posted 13/01/2020 at 20:57:42
Charles #34
I think you're my hero.
Tony Hill
38 Posted 13/01/2020 at 21:21:58
Steve @33, no, it's Crooksbabble.

Was very encouraged by Bernard on Saturday though.

Bill Gall
39 Posted 13/01/2020 at 21:24:24
Derek#30 Great song he also wrote Me and Bobby M'cgee and for the Good Times around the same time 1968/69. The Man in Black, J.Cash took it to Number 1 in 1970, brings back memories. Everton were good that year I think they were 1st 1969/70
Billy Roberts
40 Posted 13/01/2020 at 22:56:23
Charles @34,

Brilliant, perhaps someone could put all of these together on film and ask the FA for an explanation? Honestly just a genuine " can you explain this to us please" type enquiry.

A few posters have made a very good point of the possibility of the VAR ref ignoring the obvious to save the face of his incompetent colleague.
If this was proven to be true then surely Oliver would have to be sacked, not for making a mistake but for bending the rules for his own agenda.

This sounds melodramatic but if every professional and every referee asked thinks it was a blatant penalty then surely Oliver needs to be asked the question?

How did you come to that conclusion?

Of course he would answer, "I just didn't think it was a penalty."

He should then be told he isn't fit to referee at this level. I honestly have no faith that the referees are accountable or even have any discussions on calamities like this.

Why isn't their employer the FA asking questions? Relegate 1 high profile referee and then all these strange "inconsistencies" may stop.

Mike Gaynes
41 Posted 13/01/2020 at 23:04:12
Jon #29, you are correct. As of 2018 there is no "double jeopardy" call of a red card with a penalty. If the last-man foul is committed in the area and a pen is awarded, the card is yellow, not red. Outside of the area it's a direct and a red.

The only exception would be a dangerous foul in the area that would be a red card anywhere on the pitch, like a hack tackle or an elbow to the face.

But Charles' answer is perfect.

Laurie Hartley
42 Posted 14/01/2020 at 01:09:57
Steve # 33 - they are two different types of player. Harvey was a great ball winner but I would say Bernard’s ball control is superior.

One thing I am sure of is that he would have slotted in really well with any two of the three that formed our greatest midfield. My logic being that he has a football brain comparable with all three of them.

That may raise a few eyebrows among my fellow blues but I feel Bernard’s quality is not recognised by many of us.

I am really hoping that Gomes makes a full recovery and that we see an Ancelloti mid field three of Gomes, Bernard and Davies

Ajay Gopal
43 Posted 14/01/2020 at 07:55:00
Brian (16), I have another theory of why Michael Oliver did not give the penalty, which is more plausible.

When the incident came up for review, Michael sneezed, and the snot settled in the middle of the screen. He tried to wipe it with his hand kerchief, but only succeeded in goo-ing up the entire screen. With the Ref in his ear, asking him for a decision, he said "No Penalty"!

By the way, I am a big fan of Mr. Bean :-)

Jon Harding
44 Posted 14/01/2020 at 09:50:52
Mike #41 Thanks for your response. I posted because a few others on this and similar threads had said it should have been a penalty and a sending off which I didn't think was right.
Charles #34 Cheers for giving everyone a laugh. Despite being relatively new on here, I now feel like a true ToffeeWebber, having been branded "a disgrace" (hopefully just tongue-in-cheek!)
Kevin Latham
45 Posted 14/01/2020 at 10:29:53
Re the Bernard and Colin Harvey observations, for me it’s too early to make comparisons. No argument about Bernard’s performance in the Brighton game, but he’s misfired quite a bit in his Everton career so far, dipping in and out of games. His ability is there for all to see and if he performs at the Brighton level from here on in, well that’ll certainly do for me. But Colin was a classy and consistent performer for us over a period of years, and his nickname of ‘ The White Pele’ tells its own story. One of the greatest players ever to wear the Royal Blue in my humble opinion, so Bernard has something to live up to at the moment. He might well be comparable and I hope that proves to be the case but I think we can only do that over time. And as for this tendency ex pros have to talk down to us fans implying that our opinions are useless - ‘you’ve never played at this level’ - well listening to Garth Crooks puts that one to bed right away.
Steve Ferns
46 Posted 14/01/2020 at 10:43:56
Charles #34 - great post!
Brian Harrison
47 Posted 14/01/2020 at 11:03:10
What absolute bollocks from Garth Crooks to suggest Bernard is the new Colin Harvey. Bernard had a good 60 minutes against Brighton, probably his best in a blue shirt but to compare 1 good 60 minutes in God knows how many games to the legend that is Colin Harvey is ludicrous.
Charles Brewer
48 Posted 14/01/2020 at 16:43:54
Jon, welcome to the Mos Eisley of Internet football commentary! Hope you enjoy it.
Dave Abrahams
49 Posted 15/01/2020 at 13:34:47
Derek (30) Kris Kristofferson, a true and genuine legend.
Simon Dalzell
50 Posted 15/01/2020 at 17:43:56
We could have been 2 or 3 up, as often is the case. I'm afraid Calvert-Lewin has an uncanny knack of hitting the keeper. The search for a goalscorer continues.

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