Solid Everton grind out another victory

Still need a speed merchant on the right as a get-out when under pressure to carry a threat at both side.

That said, there are two differences this season.

1. There's more character (and more resilience in midfield) so we didn't crumble.

2. We have the players to produce a little bit of quality to make a difference. The first goal was a beautiful move.

Iffy performances by a few. Allan I thought was exceptional. But top of the table after 3 and 5 wins from 5 in all competitions. COYB!

Playing some lovely football in the first half but we had to dig in a little second half. Never an easy team to play away, Palace. We probably would have lost this in previous seasons but there seems more steel in the team now.

On our previous three Premier League displays, I would like to see Gomes benched. He is nowhere near the player he was when we first signed him.

Top of the tree... Only another 31 points needed to avoid the drop. COYB

Loads of good performances, rather than any great ones, but this is what happens when you improve the team, although I agree with Martin, we will still need more pace out wide in some games.

I was made up with Doucouré, a new club, a new style, he gave the ball away quite a bit, but he never went missing and his physicality was really needed in the last 30 minutes imo.

Well done, Everton, the fact that I was getting nervous, must mean I'm starting to think we could achieve something this season, especially if we can find a bit more pace?

No fans in stadiums for whole of the season.

Everton that! 😂😂😂😂

Victory in that sort of game does wonders for confidence. We were messy in the second-half but we didn't buckle.

I thought the defence generally played well. Calvert-Lewin in the last 5 minutes was brilliant, earning us breathing space.

A bit lucky with the VAR, for once, but a well earned 3 points, nevertheless. Despite numerous free-kicks, Pickford was rarely troubled and we saw the game out with little trouble.

The penalty was a penalty by the rules, and that's all the ref can do, but it's awful harsh.

I was very impressed with our game management in the last 20 minutes or so. Yes, Palace had a lot of the ball but we were very solid and gave them nothing. We also had our chances to put the game to bed but I'll take the win.

As others have said, we would have crumbled last season but a lot better character appears to be in the team now. Long may it continue!

Defence excellent, Coleman in particular. Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison worked extremely hard.

Good win against a tough team. I thought Palace would tire but they didn't.

Ugliest win this season. Happy to see we can achieve that sort of result in this sort of game against this type of opposition.

We looked so good at the start of the game up to our opening goal. What a work of art that was, involving Gomes, Coleman, Doucoure, James, Coleman again and – BANG! – Calvert-Lewin's finish.

We progressively became too passive, played too deep and started – as we did all game – to give up corners and free-kicks around our penalty area which is always Palace's main threat.

We were poor on the corner they scored from. Kouyate running back off the goal line and in doing so losing Richarlison, giving him the space to head home.

I'll take any VAR decision that benefits us. Question answered who takes the penalties when Sigurdsson isn't on the pitch.

Really scrappy 2nd half for the most part and whilst there were some palpitations, nothing really threatening from the home team.

Mina doing a very good Stracqualursi impersonation, trying to head the ball prostrate on the ground. Yerry was such a dominant player in both penalty areas in his time playing for Palmeiras here in Brazil. I've yet to see him reach that sort of level consistently in a Blue shirt. Today was further evidence he is, shall we say, a tad 'unorthodox'.

Doucouré was wayward in his passing today and James wasn't quite on it as in his previous appearances but, as per his part in the opening goal, when he's good, he's very, very good.

Pickford, other than a mistimed punch clearance which failed to get height or distance, was fine.

Seamus, far from over the hill. Digne, tenacious quality. Michael Keane, yet another fine game and (as he has always had in his locker) a good passing range. Allan the glue that holds us together. Calvert-Lewin, 5 in 3. Impossible to knock. Gomes his best game of the season. Play like that every week, and he stays in the team. Richarlison, another high-octane performance in defence as well as attack. He is playing exceedingly well at the moment.

The three subs with little time to impress, but what they did (or rather, didn't do) was all a bit 'meh'.

First time in 27 years Everton has won the opening 3 games of a league season. Five straight on the bounce with the cup wins. What I'm also liking is Everton winning on the road again. Six wins in 11 Premier League away fixtures under Carlo.

Maybe, just maybe, this Italian geezer does know what he is doing.

Nine points from three games. Top of the League. Midweek game, went to London and won.

We're gonna win the league! 😜

Today's 3 subs did little to take the pressure off and Iwobi was seemingly determined to get Palace a point.

What a luxury to have a Rolls-Royce of a player like James, someone who can unlock any defence.

I think he was the difference today and no doubt will be again in similar games. He was excellent today, he plays the game at his pace, in his slippers, although he was noticeably tiring towards the end.

What a talent!

As mentioned above, our game management was superb. Allan was excellent and, even when he's not in the game, James produces something every time he touched the ball.

Shout out to Keane who so far this season has been excellent. Five wins, top of the league and can't complain at the minute!

Every time he challenges for the ball, he's giving away free-kicks around our box. He has your heart in your mouth any time he's involved.

Brighton up next and a very winnable game.

The big test comes after that one, we will really know how far we have progressed then.

But this report in The Guardian, Palace vs Everton made me laugh:

...Around 10 minutes later, Lucas Digne tried to head the ball into the path of Richarlison, only for the ball to flick Ward's hand on its way through. Play continued. Palace had an attack. Everton won the ball back. Autumn turned to winter. Joe Biden won the presidential election. Random parts of Greenland continued to melt into the Arctic Ocean. Winter turned to spring. Ward retired and grew old. Humanity itself finally incinerated and perished in the Second Great Conflagration.

At which point, Kevin Friend brought play back, studied the video screen and awarded Everton a penalty for the earlier handball. Richarlison, by now a wizened, shrivelled stack of bones and rags barely recognisable from his younger self, tucked it past Vicente Guaita into the top corner.

This season, I love us so much more as a team. If you get past Allan, Doucouré will get you and vice versa. If you get past both, our defence is more organised.

The penalty award may have been correct, only because of the distance between Digne and the defender (according to the new rules). Plus, Richarlison may have been through if the defender hadn't stopped it. It was borderline, but I'll take it all day long!

I'm glad we won but I just hate the way some of these laws are being implemented at the minute. Rather than being talking points, I'm sure it's going to turn loads of people off football, although I can only speak for myself.

I also saw signs today of Gomes getting back into shape and form. Yes, Yerry can be chaotic but I thought he was very much part of the defensive effort today.

Have a happy night, Blues. We deserve it, we really do.

Also, the centre-back situation remains unsolved. We need a good solution there.

If these problems are solved, I think we could be challenging the top 4/6.

With the pitch soaked, I thought Gomes and James, particularly the second, struggled a bit. Carlo should have dropped James a bit sooner. I didn't see Sigurdsson coming on though, as I thought, we needed someone more aggressive.

I don't like Sigurdsson, he passes the ball well at close range, he just doesn't have it like James, he is average but still manages to hide it pretty well, making all those precise passes that really don't leave anywhere.

A ball in the middle of the goal is always a minus for a keeper, I'm starting to think something has to be done, drop him and put Virginia for a few games, you never know...

The negatives, such as they were: Mina does not look up to being our first choice centre half, I can see why Barca let him go, he gives away too many cheap free kicks; no howlers from Pickford but he is certainly no Schmeichel in bossing his box, those corners were often inside the 6 yard box but Jordan rarely comes to catch them, or even punch them; Dom got his goal but only just, it was an easy chance that should really have been saved, not sure he is as clinical a finisher as some claim. On the other hand, his hold up play in the last 10 mins or so was exemplary and much needed.

On the upside, Coleman had a better game than normal, as did Keane apart from missing his man on their goal. Richie may not have had much of a sight of goal but for a flair player, he gives everything for the cause. The rest were average in the sense they did what you'd expect, for example the now normal flashes of brilliance from James, without being much if at all above their normal level. But that is now enough, whereas it wasn't last year.

Tut! Tut! You forgot to mention winning the Carabao Cup first.

Tough assignment successfully negotiated through grit, determination, focus and of course, skill

Job Done.

We are top of the league FFS!!

Yes Doucoure has an amazing ability to hit high speed quickly but crucially he's very calm about timing the tackle. He mad a near identical tackle versus Spurs and both could have led to red cards and or goals if he hadn't timed it to perfection. I thought he and Allan played well but credit to Palace the two former Hibs players have them a hell of a battle

A solid performance with the new signings playing their part. Hard to pick a motm think Allen just shades it for me.

UTFT.

I wish we'd cut out the stupid free kicks where their player is going nowhere. Mina and Gomes are always inviting pressure via silly fouls.

Biggest thing for me is that we seem to be getting a bit of luck, for a change.

Well done Blues.

Today was all about Allan and Doucouré, whilst not great with the ball, between them they broke up the play and allowed others to get back, double up and snuff the move out.

Even our two forwards were relentless in their physicality without the ball. I'm seeing signs of an extra gear with Richarlison too, I thinks he's first to realise with James in the team what the knock on effect for him is.

A full team of 6/7s today ensures a gritty and satisfying win.

There are no easy games in the Premier League, so we have to get used to today. There will be many more days like this. Battles that have been fought and won.

Doucoure and Allan give us the steel and protection that the defence needs to overcome really well organised and physical teams like Palace.

In thought the whole team battled well for each other , so no motm needed. I thought Iwobi looked a bit lost when he came on and needs to do better. I thought Siggurdson looked more focused and did well .

It will be an interesting 10 days until he transfer window shuts, with one or two good strategic signings we can strengthen our hand a bit more. We are looking like a very good destination now. It will all rest on Brands moving on two or three ( or four) to give him some financial leeway, and then finding time to bring in one or two good solid players.

Finally a brief word about Pickford, good to see him have a relatively boring game. Just keeping it simple.

More of he same please Jordan.

Only three teams at 6 points (apart from CP). Arsenal and Liverpool play Monday, so that's at least one of them behind us. That leaves only Leicester.

I love living in the moment! And I just noticed WBA are 3-0 up against Chelsea right now. Time for another drink, I think!

Coleman at the final whistle opens his pocket and releases Zaha and Eze - points to screen replays how to make a run and an assist.

If young Mitchell is a Premier League standard full back, then Digne is close enough to being called world class now - and Baines must have been in the top 5 in the world at his peak surely, as a comparison?

Rodriguez with 3 smothering him left and then right on the touchline - fully boxed-in, then innovating a chipped pass to midfield was an unbelievable moment in the game reminiscent of Ronaldinho in his prime.

Everyone else superb, and of course Carlo for 5 wins on the bounce. No many would have thought it possible a month ago. Brighton looks doable too.

EFC coming out to Champions League music anyone?

Two away games and one home game.
Scored 8 conceded 3.
9 points.
2 sloppy goals against WBA accepted.
However, get behind the team and stop criticising until there is a need to do so!

Just goes to show our results of Spuds away, 5 goals at home to Baggies and an away win at Palace who may be top half is a fantastic start !

COYB

Our penalty was "lucky" - definitely been angered if that was given against us, and credit to Hodgson for saying that it was as bad as the one his side got last week at Old Trafford.

However, Palace were never going to be an easy game. But good to see that there's belief amongst the team again.

Between £900k and £1.5m. Think we may have paid up to guarantee getting him in.

I think it's a matter of who we can sell,or loan out, before we can improve even more. But the team spirit is excellent, we're confident much more so than last season and we are learning to take every match in earnest. Never mind what any other team does, it's what we do that is going to count in every match.
Never Give in!
If it was Winstons war Cry to the Nation, it should be ours.

The one downer of the day was Palace's goal, shades of last season there, demonstrating there is still work to be done.

However, the general improvement is beyond belief. Long may it continue.

Totally agree with your comments about the screening/broadcast.

Constant replays and shots of managers and players in the stands whilst the game is going on.

It seemed that the players were playing in slow motion and very poor commentary.

In answer to your question to Brian Williams about the teenager from Sweden signing for us and if there was a fee involved or compensation, I understand crates of Bombadier were involved.

I wonder who his agent is and what cut he got from the deal..?

Only slight gripe is crosses into our goal worry me, and we need Holgate back.

I had started to doubt Ancelotti and Brands, but they're lifting us up and restoring us to the levels we've dreamed about. Trophy success will be lovely, but having someone like James in the team and seeing us (first half only today) playing imaginative one-touch football is enough of a delight.

As for our durability, it's definitely a question mark, and I think of we are to have a stellar season we will need a lot of luck with injuries. Leicester had it, maybe we can too?

Make no mistake though, physically that was a tough game.

Personally I'd rather be solid than soiled!

The only thing we need, absolutely need is two more players now, not in the next window, to make the squad stronger, it is patently obvious there is not enough quality in the squad to get us through the season to the top six, two more players now will get us there, even higher.

It is what concerns me too, the physicality needed to maintain consistency for 38 games. At the moment we have only got Delph really to offer some if Allan or Doucoure suffer due to injury or fatigue. Can we rely on Delph to do that for a run of games?

Then it's the centre back, we need some uncompromising, physical backup there too, preferably with some pace , at the moment we have none.

Then Richie and DCL, we have Moise but he is raw, he wants to go back to Italy, he is homesick. We will undoubtedly need quality back up for the forward line too.

With some wheeler dealing there could be one or two bits of business in addition to the CB. Brands is on form so we may end up with another two or three players who will make a big difference to our endurance and consistency through this season.

He should not expect any of the Sky6 to be wanting to help us now with loans or sales though. Steer well clear of them and don't listen to any lies from them.

Also more than just simple passing from Gylfi. Moved the ball up the pitch and had the ball pinched by James just as he was about to shoot. Then an excellent sliding tackle to snuff out a counter attack.

The chemistry at centre half isn't quite right but it's just about working

Top of the table feels very good. And rather novel.

All 3 wins have been deserved and I see no reason why we can't continue to win.

I wonder how much Carlo will rotate for the Carabao game vs West Ham? There are those who wanted our strongest XI vs Fleetwood but I wager Allan and Doucore may not have won that game for us in that very physical midfield fight if they'd run 90 minutes in midweek.

Well done Carlo and the team. How nice to be excited to watch Everton again.

I don't think either of us are being greedy but want us to continue the obvious improvement we have started with up to now, without more assistance we are likely to fade away.

Hope to meet you sometime!

Some may contend the offside rule is stupid, I don't, I'm just using it as an example of how the media uses their interpretation of the rule to suit their agenda.

The new chelsea player was hit by the ball on his hand, last season that may have precluded the ensuing Chelsea goal. Once more I quote the BBC.

"VAR checked that for handball in the build-up, it did hit Kai Havertz on the hand but it's allowed to stand. Last season that would have been chalked off."

Granted I only saw the second half today which was apparently our less convincing half, I personally thought we were always in control and I thought Carlo got his tactics spot on.

Last week I thought we got a lot of luck and I was angry with our midfield. Allan kept marauding up the pitch in attempting to win the ball high, kept getting there too late and left no one at home, Gomes had his head up his arse and Doucoure looked like he bad been on the piss before kick off as he kept falling over himself. I thought we got the breaks and they shot themselves in the foot with the red card and the game became easy after that.

Today against the pace of Palace we defended deep, controlled the space and asked them to break us down if they are good enough. They are at their most lethal on the counter and we never gave them an opportunity to do so and even when likely on two occasions Doucoure got to Zaha while Allan did a lovely sneaky foul that our midfielders don't normally have the brains to commit. I thought all three were excellent.

This was the perfect way to play against this opponent as we made them run out of ideas and resort to turn to their misfiring subs in desperation. Not many teams roll over Palace.

As for the madman who picked out Seamus he has been in imo our best player in the league this season. He made the difference with his run against West Brom for the all important goal and he kept the likes of Son and Zaha quiet in the other games. Very strange comment indeed.

Can't wait for weds to see Bernard, Gordon and Nkonkou strutting their stiff again. What a start!!

I think that we all be satisfied for 3 wins from 3. There may be tougher games ahead, but Ancelotti still has time to sell and strengthen. It would be great if we can stay top four or top six all season.

Just curious.

Otherwise, Nkounkou seems to me to have changed our options radically.

3 wins on the bounce is a fantastic start though and I'd hope we can make it 4 against Brighton. Points on the road are so important if we've got serious aspirations to finish top 6. 2 away wins already is a great start. It having an away crowd must help.

I really really really hope the likes of James, Richarlison, Allen and Doucoure don't get injured. Need to wrap these guys in cotton wool cause the back up on the bench is not near the same level. The first team have a week to recover so all good so far.

Win and no injuries so all good.

I posted to you on the Fleetwood thread, that I hadn't opened what you described as a beautiful box, I believed it was my season ticket because of what was printed on the bottom right hand corner. I suspect that these boxes were to be used for the purpose of distributing the season tickets, and were instead used to advertise the Everton merchandise.

I agree with those who rated Seamus man of the match. He was outstanding as an attacking full back in the first half and as a defender in the second.

Everton gained a goal today because of this new technology, but football is losing in my own personal opinion, because the laws need seriously updating, when you look at some of the penalties that have already been given across the board this season.

Brighton got a pen over-ruled by VAR today, so when a similar infringement happened later on in the same game, did the ref on the pitch carry on just in case his mate in the studio over-ruled him again, or did he suddenly feel that he'd got the first one wrong, so this time he was going to get it right?

I remember Laurel & Hardy when I was a kid, and used to repeat Oliver saying, “I was dreaming I was awake, but when I woke up, I found I was asleep” stupid I know - but at least it wasn't meant to be serious, which is something I think most football fans are when it comes to their team.

Was Lewin's handball a pen? No because the ref never gave it, so where do they draw the line?

He's done it, and that makes him emphatically our leader. Wonderful.

Also. When that ball is floated across, the defender at that pin this in the process of his own decision making. The result of his decision making was to block the ball with his arm. ‘Intentional'? Well it was his Arm, it was there. Did someone push him there, or put him into that position at gun point?

It's a penalty for me. As it would be had an Everton player done it.

To the game. Great start and then a real grind for the second 45. But we'd have lost that game some time ago. We won it. 3 points in the bag.

Did Allan even play today? He was completely anonymous. A real eye opener. Not a criticism but this game passed him it which surprised me.

The season ticket situation is a funny one, it makes me think we will not see many matches this season John, if any, maybe the last three or four at home which see us climb into the last four and stay there, it might be to much to see us win the league!!

I used the Brighton game as one example, and our decision took way too long, even just to begin with. When I said Palace could have went up the other end and scored, do you think if they did, Everton, would have still got the penalty, or the ref would have changed his opinion, and given them the goal?

It's all hypothetical, but if he still gave Everton the goal, I'm sure Calvert-Lewin would have also been penalized when the ball struck his arm, but maybe I'm just getting ahead of myself, because of the constant inconsistency I'm witnessing right now.

I thought Palace was exceptional today really, the energy, closing down, break-aways etc, looked dangerous and didn't give us any space to operate or time to move the ball around.

I think we all think we didn't play as well today but I think that's mainly down to how Crystal Palace played. Credit to them they are doing well so far this season, the front 4 lads they had was quick and full of energy and tracking back and defending. Ultimately though, and more importantly, we got the 3 points!

Them Townsend free-kicks and corners were scaring the life out of me, especially with Pickford's blunders last game. I think that was their plan: hammer as many balls into and around Pickford as much as possible and grab a goal off his errors. But ultimately we stuck to it and, in the end, Palace didn't have many clear-cut chances to score. I think we come closer to putting it to bed.

3 wins, 9 points, top of the league! Performances are very impressive compared to last season so I'm a happy blue today!

I think Delph would be helpful on the bench as well if he gets fit. James is pure class and Gomes's left foot, oh, what a pleasure to watch.

Digne, Allan, Coleman and Keane... great work. Calvert-Lewin till 20 won't stop seems like.

And thank you, Richarlison and Doucouré and for running your socks off and. And thanks Carlo for putting them all together. Proud to be a blue!

Though times will come some day, as Carlo said after the match, but we have a team that plays good football and top of the table!

COYB!

Last week, the referee in the Chelsea vs Liverpool game gave the Chelsea centre-back a yellow card, then changed his mind and gave him a red one. Now I thought once a yellow card had been shown, it couldn't be rescinded? By the way, I'm not moaning about the sending off – there couldn't have been any other decision.

Well, what I saw was enough. I have not used this word before to describe an Everton side but we looked slick. Fucking slick.

Last season, the best were dragged down by the average. Now, the average are being dragged up.

How can three additions increase your squad by seven? It has happened.

If we had Gordon come on, his industry and drive would have made us infinitely more secure and solid than Iwobi did. He needs to be on the bench in place of Iwobi.

This (alleged) new wunderkid flagged up by Brian, Imam Jagne. It takes some doing as you say to make a player's 'best bits' YouTube reel make him look like a combination of Niasse, Iwobi and Straq!

Hope there's no dodgy third-party ownership rights on the lad between you and Brian. If there is, make sure you have a clause in the contract that states you get the 'returns' on that crate of Bombadier that Williams fellah negotiated for himself.

Both struck the defenders arm at relatively close range, both were given.

What's the problem? Good enough for them, good enough for us.

Penalty was defensible, though harsh. My general rule of thumb is how would I feel if that call went against us, and I would have felt pretty hard done.

Richarlison took it well, but what's with the Brazilians and their cutesy run-ups? Gives me heart palpitations. Always feels like I'm watching a car crash unfolding in slow motion.

Doucouré had a few really sloppy passes, but reminded us of his value when he chased down Zaha on the break. As others said, if that had been Schneiderlin or Sigurdsson, see ya later.

James almost feels like he's operating on another plane of existence most of the time. He just sort of floats above the match, doling out fairy dust. Such a change having that level of quality in the side.

I was eager to see what Iwobi (or Bernard) might do after his strong showing mid-week, but bringing him on in the 85th minute, in blustery conditions, while we were trying to grit out a one-goal win, clearly wasn't an optimal scenario.

Brian's okay, as long as you've got eyes in the back of your head, them bottles of Desperado are going up and down like a brides nightie!!

They acknowledge that the game is very fast and yet they maintain you have to have control of your limbs at all time? I totally agree that the game is being sterilised to the n-th degree.

Yes, we were the beneficiaries today but, as someone has already mentioned, do you want to win at any cost?

As I may have mentioned, I started watching the Blues in the mid-70s, I could not have dreamed we would be scrutinized, as someone with a microscope studies creatures that swarm and multiply in a drop of water. I'm sorry I've just meandered into War of the Worlds, but that's what VAR is to me.

Today was a test EFC, passed and hopefully some luck in the transfer window, we can strengthen our squad, for a good season ahead for EFC.

There's a resolve and belief and no inferiority complex like the last few seasons

The tough are getting going which is good, and made up for the start made to this season.

Like you I started watching the game in the mid seventies, and I used to love being mesmerized by skill. The speed is frightening nowadays, less individuality even from the incredibly talented Rodríguez, (I can still remember Gary Jones, going past players on the bye-line!) and the only time I want to win at any cost, is anytime we play our neighbours, but the chances of anyone coming from mars, is obviously a lot slimmer than this happening I'm sure!

Very happy with the result today, and how it was achieved, not a game for the School of Science Library Collection, but nevertheless one that was ground out of a mixture of skill, determination and an element of luck.

Season gone by would have seen this be a draw, but it does seem we have turned the corner, depending on how the other games go over the week-end and Monday Night, we could be out on our own at the Top.

It's just a case of building on that, it was evident today that we still need a couple more in and a few out to be the serious contenders we aim to be. Thought after Wednesday's performance from Iwobi, he would have carried on where he left off, but that was not the case.

Hopefully Carlo and Marcel Brands have a couple more surprises with quality to add to the squad, and manage to ship a few out too, although time is running down, we then may just realise that dream that has started so well up to now.

Reallly. I thought Allan struggled today. Just my opinion. I also thought that there's no way that Palace team are going down. What a tough team to face

We should not worry about other teams, only ourselves, if our rivals lose or draw, then that is a bonus, but we must control our own destiny, if we can keep winning, a big if I know, it's up to the others to try and catch us!

Desperados is the preferred poison of Brian, not Bombadiers as I recalled. Had to look it up.

'tequila-flavoured pale lager beer..?'

Sounds like a way to ruin two decent drinks!

Explains a lot about Brian's posts, mind...

Health!

The improvements have been incredible

Obviously having been a life long Evertonian I know this won't last and we'll limp to a 10th place finish

But I'm also going to let myself enjoy this and dream. I can't believe it all. Absolutely buzzing!!

C'mon you blues!!

"Ball to hand" worked perfectly well and is quite obvious. This could be very reliably determined with current VAR and camera equipment, if the stuff must be used.

Talk of what may or may not have happened following the contact and so on (as in today's case) is clouding the issue. The offence is simply the action of deliberately contacting the ball with the hand.

The current situation is ridiculous. We live in an age where everything has to be messed with, and then marshalled by the God of Digitization.

Like others, I wait for this to be amended, and I think it will.

I always fear the worst in this type of scenario - Everton have let us all down most of our lives after all. But I do sense something different about the mentality at the minute. The 3 new signings have knitted the team together nicely and improved a lot of our deficiencies overnight. We seem to be having a go at teams, even away from home. 2 more wins please, and then we might get Holgate fit in time for the derby 2 weeks later.

Six PL wins on the road out of 11 since Carlo joined us. Even with our poor form on restarting last season, we've actually won four of our last 6 PL away games.

Long may this upturn away from Goodison continue.

Back to reading the rest of the posts.

We are indeed top of the league and I'm old enough to remember when that was an expectation, not a hope.

My post was not intended to be churlish, I'm thrilled that we finally are starting to make steps back to where we all want us to be. But in doing so, no harm in critical observation, and I would be very surprised if our manager did not do so. How otherwise can we hope to get better?

My own opinion is that he had been average in the context of what clearly has been generally good performances so far this season. In other words on average, everyone has played better than last year which is why we top the league. I'm not therefore meaning average as derogatory, our level is up this year. In this game, Seamus was better than that, you could say even better than the good level we and he has had in the last few games. It's a compliment.

I am absolutely behind the team. See my comment above re criticism. Carlo is raising the expectation bar and that means, even as we win, we need to be critical, no team is perfect and can improve if it is self critical, and I'm pretty sure Carlo will be encouraging such reflection. That applies even to the truly great teams I've watched over the years, the mid 80's teams and the gods of the late 60's.

We used to have a good idea of what handball looked like. And plenty of other things such as dangerous play, violent conduct, professional fouls...

The problem was that there was a degree of subjectivity involved. There were grey areas around the line between an infringement and a non-infringement.

Refs got criticised every single week. The reality is that they got 98% of the major decisions correct. And people agreed with 98% of them. The 2% gave us something to talk about.

So they changed the rules to make them Black and White. Not to get the right outcome, but to make sure they couldn't be accused of mistakes.

Now they get 100% of the decisions 'right' according to their rules. And I don't agree with most of them. I watch these slow motion VAR replays with no idea as to what will be given or not. I'm a lifelong player and supporter who doesn't understand the rules.

Refs will argue that's progress. I'll argue it's BS.

But anyway, UTFT!

It seems there are more than a few misconstruing my post. My point was, our level is up from last season, so our average is now better. Being 'average' is now a good level in this team the bar is raised. Seamus was even better than that. I thought it was his best game for a while.

I would have loved to have heard the Everton away fans at this one. The travelling support is always so good. Hopefully we get that back before too long.

Been there since 1964, through thick and thin.

Good start to the season, so enjoy while we can 👍

So, a fellow oldie!. Maybe I'm not so much of an oldie, my first big connection was 1968, that horrible cup final. It literally made me sick.

Maybe age makes me kranky but now we at last have some serious money being spent, this time on proper serious players, and not teary Bill's 5 bob notes stuffed behind the sofa, I don't want to just 'enjoy it while I can', I want it to last, and not just for this year. I'd like to think that is also the club's mindset now, it needs to be, we need Carlo and the squad to keep pushing themselves and to be self aware so they realise what they can do better. It's a very competitive league but there are signs that maybe this time it will stick.

That 'average' comment I made, well, James was 'average' by these new standards, but while he did fade a bit after an hour, his version of 'average' is a very obvious footballing talent the like of which we have not seen at our club for a very, very long time. Maybe 'normal' might be a better word to use than average, the latter perhaps has some implied negativity which wasn't my intention.

Nobody of the starting 11 had a bad game, nobody hit 10 out of 10 either.

Finding the right balance for Wednesday's game will be the trick. West Ham and Moyes, given their League position, will also have to decide how much they want to put themselves out for the League Cup...Interesting times.

As a real Oldie ( first game 1947) we are never too old to learn. Through thick and thin I have always loved being an Evertonian. I am over the moon when we win, and reasonably accepting when we lose. The Everton we are seeing just lately is as good as it gets. This is how football should be played by any Everton team.

I have seen the best (sixties and the eighties) and the worst(1951), with relegation. Hopefully the 2020's will be the best ever. Many older fans always talk about the past and just how great it was. Well truthfully we had some really bad times along with the good, but I have ALWAYS enjoyed watching Everton.

From one real OLDIE (bound to annoy other oldies who live in the past). Today's players are fantastic, skillful and do things that few players in my time could ever do.YESI know they are rich and greedy, but their wealth should not affect me. I don't really care how much they make as long as I am entertained by how they play. Keep up the good work. COYB

On the other issue, I don't think either one of the handballs should be given, Hodgson is right. It feels a bit like that umpire who turns down one close shout for LBW then feels obliged to give the next one, even though there's doubt about that one too.

However, I still believe our '80s team were mentally tougher as a unit, but let's hope Carlo is starting to instill that. I certainly saw some evidence of that yesterday.

The more people in the game, like Roy Hodgson, deride this pathetic system the better.

The quicker TV gets rid of pundits would also do no harm to football either.

Only referees and former referees seem to favour it, a fart on all of them, and the pundits.

Could I have read it wrong? Of course! But for me, rather than praise, he ridiculed.

We are not the full deal, we are a work in progress but I bet you we will upset the precious top six this season and qualify for Europe at the very least. So, for me, I want more than ever the team to make him eat those words as the season continues.

in fairness, Palace were decent and unlucky with the handball but perhaps we just edged it. I don't like the new handball rule and, as a bloke said on 5 Live this morning, Mane won the Reds the Champions League against Spurs by flicking it up into Sissoko's hand.

A quite stupid way to decide the major prize!

Well let's make that the point. I expect to be written off a little given how bad we were three months ago, but we can agree to hope we'll be digging that report out in 8 months time and feeling satisfied at how perceptions of us have changed.

Bring on Brighton, that will be tough based on their performance yesterday. Then it's the gobshites. I'd love it if we beat them, to quote a former gobshite.

Hats off at last to Moshiri for landing Carlo. The midfield is a joy to watch.

All this drama about a penalty when the ball clearly struck his arm and stopped a good chance for Richarlison to score.

I didn't see the media make a big deal when Keane was penalized last season against Brighton for standing on Connolly's toe whilst looking at the ball.

Also I think Woy needs to wind his neck in. Now he knows how the opposition feels when Palace's answer to Tom Daley wins them a dodgy penalty.

For 20+ years I've seen dubious penalty after dubious penalty either given against us or, more often than not, given to teams like Man Utd or Liverpool.
We deserved to win the game and deserve to be top of the league.
COYB!

My take is that the deep(ish) defence and our new midfield meant he didn't really have much impact. Townsend probably outshone him, perhaps because he had more space on his flank.

Zaha will have better games but he didn't stand out. I thought Richarlison looked much better in a very similar position.

Allen offers vital protection while the full-backs are allowed to attack down the flanks, Doucouré provides the box-to-box engine we have been missing for so long and James is a special player who can open up defences in spectacular fashion.

All-in-all, a joy to watch, although yesterday's game was more of a battle, we stuck at it and deservedly got the points. Things are looking up; well done, Carlo.

As for the penalty, I will take that all day. Some of the decisions we had against us last season, the Brighton one comes to mind, cancels out any we get this season.

I've been watching the Blues since 1962 now and seen some great teams. I am getting the same buzz I experienced during the '60s, '70s, and '80s teams.

I don't want to get carried away but fuck it, at my age, I deserve a bit of excitement!

Not the greatest match but you've got to know how to win those types of matches. Calvert-Lewin is impressing me finally. The goals he's scoring this season he probably wouldn't have last season. His positioning and movement is so much better than it was.

The steel seems to have entered his heart on this issue, and just in the last week. Then, he seemed more philosophical following the penalty they were awarded but it's clear now he was always opposed to the rule change from the start.

We clearly don't set the laws or implement them, but we will get the lucky tag, should we get another in the next match. I'd rather our open play dictated otherwise, and don't give ANYONE room for dispute.

Spot on. The media coverage generally isn't worth watching. The BBC is especially bad. The best thing Everton can do is simply ignore all the media bias and general nonsense, and try to win every game, preferably in style.

Regarding the latter, some of our quick inter-passing is a delight to watch, almost reminds me of the best Everton side in my memory, when we won the title in 69-70. Beautiful stuff.

Christine@160: I'm afraid that journalists aren't the brightest kids on the block.

Not what happened yesterday or what happened in Crystal Palaces game against Man Utd, these are not and never were penalties. I would imagine if there had been fans inside the grounds when either of these decisions were made it would have caused uproar.

We were all led to believe that the idea as we were told by the authorities it was to be used to clear up the anomalies, for example, Frank Lampard's goal against Germany when it was a least a yard over the line.

I fear that if they don't change the handball rule now clever players will when inside the box flick the ball onto the defender's hand knowing it will result in a penalty. When you let the likes of Mike Reilly who was one of the worst refs ever be in charge of something like this you know it will be a disaster.

People like Roy, Carlo and Wenger etc who understand football on a different level to most of the people making the rules up should have a proper input into this. The need to have an urgent meeting to form a plan to make better decisions.

As Brian above says, handball is when the hand or arm moves towards the ball in an unnatural position.

Sometimes the arm is out for balance, and within reason this is entirely natural! Being whacked on the arm from 2 metres when it is fairly close to the body is not handball.

The people who made up these ridiculous rules at FIFA or UEFA or whoever it is these days, have made a monumental mistake with all of it.

VAR should be scrapped completely in my view, it really has ruined the game we grew up with. By we, I mean the entire planet. They stop it constantly, review everything to do with a shot, potential penalty, handball, offside, everything – it's an utter shambles and nobody understands truly how to interpret the rule.

Football is the beautiful game because of it's flow -– take away the flow, take away the beauty.

Let's not forget that football is the world game because of one overriding factor – simplicity. Anyone can pick up a ball and play. Leave the game alone, you're breaking it from grass roots up. Handball is a fundamental part of the game, and if you start to meddle with it, the entire game itself becomes something very different as both a spectacle, and on a more spiritual level.

Roy Hodgson is absolutely right (he generally is in my view) and I was very happy to see his complaints. He knows.

Sure the last paragraph predicted we wouldn't win the league in the next three seasons, but I doubt many of us expect to. The TV and print Journalists and pundits do patronise us, but that will only change if we win something.

On VAR, I doubt Liverpool or Man Utd care that they were net beneficiaries of VAR decisions last season. One went our way, thank goodness.

Zaha is perfect for a team like Palace. He runs the ball unbelievably well and his power means he can stretch and occupy a defence almost single-handedly. His hold up play is probably the best in the league.

I don't think these are qualities that we need right now. We will now have to break teams down who will look to stop us playing and sit deep.

We will also have to break down the better teams who invariably have better defenders. I'm not sure Zaha in our system will add anything or augment anything that we haven't already got.

I do think we would benefit from another forward player but someone with more craft and guile than pace and power.

For all the gut-busting hard work Zaha does, he doesn't have the kind of quality output of other forward players. Think of when Landon Donovan joined us on loan. He instantly injected creativity. Intelligent play, creating chances and space for others. As well as being able to get amongst the goals himself.

Someone of his type would be much more beneficial to us, I think. I've enthused about the Italian Berardi for a number of years now. He'd be my choice.

After supporting the Blues for over 60 years, maybe the senile dementia is kicking in but I honestly believe that our club can win the Premier League in the next three years.

Berardi is curious in that he's still playing at Sassuolo. Very cultured player.

I wonder whether Gordon might fill the gap you describe since he has good feet and movement and end product. Would love to see him in the same side as Rodriguez.

I think if Sandro Ramirez is played today, he may score some goals too.

There is confidence everywhere in the team right now.

It also means it is easier for the authorities to decide definitively whether a decision was correct or not. They must hate it when they have the world baying at their door over a ref's decision, and they feel they cannot say whether it was correct or not because the test is left to the referee's discretion.

The lack of certainty is what the rule makers won't like. The thing is though, how they feel about it is not the most important factor when games are being ruined.

All Ancelotti three signings have hit the ground running and I loved seeing Allan barking instructions to Mina when Richarlison was taking the penalty, this guy is a leader on the pitch and you can see already he is demanding of his teammates.

Our next three fixtures will tell us more about how we are progressing and all are at home so COYBs. If we can win all these, I for one will start getting even more excited.

We really need to get out act together defensively, for me Mina doesn't cut it.

Coleman is inspired to win something and is leading by example, but it's a long season and at 31 we need cover, Kenny will get better with this squad if he stays.

Digne is Digne and he knows he has serious competition coming in this young man Nkounkou.

And heads up to whoever chose our away Brazil strip – an inspired choice!

He got nowhere near it and did one of his delays flap attempt to stop it.

The lad is going to cost us this season. Definitely shouldn't be in goal on Wednesday.

As is well known on TW, I am no fan of Jordan's but coming off his line is not his strong point but very few players are exceptional at every aspect of the game.

I didn't see the full match but from what I did see, Jordan didn't mess about in his own area, didn't parry the ball back into the path of a forward, and didn't kick the ball directly out of play. Therefore I think he had an error-free game... so let's keep this post-match analysis a Jordan-free zone.

After yet another page gushing admiration for Klopp last season I wasted my time suggesting that the DVD Howard's Way might provide some perspective. Needless to say it wasn't printed. As far as I know, he lives in London. I rest my case.

The more I watch yesterday's match the more I'm convinced it is not Pickfords fault.

I am, however, convinced that some fans will see a mistake when one doesn't exist. Pickford is now everybody's whipping boy and some people will do everything they can to convince themselves that every goal conceded is down to Pickford.

Re-watch their goal back then come back and tell me you don't think it looked like a correct attempt to save the header.

We all know he's had his moments, but some of the goals he is being blamed for now defy belief.

When Andy Hinchliffe used to put corners in like the Palace one yesterday, we used to say it was world class... These days it always has to be somebody's fault. We won the game. Let's just give a little credit to the opposition for their part in it. Otherwise, we begin to sound like Kopites.

Yeah Keane got himself under the ball, but the quality of that delivery made it very difficult to judge the flight of the ball and would have done for many a centre-half.

As for the idea that Pickford could have saved the header. He's a goalkeeper, not a fucking bullet catcher.

See my previous posts on Jordan and you will know my opinion on him and this opinion has been held since his first season with us. I do not rate him, I never have, and I will be first to point out why, when I see him make stupid mistakes. I also believe we will not realise the full potential of the team until he is replaced by a commanding keeper.

However, your post referred to the blaming Jordan for the goal and that I did see a number of times, Jordan has never been capable of coming off his line at corners to intercept a cross and yesterday was no exception. That is what we have but don't forget there was a box packed with tall defenders so where is their responsibility. Therefore, in this instance, I would agree with Ray #214.

Darren@216: Good post.

I like your point about Gordon. He does appear to be able to make meaningful and decisive contributions. He's done this already. I think, as he develops, then we must be prepared for errors and inconsistency too.

But, like you say, in the real time moment, that's too close and moving too fast. If that had been an Everton goal, we'd have been praising the quality of the delivery and the movement of the attacking player to get between the defenders.

Summary of what I said "over there". Gomes for most of the game showing what I said earlier this year; benefits from having Doucouré and Allan. As Shearer said, we can afford to gamble and commit more forward now and not worry too much about losing possession as those 2 will mop up and cover. Did you see Doucoure outpace and dispossess Zaha 2nd half? And that was with the speedy Palace player having a head-start!

As for Allan, liking him more and more. It's not just what he does with or without the ball. We have finally got someone who winds up the opposition (watch him constantly being a fly in the ear, sarcastically smiling etc). And watching back, I note that Mina got an earful from him for giving away a corner not long after their equaliser. Reminded me of the Ratcliffe-Reid recollections on Howard's way.

If your teammates' standards drop, players like Allan will let them know. Unlike what we've become accustomed too; Jagielka putting his arm around poor Ross telling him "They're not booing at you son, don't worry".

If we play like Brazil, who win more than they lose then it will do for me.

I have never been a massive fan of Pickford, but I agree with Darren Hind on this occasion, how excited did we used to get when Hinchcliffe took a corner – that was a bullet of a header, I reckon no keeper would have saved that.

We really do have some toxic fans, always looking to blame someone. The function of blame is simple really, it's a way of discharging unpleasant emotion such as anger and gives us a sense of control. whilst we are busy doing this it means we miss opportunities for understanding and objectivity.

Let me spell it out for all the haters: We won (again) a difficult match against a tough opponent in London. Pickford was fine, our midfield resilient and we have a superb attacking force.

Things are gelling, when we win without playing brilliantly then that is a sign things are going our way and heading in the right direction. Even VAR seems to be on our side!

To those who have to find fault with everything, I suggest you keep it to yourself because that is not how to support a team.

It's a good thing Pickford didn't face such a shot. There would be uproar and calls for his replacement with Lossl.

You describe the situation correctly: there was subjectivity, a small degree of it. The "Balance out in the long run" concept was accepted back when this was purely a human sport, and probably did even out in a haphazard way.

To address this small imponderable, we are now mired in digital lunacy. The way of this is that the fix invariably results in more to patch it up. It's very sad to see the game going the way of much else in life, where black and white correctness must be enforced by external technology.

Thing is, the results still require human interpretation. Since this must somehow work in collaboration with the technology, then this human element will necessarily evolve away from itself and toward the binary. The basis of the interpretation will be skewed.

This could lead to increasingly ridiculous judgement of the sport, in an attempt to engineer VAR into the definitive arbiter of all decisions. If there is contention, or something the ref didn't or couldn't see, then he should be shown the replays without other input and allowed to decide based on the original rules of the sport.

This would represent a true definition of an aid to the referees, rather than a creeping evolution. The idea was to help enforcement of the rules by the referee, not change the rules because of having the extra monitoring.

You may be right that there will be no change – but I think this whole handball/penalty issue is going to grow as the season progresses, and cause wide dissatisfaction. VAR needs to be kept in check I believe.

I also never forget the VAR call for an injury-time penalty at Anfield when it was 1-1 v Leicester. I thought it was to book Mane for a dive, not a Liverpool injury-time penalty in front of the kop. That decision alone in October last year told me only one team is gonna benefit from VAR more than others, and it did to the title.

I've noticed the media aren't talking about us having only one penalty in the whole of last season. The bias is incredible.

The Orwellian "some pigs are more equal than others" rule book never applied to Everton – hence why the media are miffed why we received a fair decision in accord with the new rules.

I assume Palace and their manager realise if more than the chosen few can be warded penalties against them at home then their chance of maintaining their own status is diminished.

Overall a team like Palace, like Everton should benefit if rule applied consistently when playing away from home, so to me, seems quite an objective rule given there is less scope for referee interpretation.

I assure you that here in Argentina VAR is much worsely used than over there guys and it's pretty much annoying.
COYB!

Maybe that ‘levels out' things after Dele Alli handball last year.

And I didn't hear Woy complaining about the Lindelof handball last week. Two-faced old twat.

After watching the Tottenham vs Newcastle game and the penalty award this new ruling has to be changed, it is ruining the game. Deliberately holding your arms out to stop the cross is a penalty, but in the Tottenham game Dier had his back turned away from the play when the ball hit his arm.

I have never been in favour of VAR as it only favours teams in the Premier League who are given advantage of rules that have been in effect for numbers of years and referees that have to interpret them in seconds. The whole VAR has been brought in by the more powerful organizations in the World just to prove a player is offside by his toenail and other reviewable actions, and brings in doubts whether previous winners of the Premier League without VAR, are they legitimate winners.

To me, the use of VAR smacks of money for the select, were a team in the Championship can fail to get promoted as they don't have VAR that could have helped them gain points, and a team in the Premier League can get either relegated as they lost points due to VAR, or stay in the Premier League with points gained with the use of VAR.

Good to see the women see off moneybags Chelsea, earlier today.

John # 178.
As a medium to old oldie (first game vs West Ham 1958) I agree today's players are, in general, more skilful than back then and are better coached in all things, including diet. Other factors are the pitches back then could often be just heavily sanded mudheaps and defenders had to virtually kill someone before they were booked (1950s Bolton spring to mind).

Imagine the likes of Young or Best on today's bowling green pitches with defenders fearing a yellow card for simply touching an opponent.

Ray #231

To be fair to Woy he did admit their penalty vs Man Utd was ludicrous... or words to that effect.

Can't believe how susceptible City have been to the sucker-punch, neither can Judy or Toby!

"That's not the way to do it!"

Unbelievable, but they look a hell of a side.

Man City still don't look like a team that will challenge for the title, piss-weak defence.

First week - 6 away wins out of 10
Last week - 5 away wins out of 10
This week 7 games played this weekend so far, 6 away wins (assuming City lose) and a draw.

I had always wondered why the home advantage existed, it now seems clear that it is down to the crowd.

;-))

If anything, the home crowd can be a negative as the anxiousness starts to spill down from the stands onto the pitch if said home team is not winning 2-0 after 20 minutes.

The first derby match is at home!!!!

Just remember this, all these teams will do us favours along the way, just make sure it's never letting them get the upper hand against us. Simples! :-)

I'd say that the quality of football without crowds has made a big step up because players feel free to play without being judged, usually, irrationally. I believe that the big six have an advantage removed with no crowds as the number of visiting fans is so badly restricted.

I could easily live in a world of no-fan football.

I want to be there but, having lived abroad for most of my young life, I only got to Goodison when I was 19. Got chatting to the blokes around me explaining it was my first visit. They were great, we hadn't lost at home for 18 months... we lost 2-0 against Newcastle (Dunc and Gary Speed's return) and the blokes sat round me asked me never to visit the ground again.

I've only ever been to away fixtures since then!

Terrible performance from a team that is supposed to be the one to challenge Liverpool for the title. Makes you think that, if we can strengthen our squad with a good left-sided centre-back we have a good chance for the top 6. Leicester and Liverpool are the only 2 who have looked good for the top 4.

Everton look good but it is early days yet and would like to see how they do after about 12 to 15 games, to see if we have a good enough squad to maintain the progress we are making, especially on heavier pitches and hopefully minimum injuries.

Evertons penalty yesterday I watched over again and slowed it down, it was evident that when Hamas crossed the ball toward Digne the defender came toward him with his arm across his body and when Digne went to head it he moved his arm outside his body and the ball struck it.

Another game Wolves down 3--0 10min to go

I don't think the squad is strong enough yet but we are hugely stronger than even a few weeks ago. All boats are rising, belief is back.

Stan, Bill; totally with you. I'm enjoying the here and now. It's great to watch and this team is going to be fun. We all want to be entertained first and foremost right? Success is a by product of that, but ultimately we want to walk away having been entertained.

I saw that Mike. Apparently in certain music charts, we are number 6 already!!

What I would desperately love to see change regarding penalties is a rule around the run-up. In my opinion, the player's gait should be reasonably regular and each step should have to finish in front of the opposite foot. I can't stand watching these run-ups like Richarlison's or Fernandes's yesterday.

He did not seem to think that Palace were lucky that Zaha only got a yellow for his deliberate foul on Mina. Question: Why was Zaha not sent off? Mina was not in control or near the ball. It was an old fashioned way to slow an opposing player down. Maybe the FA should look at this foul and upgrade the card to red?

He did not think that Palace were lucky when their player kicked James just as he was in the centre of the goal and about to shoot. We can be pretty sure that would have been a goal. Their player got a yellow card for that tackle when he took the player and failed to hit the ball at all.

Watch the game again and notice how many times our fast players broke away only to be stopped by an illegal, late but not dangerous tackle by Palace. I would happy to stop VAR in certain conditions if teams like Palace were properly punished for their constant sly and advantaged gaining fouling.
Note: most of these fouls occur within 20 feet of the halfway line... remember Fergie's words of wisdom?

Remember this was the same manager that got Niasse a 3-week ban when our player 'cheated' in another game with them. Later discussions from independent sports writers suggested that Niasse was deliberately impeded in his run by another Palace player to stop him shooting in the box.

I agree we are now playing as a team. Every player on that pitch no matter how long they are playing for, is now giving 100%.

https://youtu.be/xcu9czaVpPg

What's the big deal? It's the same rules for everyone? It's certainly not the worst thing about VAR, which has been a blight on the game since it was introduced.

Re VAR, sure there are problems and I hope to god we never end up like American football but is has almost eliminated diving for penalties. It needs to be improved but not abandoned.

Throughout my 20 year playing "career" I well knew that the "accidental" movement of my arm would, when I'd once again been positionally embarrassed, hopefully prevent the ball going where I didn't want it to go. In that respect I am as one with the Palace defender who unsuccessfully tried it on against us. For confirmation I rely upon the Beeb's coverage of him on the pitch with his little rueful smile when he first realised he'd been rumbled.

The after-match guff is irrelevant.

All that said, the number of pens being awarded for 100% innocuous "handballs" is absurd. If you didn't know better, you might think that those in charge of the rules are as clueless as the current Prime Minister is on Covid-19.

The team that had the most favourable home decisions? Our neighbours!

I remember Suarez doing exactly that in one game.

Just need to find my VHS video player...

After 3 games!

Let's win something before we get too cocky.

This week is going to be very interesting. We play West Ham on Wednesday who just routed the current media darlings, Wolves 4-0. And on Saturday, we play a very, very dangerous Brighton, who really should have won 5-2 against Man United. Every player needs to be at their sharpest to get results against these two. I predict 3-2 for us in the Cup and a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

This week is going to be very interesting. We play West Ham on Wednesday who just routed the current media darlings, Wolves 4-0. And on Saturday, we play a very, very dangerous Brighton, who really should have won 5-2 against Man United. Every player needs to be at their sharpest to get results against these two. I predict 3-2 for us in the Cup and a 1-1 draw on Saturday.

Just keep on going Blue Boys!