Blues steal a dramatic draw with the last kick

Best team I've ever seen. Probably on a par with 70 Brazil, 90s Milan and Peps Barca

😉

Listening to Carlo yesterday doesn't inspire me about when Gbamin is back, originally due back in December, still hasn't started training with the team yet.

He's seriously lost the plot. Why in the hell do you ever XYZ when you should ABC!?

Players shouldn't even bother. Carlo out!

Pre-match bitch worked last game.

One player off the team I would have selected.. I have no issues with Davies starting but not at the expense of Iwobi.

That probably means a constricted centre three with James on the wing (which I don't like).. or Davies playing on the wing (which I also don't like)..

But.. its a strong, if a little unbalanced, team... so let's have no fear and play a game of football.

Beer in hand.

Not surprised at James' inclusion. He has the ability to produce the magic necessary in this type of game, and Iwobi hasn't produced much.

Looking forward to this one. A defeat won't be the end of the world, but a positive result could really spur us forwards.

I hope that tonight that with conditions they take plenty of shots but really get into the face of them, and get them stretched.

Good delivery and vision passing and hopefully good opportunist finishing tonight, can see Everton get a result. 7nited hasn't been consistent at home, so Everton to take the initiative.

UTFT!

If the team sits back to absorb Manure's attacks and hope that the one counter attack will prove enough then it's going to be a long afternoon unless Richie returns to form in a big way.

Spread them around, Carlo.

Criminal negligence.

In previous games defensively we drop into two banks of 4 with Richarlison filling the left mid role. We're leaving DCL and Richarlison up front to hit them on the break and, because James has no defensive discipline, we only have a bank of 3 and 4. This leave Gomes wide left with Digne trying to cover Wan Bissaka's overlaps. This just isn't working.

I can see why Carlo is leaving Richarlison up, but I feel that we will have to leave James up and let Richarlison cover the left. We are letting them have all the time in the world on the edge of our own box on our left due to lack of numbers.

Holgate was off his game from the beginning and was watching Cavani for the goal.

After the goal.. heads down. Our superstar has been awful.. he needs hooked.

Olsen suspect. Kicking and that Fernandes goal.

Lacking the passion, energy and confidence and sitting too deep.

Chances we had were balls over the top that we should of been playing most of the half with our formation.

Tbf thats why utd are utd and where they are and Everton are Everton and where they are.

Ps dom should finish that at the end, difference between a gd striker and a quality striker like cavani.

Let's hope it doesn't get embarrassing.

You can't blame the keeper, no one saves that. Maybes Davies should have closed down quicker but that's Gomes or Doucoure side. Where were they?

Jeez! Have they no pride?

What the hell do DCL and Richarlison have to do to have anyone pass forward to them before the entire United team is in the defensive formation of their choice?

Let's see how it goes second half. But please, less passing backwards, and get James further forward.

Olsen, Holgate, Godfrey, Davies, Doucoure. None of them are comfortable with the ball at feet - they're all at the club for different qualities. But that's half of our team. You can't have that many in one side.

Disappointed in DCL... what a chance to miss. I actually think both he and Richarlison look quite dangerous.

Rodriguez breaking my heart a bit. Shows great moments of quality followed by some really careless moments in midfield.

Both goals... we stood off them.

Good shout.
If that goes in to make it 2-1 its a different second half

James and Holgate have been awful and Doucoure not much better. Is there any team in the league that passes the ball backwards so much?

United are loving this, we look like we just want to go to home and have a kip in front of the telly

He is a shining beacon in Blue in that first half.

He is the one brave enough to get on the ball. Get in the tackles. Carry the ball. Keep it moving accurately and attempting to get us on the front foot.

By contrast, you have Doucoure being loose in everything he does. Just play back the first goal. James passing the ball backwards to a red shirt. Gomes, like Tom, also doing some good stuff.

Mason Holgate started badly and has got worse. Yes, more pressure should have been put on Rashford to prevent him getting in the cross for Cavani's opener, but why is Mason so static at the back post? He can see the whole play. He has noone behind him to worry about. Why hasn't he tucked in to help out Keane?

Again, on the stroke of half time, it's our goal kick. The ball comes out to Holgate who hits a pitch wide pass on a parallel with the edge of our penalty area with a string of United players pressing. The ball gets turned over, Fernandes is allowed too much room. Class finish, but if the name of the keeper was Pickford instead of Olsen, I can imagine what the posts on here would be like.

GREAT chance to get back into it even before half-time. Dominic HAS to score. It's a potential game changer and a different discussion and play on the re-start.

We started so well. Playing it around and through United nicely. But now they are the ones playing it around and through us too easily.

A big ask to salvage anything from this game now. But some players in Blue are making it difficult to do that.

Tom Davies is most certainly not one of them.

Radical tactical revision needed at half time.. Haul off Holgate, put Coleman on, Or Nina on and Godfrey at full back.. cannot be any worse than it is. Midfield? Take your pick, King has to come on but honestly I can't see a way forward.. Carlo? time to earn your bikkies..

When midfielders have space they should travel forwards with the ball, especially on a big pitch like Old Trafford, when the play will open up for direct and positive footballers?

Lewin should have got us back in the game then, but Ancellotti said we'd be doing something different because United had beaten us twice, and if he can't see Dominic, has the beating of McGuire, and needs a partner so he can isolate and then exploit him, then I'm really disappointed in our manager tonight.

Mason Holgate a complete liability. Olsen having a mare.

We had them, but take off our most creative player. Unless he was injured it just didn't make sense.

Davies was the midfielder who was tackling, intercepting and always looking to go forwards, but was the one hooked again.

If Davies is off, then the only other player likely to turn over possession is Doucoure, then he's off, and Sigurdsson drops into midfield.

Olsen has proved over the last 2 games that he is not the answer and Josh King looks like the player half of us feared he would be.

Will those posters who criticised those being negative at the start of the Leeds game come out again???

3 chances 3 goals

Olsen IS the answer.

The question being "Who makes Pickford look good at this club?"

If I wasn't so old I would stay up all night drinking after that.

King wanted to drive forwards. Wins free kick for equaliser.

Guess what happens when you put a fee kick into dangerous areas.

Stop playing backwards, will we learn?

Positivity trumps negative bleating every time.

Up the Blues!

We are far from perfect, but this, finally, is a team we can be proud to support.

Bring on the rest of the season.

He earned his biccies 👍

Made up

And Richarlison... how ineffective has he become? He's worse than Iwobi now, offers us the square root of zero in attack. We'd be better trying that new French kid or Digne in his position.

"The manager changed the system and we got the point"

Do me.

Surprising what you can achieve, when you play the ball forward, first half cost us big time, with not playing those forward balls.

Some good performances, some not so good, but we've got some good players, and also some brave players now, I just can't wait until we get a few more!

Give yer head a shake, Justin.

If that was Pickford letting in those goals, he would be getting slaughtered.

Still puzzled by the repeated substitution of Tom Davies 3/4's into the game when he is playing well and not showing signs of flagging. Excellent first half. Creator in chief for our 1st goal. My Blue MoTM.

Doucoure, so poor in the 1st half, scored and created our equalising goals. James, another who was very poor in the 1st half, a calm finish.

Having subbed out Tom it was a surprise to then see Doucoure also leave the pitch. Pretty adventurous for Carlo who by the final whistle had Richy, King, DCL, Iwobi, Siggy and Gomes on the pitch, charging the defence effectively to cover the defence and midfield.

Josh King, as he did at Leeds, lost the ball on every play apart from the one when he linked up with Digne at the end to win us a free kick from which Dom scored. He is far from ready to win a starting berth over Richy, who gradually continues to show signs of improvement.

Once again, the team showing it doesn't fold easily against tough opposition away from home.

An excellent point, taking everything into consideration.

Tuned in at 2 nil and knew we had lost, checked later and it was 2-2!!

Short term joy tainted with a nagging suspicion of a 3-2 loss incoming but my god, no.

Did yourselves and us proud, lads, well in. Chuffed to bits

I stand by the post that was literally 30
Seconds before the equaliser. We did nothing after James and Davies went off. I was frustrated with the amount of sideways passing from Gomes. Davies was brilliant and James, although maybe not as good as some games, was still a danger. Olsens triple save against Leeds was a direct result of his error and there was another today.

Made up with the draw, but other than the first 15/20 minutes of each half, we were poor.

On a positive note, Glad the DCL scored again, he also give brilliant interviews, and I think Davies is Allans natural successor.

The belief in the second half if shown in the first half and I'd say Everton were more efficient in terms of possession and chances taken.

But too much standing off and not enough stopping the cross in the first half.

Basics, to improve, but character and guts to see this game out to the last kick..

Lessons to learn and build on.

Enjoy the night!

Less said about Holgate the better.

Less said about Holgate the better.

Manager threw the towel in! When and what evidence for that?

That result pleases me massively.

3 chances 3 goals

Does anyone have a link to a clip showing Godfrey shouting?? If you do, for God's sakes share.

Brilliant game. What a finish. Lots to be said about improvement, but fuck that, just enjoy that point earned on the last kick of the game.

Are you saying Olsen was at fault for all three goals?

The manager clearly threw the towel in.

We rode our luck but deserved a draw in the end.

One of those draws which feels like a win.

I thought Gary Neville was a disgrace tonight. It's ridiculous that he gets to commentate on Man United games. Another pundit who changes his opinions based on how the game has just gone.

Well done Blues!

Hilarious.

Did anyone see who Ben FO'd?

The worst bit of goalkeeping in that match was De Gea dropping the ball at Doucoure's feet.

Holgate got a friendly word from Carlo because we left him exposed and out of position. He'll have better games. He's not crap and I'm sure Carlo will be telling him that.

Turns out Davies isn't crap either which is good.

2-3 good MF players and next season we could challenge for a top 4 place.

I think every single post from now until the next game should end with:

Takes a hell of a lot of character to come back twice like that.

That's the real story tonight. We've cried for passion and effort. We got it in excess this evening. Long may it continue.

Generally a frustrating night but with some Massive high points.

I wouldn't have chosen Davies today but he's another one who is transformed and who has had a tough time of it.

Ancelotti does seem to be able to rebuild players' performances and confidence. Next stop Richarlison.

You know what you can do with your crap agenda talk?

Gutted with Olsen's error to make it 3-2 after we'd worked hard to get back in the game. But what a wonderful end to the game and we got a goal that felt more like a winner.

Special mention for Gomes tonight. He is definitely playing better and looking more like the player he was in his first season with us.

A miffed manc millennial. Pure gold.

Now, he has no stomach for the real battles on the pitch, and whilst a good passer, he's only a good passer when given the time.

He never closes down, and can't tackle. Yes he's improved by a huge amount the last month but he's not contributing enough in every match. He's a vintage player, in style but he should be shredding the pitch rather than plodding around the park..

That's two, players Gomes, Siggy, whom, you'll never get a 97 minute tune, in any first team match.

But what a good night for Everton, the beers are going down well.

I've wanted him to succeed but for me he's a squad and bench starter at best, in my view.

This league needs a team with players available, switched on and charged for 97 mins, in my view this is Tom Ds, best season, and he's showing more belief and guile..

Long may it last. All players hit dips, Toms got guts, and I'm made up, and he's shown it. He's getting better, and I hope it carry's on.

He's a shadow of the player he was last year, and something is clearly wrong. All the joy has gone from his game and he just look's unhappy. At the moment DCL is shouldering ALL the attacking threat virtually every game.

Although Carlo is starting him in every game, his contribution is getting less and less.

Basically at half time, I was thinking how many can we prevent the damage limitation by, but 2 goals for us in 3 minutes changed all that and on another day we could/should have won that. We need everyone at the same races from now on, this rotation is all well and good if the players, respond well and send a message to the Manager, ' you can't drop me after that performance ' but no we never seem to get that for some reason.

Anyway, only one point gained but it makes those games in hand all the more important to try and get maximum points out of, not easy with City or Villa, but not impossible either.

I think almost every game has saw an image of Ancelotti telling players to push out and be more clinical on the ball.

Our subs were positive and changed a defeat into a draw. King played his part and although he was rusty and sloppy he was direct. He went at them.

In commentry they noticed how negative our midfielders were in the ball and how it made our game plan difficult.

If we had kept belief at 2-2 it was ours to lose. Thank god we didn't give in.

On the match I thought we played as we should play at the start of the second half, I don't think a mere slip of the foot is something to lambast Robin about, and I thought Andre was MoTM.

A point when not playing well, against a team sitting above us, will do for me.

That will do.

Thanks.

No agenda from me.
Look back on my posts.Nothing but courtesy and respect.

Exception is for those who give me stick for no apparent reason.
Absolutely bound to get it back.

Take 10 minutes, check back on my posts.
I treat fellow ToffeeWebbers with the utmost respect.

Unless. . .

Michael Keane has played well this season because he has played very deep. He has had to, because he is very slow on the turn. Unfortunately, he has another fundamental weakness that we saw often last season, and again tonight, his inclination to let floating crosses to the far post drift over his head.

There's not a lot between us and Man Utd man for man, except they have 2 top class players in Cavani and Fernandes. The goal from Fernandes was superb but, boy, what a lot of space he had. And I wouldn't put the blame on the swinging leg of Tom Davies, rather I would place it on the invisible leg of the covering midfield player who wasn't there.

Overall, apart from the opening 25 minutes and the first 10 of the 2nd half, we lacked belief. But that will come. A decent day.

Davies and Gomes great tonight. Olsen just unlucky really, was inches from it and it was almost in the corner (the header). Fantastic control & strike by James that will probably be overlooked in the Fernandez fest. Not everyone was on top form, but finally, the team spirit almost was.

Have to say I don't like Holgate as a full-back' He didn't impress me at West Brom playing there. He is only a stopgap centre back and should not be used unless Keane, Mina or Godfrey is unavailable.

Jeff 102 That will do.

Thomas Richards
102 Posted 06/02/2021 at 22:08:44

Flag this comment Christine.
He earned his biccies 👍

We have got fans waiting to see Richarlison wave his arms or sulk so the famous "strop" can be talked up.

The lad keeps going and going and although his goals have dried up, he is still one of our most important outlets.

Who gives a shite about his personality when he is still working his arse off? I'd worry about that when he doesn't put a shift in.

The work he does off the ball is fantastic always and I am glad commentry picked up on this too.

The lad never downs tools hes desperate to score and he cracks up when its not going right for him. Thats the personality I want to see.

Gomes slowly but surely making his way back after the naughty injury.
Tom should have closed Fernàndez down quicker, he was covering Dignes space but Digne got back in.
That was his only mistake tonight.
Made up for the kid.

As for the tactics I actually thought they were spot on / lack of confidence in first half / opportunities to get at them (I thought Man U were v poor first half so was frustrated). Fernandes is class.

Manager tweaked it at beginning of second half then tried to change it to get chances and we did - Digne and Richarlison both wasting good opportunities.

Fantastic goal at end (he missed a sitter first half).

I thought tactics were good and changed throughout. Interestingly predicted goal scoring opportunities we apparently had better - 1.5 to their 1.48. That says to me after their goals were a) bad marking; b) class and c) mistake that bit bad tactics although conversely they gifted us many opportunities. They have some better players being Greenwood, Fernandes and Cavani. I hope we can sign some more talented forwards.

Apologies, got the post number wrong.
Sentiment remains the same.
No agenda whatsoever from me.

Carlo is doing a great job with what he has. I hope there's some money for the summer. So let's enjoy this and look forward to the future.

Still WTF, a great comeback in the second half. Tom Davies was immense, but was he taken off with an injury? Gomes again stood out, and I think Olsen deserves a run in-between the sticks. And Ben Godfrey, is he from the planet Krypton? Clark Kent eat yer heart out!!

The header. Wow he thought he was Elvis or something there. I noticed his lack of leg flexibility in his first away game.

Good shot stopper again..we still need a keeper. Imagine where we would be without goal keeping errors this season?

He is running more, he is actually making decent tackles and less absurdly easy fouls, he's passing well, he's controlling the ball well and keeping possession.

He is seriously improved from the poor imitation of the previus 18 months.

And yes, Davies is getting better and better and finally seems to be becoming a consistent performer. And he is still very young and could become a very good player.

Our right side is still our weakness. Holgate simply isn't a ful back, his positioning isn't great, and he isn't quite fast enough for a full back. He's a quality centre half, but only a stop gap at full back.

Thrilled with the Blues tonight.
Have a good night fellow Evertonians.

But what pleased me the most was our approach second half. The first half hadn't been dramatically wrong. But we did need to have a bit more of a go second half. This we did, and got back level. United's third was a sickener, but again the lads kept going u til the last whistle. It's an un-Everton like result.

I thought the manager picked a great line up. Davies was brilliant again, this type of match suits him. Doucoure and Gomes played well. And our front 3 were always a threat.

That is a very strong lineup for me. Allan, Mina and Iwobi might have a claim to a first team place. Possibly Pickford also. But once again, James has dispelled any comparisons with Sigurdsson. If we'd played Sigurdsson today, we'd be complaining about another loss and another invisible performance. We have to keep picking our strongest teams where possible. Mina might come in for Holgate next time, with Godfrey moving to right back. Otherwise, the team picks itself. Well done Carlo!

I'd say collectively, and stats will prove, otherwise, but defensively Richarlison and DCL, are doing vital and critical defensive mainly aerial challenges and clearances, than Everton's core defenders.

Great defensive virtues, but these lads are scratching out truffles in view of the minimal chances, created each game, so fair play.

Good team spirit.

Gomes and Davies played well.. but generally we were second best everywhere.

One word about Holgate... I like arrogance on the pitch, but not when it's greater than your contribution and ability.

Stop chewing fucking gum.

He has been one of our better defenders, by all means slot other players out of position, but we need to keep Godfrey in his strongest position.

While there were flaws in the performance of the team and some individuals, it was great to see the team deliver another spirited away performance. Four points from successive away matches at Elland Road and Old Trafford inside four days is an excellent return.

Tom Davies is proving to be a very capable member of the midfield squad in the same way that Kevin Richardson and Alan Harper were in the 1980s.

Davies, can have a place in the squad, he's still young and will be on relatively low wages, but we have to lose Delph in the summer cos we still have too many midfield players who aren't at top 6 level.

Olsen had no chance with any of the goals. The slip was unfortunate but I doubt Pickford with his short arms would have reached it either. He made some good saves- only the needless corner he conceded was an error. But all goalkeepers make errors.

To me it seemed like a win, gaining a point at the death against a good Man U side. It showed great character to come back from being battered 2-0. We look so much better this term.

Who would have predicted that last weekend after the Newcastle performance?

No-one, that's who!

That's the first thing I notice when we were celebrating Calvert-Lewin's goal. I'm surprised the commenter did not apologise for the bad langue. However, maybe I missed the lip-read lady in the corner of the screen apologizing!

For fans who look at the bigger picture, he's not a natural right-back and not a great presence at centre-half.

The lad has done well at right-back with his limitations and he's bound to have shaky performances.

Overall, I think him and Godfrey have done really well in full-back roles and they have allowed us to rest both centre-halves without getting beat.

The manager's nouse for rotation has been great so far.

Rui Silva has been one of La Liga's best performing keepers for the last 2 seasons. He's 26 and will be on a free. I can see Barca getting him now they're skint though.

Ben Godfrey Giving Someone 'The Look'...and Two Words

The most fundamental of lip-reading skills required.

Jim Beglin praising Man Utd's win just before the goal goes in! What goes around comes around!

I just saw it. The man-god that is Ben Godfrey, celebrating at the corner flag telling the Man Utd players screaming for VAR and offside to Fuck Off!

I officially love that man.

Also, I realize we didn't bathe ourselves in glory overall with our play, but watching the highlights, we were damn good in stretches!

We kind of beat ourselves tonight.

Man Utd's goals were all suspect. Keane absolutely was marking Cavani and should have never, ever let that ball go over his head. The second goal, Olsen completely at fault, there's no way that ball should ever go in if he's positioned correctly / has any cat-like reflexive response you'd expect out of any professional keeper. And the third? Honestly how in the hell did McTominay ever even get the back of his head on that ball? He was swarmed by four players!

We did what we do well. We sat deep and countered. We punished ourselves with two individual defensive errors. When you sit deep and counter, you can't abide mental lapses defensively, you have to be rock solid. We weren't defensively solid this evening.

It was refreshing to see us counter with purpose and pace in the second half. We didn't counter at speed or with conviction in the first half, and it showed.

And all that criticism above, and we still got a draw, on the road, at Old Trafford, when we weren't at our best.

That's the sign of a winning team.

I saw the "Ben moment" on NBC Sports highlights here.

Will check your link next. I could never see that enough!

Thank you, sir!

Fuck off indeed!

In the front room watching the game; Herself in the other room, watching Davina McCall, some shite show.

Texting back-n-forward to son who's Man Utd. I leap up 94th minute off the sofa, spill the pint. Missus comes in with the dish cloth and I clean up. What a night.

On the Riojah now. Oh yes, oh yes. I'll sleep soundly.

Pass, pass, pass, pass, across their box (when it doesn't go backwards) somebody shoot. Rodriguez did, 1 shot 1 goal, Fernandes, 1 shot, 1 goal.

Do / did we sit back...is it under orders, or did United push us back - a bit of both?

Hands on heart if we were offered a 3-3 draw we would've taken it.

What piles on the angst for many is the feeling that if we went more on the front foot we might score more.
What may worry Ancelotti, is the fact that we might concede more too.

I've been a defender of Pickford so I'm not going to hang Olsen for mistakes. They happen to everyone. The difference with Pickford is that he is a better player with the ball at his feet. That's why he should be first choice. It's just so obvious to me but I guess everyone sees things differently.

I thought we started brightly. Saw flashes of the old Richarlison, and then reverted to recent type sitting too deep. Part of that is that we simply had too many players who aren't that comfortable in possession. Olsen, Doucoure, Davies, Godfrey, Holgate, DCL - you wouldn't pick any of them in a five a side. Coupled with James' inconsistency and lack of defensive contribution it's a problem - it unbalances the side.

Davies gave his all and was a worthy MOTM. That run at the start of the second half was reminiscent of the original Tom. He used to get the ball and immediately look forward. We seem to forget that's his natural game since it appears to have been coached out of him in search of limiting his mistakes.

Fair play Doucoure too who finally started putting himself about in the second half. He's been coasting for a few weeks now and seemed to be getting away with it on here (maybe people too busy blaming Sigurdsson).

Shocking miss by DCL... but that's two in two. Keep that up and we'll excuse him.

As for the game. We had the players on the pitch to be able to take the game to Utd or sit and counter. That was difficult to do what with Carlo leaving Digne exposed, and that costing us 2 of the goals. I'd like to know how many players short we are before they start to believe in themselves and play on the front foot.

As ever, Gomes grows into games at his own pace. We have to carry James until he pounces. Holgate was crap but at least kept his head up.

Strange game we could either have won or lost 5-0. Anyway, onwards... and we are still in the fun zone

As for their goals, number one was mostly down to Keane ball-watching and letting Cavani get all the space he needed, with Holgate badly positioned as well. No fault of Olsen's for sure.

Number two was a beauty from the only other player on the pitch capable of out whining Richarlison. Tom did give him a bit too much space, but to be fair, Fernandes is a tricky player and also it wasn't his space to cover to begin with. Olsen not at fault for me, that shot was simply placed perfectly.

Number three came from a free-kick that shouldn't have been a free-kick, in my opinion. Holgate slides in and hooks both ball and man. As it was, the ball shouldn't have reached that US Marine looking reject in the first place, but Olsen looked to have it covered until he slipped. Unlucky, very unlucky.

As for our players, I thought Tom was our best player overall by a good margin. I can't believe someone giving him crap for not having ability. He's got plenty of ability, but you don't muck about like a Messi wannabe in a defensive position, do you? He was also clearly told to mark Fernandes. He ran, he tackled, he covered space (often space left open by Gomes, Doucouré, Holgate and even Digne), he carried the ball when he could, he faced the right way when he could, he was neat and tidy in possession and even had a few good long balls up field. Well done, Tom, I say.

Gomes also had a decent game I thought. Neat and tidy, clever passes and good vision going forward. A bit lacking defensively and, while he's decent at dispossessing players, he can't tackle worth a shit.

Richarlison again a massive disappointment. His heart's just not there anymore, and his confidence was shot to hell along with it. Sad, as you can tell he's got the quality still.

James was a massive disappointment in the first half. Bad or uninspired passes, lost the ball, failed to release Richarlison on several occasions. And my god is he slow! How on Earth can any professional footballer have less pace than an overweight 50-year-old Sunday League player? It baffles the mind.

Doucouré was sloppy throughout but covered a lot of ground as always. He's got that never-say-die attitude which I really like. Never stops running, even if he's playing a stinker. Did well for the goal and the assist.

Calvert-Lewin took his goal really well, but makes some really bad runs at times. It's almost like he prefers being close to defenders or behind them. Strange for such a fast player.

King did okay when he came on. Showed a bit of pace and trickery when squeezing past two Man Utd players to release Digne. And I think he got us the free-kick that led to the final goal?

I think criticism of Michael Keane for the Cavani goal is largely unfair. It is good movement from Cavani – who is still one of the best strikers in world football. If Cavani gets in front of Keane then that would leave Keane much more open to criticism.

Holgate can see Cavani and Keane, should know there is nobody beyond him, and that he can tuck in closer to help Keane with Cavani. The fact that Holgate is a centre-half by trade should make this adjustment even easier. Instead, Holgate ball-watches, and Cavani has a free header.

I am generally a pretty staunch supporter of Holgate but he had a very disappointing game today, and does not suit playing at right-back. He has a tendency to dive in – something that he had started to do less during his stint at centre-half – but he's back to making ill-judged lunges.

He gets too close and too square on to his opponent - Harvey Barnes exploited him in both games against Leicester with a couple of nut-megs – and he either needs to start making adjustments or he'll soon be sitting on the bench for a while as our 4th choice centre-half.

Back to Goodison for 3 big games over the next 10 days. Let's hope we can reverse our recent aversion to playing at home.

Let Godfrey grow as a centre-back. He's not that comfortable on the ball but his pace gives us another way to play. We saw three times today what happens when you defend on your 6-yard box against good teams.

Watching the equaliser again, that was pretty brave by Calvert-Lewin. Compared to pretty cowardly by De Gea. Proper striker stuff. Get the ball in any way you can – ask questions later.

I'd love to know who Godfrey was mouthing at. Possibly just the United team in general calling for VAR for everything from handball to offside.

Ironic that Man Utd's attempt to slow the game with an added-time sub was the direct cause of our equaliser! The ref added the obligatory 30 seconds for a substitution and the sub fouled King on 94:15...

I don't think the sub actually touched the ball!!

I remember them scoring a 96th-minute goal against us many years ago. We needed that point.

In fact I am actually overjoyed when we steal an undeserved point. It makes up for 60 years of injustice.

I just don't have time to elaborate but I thought Gomes was outstanding. We can and will do better but, for me, that just made my day!!!

Answer is never as far as the mighty Blues are concerned!

It seemed again a game similar to those before it that Everton played 15 minutes followed by 15 minutes of out-and-out defending and so on and came out with a draw that they hardly seemed worth.

Olsen had a shocker in goal and could have done better for the first and third goals. Keane and Godfrey doesn't seem to work and Holgate just isn't a right-back who was just watching for the first goal possibly expecting the keeper to claim the ball.

Calvert-Lewin still leaves that lingering doubt and Richarlison doesn't seem to be the player of the start of the season. Our best was between Davies and Gomes, in that order, and I was surprised when Davies was subbed, especially as Iwobi and King did so little in the short time they had.

Still, a point away from home against a team above us in the Premier League but we really do have to raise the tempo of our game and find a way of getting more men forward when attacking if we want more than a 6th or 7th place finish.

I don't know what format you viewed the game on. Gary Neville on Sky constantly explained how our midfield set-up (a diamond) invited United to attack the flanks and how it was up to the midfield to react and support the fullbacks as United's attacks developed.

Ancelotti obviously thought that was best for us rather than leaving the space in the centre of the pitch. It seemed to work pretty well apart from the times some players switched off or we coughed up the ball too easily in our own half.

Mason Holgate did have an off game for me, and seemed to annoy some of his team mates by not really looking to make himself available as an outlet. At least that is how it looked. He may have been under orders to hang back until late on in the game when he did feature a bit more going forwards. I thought he should have been more alert to Cavani peeling off Keane for their first.

Neville also regularly highlighted how Richarlison's good efforts too often went unrewarded when players didn't chip the ball in behind Lindelhof to give him something to run on to. Unbelievable that some posters are still not seeing how much he is trying to be involved and still want to moan about his supposed bad attitude and self-absorption.

Then again, some posters apparently didn't see Gomes chasing attackers, making tackles and also looking to play incisive attacking passes. I'm never too harsh on goalies because I think it is a position that carries unbelievable pressure at times. All I can say is that I think Jordan Pickford gets dog's abuse if he doesn't get anything on their second and third goals.

Tom Davies did well but I'm not sure about MotM. I didn't think he stood out massively from his teammates. I think he had one nightmare ‘moment' when Lindelhof found no-one guarding the central corridor and waltzed 50 unopposed yards. Pretty sure Tom went from being at least 5 yards in front of the central defenders to about 2 yards behind them. I'm not having a go at him; I just think some are making too much about his performance. I think he has had better, and will have better in the future.

I didn't think anyone played brilliantly, but it was a battling team performance and I'm happy to give them all credit for putting the effort in to get a point from a game that could easily have yielded nothing.

I ran around the whole house. Outside. But for tonight he's not DCL, he's DCO. Dominic Calvert-Oviedo.

Watching the replay in Spanish was fun. The announcer kept saying "Increíble, increíble!"

Loved the Godfrey FO moment. Loved Duncan's sprint past Ole. Loved Duncan trying to love up Carlo and Carlo severely telling him to chill out. Never cracked even a hint of a smile. Loved Dom giving Tom a piggyback ride out to thank the refs. Loved Dom crediting Carlo for changing up the system 2 minutes into the second half. We scored twice in three minutes after the change. Manager. Makes a difference, baby.

Andrew #27,

Wholeheartedly agree. Holgate was marking the Invisible Man, the Man in the Iron Mask or the Prophet Elijiah, but there was nobody else around, and he just stood there and watched Cavani slide in behind Keane. Mason's had a fine six weeks or so, but he was plumb awful today.

Best non-Everton moment of the day: Moyes doing a postgame interview with only the top of his head visible because he was trying to zip up his winter coat. Took him about six tries and four reporter questions before he could make the zipper work. And when he did, he disappeared into the coat like he was being swallowed. Rebecca Lowe thought it was hilarious.

Absolutely ecstatic with the result in the end but trying to say Olsen wasn't at fault for any of the goals is madness in my opinion. There is a reason he was only 3rd choice with his Italian team. We saw that reason today.

Olsen was "at fault" for the 3rd goal. The 1st goal, if Keane was nowhere near, I reckon he comes for the ball. The fact that Keane gets caught under the ball and Holgate switches off (ball-watching) gives the keeper no chance.

The 2nd goal is maybe a little contentious. I would give Fernandes credit for the technique.

The two saves Olsen made were decent stops. We will never know if Pickford would have done any better. I still think he is the best back-up keeper we have had in many years.

I just pissed myself reading that! Was thinking the same thing. Darth Davy-la.

Your begrudging praise of Tom is measly – was he not just as good away at Leicester? The answer is Yes!

Paul, I completely agree with you about Richarlison – we need him every game and I love the guy.

Olsen slipped. Keane wasn't under the ball, the ball in was top drawer for pace and shaved his head by 10 mm.

Ref gave them every 50-50 – did my head in!

Our first goal was set up by a superb pass by Tom Davies through to Calvert-Lewin. Just a supreme ball. Perfectly weighted for Dom to get on the end of it.

Tom Davies, for me, was fantastic. That pass was beautiful. This kid has played very well recently, and long may it continue.

Like last week, very happy for Calvert-Lewin getting his goal, but he has to start converting some of these chances he's getting like the one at the end of the first half. Like some posters have said, you just don't feel confident when he's in those situations.

Before this latest run of three matches, four points probably would have been a decent bet for a lot of supporters. It just happens that it was probably a different combination of results that got us those points.

I am delighted to read some of the above comments though, particularly to hear praise for Tom and Gomes. Sadly some still have to run people down after a decent result and performance, it was ever thus I suppose. I have been given stick on here for my persistent defence of Gomes, I always felt he would find his form again and it looks like that is happening.

Carlo seems to be working wonders with a number of our players who seemed finished for us, Keane, Gomes, Tom, Iwobi (sort of) and yes I'll say it (though very reluctantly) he has even got Sigurdsson playing better. Someone mentioned above about it being Richarlison's turn next, that would be great huh?

This is my blind optimistic view for the rest of the campaign: with Godfrey firmly established as our first choice centre-back (captain's armband awaits), we start to play further up the pitch, thus bringing Richarlison more into games. We have Allan back soon who will bring the bite we need.

Personally I would love to see us play with the team that started the season, with Allan, Doucouré, and Gomes slightly further forward. This leaves James on the right, cutting in and looking for the cross-field passes. We need a top-drawer right-back in the summer for sure.

We all know this line-up leaves us exposed on the right but, with players coming back into form and the return of Allan, we could make a real push for 4th or 5th. I'll ignore for now the little voice in the back of my head saying "Yeah but this is Everton, they will let you down" and just say "Fuck it, looks to me like some chess pieces are coming together, who do we have to fear?" COYB.

I was critical of the first-half performance at half-time but it shows that attitude and passion do exist in most of the team which is great. It gave me an enormous amount of satisfaction to stick it to them. It was the best second-half performance I have seen from Tom Davies and Gomes looks as if he has a new lease of life.

Some players can step up with the right motivation, some players need their backsides kicking and others need a quiet word in their shell-like... I'm glad Ancelotti has the measure.

Pleasure? In Fergie Time at Old Trafford with Sir Alex Fergusson watching, poetic justice that... James's goal, beautiful... Davies's pass (if only he would do that more often)... Calvert-Lewin, if only he was more ruthless... one-on-one practise every day next week.

I had an awful feed this morning, interspersed with me yelling at the TV in frustration and then jubilation, the life of an exiled Evertonian.

Of course at his young age there are things that need improving, and no striker is good at every facet of the game, but with his aerial prowess, hold-up and linking play, bullying of defenders, and goal poaching, I can't think of any centre-forward I would swap him for.

Davies went off and could be seen talking about and looking down at his leg, so I think that he did pick up a knock.

I could criticise the marking for their first goal, but then you admire the delivery and the movement of the forward. Likewise, the second was just a fantastic finish by a very good player. Our keeper slipped for their 3rd but then did still go down like a Salmon that had just taken its last breath.

Anyway, the important thing is we kept ourselves in the game and got something. Just as, all season, we have kept ourselves in touch as we approach the time when it matters.

The game isn't lost won or lost because we are winning or losing at half-time. The season ends in May, not October. No prophecy or hindsight from me, I've been saying it all season. We are in touch with the pack and on target for European qualification; that has always been the aim.

For me, the midfield 3 in particular stood out. Well done, Tom Davies and Gomes in particular. Doucouré as well, but he's doing what we have come to expect of him. Also, what a finish from James. I'm not going to criticise Holgate; the lad was playing out of position. But we need a right-
back.

Moment of the match? Duncan hugging Carlo, with our manager being very Italian: "It may be silver, but you're messing with my hair, Duncano."

For those of you who have never played in goal, let alone actually put on a pair gloves, go and buy, or borrow a pair, and go and play in goal, and I don't mean facing a 5-year-old child in the back garden, and you'll soon see how difficult it is.

To criticise Olsen for any of those goals last night is ridiculous, especially the third. He slipped, no two ways about it, so what did you expect him to do, suddenly try and expand his arms a couple of feet to reach it?

Olsen also pushed one behind for a corner, which was going wide, but thankfully nothing came of it. Gary Neville said on commentary Olsen was undecided as to where the ball was actually going, a bit like Pickford against Leicester!!

We saw the other end when De Gea left the shot from Digne, which clipped the outside of the post. He'd have looked a right Moby Dick if it had gone in. Did he know it was going wide, probably, but it's a split-second decision a goalkeeper has to make.

Overall though, I've got no complaints about Olsen so far. I'm also glad to see he's not really in favour of taking those stupid goal kicks, passing to a defender in the 6-yard box.

I have always backed Davies, and he has played well (mostly) in whatever position he has been asked. I agree right-back is a problem area and one that needs to be prioritised in the summer. Till then, I feel that a back 3 of Keane, Mina, Godfrey and Davies in the right wing-back position, Digne in the left wingback position, and Allan and Doucouré in the middle and either 1 of Gomes, James or Sigurdsson as a deep-lying (Gomes) or an attacking (Sigurdsson or James) mid-fielder. I would rest Richarlison for a couple of games and play either King or Iwobi to partner Calvert-Lewin:

Pickford
Keane Mina Godfrey
Davies Doucouré Gomes Allan Digne
Calvert-Lewin King

The 'slip' was down to positioning and footwork. Major parts of being a keeper. He moved too far to the left and then stumbled as he tried to shift back. He got it wrong – and then slipped as he tried to recover.

But as I said earlier in the thread, keepers (and every other player) make mistakes. My concern with Olsen is his ability with his feet. I think it puts Pickford as a sure selection if fit.

Some of this goes back to what I said last week. There is a generation of fans who genuinely believe every goal is preventable. On that basis every game would or should theoretically be 0 - 0.

Are we talking about the mistakes by De Gea or the excellent midfield play by Davies, James and Doucoure topped by the great forward running and anticipation of our centre forward?

Sometimes its hats off to the forward or scorer; both ways.

Olsen clearly slipped for their 3rd, but then atoned by causing sufficient doubt in the Man Utd defence that Maguire played Calvert-Lewin onside for our 3rd.

Richarlison needs to bin off those fucking red boots. He's not played well in them once.

Oh & beIN, please don't let Jim Beglin commentate on our games. The bitter, biased, sanctimonious twat has not said one complimentary thing about us all season.

I'm no fan of Gary Neville (except when he's giving the RS a lashing – I didn't think anyone other than an Evertonian could hate them as much) but he was 100% spot-on with our first-half display. I hate seeing the ball going backwards – forwards is the way to goal – and it was a pathetic display which every Evertonian should be ashamed of.

The second half was chalk and cheese but one thing that stood out like a sore thumb was the fact that Man Utd players on the ball always had an option or two of a pass to a teammate; talk of Champions League with our midfield would be embarrassing. We are not clinical or skilful enough to make that leap.

I read the other day that UEFA want the "big" teams in each league to automatically be included no matter where they finish so if we won the league Chelski or Arsenal or any of the Sky 6 would be more welcome than us.

Mind you, the investigation into Russian Oligarchs in football could cost us dear yet Yanks and Arabs are not squeaky clean but included in the snug little club running English football.

0-2 to 2-2
3-2 to 3-3

Great to see an Everton team fighting to the last second.

Bring on Spurs.

Doesn't change my opinion that we were by far the weaker team in that match and, if we'd played like Man Utd and not won the match, we'd have been furious, I suspect.

I also think if Calvert-Lewin hadn't equalised with the last kick, the general narrative would have been discussing the general poor quality and lack of bottle to play forward, as opposed to now glossing over this reality now with a fighting spirit narrative. I'm sure Carlo recognises the reality of what was an abysmal first-half performance and a slightly better but ultimately fortunate second-half performance.

Digne and Calvert-Lewin were my picks. Davies and Gomes did okay, but were generally toyed with by Fernandes and Pogba. Holgate not at all comfortable at right-back.

When are we going to get Allan back, I wonder? We desperately need his drive and attitude. Davies is still the weakest player in our squad, I think, and will be benched once Allan returns.

Tom was outstanding last night. Thrilling to see him play like that. His breaking up of the play, his positional sense, no-nonsense tackling, and his selection of pass was as good as I have seen from him. Long may it continue.

I've just watched the highlights on the official club website, and Olsen is a couple of feet off his line, standing slightly right, and as the free-kick came in, he stepped back, probably anticipating a flick on to go towards his left-hand side, and by moving his feet he can get a better spring in his dive. Unfortunately as he was about to dive he slipped.

Try and imagine standing perfectly still then diving, you won't get anywhere near the spring in your dive, the same way as a forward or defender cannot get the height they require when heading a ball just from a standing jump.

Yet you defend Olsen for letting any in and claim he wasn't at fault for any of them! Whilst I don't think Pickford is good enough, I most certainly don't think Olsen is any better!

My uncle was a porn star.

Me? I couldn't get a kiss in a Scottish brothel on a New Year's Eve.

I agree with your assessment of the third goal too. The ground gave way under his feet when he tried to get a little purchase on his dive.

I never quite understand why a slip is deemed an error. What can you do if the ground gives way? How do you legislate for that? – Unless of course it happens to Stevie G La. In his case, he deserved to be hammered for it and should be ridiculed for the rest of his days.

Where I do slightly disagree with you is for the second. That was very preventable. Firstly Tom (who was excellent again) allowed himself to be deceived a little too easily by the little shift of the ball culminating in him selling himself... But Olsen has to be disappointed with his part in It too. It wasn't a screamer and I don't believe a goalkeeper standing virtually on his line should be beaten from distance on a shot going directly over his head.

It's worth pointing out that he made a couple of decent saves too – that's something often overlooked when Pickford is getting slaughtered too. You won't save them all.

BTW; talking of goalies, that Man Utd keeper's form has proper fell off a cliff in recent times...

Verses Utd: Always brings a smile when the real Ferguson enjoys Fergie time (Duncan)

Love the first touch to pluck the ball out of the air by Rodriguez. Would like to bring in a player like McNeil from Burnley to learn off James as he's got the tools to do a lot of things James and Digne can do.

Gomes morphing into 40 yard pass Pirlo is a joy as we're seeing full backs getting turned more often.

No fear with last decades 'Sky 6' anymore. We just need to find an alternative way to get gee'd up in the minutes leading up to a game against average teams. Even if it means our data scientists conjuring up video ideas that work when we play lower placed teams - or anything else to ensure we are well up for Fulham and on it.

Davies, nice to see one of our best teenage prospects still improving and being a top squad player, hopefully for the next decade. Hope to see him walk out to Champions League music one day.

Well done, our squad. Well done, our management. It's a moment to savour. Ask yourself how long it took for Klopp to turn Liverpool into Champions? How long the 'mighty' Manchester United have been in transition and the money spent in the process? By comparison, Carlo is orchestrating a quiet revolution.

Patience is required. More changes will come until we are the finished article. But we are very much on track, despite some frustrating setbacks.

There are players in the squad that I'm unhappy with at present. Notably Iwobi, SigurdsSon, Richarlison and Pickford. But saying that, I'm prepared to get behind all of them, when they pull on the blue Jersey. Especially when their performance is as spirited as last night's was.

In the first half we showed organization and a good shape, some nice touches to play through their press and the occasional incisive pass. A bit more confidence on playing forward passes, as Ancelotti alluded to post-match and we would have scored, as United's backline looked vulnerable to a through-ball all game. We switched off on two occasions and were punished by the quality that United have in forward positions.

Second half the team came out fired-up and whilst still playing on the break (or transition using the modern parlance) were braver getting men forward, on the ball and with runners and it paid off handsomely. United reacted and we kind of reverted to type, sitting too deep once more. Their goal however was a bit of a fluke, Olsen been caught flat-footed, or slipping. It was disappointing to fall behind again and we wouldn't have come again under previous regimes, or with different players, or mentality. We did and the importance of this can't be understated.

Individual players:

Olsen (6) was a mixed bag, had no chance with their first two, pulled off a few solid saves but at fault for the 3rd. Kicking was weak all game. Would still give him a run as I've given up on Jordan.

Holgate (6): combative but offered little going forward, good pass at the end of the 1st which DCL should have scored from. Partly to blame for goal #1. Not long-term answer at RB but prefer him to Seamus.

Keane (6): solid but partly to blame for their 1st. Feel Mina would have dealt with that cross. Flick-on for the winner.

Godfrey (6): was hoping for one of those driving runs from defence but played much more conservatively against that strong Man United attack.

Digne (7): some decent link-up play and his FK resulted in our 3rd. Had his hands full with the excellent Greenwood.

Doucoure (8): two sloppy passes first half, one of which lead to a goal. Hugely improved 2nd, bagging a goal and assist.

Davies (9): always available for a pass to relieve pressure, received well on the half-turn, looked for the forward option when on, showed a range of passing. Defended very well. Dealt well with Fernandes (including a couple of rough challenges, which was great to see). Was actually tracking Greenwood's run at the time of their 2nd (he'd swapped position with Bruno). Instrumental in our second half comeback, great collect, run and interplay. No quit in the lad.

Gomes (8): another very good game from a fella I thought was finished. Completed 90m back-to-back and looks fully recovered from his horrible injury. Did OK defensively, passed well and was very good in possession. Does not look as slow as prior to the Leeds game.

Rodriguez (7): neat in possession for most of the 1st then got sloppy. Did not look to play anything incisive. 2nd half was much more proactive, goal was a brilliant strike and shows that even when apparently not at it he's the rare type of player that has decisive quality.

Richarlison (6): diligent in his defensive duties and tried hard all game, the goals will come.

DCL (7): often isolated but had the beating of the United backline all match. Has to put that chance away at the end of the 1st. Made amends with his quick reactions to claim the draw.

Subs: Sigurdsson (6) patrolled in front of the midfield and did OK when dropped deeper. Iwobi (5) couldn't get into the game at that late stage. King (6) took 5m to get up to speed then showed a couple of nice touches; will be a factor as his match fitness grows.

Jay Wood @ 117.
'Olsen not to blame for the goals. He hasn't made mistakes.'
Give yer head a shake, Justin."

If that was Pickford letting in those goals, he would be getting slaughtered.

Progress this kid is making is unbelievable.
Take 10 minutes to look through what he is doing.
Massive Blues him and Billy.

Hopefully he will get loads of birthday cards from ToffeeWebbers.

I know many fans don't like the rotating of players but again its building belief amongst the squad that everybody has a chance to impress, so when players are rotated it is not such a big deal. Some teams are great when they can play their first eleven, but if they get 1 or 2 injuries it has a massive impact on their teams.

I think whats also worth bearing in mind that we have got these results when our front 2 hadnt been in the best of form, and Richarlison although his work rate cant be questioned isn't the player he was a couple of months back. We don't have an abundance of attacking options so Carlo has had to get results inspite of this, and to go to Old Trafford with 1 striker not firing and to get a draw after being 2 down then recover again from going behind to snatch a draw speaks volumes about this teams never say day spirit. I couldnt see any of our previous managers getting that sort of response, in fact if most of them had been in charge it would probably have been 4-1.

So yes still a lot to do but results like yesterdays will do wonders for team spirit and belief.

But what a denouement! All the disappointment from that first half was just blown away by the two quick goals and then the final equaliser.

MotM contenders:
Godfrey for his "fuck off" to Utd players after we scored.
Carlo for that consoling arm around Holgate.
Davies - tremendous performance. Just about wins the champagne.

I thought at the time Tom could have closed for the second goal but in hindsight, I think the BBC gave a good analysis. The player isn't really going anywhere looks as if he is going to cross, Tom looks to have the cross covered and blocked, Fernades plays a cute dummy and even then I don't think anyone is expecting him to pull that out of the locker. Ultimately a good goal and don't wish to be too critical of Tom. Really pleased with and for Tom Davies last night.

Tony Waring, agree it was a difficult pass for James to control in the box, but what a spot from Doucoure. I would imagine most players in that position would look to clip one back in, which could have been defended, not have the composure to spot a late runner coming into the box. Great finish on the end of it as well.

Its a training ground shot that should never beat a keeper in a real game.

Hes about 2 yards off his line and gets beat over his head. His desperate leap after it past him showed he'd made a mistake and he certainly wasn't ready for it which he should be.

The slip was slightly unlucky but he wasn't ready for that dodgy header either and thats why he couldn't re-adjust.

This is not to say he can't play again though he just needs to be sharper.

Last night as we watched our Boys play Football Under the Stars:
“We're gonna make music underneath the stars
We're gonna play to the violin and the two guitars
And we're sit there and play for
Hours and hours when the healing has begun
Hours, hours and hours
When the healing has begun
Hours and hours, hours
When the healing has begun”

Ahhh - - it makes me feel good - - gonna blow my Harmonica again - - there you go.
“Rave on John Donne, rave on thy holy fool
Down through the weeks of ages in the moss borne dark dank pools
Rave on, down through the industrial revolution
Empiricism, atomic and nuclear age
Rave on down through the corridors
Rave on words on printed page
Rave on, Walt Whitman, nose down in wet grass
Rave on, fill the senses on nature's bright green shady path
Rave on, Omar Khayyam, rave on Kahlil Gibran
Oh, what swine, sweet wine we drinketh, the celebration will be held
We will drink the wine and break the holy bread
Rave on, let a man come out of Ireland, rave on on Mr. Yeats
Rave on down through the Holy Rosey Cross
Rave on down through theosophy and the golden dawn
Rave on through the writing of a vision
Rave on, rave on, rave on, rave on, rave on, rave on, rave on
Rave on, John Donne (yeah)
Rave on, my holy fool (that's alright)
Down through the weeks of ages (alright)
In the moss borne dark dank pools
Rave on now though the industrial revolution
Empiricism and the atomic and nuclear age
Rave on words on printed page”

It seems there may be Light in the Greyness - - Restrictions Getting Lifted - - Friends Reunited - - I had my Vaccination last Sunday - - came back from The walk In like Mc Murphy - - “a goddam wonder of modern science” - - it will be lovely to try and see some of you at the get together - - no matter what I will make the effort to be there - - and will bring “Our Monica” - - and we will walk along those streets again - - to join our friendships together - - in kindness and goodness - - here - - close to Goodison - - and send our wishes from Our City out into The Blue Astral to all of you with a firm cosmic handshake.

Take care gang - - Up The Blues

They are indeed.

Wrong time and place to go into the back story of young Joey.
Believe me, he's had it hard.
Brilliant to see him come through that and develop his own set of skills.

Keep it up Joe

You are forever a shining light to Evertonians everywhere and a fine ambassador to your great city.

The next time I make it to Liverpool, I shall have to visit the "Dark House".

Keep on keeping on !

As Danny @ 256 says, every goal scored must therefore be preventable, and I'm really surprised every game does not finish 0-0!!

The other is less agile but more commanding so the defence look more comfortable with him behind them. He seemingly also has to odd error in him. But then what player or keeper doesn't? It's just more obvious when a keeper makes one.

Both are good shot stoppers, both are good keepers. I don't think there is a lot to choose between them, just different strengths & areas for improvement.

Can we improve on them? Of course. I suspect however, come the summer, that is not an area of the pitch that will be a priority for us. Both are good enough for where we are at this point of the Ancelotti reign.

George, I'm off to pour a glass of decent grape before reading that one so I do it justice.

2 pieces of quality got them a 2 goal lead. I get the feeling sky will be replaying the Fernandes goal a lot, a bit of genius.

Spirit got us back into it then we reverted to type and sat back, so frustrating.

I was half expecting the DCL equaliser to get chalked off. All the utd arms went up. Godfrey shouting back over towards the utd players and linesman, I honestly thought they had flagged offside, then the slow motion replays checking for handball, offside or any infringement before giving the goal. All these things remove the spontaneous reaction and celebration of scoring a goal. The game is becoming more focused on the officials than the football.

I am not buying into the negativity around Richarleson. The lad is playing left mid working his socks off up and down the pitch, making runs that aren't being picked out by the midfielders. He will be allowed to play further forward once we strengthen the midfield.

Davies my motm. He isn't afraid of passing the ball into space. DCL is a real threat to all teams not just bullying weaker teams. He progressing into a very good striker.

Lots of room for improvement in lots of other areas in the team that I hope gets addressed in the summer.

Tough couple of games coming up, hopefully we can build up a bit of momentum.

I don't think the performance was perfect yesterday but I won't forget the feelings of joy and relief at the end for a long time. Bloody fantastic! It was a great finish by Calvert-Lewin and I think he's becoming an excellent player. He's cocky without being arrogant.

A final point, I can understand that no manager wants to do interviews after the match but Ole and old Jürgen show their true colours when they don't get things their way. It takes class to be magnanimous. Last night showed me Ole has little. Carlo, on the other hand, has it in abundance.

That miss by Calvin Lewin near the end of the first half? A couple of inches the other side of the post and we would have all been cheering our heads off, then the cheering would have stopped half-way through, when we realised the linesman was flagging for offside, 10 seconds after he let the play go on. In other words, it wasn't a miss at all.

Close the debate... we've reached a factual position.

I did see your earlier post addressed to me. I ignored it.

But as you've come back for a second bite a day later, you evidently value my opinion and are anxious to have me expand on my post, so I will.

You asked me 'Are you saying Olsen was at fault for all three goals?'

Nope! I didn't say that. At all. My sole comment in reply to another poster absolving Olsen of ANY mistake was:

'If that was Pickford letting in those goals, he would be getting slaughtered.'

Now if you believe otherwise, I would have to conclude you are either not a very attentive reader of TW post match threads, or a very selective one. Jordan would absolutely be getting slaughtered on here if he was between the sticks and conceded as Olsen did.

As to my own personal view of the goals we conceded, Olsen is not at all culpable on the first one. Nor is Keane. The quality of Rashford's cross is excellent. Most culpable for me in that play is Mason Holgate who can see the whole play, is by default a centre-back... and does absolutely nothing to tuck in and make Carvani work harder for his goal.

Fernandes on the second, yes, he could have been closed down better. Yes, it was good technique by the United player. But it was not hit with power. It was not in the 'far corner' as Justin (the poster I responded to) claimed. It was very central, as was Olsen's starting position. I'll come back to this when describing the third. Olsen too easily beaten for a man of his height and international class.

On the third, Olsen's starting position for the free-kick is good. Central, a stride or two forward of his goal line. As the ball comes in, he steps all the way back to his goal line and slightly to his right.

And I'm sorry to disagree with many on here, but the 'slip' is minimal. Extremely negligible. What I see on the 2nd and 3rd goals is a stiff-legged goalkeeper, neither crouching nor bending his knees at the appropriate time, which would have given him a greater spring and height on the Fernandes goal and greater reach and stretch on the 3rd goal.

On the 3rd goal in particular, it was goalkeeping on the never-never. Going down in installments. A slow-motion replay would almost be a freeze-frame of Olsen's 'movement'. It was agonising watching such a weak header go so gently past his hands.

Olsen has done 'okay' in games he has been called on. I see no evidence that he is considerably the better goalkeeper than Jordan Pickford that many are claiming.

Still relishing the second half in which we beat United 3-1.

Davies: had a great game apart from the Fernandes goal, although Dion Dublin on MotD said his positioning to stop the shot was perfect and it was only the brilliance of the strike that done him & Olsen (I'm torn between that and should a 6'-5" goalkeeper be beaten by a lob)

But back to Davies: in the last 3 or 4 games he's played in, he's doing a job – an Italian job; because, for the last 40-odd years, all Italian teams have a Davies-alike in front of the back four (and before that it was behind the back four), breaking up play, narrowing the angles, and popping it off to the more expansive midfielders to take it up the field.

This is where I think Gomes, Doucouré and James need some criticism, because it seems like the game plan was to play a RS like 40+ yard ball into the channels (at least it looked that way, the way Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin were set up) and, in the 1st half just didn't deliver.

Even Gary Neville alluded to it, that Richarlison especially was doing runs only to see the ball going backwards. The frustrating thing is, get 2 or 3 of them in and it changes the dynamic of the game, and it certainly give Solskjaer something to think about and possibly be less cavalier in Man Utd's approach.

But overall, really pleased because, despite not everyone being on top of their game and playing with a makeshift right-back we came away with something from Old Trafford. Who knows if all the ifs line up; if Richarlison discovers his mojo, if Allan carries on the way he was before injury, if Gbamin is up and ready after Easter (big if), if King pops in with a few goals, in this crazy season… well, who knows???

I can actually quote a family member on the every goal is preventable statement Rob H!

Isn't it great watching the Sunday football in a relaxed mood!

John, thanks for the nod. Even for those of us that have seen it 57 times!!

On football documentaries, if you're interested in non-Everton insights, the "Mi Chiamo Francesco Totti" is really good.

Home grown boy who played for the club he supported and never left. The ending is so typically emotionally Italian! Great watch.

The summer should be about adding quality in depth and more competition for places.

But yes, we are definitely using and managing the squad much better now. The addition of the midfielders in the summer has added quality and put those already here on their toes.

The return of Holgate, improvement in Keane and Mina plus the addition of Godfrey, means we are suddenly not really concerned which 2 of those 4 get selected for the centre back positions.

Laugh a minute that show.

George. 282
Beautiful

Exactly Rob.

Different, but parallels, I said this about assists. The only player credited with an assist is the one who makes the final pass or touch before the scorer.

But, the keeper could have made a quick decision to pick out a midfielder, who plays it into the feet of the forward, who lays it off to the wide player who's cross is planted into the net by the forward. All have assisted in scoring the goal.

Likewise, the midfielder loses the ball, the defender doesn't mark tight enough and the keeper lets the goal in. All have contributed to conceding the goal.

It's a team game right?

Rev Harry Ross doing the service a good few years ago for a great Evertonian mate of mine who died too young.

"Well we mourn the passing of a good man. I know we have a mixed congregation but always remember our friend when you look up to the sky. The sky that is coloured Blue, and that's where your friend is. We all know what colour hell is."

More seriously; I have been so taken aback by the criticism of Olsen's 'mistakes' that I watched the whole 90 minutes again... still waiting for the 'mistakes' to show themselves!

harry did the funeral for My best mates dad. A red family, with red and white flowers, the lot. They'd all got married there too Back in the day.

He said to me as we all went in, ‘that's why we have a pink carpet, to walk on and wipe our feet'.

A big row kicked off over the road between 2 women, and he said that one was the mother of an addict and one was the mother of a pusher. It's like Beirut here some days was his comment.

Great story
A lovely man Harry.

I'm almost convinced that it was him who got a mention in the Dire Straits hit " Sultans of Swing " And Harry doesn't mind, If he doesn't make the scene, He's got a daytime job, He's doing alright. :-)

Here's what you said exactly in reply to Justin @ 117

"Olsen not to blame for the goals. He hasn't made mistakes.'

"Give yer head a shake, Justin."

"If that was Pickford letting in those goals, he would be getting slaughtered".

Regards you admitting that you chose to ignore me, I'm not at all surprised by this, it's who you are isn't it.

I truly wanted to know what your thinking was given you never elaborated further on "give your head a shake"

Always good to get the thoughts of someone who believe they are superior and know better than many of us, thanks for the reply.

Everton can and do ruin weekends. Stuff like yesterday pays it all back. I will remember that long after Newcastle is forgotten. Are we not the most unpredictable team in the world?

Well done, Mike Gaynes, I had a quick look at the Live Forum yesterday – you never doubted.

Finally, on the goalkeeper. I don't rate Pickford and I would have slated him yesterday. However, I found myself defending Olsen. Which, to be honest, is unreasonable.

We defended far too deep for their last goal. The defensive line was on top of Olsen. Any United head on the free-kick was clearly going to cause a problem.

Whenever we got possession in the first half, there were countless times that Gomes turned and passed backwards. There was no need for Gomes in the team with Davies holding and Doucouré going box-to-box.

I think Mo has been sitting on his arse doing nothing all season – apart from banking his fabulous Everton salary, for doing the square root of fuck all. Of course, I don't follow him on social media, and could be missing some vital contribution to society...

Such is the nature of the modern game, with professional footballers quite content to while away their all-too-short careers. And work out how to burn through a cool £30,000 each week.

Since the decision was made not to register him in the Everton squad at the start of the season, then I believe he has not been eligible for selection by Carlo Ancelotti. Go figure!

Its becoming our game and although hes had times when he hasn't influenced the game enough, hes always there picking it up where he can't be picked up.

Hes the player we need to protect in games and his influence on the ball can work well for the players moving around him.

I hope Allan comes back strong and with Davies and Gomes coming back into some better form, we have stronger competition in all positions.

I thought our midfield 3 gave a good go at some class individuals even in the first half when our passing was more cautious and we we weren't always tight enough.

They all kept going and played more positive as the game went on.

I didn't see an outstanding performance from either side but everyone stuck to their tasks in digging out a draw when the game looked lost twice.

Hi Nicholas [313] I have long thought that football, [like life] is riddled with mistakes, and that the mistakes made by the team you support are unacceptable but the mistakes made by your opponents are gleefully snapped up, For example, Doucouré's mis-control which led to a goal for United was unacceptable, but the goal he scored following an assist from David de Gea was readily welcomed. I can only imagine that whatever United's site similar to ToffeeWeb is, it will be full of complaints regarding his mistake.

I have never ever (unlike some on here) claimed to be superior or know better than any one else. So fuck off with that line right away.

My only posts in this thread are @ 50. A half-time assessment of the game.

@ 117. A full time assessment with the reply to Justin's comments that you questioned me twice on representing a very small part of that whole post.

@ 212. A link requested by Jamie Crowley to Ben Godfrey's 'Fuck Off!' on celebrating Dom's goal.

And then this morning @ 294, answering your twice-posted question.

Your contribution to this thread? Pre-match @ 10 and 15, a couple of one-liners expressing a desire to prove the experts and Solskjaer wrong. Your first question to me @ 137. The question repeated @ 273 and now, having got the response you twice requested, your pout @ 318.

In my posts I discussed the football. I have offered my assessment of the manager, the team, individual players and the performance. I make it clear it is MY opinion.

From your posts, we haven't got a Scooby what you think of any of those things listed in my previous paragraph. All we've learnt how easily offended you are when a question you asked twice gets an answer you don't care for.

Carry on.

I could say his misjudgement of needlessly giving a corner away was one such error of judgement, the third goal he lost his footing at a crucial time and had to dive from a static position, so you could put that down to a mistake, or just bad luck.

He also got away with the one where Rashford shot wide, with him caught off his line, but he did make a good one-on-one save at his near post.

Probably one of his poorer games, but overall still looked reassuring, distributing and collecting the ball, so I would certainly keep giving Olsen a run of games.

However, I fully expect Pickford to start on Wednesday, if he is fit.

When you do realise it, you can forgive yourself and others much more easily. I still fail to do so far too often - which is another mistake, I suppose.

I sometimes have a look over there as there is often a lot of wider football debate. There are a couple of Evertonians who post on there too. As there are from other clubs.

Some of it is really good, sometimes it get's a bit nonsensical, but then that's football debate right?!

Yes, mistakes happen and go both ways. When it's our mistake, it's a mistake. When the other team makes it, it is the brilliance of our players for exploiting that mistake. You are right Sir.

“In sickness and health”. It was my 40th wedding anniversary yesterday, I spent most of the day helping my son and his pal cut back a substantial hedge at our house. We were ably assisted by my 2 young grandsons. We had a laugh, a couple of bottles of beer when we were finished, all suitably distanced. It was good to be together.

Mrs Mills and I had a nice meal with a decent helping of holy water (from Rioja) after that. I thought the match to follow might cause some marital conflict, but there was none of it, she graciously watched a film on her phone with headphones. She was a little taken aback by the uncustomary speed with which I leapt from my chair just before 10 o'clock, but took a casual glance at the telly and said “Have you had a good day, then?”

I had.

Talking of class, the biggest conundrum is James. He can always produce something brilliant out of nothing, but for long periods he can be a passenger, and that puts a lot of pressure on the other outfield players. Its a difficult decision as to whether he starts or not.

You, of course will not admit to thinking you are superior to me on here, but there is no doubt that is what is in your own head.

Not the first time you have claimed someone is "infantile" when you get rattled by the truth.- Infantile, now there's a word, I had to google that to find out what it meant!

I think your arrogant admittance to ignoring my question paints the picture and proves exactly what I say, in your opinion I am not of your standard and are not deserving of your time, a bit like a few teachers I had back in the day.

I thought your comment to the poster Justin regards Olsen was as I say of your superior " I know better" attitude.
It was very brief ( strangely, what you accuse me of ) and I wanted to know what you really thought.
By the way I don't agree.

And now you tell me to fuck off, have basically said my posts or contributions are not of the standard you think they should be, once again you show your true self.
I can count myself lucky you are not in control of this forum presumably I would be banned if you were.

Unlike you, unless it is necessary I don't need to go on and on and on and on and on when I want to say something or give an opinion about a player or performance.

As I said I was grateful for your reply and it is MY OPINION that you are truly up your own arse !

As we get better, you have to tolerate those who seemingly to the naked eye aren't "grafters". I don't put James in that category by the way; in my opinion he does graft, but more from a forward thinking view.

Better players graft in different ways than we have become accustomed to at Everton in recent decades. They do so with their brain, not brawn or chasing back. His reading of the game took 4 United players out of the picture with a simple pass forward in the build up to one of our goals. I would add that Tom Davies played the equally simple but effective pass to James just before that; equally good from Tom.

His timed run into the box allowed Doucoure to pick him out to score our second when otherwise it would have been clipped into a congested penalty area, that would likely have been easily defended.

I always remember the argument about John Barnes never being effective for England all of the time. I have vocally expressed my disconnection with international football but in that case, you could see the argument. When you have players of that quality, you have them on the pitch because of the 10 or 15 minutes of game changing quality they can provide rather than leave them out. In those 10 or 15 minutes, they can change or win games.

We are work in progress and very much in transition. Having players with James' quality is part of that.

Annnndddd...still no actual opinion offered on - yer know - the match. The football. The manager. The team. Individual players. The tactics.

Just presumptions, pouting and bitching against a single poster.

Bizarre sequence of posts.

Sky just robbed my ' joke ! '

We are three points back of 4th with two games in-hand!!

It's time to think big dammit!

Agree, great pick out but so glad it was Rodriquez, maybe the only player we have in our side that could control that ball in the way , one touch and bang.
Rodriquez certainly is a very skilful footballer with an amazing first touch.

And don't forget Rodriquez started the passage of play which led to the goal when he just told Tom Davies to leave it and he played that pin point pass to Doucoure ( who nearly mis controlled it ) before laying it off.
Brilliant goal all round.

You are right, that for me was one of my favourite ever Everton goals for two reasons. Firstly, he was the only one of our players who would have had the composure in that situation to control the ball beautifully and then slot it in the bottom corner. I'm confident most of the others would have either miscontrolled it or blazed the shot over the bar. It was an exquisite piece of play.

Secondly, how many times have we disappointed away from home? Especially against the big teams. So much so, I still don't expect too much and at 2-0 down at half time, I was just happy we got a goal back and we're giving it a go. It was almost a surprise that it went in. Same with the last one.

I do feel that the mentality is changing. In Holgate, Mina and Godfrey, we've got a couple of narks in the team now. It was a joy to see Godfrey telling the United players where to go at the end! We've got proper squad rotation going on now. If anyone's levels drop, they're out, whether that's Pickford, Coleman, Sigurdsson - no one is exempt. As a result, the squad players are getting more games and giving it everything when they play. Tom Davies was outstanding yesterday.

Rodriguez makes me think we can win anywhere. There's no way he's got an inferiority complex going anywhere with the levels he's played at. His stats are putting last season's creative players to shame.

Like others have said, he's probably the best player we've had since Kanchelskis. Maybe that's harsh on Arteta, who was a hell of a player at his best. But he is certainly up there with Kanchelskis, Arteta, Pienaar, Lukaku as one of our best players of the PL era.

58 years...WOW! Remember on a previous thread you were reluctant to give your actual age away. Just curious...what age did you get married at?😊😊😊

We are one year shy of our 30th. I spent a fair chunk of that time away, more than I would have chosen or cared for, but relationships are for life. Just like Everton.

So glad my long suffering wife can't here me saying that, but I can feel her looking.

Congratulations and I hope you get to celebrate this one in a befitting way.

We had our 60th last month and the bubble and restrictions we were under, we had to celebrate alone. Most of the restrictions are caused by people not caring about the rules to try and end this pandemic, and don't realize the hardship they cause to other people.. Congratulations but slow down, you're catching up to me.

Hi Brendan [361] I was 24 years and 8 months old, we were courting for a year or so when she said "Don't you think it's time we got engaged" ? I answered "If you think so" another 18 months and the inevitable question was asked "Don't you think it's time we got married"? my stock reply applied. Whenever I spent too much time and money on Everton she'd say "I don't know why I married you" and I would reply " I don't know why you asked me"

Hi Bill [364] I think I got married too young, I should have had a wilder life.

Hi Peter [366] it's a wonderful feeling isn't it.

Hi Dave [365] I left a message for you on the pre-1992 thread.

Bit of Colin Crompton and Bernard Manning too!

Derek #368 - you just couldn't resist, could you? Yep, still tinkling away on the old Joanna!

Thanks for sharing that but, at the risk of provoking another 1000 comment meltdown thread on ToffeeWeb, I think you got the much better part of the deal when you said yes!

Though the latter was more comedic than musical, I think their only two hits were 'Mouldy Old Dough' and 'Desperate Dan' the lady that played the piano was one of the band's mother if I recall correctly. Mouldy Old Dough was a parody on the old Jazz theme Vo-de-O-do, sorry for the useless information but someone may be interested.

I think I was having too wild a life, and getting married settled me down, I was 21 when I got married.

I remembered Richy was not playing well against Leeds but he was subbed out by Keane. Not a like for like change with King. I saw this as a thoughtful move to preserve Richarlison's pride.

Same in this match when commentators calling out James was not effective in the 1st half and could be subbed during half time. But he was not and produced such a beautiful 2nd goal. Then was taken off on the high rather than at the low. I know this doesn't necessarily work out every time but I think Carlo is a really good man-manager rather than a pure tactician.

Also, very happy with Unsy's work. You can see what's being instilled in our young players with the like of Calvert-Lewin, Kenny, Holgate, Davies. Some may make the grade, some won't. But their fighting spirits and grittiness are there.

For Richarlison, I know he sulks. But to jump to the conclusion that he doesn't want to play for us is premature. He's ambitious. Maybe he's simply not happy with himself and thinks he can do better.

Also, after watching "The Last Dance" about Michael Jordan, the pro's mindset can be different from us. Michael even made up things that had not happened to incite himself to raise his own performance. Richarlison is just in the form re-discovering period rather that his head has turned. He will start scoring goals again.

COYB

Derek, I used to love that tune “Mouldy Old Dough”, not heard it for yonks. A very good all round weekend for you I presume with Scotland winning at Twickenham.

Anyway, a wise man once said to me:- “Offence cannot be given. It can only be offered. It is up to us whether we take it or not”.

I never listen to the RS on the radio but, very tentatively, switched it on around 7:30 and then had an entertaining couple of hours listening to the phone-in inquest!

Edna are twin sisters
Edna 1 and Edna 2
Charlstoneing with a boa
Yodelay ee oo

I used to love Top of the Pops then. You'd get every genre pop song of the day, the occasional obscure American act, and these wonderfully weird novelty acts such as this old mum playing 'Mouldy Ould Dough' on piano.

Who remembers ukelele playing Tiny Tim, with Miss Lily at his side singing a falsetto 'Tiptoe through the Tulips'? Or Whistling Jack Smith, whistling his way through, 'I was Kaiser Bill's Batman'?

My personal favourite, The Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band, performing their classic tune, 'Do the Trouser Press Baby'. The unforgettable time when 'The Crazy World of Arthur Brown' almost set the studio alight in the late '60s when performing their hit 'Fire'!! English eccentricity at its best. Sadly a dying art form. Had me and my teenage mates in stitches.

By the way, just noticed the fixtures for our last game of the season. Man City away! A title decider between us or what?

Listen, if a fella whistling could make number one in the charts, then don't tell me I'm whistling in the dark!

Without being too petty as it's true we all make mistakes I'll make it clearer, I don't think Olsen has made any 'clangers', BIG errors. I don't blame him for any Utd goals.

I for one wouldn't have blamed Pickford for the goals but I understand some may as some blame Olsen. Nothing wrong with differing opinions.

I enjoy great goals. Utds 2nd was one of them as was James' touch and finish.

I understand footwork is one of Pickfords strengths. He's got quicker more nimble footwork.

In terms of kicking, Olsen has been pretty accurate and I don't recall many going out of touch unlike Pickford who often sends kicks out of play.

Small margins, I think they are both good keepers but Olsen is steady, Pickford edgy.

Pickford hasn't improved or matured as much as I had hoped but probably still a few year's away from being of steady goalkeeping age.

The modern game, more possession based, keepers being involved more, sweeper keeper etc doesn't help keepers to stay calm and think.

They say keepers, more than any other position have a few loose screws. But mental strength and concentration is so important. Maybe he needs help tightening one or two.

I would like to see Olsen given a run of 6 or 7 games to really judge him but he's not our player permanently and so isn't as straight forward. As ever, I trust Carlo knows best.

Come to think of it, we could have used that at Goodison a few times, some of the shite that has been served up and on display. Thankfully that's in the past, new era, new hope and new horizons now.

Without sounding sexist, I wonder if the Ladies Women's Team have thought about using "We've Got a Lovely Bunch of Coconuts"? Just a thought. :-)

As an afterthought, Ken Buckley used to write such fabulous reports on the game in his articles “From my seat”. How is he? I can only imagine what a wonderful report he would have done on that match.

I hope he is well and will consider returning to delight us all with his insightful and humorous reports.

Regards to all Toffee supporters from a diehard Evertonian in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Someone on here may have heard the story from someone who was there 40 years ago I can only remember the "day will come again " bit I'm not sure what else was said. That was the days when actual Human Beings watched Liverpool not bandwagon jumpers.

I am total sick of the weekly reminder now and I think Everton should refuse interviews until its dealt with by the club.

I am not sure when Pickford's contract expires, or if we could offload him before that, or if anyone would be interested, just because he is considered England's Number One at this moment in time, doesn't guarantee anything. Look at the paths of Paul Robinson and Joe Hart. I do feel more comfortable with Olsen but don't think overall, he is the ultimate answer either.

Donnarumma has often been linked to us, with Carlo's connections, slightly younger than Pickford, but never tried at Premiership level, but I think he would be a pair of safe hands who will improve too. Then there's Rui Silva, another whose name has been linked to us recently. It will be interesting as with other positions to see how things unfold after the next Big Window.

James showed his undoubted class in the execution of his goal and DCL never stops going and never lets a miss upset him. Special mention also for Tom Davis who put in a huge shift and showed that he can contribute when called upon.

I expect more rotation but would prefer to see a stable central defensive partnership start to develop when we are back to a one game a week schedule.

A very important two weeks ahead starting with Spurs in the Cup on Wednesday and finishing with the Derby on Saturday week. If we are still in the Cup and have accumulated an additional 5 points in the League when the referee calls time on Saturday week I would take it.

We are not perfect but we are getting better and there is a lot still to play for as we approach the final third of the season.

I see no difference to Virgil having his foot straight and planted in the turf, to that of when Gomes studs got stuck in the turf as the Spurs player made contact.

Yet we as a team went into the Spurs dressing room to console Son with dignity.

Our neighbours however became the victims and let every man and dog know that Pickfords tackle was the worst since football began, and never let it drop.

Class by Everton, just what you come to expect from our neighbours,shithouses, each and everyone of them and the media.

The last paragraph especially.

Its bad enough our so called local paper links us with players they wouldn't dream of mentioning around Liverpool targets, regardless of how their form is.

I don't like Pickford but no way does he deserve the pathetic commentry every single week since the Derby, doing their best to make out he has all but ended Liverpools plans single handedly.

Its about time someone stood up for him and taught the pundits a thing or two about double standards.

Allison is metaphorically (and possibly literally) half the man.

Good post Bill.
Be doing Pickfords state of mind no good either with constant reminders from the media.

When one of their fans tells me Pickford cost them the league I give the same reply every time.

"Great isn't it"

But of course, Virgin Van Dick won't be at the finals, because I believe he's out injured!!

BUT..this week Everton can put me on Cloud (9) with a simple task. Beat Spurs and Fulham and give every True Blue a much deserved "Special" week. Not much to ask for but we will still have to improve on the Man U performance.

I know we are in a relatively good position and we are doing Okay but with effort effort and more effort, along with a generous dose of skill we can can do even better.AND we may even get right to the top by beating CITY in ten days time...Please !!!

Although we list Mo Besic as being in our squad, he is only to the extent that Everton hold his registration. But he hasn't been listed by Everton with the Premier League for playing games this season, and so is not eligible to play. Carlo cannot select him. Not that he even wants to, I'm sure. It was a deliberate attempt to get him to find another club.

So why is the constant bullying, death threats etc, being allowed to be discussed on national television and media Every Day on Jordan Pickford by ex professional players.

All this must be having an effect on Pickfords Mental health, so why is this still acceptable and why have Everton not stood up for the player, and made a complaint to the Premier league.

I agree at full speed it's hard to spot, nit in slow mo though.

https://youtu.be/wQOrkvDTw0g