Ancelotti hails 'brilliant' display at Spurs

Expect there will be a few ups and downs throughout the season but we have a manager with high expectations and who knows what he wants from the players.

It's only one win but to see a controlled and quality performance away against a top 6 side make this a wonderful day for Evertonians.

All the more so as this was clearly no flash in the pan. The football we played with our new midfielders looks like it will become the norm this season.

I watched the game with a level of excitement, tension, and sheer happiness that I haven't felt in years watching an Everton game. I even forgot about the fact that there was no fans in the stadium. I was of the belief that football was dead until fans return, but today has given me a new lease of life.

Thank you Carlo, Marcel and Farhad. A new era has begun.

Early days but if this a sign of things to come brands and Ancelloti have made some excellent business.

Turns out I was brainwashed as an impressionable young man by David Moyes.

A long way to go but a fine performance.

WBA, will be tough to beat, but if.. 1984, and let's see if we can beat WBA.

Interesting to see if there's any more incomings, and if any outgoings.

But you can't ask for much better than to start the season with a fine win at one of the so called Sky Darlings, Sky Top Six.

Outstanding Everton FC today. Augers well, but very early days. Ten games in and let's see where EFC is.

In his first game. The smile just won't leave my face.

All 3 new boys had very good games.

Pickford with 2 great saves at nil nil. Coleman keeping Son quiet.

Spurs were lucky it was only 1-0 I don't think I have seen Richarleson miss so many chances. Think we dodged one in not getting Højbjerg.

A bullet header was another bit of quality.

I even thought Sigurdsson looked good and put a shift in when he came on.

Interesting formation with Gomes more advanced.

Utft.

I think the easing new players in to our system is flawed in this case because our previous system was so flawed the last thing we wanted was for our new players to pick up on that haha.

Top draw, spurs where bad though very bad, lazy is an understatement they just couldn't be assed!

Loving the new signings as well excatly what we needed.

Can't wait for West brom now! COYB!

I also hope a few more performances like that from Pickford will shut up the negative rubbish he gets on this forum.

The main thing for me was the belief that the 3 new guys seemed to instil in the rest of the squad. Nobody panicked. They all raised their own games including those who came on from the bench.

We still need more attacking options and cover at the back if we are going to challenge for honours. But this win will make players take note. If we approach them they will know they have the chance of joining a team going places. That hasn't been the case for a while.

I think I might just go and watch it again.

This has put down a marker to other p!layers. Mina, Digne and Coleman were up to it. Gomes was as well, but still recovering pace. Keane had one stray pass but pushed up competently. Richarlison was always available; him and Calvert-Lewin will improve positionally and on finishing.

Sigurdsson was shown up a bit by Davies, who really got stuck in, as did Kean. Pickford was good, but his distribution needs to be better. Giving the ball back to the opposition is not good enough.

Watch the whole thing, mate. It was class. Richarlison could have had at least one.

As one poster said, Spurs were awful but for a first game with all 3 new signings playing 90 mins, it was great to watch. The lack of pace in the back line still makes me nervous mind.

Good Times. Bravo Carlo!

Allan looked a little ropey for the first quarter hour but, feck me, grew into the game. Doucouré was excellent and upped the energy levels across the middle. James was sublime. Didn't, like others, think he would start but he showed that when you are that good then you don't need to be running like a maniac. We will score a lot of headers this year from his pinpoint assists. Think Richarlison was just surprised with the number of opportunities that opened up for him as result.

Great goal from Calvert-Lewin but would love to see him strike and control the ball better, it'll come. I was half expecting Mina or Gomes or James to limp off after 15 mins but I think now we won't see as many slight injuries this year as players bodies subconsciously realise that this may be their year.

Pub in New Brighton was very quiet compared to the RS game according my eldest who works there. I needed a few hours kip following the match/pints and woke up just in time for MotD which didn't make us look half as good we were. Plus ca change there...

I used to think a lot on here were paranoid about a Sky agenda, I'm now asking the same question...

Bloody good performance today, I was very pleasantly surprised.

It was a beautiful goal. As they started the replay I was just hoping it wasn't off a shoulder or nose because it looked so perfect in play. And sure enough, it was perfect.

I don't think he ever had the chance of signing a exceptional, top tier player. So Carlo is right. And so was Moyes maybe?

Great performance, especially for game one, away from home. Personally I thought James did ok, then I watched the highlight reel and realised how good he was! But for me Doucouré was just as impressive. He did a lot of work. And first half Gomes looked much more like himself.

Happy days. 3 points away from home at Spurs. They were pants on the day but still had enough quality up front to have got something out of the game

Excellent and amazing result. Just wondered at times when the team looked tired why there were no subs coming in. My theory was (1) Carlo has little belief in the bench (something that can worry me in casé the subs MUST play) or (2) he was confident it was just tiredness and anything else.

It really surprised me James played the whole game, and what a game he played. As well as the whole team, of course. But those touches, with that exquisite left foot...

Wanna fly to Goodison right now! COYB!!

Great to hear the manager after the game talking about needing to be consistent and the confidence he has in the new players. All three were impressive and it may only be one game but it's been a long time since I looked forward to our next game as I do after today's performance.

If I had to name of MotM it would be Allan by a nose. He was really superb. Pulling Son from the outside and putting him central played right into our hands. Allan owned him all day and the entire 2nd half he was a non-threat.

But everyone contributed. I haven't been this happy in a long time!

I really think we should be careful and manage our new and also our injury prone players for the league campaign unless we look at the latter stages of the cup games. Give our now fringe players, where possible, a game against Salford and same team as Spurs against West Brom:

Pickford
Kenny Gibson Keane Nkounkou
Davies Sigurdsson Bernard Gordon
Kean Walcott

I'm intrigued as to why we swapped our CBs, with Kean on the left and Mina on the right? Maybe to deal with the pace of Son?

I thought that Coleman (as much as I like him) started with this mentality, he was the main one in the first 15 minutes to pause and pass sideways or back to the keeper. He grew into the same mentality as the rest as the game wore on.

I also believe this played a large part in Richarlisons miss, we don't expect to score against these teams and panic when we get an opportunity. This is why, I believe, that all 3 started. They didn't get the chance to be drawn into the defeatist mentality that we have had for years, they went out there expecting to win and they did.

It doesn't matter who Rodríguez and Allan play, they will believe they can beat them. I hope this rubs off on the rest permanently.

Interesting to see if there are any more outgoings or incomings in the transfer market before the deadline. Dare I say it, but a couple more in and a few out could see us being a serious unit.

Calvert-Lewin also put one hell of a shift in. Some of his lay offs, esp with his chest, were sublime.

Antithesis of some other managers (eg Silva) where you get the impression they are making the game more complicated - and not trusting the players to take responsibility.

Very pleasing.

Also, Calvert-Lewin attacked that ball in from Digne in some style. A magnificent leap and header.

Any of the tactical contributors able to offer any clarity on this? Just wondering why Neville commented on it a few times.

It's been a long time since everything has worked out for us and it's just mental how the new trio have bedded in pretty much seemlessly.

In all fairness this wasn't the greatest Spurs team and there's clearly something not right with Harry Kane. Still, they have the players who can win a game with one piece of magic.

Then we scored - and he didn't mention it again!!!

Personally I think it's good. Too often in the last few seasons all our defence have been running backwards trying to win the ball (like Spurs were for our goal), at least this way our biggest players can watch the ball come in and attack it moving forwards. They are far more likely to connect with a decent header this way.

Richarlison was a constant thorn in the Spurs defence and kept them at full stretch.

For once, Atkinson's ineptness worked to our advantage on the free kick.

The new guys slotted in brilliantly and lifted the others.

Kudos to Ancellotti and his staff for having everyone up for it.

By the way Southgate, Dier is not England centre back material !!

Virginia
Kenny Branthwaite Gibson Nkounkou
Iwobi Davies Bernard Gordon
Kean Walcott

I wouldn't mess around too much with the team for Salford. Yes we have a hectic schedule but an embarrassing loss would sap confidence and cut off one route to Europe. I don't have any faith in a Sig Tom Iwobi Bernard line up with a kid in goal. Maybe change one or two but major changes seems like too great a risk

Pickford
Kenny, Keane, Mina, Nkounkou
Allan, Doucoure, Davies
Walcott, Kean, Bernard

Leaving Sigurdsson, Gordon and Iwobi On the bench. (Although I'd quite happily play Gordon instead of either Bernard or Walcott).

I would go for Ajay's team except for Iwobi where I would play Sigurdson alongside Davies and put Gordon on that side instead of Iwobi.

Give him the full 90 against Salford, I'm sure there is a player there he just needs minutes.

Of course Ancelloti has the necessary funds to emboldened his midfield and Moyes had next to nothing. So what Moyes did was he made sure his midfield were fitter than their opponents.

As such, our midfield used to harass, disrupt, slow and stymy even the likes of Man Utd and Liverpool because our lads could run 90 minutes without a sign of fatigue.

Whatever we lacked in skill, we made up in brute strength and perseverance. That's why we had so many 1-0 wins.

Iwobi, Walcott, Sigurdson, Davies, Delph thrown under the bus right there. Sometimes you have to be ruthless.

On paper, that is not a bad looking side for an EFL cup game.

The haters hate, and the last week or so they have said little; however, the first bad result will see them come out of the woodwork.

We could win the league and they'd slag Ancelotti. They can't help themselves. They set their stall out before he joined and can't be seen to change.

We finally have the luxury of squad rotation, so give the new guys the day off. They all played the full 90 (or almost) on Sunday and nobody is fully game-fit yet, so leave 'em home, keep 'em healthy and save 'em for the Baggies.

I had no idea Gibson was at Salford. That swings it. We definitely can't play the second string lamo's. Even overweight, injured and drunk, Gibson has more fight in him that Iwobi and Sigurdsson combined.

I feel your pain for the Moyes generation, my brother and son who are part of that. You are bang on. An entire generation has grown up on played down expectation that the manager used (and continues to use) to protect himself.

Good players and good managers are self-evident.

On the Moyes thing, I seriously and genuinely hope that he finally calls it a day once this latest West Ham gig goes wrong for him. And that is for the sake of his own dignity. You were good for Everton for a period and that was your peak. You are now just setting yourself up for failure on a consistent and repeatable basis.

Our sad man at the bar merchants must be gutted. Must be sticking to haunting houses as no sign of them on here. But keep a strong side for Wednesday. Don't trust the midfield bums from last season to get us a result. Against anyone.

We need to have our key players available for the big games, avoiding pointless injuries at this stage of the season.

We have enough deadwood mouth breathers stealing a living from our club. Put the likes of Sandro, Besic, Bolasie et al out tomorrow with Iwobi and Walcott. At least by playing the deadwood it might act as a shop window.

Forgive my ignorance if I'm wrong (don't much keep up with the lower leagues now) but aren't League 2 players full time? I had a PE teacher (20 years ago granted) who went full time in The Conference.

The average wage in League 2 is around £40,000 per year. Some get more whilst others get significantly less. At first this appears to be a decent wage; however, football is a short career, especially with injuries. Further, a 15- to 20-year career in League 2 won't pay for a 25-year mortgage. You are right many are full-time but a lot of the players have other professions to fall back on.

Makes sense plus what's it 25 per cent tax? Fragile existence really. I did see Salford paying some signing from Aberdeen £4k a week but after less than a year he's at Solihull I dare say earning a whole lot less.

Lössl; Kenny, Keane, Branthwaite, Nkounkou; Walcott, Davies, Sigurdsson and Iwobi; Bernard and Kean in a 4-4-1-1.

I think Ancelotti will have that idea of playing the fringe players in these kind of games. Bench: Bolasie, Sandro, Besic and whoever else.

Anyone knows what's the situation with the return of spectators to stadiums? Any aproxímate dates or too soon to ask yet? Heard Boris Johnson saying October as a probable time but never saw that confirmed.

I'm buzzing to seeing this new Everton live! COYB!!

Pickford
Kenny Keane Mina Nkounkou
Sigurdsson Allan Doucoure
Walcott Kean Bernard

Davies, Gordon and Lewis Gibson getting on in the second half.

No-one's talking meaningless stats. No-one's prattling on about 'resale value'. No-one's spouting nonsense about 'age'.

Ancrlotti doesn't need to play the modern coach 'look at me, aren't I clever & innovative' game. He knows, like many of us, that football is still a very simple game. Get good players who want the ball, are comfortable with it, who take responsibility, who call others out when they don't do it. That raises performances all round.

There will be bumps in the road this season. Spurs looked like a side with lots of internal problems. Above all, I'm glad we have a manager who uses his eyes and pitch-learned nous.

Good players know how to play. Strong men know how to take and demand responsibility. It's only one thirty-eighth of a season, but it was a lovely, simple, effective start.

Going back to sleep at 5 am was out of the question as I looked for match reports online. It seems we totally took the media by surprise didn't it and that made me smile more. Bit as the day wore on, it became more of the Spurs excuse show, bad referee show, how poor Spurs were etc...

All we have to do is keep doing it and improving too.

Overall, I thought it was a dogged performance, hard work put in, result deserved. Not a fabulous football experience but that will come, more bite in this match than a great white – so long absent, it was brilliant to watch that alone.

On an aside, I think Bernard would complement the midfield as he has another Brazillian compatriot with Allan and Richarlison, and it's the understanding of how to play to the strengths that may just raise his game too. But there are various options now available and, let's face it, when you have a strong midfield, the options are made to enhance it not replace it.

Well done, Blues, and thanks for making my day!

I have watched all the other Prem games thus far, and appreciate that Man U and City haven't played yet, but I haven't seen anything, although early doors, that we should be fearful of.

I just hope we continue tomorrow night's (also televised) game at GP against Salford City, in the Carabao Cup and take it seriously. As you will be well aware we have NEVER won that in any of it's various guises. I think it's about time we did!

Ancelotti will not rest until he is competing with the Sky six toe to toe, anything less he will find totally unacceptable . After half of one window he is well on the way to achieving it.

That's the crux of it, you cannot separate the importance of their influence. They've been brought in to play to their specific strengths in a system that Ancelotti wants. In effect keeping it simple and getting the maximum out of his players. I think they enjoy playing for him because of it.

It is a long season in England so we do need more cover for the inevitable injuries. But for once we can be optimistic! I just hope we can see them soon.

Salford pay very well. They're anything but part time.