Everton vs Manchester United

Someone referred to Foden's goal last night from an offside position. No VAR, so what the hell is the linesman doing or supposed to be doing? The game's gone crazy.

I think missing James today will be a big loss. I'd been looking at his return this game, thinking he'd unlock Man Utd playing at the 10 with our new-ish flat back four look, making us look like world beaters.

Probably delusional anyhow, so off we go minus Rodriguez.

Team game.

Eddie - Is Everton playing in Pittsburgh today? There's only one Steel City! ;0)

Whoever is lucky enough to attend the game tonight, enjoy the match and sing your hearts out for the guys and girls at home, who will be there in spirit with you, maybe a few spirits, if we go a goal up and sit back.

My biggest fear is the cheating Mancs winning pens and free kicks around our area. Very important we don’t make clumsy challenges tonight, they fall like leaves in autumn.

If we are to win tonight, we need Richarlison and Iwobi to be at their best. Hopefully they can provide some service to DCL. If they are not at it, I fear a long night of 10 men behind the ball, which will probably only end one way.

If Pogba plays then United will only play in fits and starts, so I’d also look to attack them at every given opportunity, because if the game is played at pogba’s pace, then it will really suit United.

Is anyone else extremely nervous ? I’ve been worrying about this all day.

If you’re in the ground please make it unpleasant for Utd and get behind the boys!

Stephen, me too. Funny how that goes - sometimes nervous without rational reason, sometimes positive. Sometimes proved right, sometimes wrong. It's what football does to you!

Tony @1: there often becomes an over reliance on technology which can pare away the human element with time. The stupid "Delayed flag" thing doesn't help either. Let's hope for good quality old fashioned officiating tonight.

This is the most difficult game of the season to date in my opinion.
A tough task tonight, be really happy to get through this tie.

Same tactics.

Stand in front of them and invite them to break us down. If we do it right again, we have the players to hurt them on the break.

Do it in 90. I really don't want it to go to pens

Never been blessed with good refs us so I wonder no var who that will benefit!

James is turning into a damp squib

The closer it gets, the more confident I am feeling. United have both full backs out. I have just read Ole’s pre match comments, he’s talking of protecting Fernandes also - is he going to start on the bench? It looks like United are going to ring the changes, we may just be catching them at a good time.

COYB!!

I'm sure United felt it all coming together against Leeds. If we can get into them in the first 15-20 they could get frustrated and lose their defensive focus. Nerves for sure but we're set up to exploit them on the break and they will come forward with arrogance.

I was resigned to missing the game as I had arrange work christmas dinner for tonight..

However Covid has come to the rescue and dinner is cancelled. I have a Sancerre chilling and I cant fecking wait.

I expect us to go for this and raise our game as we always seem to do against the bigger clubs.

Quietly confident.

I would rather give it a go and lose by the odd goal than be super defensive and lose to a late Fernandez penalty or the like.

Another anxious EFC supporter here. No reason but has to have something to do with not expecting to win every game since 1984-7 but maybe I was fearless in those days!
Sometimes I find it hard to watch and find something to do and then comeback and hope to see us in front! It worked at the weekend! Anyone else get that uptight?
I really feel that tonight is a toss up and think that luck will play its part depending how things go. Decisions by the ref and assistants, rebounds and their shots hitting the post and staying out while ours go in.
OK so that filled a bit of time till the teamsheets are released.
COYBs!

Sancerre eh Ciaran ?

Bit more sophisticated than my Newcky brown, but can you swig it from the bottle if it goes to pens ?

A massive game tonight and I hope the players are tuned in and focused on the game and how to take out united players from playing their style.

It will be interesting to see who starts in goal, but I expect the same outfield players that started Arsenal to kick off tonight.

It’s a great chance to keep this groove of solid good form going.

United like most teams this season in the EPL, have had several off days.

Tonight I hope there’s more shooting outside the box from Everton’s players and they keep their tempo for the 96 minutes.

This game i# winnable and the crowd can make a difference tonight.

Common Everton, and do the business.

Its Christmas Darren..and we are in a semi final. That calls for something special. However, I'll probably finish it off with a couple of tins of Harp.. which is the local pig swill.

When is the draw for the semis?

Good to see Seamus back. Strange to see Sigurdsson and Gomes together in the midfield, as I can't recall that ever really working.

Man Utd have curious line up too. De Beek ostensibly forced onto the left flank to accommodate Fernandes. And Henderson in goal (after a shocker in their win over Sheff Utd).

Hopefully we can score first.

Cheers Shaun, and The Best of The Seasons Greetings to All TWrs.

Let’s hope tonight is a good night to remember, and perhaps Gomes, can prove he is a player, that Everton, can count on, rely on and depend on.

No mercy tonight, get on their faces, play the game and to be clinical and finish this in 96 minutes.