Perform, or your dropped. For those striving for a place, perform well in training and when you get a chance, and you can be promoted to a starting berth.

Plenty of cover on the bench:

Delph, Nkounkou, Bernard, Gomes, Gordon, Davies, Olsen.

I hope Gordon gets some game time today. I wager he is itching to go.

We keep passing our mini-tests with each game. This is another one which will inform us how good our season could be.

Presumably Salisu, the big left footed centre half we were apparently courting, is injured for them.

COYB

vipbox.lc has never failed for me Tony.

'Popular brand stores' comes up at start, but stays away after exited 2 or three times.

If there is one thing we have changed definitely this season, it is our ability to find a way to win in all sorts of scenarios and against different styles.

I just want to stay top and to keep saying to the others "Catch us if you can!"

Let's see their condescending smiles turn into worried grimaces. It's funny how everyone else's fixtures suddenly start to become an opportunity for us to progress.

Don't you just love teams below us grinding out draws or surprise losses, this is something we don't really appreciate until we are at the summit. It truly is a win-win situation, let's fight to stay there.

Southampton v Everton

Be prepared to click off the windows that open, but usually it is an excellent stable stream.

I'm also interested in the boys' mindset today – the derby drama and the small matter of being top of the table are the sort of things that a team can find overwhelming or galvanizing. Not every opportunity is a problem - but some definitely are.

A clean sheet and 2-0 to the league leaders, Dom at the double. UTFT.

It's really pissing me off. I would love to put a few points between us and the Red Shite

Let's go.

Get him off and Gordon on.

We really miss Richarlison's movement in attack.

Lad's having a tough time of it at right back.

That was not a good half of football. Much better required.

I thought we were poor last week. Had we performed we could've beaten them.

But this performance is much worse again. All as bad as each other. For some reason, don't know what it is.

We've done nothing right. In theory, it's very simple. Defend well. Get James into the game. Deliver with quality into the box for Calvert-Lewin to attack.

I think this game so far is pointing out that we have the weaknesses from last season still here. No forgetting, though, that Southampton have a good side and are playing well.

Our corners have been very poor with absolutely no threat from what must be a decent number of them.

Not sure Davies would be any less exposed at right-back than Godfrey is so don't see that as a good option.

James may be fit to play but is he 100%? Seems to be just that shade slower today which is making him much less effective.

There’s a long way to go, but I hope that the second half sees a more focused and effective attacking display from Everton, and no more freebies down the sides, both goals avoidable, both times guilty of standing off, and not stopping the cross.

Interesting if there’s any direct swaps at half time else, Carlo changes after 10 minutes if Everton, hasn’t clawed a goal back.

We have a problem down both flanks without the energy and defensive cover Richarlison offers.

Digne has been poor from the first minute and he was partially responsible for both goals. Godfrey needs more help than James will ever offer him in an unfamiliar position.

Both goals avoidable. Once again, Yerry Mina simply jockeying Ings for the second rather than squeezing him out further up the pitch.

I'm guessing James' injury is preventing him from taking our corners as Siggy is back on them and not delivering the same quality as the wee magician.

Allan and Doucoure doing well in their roles and Siggy, James and Iwobi have had their moments, but Dominic is not getting any service.

We need an early goal in the 2nd half to get something from this now.

Iwobi isn't Richarlison, but not many are.

Gylfi plays much further forward than Gomes. Not sure if that's tactical or unintended.

The biggest issue is that Southampton are asking us to press and we're pressing. Then they're hitting the space we leave. We're back to being the perfect sparring partner.

Time for Carlo to get a grip on what's going wrong. With the Saints defence, I don't think this has to be finished yet.

I'd try James in the middle and put Doucouré on the right to help Godfrey.

James isn't helping Godfrey, the same as Coleman was left exposed last week.

Awful sideways and crap football. Deserved that.

What has Anthony Gordon done to not start in this game? Iwobi looks like a luxury player. Godfrey isolated all game as James does not look 100%. Digne stupid tackle... Team with no balance.

Spent the first 20 minutes passing around at the back scared to go forward. Soton took one look and thought "This lot are shit scared and clueless" and got stuck into us. This is as bad as last season. Poor Team selection today Carlo.

Let's just regroup and comeback stronger – if we have any players left. Well in, Richarlison, for your stupid tackle last week, we look rubbish without you.

I haven't seen our players having to wait for passes to arrive to them before this game. It's been an epidemic that went right through the team today.

Needed a bit of bravery to grind this one out and we lacked it.

Never thought Jonjoe Kenny would be vital.

The big problem is right back while Coleman is out.

We look worse than Fulham today.

Fearing the streets will be full of cars at full time with red flags hanging out the windows and honking their horns.

Stupid and dangerous. Red all day long.

In Style.

I think this performance clears up a few things: Iwobi shouldn't get near the first team and Gomes, no matter how poor, is a better option than Sigurdsson.

Some saying it wasn't deliberate. A red doesn't require "deliberate", does it?

Nkounkou at left-back next week, but who the fuck plays at right-back? Davies was awful when he filled in there, and Godfrey looks no better. I would probably start Gordon for Richarlison, but does Gomes return in the middle? Probably. Pickford didn't have too much to do, but still managed to look error-prone.

Still top of the league, but we won't be for much longer; we're not a bad side, just not a top-of-the-table side. I'd like to see us come back strongly from this setback and work towards a top 6 finish and a League Cup final appearance (win).

Sigurdsson, Gomes and Davies all have their proponents but none of them are consistent or top six material. Iwobi doesn't seem to read the game or other players' intentions at all well.

Godfrey was exposed as he is no right-back with James in front of him: Doucouré couldn't seem to find his way into the game. Calvert-Lewin was completely isolated so had no chance.

How we bounce back from this will be a sign of the players' characters.

What about Spurs?

Slow passing, half-hearted pressing, no confidence in the right-back, lack of movement in attack. It was all there today.

Can't just write that off as a bad day as there were real problems to address.

Sigurdsson doesn’t have a good touch. He receives the ball and it’s always going back or sideways. Gomes receives much more passes because he can take it under control and turn and pass. Sigurdsson seems incapable.

Yeah, he hit the bar. But that’s all he did all game. He one great season under silva, stats wise at least, because he was allowed to wander where he wanted. But he hardly ever assisted that season and if you count him as a striker, because his job was really just to score, then he didn’t score very many in reality.

If Gomes played today, he’d have been level with the other two, Doucoure would have been pushed slightly right, and he’d have done his usual of helping the right back and keeping an eye on James.

Sigurdsson plays and the balance of the side goes out the window, but hey he will have a few more action clips for his YouTube highlight reel, or insta in the case of Iwobi.

I'm afraid Digne's foul was a shocker and cost us any chance we might have had.

And Son's red card was overturned. You two may think it warranted a red card, I don't. Hope the club appeal and it is overturned, a total accident.

The midfield was simply not there today in terms of intensity, but Ancelotti also made a mistake playing James ahead of young Godfrey on the right.

Still top, so regroup and move on.

He had a very poor game. He has that devilment about him too. Senses an injustice, the red mist descends and he goes chasing the ball in anger. No sympathy from me.

Pickford played well given the week he was put through.

Sorry, but Godfrey was poor and not just because he was playing out of position. Like last week, there are moments he seems to have the situation under control and he coughs up the ball too easily. Lots to improve, this lad.

Keane the best of our defenders. Mina should have done a lot more to prevent Ings getting into the position he did to get in the cross for the second.

Allan and Doucoure gave us early control in midfield, before cheaply coughing up from the 1st goal. Allan our best player for me today. Siggy 1-2 moments of brilliance, but the first Everton player I've seen this season to give away a poor pass - and stop. I mean, stand root still whilst the play continued close to him. Shocking. Shortly after, Carlo took him off.

Alex Iwobi teases that he is going to finally become a player, but I'm losing count now of the number of times he starts and has been withdrawn at half-time.

I thought it was a risk playing all 3 subs so early and keeping James on and he was reduced to walking pace for the last 10-15 minutes. I hope that hasn't aggravated the injury. Moments of sheer class when he does get on the ball.

Dominic didn't even have scraps to feed on. Totally anonymous. Though his yellow card harsh.

Bernard, rinse and repeat with Iwobi. Brought nothing to the table. Delph effective in what he does. Anthony Gordon surely has to start in front of Iwobi and Bernard in Richarlison's absence. At least he brought pace and attacking intent to the team.

The first test this season which gets a total fail.

But...still top of the leage!

It’s the Sigurdsson factor, I’m telling you. He makes any midfield look leggy and disjointed. The guy has no positional awareness and can only play in attack, and he’s not good enough at that.

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

I'm afraid to say, this does not feel like a blip. As Evertonians, we know deep down when the wheels are starting to wobble, and they are wobbling now, madly.

Forget top 4. No fucking chance.

But we weren't going to go unbeaten for long. A disappointing way in which we did lose (very few chances created, some poor defensive lapses for the goals) but look at some of the losses suffered by the other top team.

Regroup and come back strong. Boy we missed Richarlison.

Godfrey looks very athletic so maybe he could play in the midfield? I think he will get in at centre-half though, because we need that pace.

Missed Richarlison, Digne was really poor by his standards, but we have been in the mix for a reason, so it's back to the drawing board because we were just to easy to play against today.

Very disappointed with today but I'm hoping we can bounce back against Newcastle who are nowhere near as good as Southampton.

Sigurdsson is just too slow and isn't what we need. Playing with one striker is also a bad idea if we can't get support to him.

Godfrey isn't a right-back. Pickford wasn't to blame for the goals but is still a massive liability. James isn't fit. Carlo made a few bad calls today, but no-one is perfect.

Oh and Southampton were brilliant.

We cannot play Godfrey at right-back next game, he offers nothing defending or attacking and I know he will be much better playing as a preferred centre-back, but not at right-back.

Poor as we were, I thought Southampton got their tactics spot on and deserved their win.

At times, it was too easy for Southampton. The midfield just gets over-run with players who are not fast enough or tenacious enough to fight and win balls. It would be mitigated to an extent if either could retain possession to relieve pressure on the team but they are not good enough to do it. Bernard is not the answer to this issue either.

To win games like this, you have to win the battle first, then pick them off. Today, we didn't have the players on the pitch to make winning the battle possible.

Our left side is where we are most dangerous, it is where James sends his wonderful passes and the pace of Richy and the delivery of Digne makes it our most dangerous area.

How we adapt we be crucial. Newcastle, Man U and Fulham, without that axis.

A chance, on the one hand for our much praised frenchman Nkounkou to make a statement. Newcastle and Fulham are 2 clubs there for the taking. Gordon should also play, he wasn't great today, but he came into a match with it already lost, then wwe quickly lost our left back and played essentially a damage limitation exercise.

In midfield, who should be the 3rd man? Siggy, while occasionally a threat (the game could have been much different has his shot dipped 1 inch lower), he offers nothing when out of possession. I think we should persist with Gomes and think he'd have done better today, but both Delph and Davies may also press their cases.

Right back is a real dilemma. Godfrey is no right back, and Coleman's absence (and by default Kenny's) was sorely felt. He would usually give us a width which would in turn free space for James, and occupy the minds of their left sided players. Today that didn't happen. James was too easily closed down, and there was no threat from the right meaning both bertrand and Redmond had free reign down the right knowing they were unlikely to be caught out of position. How do we deal with this? some mention Davies. This is difficult and think we'll have to cope with Godfrey doing his best there, or change up to a 3-4-3/3-5-2.

But we're still top and our next match is Newcastle. So much to play for still.

I remember somecomments on this site questioining Mark Lawrenson for predicting we would lose 2 - 0. Maybe some ex reds occasionaly are not anti Everton and get it correct. Today Everton were awful. Richie is a big miss and so is Coleman.

Big reaction needed next week as it is gonna be a difficult game. But surely a much better performance than today (fingers crossed). Hopefully we appeal the red card for Digne.

Very bad day at the office. So hopefully players get the rocket up their arses this week and perform much better next week.

Pickford
Godfrey Keane Mina
Davies Allan Doucoure Nkoukou
James DCL Gordon

He's just not very good.

Doucore has done some great tackles for us this season but so far we don’t seem to have figured out how best to utilize him. As you suggest maybe we have him doing too much covering too wide an area. Offensively he hasn’t got going yet and his wild long distance volley seemed to borne of frustration. We need to work on division of labor in the midfield to see the best of him

I still don't know we bought, and keep playing, Iwobi. Could someone enlighten me? Bernard is the kind of player to bring on when we're 2-0 up and coasting against a tired team.

We got kicked up the arse, we're still top and we can get back to basics next week.

You’re accurate about Sig but Gomes is ponderous and slow and makes rash tackles. Neither of them are great options

Selecting him was a bad mistake from Ancelotti, as was picking a half fit James ahead of Godfrey - that left him totally exposed and they rightly overloaded the left. If he isn't confident of the form of Gomes, I would play Delph alongside Allan and move Doucoure further forward.

That’s 2 sendings off consecutively, and whatever you think about today’s, it was a dumb tackle as was Richarlesons, last week.

We are often opened up down our right, today and also last week, and in other games. It gets targeted. We concede too many goals anyway, and we’ve outscored teams so far, so it hasn’t mattered. But over a season that could be an issue.

Everton will appeal the red card seemingly.

I suppose Kenny back next week, and hopefully a start for Gordon. I hope James hasn’t hurt himself further. Maybe a start for Delph alongside Allan if he’s fit enough.

Onwards and upwards and over to Carlo.

I hope Ancelloti holds his hands up and admits he got it wrong today.

Digne had already had a niggle at him and then came charging back at high speed into his back. Yes, the actual connection was accidental and unfortunate but, if you've already collided and come rushing into the back of him like that, then it's inevitable something bad is going to happen. You could tell a collision and red was on the way as soon as Digne closed in on him.

Godfrey and Anthony Gordon both looked young and inexperienced, which they are but needed to play a level up. We saw how missed Richarlison will be. Was Doucoure injured at some stage? I was surprised he was subbed.

Legitimate gripes for me are Bernard getting a yellow for a replica of the Redmond foul on Godfrey, and the automatic demonising of Lucas Digne's coming together with Walker-Peters (including by Brian Wilkinson).

First off, he is just a close second place in the original challenge not simply trying to bring the man down, then he had a good ten yards to hack him down if that was his intent, and lastly you've actually got to believe he wanted to do the lad's Achilles if you decide that deserved a red. Hate to go back to it but Son obviously hacked Gomes leg to bring him down and got his red overturned.

I didn't see it all but I think Jamie Redknapp called it a ridiculous red card in the after match discussion, and that is with the Sky commentator (some nobody) unbelievably characterising the challenge as a ‘lunge' after the final whistle.

Very strange performance, the very worst of Everton and that lethargy worries me. The manager cannot allow that type of performance, it's happened too many times under Ancelotti.

The midfield disconnect with the front and backline was shambolic and the number of times our players tackled from the ‘wrong side' was beyond amateurish.

It used to be central midfield, that was all about industry, it still is, but with most teams now playing with three in there, maybe this is the position that we can allow ourselves a little bit of luxury, but the work rate wasn’t quite there today, because we had to many luxury players on the pitch?

It showed us how important Richarlison is, and I said I’d have sooner gone with Davies today, because the kid works very hard for his team mates.

Watch how Gomes receives the ball and draws players to him, but still finds room to play the switch. Saints smothered us today, but Gomes would have been able to have them chasing shadows as there was lots of space on the other side of the pitch and playing switches really nullifies tactics of the likes of Saints and Leeds.

A lot of the criticisms of Gomes are myths, born out of a few examples. He is one of the least dribbled past midfielders. He's our leading player for pressing in the mid section of the pitch. He slows the opposition down and allows others to recover. He has more discipline and doesn't go too far forwards.

In essence, he's perfect foil for Allan and Doucoure and the three of them compliment each other and bring balance. His lack of pace is not an issue at all, no one can run as fast as he can pass the ball.

It wasn't that bad if you think of the "standards" set over the last 30 years. Southampton played very well, our full back threat was gone with Coleman out and Digne and Iwobi having no understanding down the left.

I would suggest that under Silva, Koeman this would have ended up being 4 or 5 nil. Nothing positive about losing but unlike the RS at Villa we didn't allow a poor game to become an embarrassing capitulation.

Both Iwobi and Sigurdsson were guilty of not picking up Ward-Prowse's run from the throw for the first goal. For the second, Yerry Mina went into the right corner to help Godfrey deal with Ings but between them they could not prevent the cross and the goal was inevitable with Sigurdsson trying to play centre-back.

Anthony Gordon was bright and enthusiastic when he came on and he looked to be from a different team. I also think that Delph steadied the ship in midfield. I hope that they both start next week.

Ferns said to me, poignantly, Gomes was a miss. Despite his so-so performances, I have to agree. Ancelotti set us up poorly today. No complaints as long as the same pattern isn't repeated next week.

Richarlison makes the front three tick. Iwobi, Bernard and Gordon aren't near his standard and Iwobi or Bernard never will be. Both aren't wingers and flourish when played in the middle and Gordon is still too young to be relied upon as a starter.

James didn't look fit and was put in as we simply have no other viable option. I felt for Godfrey as he had little help and, to Southampton's credit, they knew this from the off and punished us.

When we play well, we look excellent; however, with a few injuries, we lose the balance and formula that works for us. Iwobi cant do Richarlison's job and Godfrey isn't Coleman and is a centre-back.

We're going in the right direction but will need some time to make a competitive squad – not just starting eleven.

Moving forwards we'll have better days and worse no doubt. Still top of the league.

You've got to credit Southampton who had done their homework – they cut us open on Godfrey's side almost at will it seemed. Most of us wanted right -back cover in the window but the money didn't quite stretch that far. Today we're able to see the unfortunate result.

The absence of Richarlison was keenly felt. Iwobi was quite frankly lucky to make it to half-time. Sigurdsson played with a visible lack of urgency.

The lack of concentration to allow their first really told the story for the whole game.

Every team is entitled to lay an egg, and the lack of depth was cruelly exposed. But the gap between our best and performances like this is just far too wide for us to be in the contender conversation.

Southampton mugged us over Beattie, they mugged us over Koeman and they mugged us again today. There'll need to be a bounce back of sorts following this stinker of a performance.

The absence of Richarlison was sorely felt, as damaging as it was predictable. He has been our key player in the past two years and put simply we have nobody anything like comparable in terms of pace, carrying the ball, dribbling, work rate and goals. The gap he left in the team was perfectly illustrated near the end when Calvert-Lewin raced wide to a pass. He hit a decent centre but unfortunately even he is not blessed with the gift of getting on the end of his own crosses.

As I suspected before the game our midfield today contained too many playmakers and not enough front running. Iwobi, Bernard, Sigurdsson and James all want to be playmakers but are bereft if nobody is making the runs in front of them. That runner is usually Richarlison.

Based on the presser, I thought Iwobi would start. There were a couple of times he could have played a quick one-two but instead decided to stop play and go on a dribble. Also, he stayed so tight to the wing that Digne had no space to overlap.

I assume Carlo feels Iwobi brings more energy to the team but uncontrolled energy and carelessness doesn't do much for us. If Bernard or Gordon started, we've have been more exposed down the left with Digne overlapping but, on the plus side they would have likely used the ball better in the final third.

In hindsight Carlo should've been bolder and thrown caution to the wind rather than relying on Iwobi to "put in a shift."

Defensively the two goal where the result of poor play. Bernard and Delph added something, but faded, especially after Digne was sent off.

He was reckless trying to make contact from behind at speed after already catching him a moment before. Some kind of contact was inevitable be it a stamp, push, etc. He didn't seem to have a plan as to get the ball he seemed just to be running towards the back of the player as fast as he could. Had he run to the side of him and looked to poke the ball away then fine, but he didn't he just clumsily ran really fast towards his back and that recklessness led to the unfortunate contact

No pace, close control, ability to tackle or pass to a fellow player. Not just today, ever since he joined the club. Arsenal must have pissed themselves for the millions we paid.

I predicted today's result. Richarlison is a massive miss and we have no-one to replace him. Carlo needs to have a word about his attitude when things aren't going his way.

Also, today we were second best and didn't lack any fight which is worrying. Just like the end of last season. Hope this is just a one-off.

I think he was frustrated with himself, he had a poor game. I am a great admirer of his, as we all are.

We are still top of the league on goal difference, but today's proved that we haven't got the strength in depth, that is needed to last the rigours of a long season. January is not always easy to get the players needed.

Stupid recklessness, by Lucas and he can't complain, about the Red card.

Massive issues in that we didn't work their goalkeeper, and in the first half when in decent positions the final pass wasn't there, and the second half, we didn't get a shot off on goal.

The seasons a marathon, and let's see Everton, bounce back at The Toon.

I've every confidence in Niels stepping up, and Id start Gordon in place of Iwobi, but we must make the Toon defence work, as today, Soton, could stroll out and play.

Let's stay positive and let's see the character of this squad and bounce back with a win next week.

The referee’s lack of ‘feel’ for the game came through he, he used a textbook to send him off rather than using his years of experience. I wonder if he thought it was endangering a player. You’d hope that could be overturned.

I accept, of course, that these things are seen differently.

Richarlison is a big, big miss.

The ref seemed to have it in for Everton, and Southampton must have practised their play-acting all week in training.

Kyle Walker-Peters – he just comes across as a scumbag. An accidental step on the foot is never a red; I am surprised so many TWers agreeing with that red card decision. If Son's leg break red card can get overturned, then surely Digne's should be.

Godfrey, Allan, Sigurdsson were poor. Every time I see Iwobi play, I think – "Surely that is the last time he plays for Everton" – but he keeps getting picked! I don't understand that – he must be fucking Cristiano Ronaldo in training!

I think the next 2 games must be regrouping and damage control. If Digne's red card is not overturned, I would like Carlo to err on the side of caution and go all Moyes and make us hard to beat. If Branthwaite is ready, I would play him instead of Mina.

3-5-2 for me, pack the midfield and give James a free role behind Calvert-Lewin:

Pickford
Godfrey Keane Branthwaite
Davies Doucouré Allan Gomes Delph
James
Calvert-Lewin

Eke out a couple of 1-0s and when Coleman, Richarlison and Digne come back, maybe we will rediscover our swagger.

"Can anyone who doesn't have a problem with the red card explain why? Do they think Digne deliberately stamped the back of Walker-Peters ankle?"

I don't think "deliberate" is required for a red to be awarded.

The players have performed badly and the manager has had a complete Weston.

Bad day all round, but there will be more good ones.

We go again.

A case could be made either way as to whether it warranted red or not but he put himself right in the firing line. Be lucky to get that rescinded.

He won't be missed at all during his ban based on that performance.

We also have to hold up our hands and admit that Southampton were exceptional especially MotM Redmond. We have a very shallow squad unfortunately and can't yet manage a spate of injuries or loss of form.

It's dangerous and a red. Could easily have resulted in a Gomes-type injury.

Watch it. Clear as day.

This is Carlos first full season he's plugged the gaping hole which had been shit for a while which was the midfield. Most likely next summer we'll bring in a few more for the next phase of the project.

We'll see a more players leave, for me Iwobi and Sigurdsson contribute nothing and hope the club can move them on.

We need to sort the defence out, conceding far too many goals ay present, happy to revert back to grinding out 1-0 wins. Let's get Holgate back into the side as soon as possible.

There were always going to be bumps along the way this season and still will be, as long as we are in the mix for Europa League end of the season then the objective for this season is complete.

If Digne deliberately did what he did, then it's a red. If he was charging to get back and made contact then it's reckless or accidental.

What grounds is the ref sending him off for? Serious foul play? For that to be serious foul play, he has to mean it. It cannot be reckless.

My thought on Allan are the same as yours. He is surely still crocked, no mobility. I couldn't understand Doucouré being subbed either.

Digne had a poor game, so often he gets caught out and there were acres of space between him and Keane. He got himself on the wrong side to the attackers (schoolboy errors) then his dumb double foul got him a deserved Red because whether he meant it or not, he was plain stupid. I thought he was going to cry when he went off.

James should not have started, he hung Godfrey out to dry and the whole side watched like lemons without sliding across to cover. Lots of mistakes this week and the ref was ready to put right the perceived wrongs from last week. Newcastle is now very important.

He chose to bring him down with no realistic chance of winning the ball. Ergo: reckless.

My opinion, of course.

Wanted to stop a player = deliberate.
Chose to bring him down = deliberate.

Steve #132

I agree with your analysis and who to play. As long as Gomes doesn't get drawn too deep. He is not good deep. Sigurdsson only as a sub to slow down a game when in the lead.

I do think Ancelotti with foresight got his starting selection wrong and especially the way Southampton played. Everton's pregame analysis wasn't good enough.

It was all too predictable today. Iwobi and Sigurdsson like ghosts. Godfrey exposed.

We should appeal the red card it looked accidental even if it did look nasty in slow motion.

I didn't agree with the Doucouré sub it just puts too much pressure on Allan.

One thing is obvious. Sigurdsson and Iwobi should be moved on in January – if anyone will have them that is. They are not the type of player that wants to get stuck in when the team is struggling. They are a luxury player to bring on when you are cruising 3-0 or 4-0 with 30 mins to go and that type of player we could do without.

The overall performance was the typical display we were seeing at the back end of last season and needs sorting asap. No defence for that kind of performance. They were shite from start to finish. Roll your sleeves up in the next couple of games, boys, or more of the same is coming your way.

As for Sigurdsson, I've said it plenty of times that he's only good when afforded space and time. If we'd have scored first, he would have looked good. We didn't, he was crap.

As for Gomes, he is a very intelligent player. He's helped create two goals this season off the ball. The little nudge he gave to Adrian last week that put him on the back foot for Keane's goal, and one earlier in the season when he blocked a run from a defender, leaving us open to score. (Can't remember who against.)

Digne's red was less that Robertson's challenge last week. At the time of contact, there was no intent. If he'd have caught him higher up the pitch when he first tried to get him then I'd have no arguments.

I think part of Doucouré's role is to cover for Rodriguez, however, he usually can because of the excellent defensive work Richarlison does on the other wing. Without Richarlison, the whole midfield gets dragged more to the left and Godfrey was exposed.

If Digne's card isn't rescinded, I hope he plumps for Nkounkou and Gordon next week. They'll both have a point to prove and will work twice as hard as Delph or Iwobi / Bernard to prove their point.

How are you mate? Totally agree with your comments but how do we do that? I'm hoping Digne's Red may get turned over, so that may help a bit.

Why is it that, if one player is not up to scratch, it affects everyone? It's only to be expected that someone may have an off-day, but not all of them. The incentive was there and a position to build on.

Although Southampton played well, they weren't great, and on another day we should and probably would have got something out of the game even if it was only a draw. As it stands all momentum is virtually lost and they have to start afresh away at Newcastle.

In hindsight Ancelotti may have been better off going five at the back today bringing Nkoukou in because we had Godfrey making a full debut at right back, he's never a right back, and when you have James in front of you (who we know doesn't track back it's not his game plus today he didn't look fit) then it was asking for trouble.

Some games you have to sometimes learn from the previous meeting with that team, in July Southampton played us off the park at Goodison and it felt like déjà vu today because we allowed them too much time and were basically outnumbered.

Allan doesn't look fully fit either, has he come back too soon after the injury picked up in the Cup against West Ham, I don't know but he's looked off it the last few games.

Doucoure is the one that you want breaking the lines supporting Calvert-Lewin but he's not done it today and well Sigurdsson is just Sigurdsson isn't he and Iwobi, I can't believe is that much better than Yannick Bolasie if even as good??

Bernard was a strange sub, he's not the type of player that can change a game when you are two goals down, if he wasn't starting today then why bother at all.

I'm still gutted that we don't possess enough attacking options, we've seen today if Calvert-Lewin doesn't score, if James is not fit and firing or Richarlison likewise then we have little else.

It pisses me off Southampton have a nifty ever busy player like Redmond yet we are still persisting with some of last season's failures out in wide area's.

Bad day at the office but let's not take it into next week, too many displays like today that's when the rot starts setting in.

But Ancelotti has said it will be appealed. He also believes the ongoing fallout from the derby in the press had its desired effect.

As ever, his right-to-left distribution was impeccable. If his teammates had been anything like on form and so got us into important areas of the pitch we'd have got something from the game and he would have been acclaimed by many as MotM.

I disagree on the ref not reading the game. I think he was reading it as he'd seen Digne clip the player who stayed on his feet then immediately collides with him again. I think Friend felt Digne had it in his head to bring him down and, having failed at first, went back for a second go.

I'm angry, not at the defeat, but at the manner of the defeat. That lacklustre display, lacking in real effort, in guile, and in ideas, took me straight back to many of our performances of last season.

Southampton's midfield were quick, incisive and aggressive (in a good way) and passed around ours like the shite did last week. Their passing was so much better than ours, and it seemed to me they'd studied exactly how to outplay us, which they did.

The substitutes and stand-ins proved that we have a good first eleven but that's it. Iwobi was given a chance to show what he can do and that's exactly what he did. He showed that he can't do a lot.

Bernard and Gordon were ineffective, Bernard in particular. I feel for young Anthony being brought on when we were already beaten because body language and attitude said to me the players knew they were beaten, and tellingly, accepted the fact.

Taking off Doucouré instead of Allan was a mystery as we needed energy, a little pace, and a willingness to get forward as we were already two-nil down.

Digne looked totally out of sorts from the start and his day just got worse and worse. A stupid, even if unintended act, saw us without another first eleven player for three games.

All-in-all, a day to forget in some ways, but in others the players need to watch that game over and over and realize just how poor they were.

Pissed off, gutted, and off to drink a bottle of wine.

It was VAR reviewed and will, for me, correctly stand. Digne needs a rest and we have a good replacement whom I'm sure everybody would like to see get a game.

The RS managed to inflict a lot of damage to us after last week's game with their constant whining via ever possible media outlet, it has undone all of the hard work done this season.

Prior to the season starting and with the new signings, plus our first 8 games, we suddenly believed that we were in a chance of winning the Premier League. The aim for this season according to Ancelotti was gaining a place in Europe.

What this game has shown is our weakness in coverage for injured or suspended players. Prior to Coleman being injured, we had Kenny injured, and that was unexpected. We are all on about loaning Kean out, but he showed nothing when he played against Premier League teams except enthusiasm.

We have the makings of a team that could finish in a position to qualify for Europe or qualify by winning a cup. Ancelotti himself has said we are not as strong as Liverpool but we will continue to play to win. Yes, poor game today, but the bright side is we are still top of the league.

Terrible today, looked like they'd all been on the ale last night.

To make this point Absolutely clear, we're talking about the intent to make contact, not the intent to cause injury. I don't believe Digne intended the contact, but he could see it coming. So he raised his hands to signal this.

Surely Simms is worth a bench spot until Tosun is fit? We need some sort of striker on the bench when 2-0 down.

His reaction going down the tunnel said it all. If a player did that deliberately, he doesn't deserve to be on the field.

Gordon has to start next week. Iwobi and Sigurdsson bring no workrate to the team whatsoever.

I doubt he has the authority, but Everton cannot fail to follow through on his words now! I doubt any of the others would have been so decisive, even all the way back to Moyes.

How do we tighten up in defence? A good question. The answer possibly lies in a more cautious approach. With the current personnel, playing a high defensive line seems out of the question. Godfrey may ultimately be a central defender who can bring pace to the back line and allow us to push up but I doubt anyone would want to put that responsibility on him at this stage.

So assuming we are stuck with a deep back line I would bring back Gomes, who despite his poor form, offers a more defensive mindset than Sigurdsson. Doucouré and Allan would hold their central midfield positions more than they did today. I am hoping Kenny will be fit to return at right back and I would give Nkounkou a chance at left back.

Playing a low defensive line requires the team to have some pace to mount counterattacks. For that reason I would have selected Gordon for the Richarlison role today and would do so next week.

Finally there is the matter of attitude. Our players need to go out next week with a ‘we shall not be beaten’ attitude which arguably is as important as tactics, team selection and formation.

David that's exactly how they looked!

But why being so negative? Without Richarlison, it was always going to be a risk to see how the team performed and what players to choose to prepare the team. Risks always include loosing. It's far too easy to judge after a game.

Ancelotti is an intelligent man and he'll probably noticed Gordon is before Iwobi now. As well as Sigurdsson is doesn't help at defense at all. He probably made some mistake in the team selection, but he also took as here, hasn't he?

In my opinion, I would never put three at the back given Mina and Keane are not fast at all, and that being generous with 'em. Keane played well I believe.

Whilst we don't have Richie, maybe swapping James to 10 and Doucouré as a right mid would probably help out our balance and right back position (be it Kenny or Godfrey, who I believe was left totally isolated and exposed in his first full start debut with James not totally fit). Credit to Soton, the played well and are playing well.

I'm confident Digne, although he was Poor, will get less than three matches cause he didn't mean that, he had mainly bad luck there.

As well, Coleman, Kenny, Branthwaite and Holgate (maybe not him) should be back soon, so that's good. They'll help for sure. Bar forgetting Gbamin and Tosun.

We're far better in the table than we would have expected by this time, so I believe we shouldn't loose perspective. Did really someone expect we were straight going to win the league because of 4 wins?

Obviously defeat hurts, but we've got Carlo to be optimistic!!

How can a player squeal like this and then sprint forward like the Southampton player did?

This side of the game is becoming unbearable, players always looking to cheat is deplorable, and so is the inquest after everyone of these contentious decisions. I can't wait to get back inside the ground to watch the game live, because I can't stand the circus for much longer, of what the beautiful game has become.

I'm not sure if Digne meant to foul, but moan like fuck, Evertonians – you only have to look over the park to see how much this moaning works. And if Ancellotti has mentioned that this sending off is just carrying on from the way the media have reacted all week, I'd have to agree. Football is no longer a sport, it's a bloody circus!

James didn't look fit and we needed to sign an extra striker when we loaned out Kean, very hard to understand why we didn't. We are short of goalscorers, Calvert-Lewin can't do it all on his own obviously.

That green kit is horrible, worst I've seen.

.

Too many weaknesses to overcome a decent Southampton side.

Hopefully another week will help James and Allen with Kenny available next weekend.

Need to inject some pace into the forward line – and Gordon seems to be the only option. Whatever Iwobi is, he isn't a left-winger.

Onwards to Newcastle.

I think whether it is deliberate or not makes all the difference. People seem to want things to be judged on consequences which is exactly what objective decisions shouldn't be based on.

Look at the Godfrey / Bertrand penalty shout. There is very obvious contact (otherwise Bertrand is diving and should be booked) so the only way it wasn't a penalty is if the defender wasn't judged to be responsible for the contact. Someone needs to explain the real difference between that and the Digne incident apart from the actual level of contact.

I don't see it at all like Martin Mason; I think Digne tries to avoid contact and I didn't see the earlier attempts to make contact from behind that he describes. To deliberately stamp the lad's Achilles would be inexcusable as that carries the real threat of a career threatening injury, and that intention seems well beyond what Digne has displayed before.

Son's challenge was deliberate but I'm sure he didn't expect / wish for the injury it caused. For Digne's to stand you are basically labelling it as a deliberate attempt to seriously injure the player. As Steve Ferns has said reckless can't be applied because a reckless challenge has to at least include the possibility that the ball would be won.

Last week, Richarlison was clearly unfit and should have been substituted but he wasn't. Richardson was aware that he was struggling and wasn't performing to his normal standards. His frustration resulted in an awful tackle and a red card.

Today, his team selection was poor. Surely he has learned by now that Iwobi and Sigurdsson shouldn't ge on the field at the same time. His substitutions were suspect too. Out muscled in midfield and he sends on Bernard. He didn't take James off and he was struggling all afternoon.

The legacy of the last week is no Richarlison and Digne because of suspension and probably no James because of injury. Team selection meant that Godfrey was continually exposed, goodness knows what that's done to his confidence.

Carlo needs a couple of transfer windows to get rid of the squad fillers eg Bolasie, Besic etc... or the rubbish players, ie, Iwobi, and replace them with quality.

Well you couldn't dress the game up and call it anything but a poor performance, very poor. Allan didn't look properly fit and he looked a good organiser in his first few games but had a poor game today, James is good on the ball but offers nothing for the full-back behind him.

As you always say John, we all see the game differently but I doubt very much if you would have enjoyed watching that one, it was very like the games we played after the lockdown began, I could go on and mention individual players but they have all been mentioned.

By the way, I thought that although Digne, like the rest had a poor game, he had no intention of deliberately hurting their player and thought the red card was harsh.

You could argue that many deliberate fouls are also reckless as you can never be sure of the consequences, but reckless isn't automatically a deliberate foul.

"For Digne's to stand, you are basically labelling it as a deliberate attempt to seriously injure the player."

No, I'm not claiming that there was that intention. Haven't players been sent off, correctly, for challenges where no contact has even been made?? I can't recall an instance but I think (again, I stand to be corrected) there have been instances?

The earlier contact was that Digne lost the ball to him, almost fouled him with a late tackle and then raced after him to reverse that. If he were just racing back to defend, he could have passed either side of the lad but he couldn't manage that, he first raked his studs down the back of his leg and then stamped on his ankle.

The raking was plainly deliberate and could have been nothing else (he could have just stood aside and not done it), the stamping was an accident but was the result of the raking so was the result of a deliberate action and hence deliberate.

He lost the ball, tried to get his own back and was correctly sent off as decided by the ref and VAR. He had a dreadful game today and this dreadful foul was a mark of frustration. We can't complain about refs decisions and VAR and say that they are wrong when we commit injury-threatening fouls like this.

The lack of pace throughout the team is obvious and with James definitely not 100% and Allan also looking to be carrying an injury we are struggling to make any positive changes, the loss of Richarlison's endeavour was palpable.

Don't be too disheartened as I'm afraid we are once again "a work in progress" and hopefully Ancelotti can, over the next few transfer windows, reshape this lacklustre squad.

I've just watched some of the Newcastle - Wolves game and I'm envious of the players Wolves have: young, fast, positive and hardworking and showing great control with the ball, passing forward and moving into space everything we lack.

Felt sorry for Calvert-Lewin today had absolutely nothing to feed off.

"Like Son"? You are joking, right? Carlo says it's a joke, but I bet he's wrong.

Lineker "slammed' the decision, and Redknapp said the decision must be reversed or the game is gone. As far from Son as you can get.

Still having said that, I reluctantly admit disappointment as opposed to anger. We just played a bad game after a very promising seven-game streak. We now have a good manager who is still finding out about his tactics and each individual player.

I did not really agree with his substitutions other than Iwiobi who could have been replaced by a traffic pylon, However it was visible by half time that we could have made eleven subs if allowed. We can play better and I still think we can demonstrate it next game at Newcastle. I hope so... COYB

Iwobi reminds me of a really pissed person coming home. He knows what he wants to do but it doesn't happen! If he is on the left, then he needs to cross the ball with his left. Calvert-Lewin will be making the run anticipating the cross and it doesn't materialise.

Godfrey is not a right-back but he gave it a go.

Please don't wear that kit again.

For a decision to be objectively fair, then intent should matter, not simply consequences. Sending a player off for attempting a deliberate foul and missing should be the norm if they would have been sent off if they had managed to make contact. That doesn't make the reverse true, where you must always punish a player for an accidental contact that fouls a player.

Martin, I didn't see it that way on first viewing or the replays but I am willing to take another look. Care to explain the Godfrey - Bertrand no penalty, no booking for diving decision for me?

1.) To be honest, we don't really have the necessary squad depth at the moment. By and large, I've been pleased with the way certain bench players have been stepping up, but there's a big difference between making a positive impact as a sub and slotting into the starting XI. It cannot be overstated how badly we missed Richarlison today. So much of our attack flowed through the left and Iwobi simply wasn't up to it. Bernard was only marginally better. Gordon at least looked lively, and should really be getting more opportunities.

2.) Defensively, this simply isn't good enough. Forget clean sheets - we've allowed two goals in four of six league matches. That's not going to get it done. Also alarming - this is the second week in a row Allan and Doucouré haven't looked up to it in midfield. Liverpool is one thing, but getting bossed by Southampton? I'm wondering if Allan's groin is still bothering him. If they played like this out of the gate, people on here would be seriously questioning the wisdom of the purchases.

Digne's red card should absolutely be rescinded, or downgraded to a one-match suspension at the bare minimum.

We really missed Richarlison who gives us so much, and Iwobi again stunk the place out. This isn't the first time that Ancelotti has replaced him at half time, and I think he has now run out of chances to impress the manager. Likewise Bernard – another who has under-performed on many occasions, and he too is on borrowed time.

I thought Anthony Gordon did enough to convince Ancelotti that he is a better replacement for Richarlison. I felt a bit sorry for Godfrey having to play out of position and it showed in his defence he got very little help from Doucouré or James.

While James has an abundance of talent, that still is no excuse for not tracking back and helping a teammate who was struggling. I know he had very little service but Calvert-Lewin was very quiet today, very unlike him.

So let's hope today was a blip and we will be back to our best next week at Newcastle, but I think there will be changes to today's starting 11 for that to happen.

That green kit may have made them look like mushy peas but it was the limitations of our squad that contributed to this showing. When I say 'contributed', I mean that's all it was; many regulars were poor too.

We needed someone to step in for Richarlison, to claim his position and let Carlo know he deserves to start. I think Gordon comes closest to fulfilling that role and will probably get the nod over Iwobi next week. Bernard, Iwobi and Sigurdsson are accessories, they are decent players but cannot be used in our team set-up without weakening the team to the point of relinquishing control of matches and getting overrun.

My point is simply that as far as I'm aware (and I do stand to be corrected) the laws of the game don't require intention to commit a foul for a red card to be produced (so it could be a genuine attempt at a fair tackle but still a red).

But I might be wrong on what the laws say re intention.

Most of this squad are a real problem in that if the position or tactics don't suit them they cant adapt.

I said before the game I would put Nkoukou on the left side with his pace and defensive qualities this was a game for him.

I didn't think James was going to last the 90 minutes so I thought Carlo was saving Gordon to replace him.

Most posters thought it was inevitable that Iwobi would fill the void left by Richarlison on the basis of one good game. Oh my, how the truth hurts. The lad was hopeless.

Ben Godfrey with very little support had a 'mare and the absense of Seamus has never been felt more.

For some reason which I thought we had got over this squad is lethargic.

Sigurdsson, Iwobi and Bernard offer something with Richarlison in the side with the Brazilian creating the space, stretching the play, giving the opposition something to worry about.

But, without Richarlison, we're ordinary. And Calvert-Lewin is completely isolated.

Carlo is going to have to figure this one out.

Going to be a long season, I'm afraid. Seen it all before, the squad simply ain't good enough. Goalkeeper still a clown, defence all over the place, midfield can't string a pass together, only one striker who can score. We are fucked.

Mid-table mediocrity at best. Maybe a cup thrown in but even that's a big ask as we've played no decent teams as yet. Very frustrating to watch and what makes it even worse is now we are getting people sent off through our own mistakes. God help us.

Unfortunately, you are not wrong, there is some way for us to go before we are serious challengers.

A source of optimism is that Carlo has improved us a lot with one window and will do so again maybe tweaked in January and then with a couple of important signings next summer. It’s more realistic that we can then take another step up.

Boy do we miss Richie. His contribution can be outstanding, offensively and defensively. And Coleman. And Holgate.

I don't know what to make of the Digne incident. I feel the media and our loveable neighbours will see it a certain way, and will think our bubble has burst, but let's dig deep and get back on track.

What is going on with these players? They had a week to prepare and give a performance like that. Let's hope it is a one-off.

Let's see what happens against Newcastle and just take it week-by-week, match-by-match.

I hope the manager and the players have a bit more resilience and belief in themselves than some in this thread.

One defeat in 9 games and still top of the table, but already nailed on for mid-table mediocrity according to some.

Bizarre.

Still makes it no less bizarre to me.

As for Pickford having a great game today... eh? Another 2 conceded, the first was definitely saveable. Short arms or just his technique, should have saved it. Could have been 3 but for a close offside. Stats say 2, but we all know it was 3 conceded against the shite... if that one hadn't been ruled out we would have been looking at 2 defeats on the bounce and another Pickford clanger. That's 9 in 6 games conceded now with just one clean sheet.

Don't be fooled by him changing his shirt to short sleeve and his gloves and boots to Red. He will always cost us and it's a fact that he isn't good enough if we want to push on to the next level.

So I guess I am challenging your understanding of the rules / laws. I need to hear what Friend and Hooper based their decision on to know whether I am challenging them on a similar misinterpretation. I suspect Friend has seen the challenge as deliberate and Hooper hasn’t got the balls to call him on it.

In my view, those similar type incidents are getting given in most games, especially when our neighbours play.

Nkounkou must play surely against Newcastle? If he doesn't, then the supply line to Calvert-Lewin from the left will have been completely severed.

On the Digne red card, the referee had to decide (and the Appeals Committee presumably also) whether Digne took all reasonable caution to prevent the incident from occurring. "Reckless" does not necessarily imply a deliberate action. I don't believe he did mean the tackle to be the way it turned out – unlike Son's whose foul was premeditated, but he hardly did himself any favours after chasing after the lad after already having had a nibble at him.

The Radio Merseyside commentator described Everton's performance as poor which happens to the best of teams at times. I just feel that the word 'Dross' might be a little strong, which led me to look up its definition which reads "Worthless, Rubbish".

Because I haven't seen the game, I can't really pass judgment on the quality or [lack of] but, as bad as it may have been, I think that frustration may have played a part in the use of the word, or maybe it was exactly the correct description, and listening is slightly better than watching.

Kinda makes you think, a professional game managed by a cult of generally crap ex referrees and the vile sewage pipe media.

Carlo rightfully looks narked, and I hope this week the cleanse and rebuild of the basics begins, and Everton play with a proper forward line at The a Toon, and run their defence ragged.

Stick one up the BBC and Sky Sports, Ex RS, brigade of sewage pipes, and prove this result is a dip, and only a dip.

I hear the doubters, but let's take strength in adversity and the spirit of Evertonians to get the win we need at Newcastle.

Our response in the next two games without Digne and Richarlison will tell a lot. Let's hope Carlo finds a formula or not only will the bubble have burst but the wheels might have come off too.

The most worrying aspect of today is that despite the forced changes, we were right in the game and doing okay(ish) until they scored. But just like Silva's side of old, the moment that happened we never looked like getting back into it. There was no real belief, commitment or team spirit on display.

Lots of work to do before Newcastle.

If, like those teams I mentioned, we have our best 11, more often than not, we should compete with those sides which means we should at worst be at the tail end of the Euro place battle.

It seems to me that the ridiculous international break broke our momentum, which is not unusual. It broke in the derby match, and the fallout shite from that won't have helped things.

We're still top, and we need to regain momentum. It won't be easy with injuries and now unnecessary suspensions. There's a blip in form, but we'll recover, especially when these absences are behind us. Perspective.

I loved Carlo’s post-game press conference. You could tell he was frankly disgusted with the performance. This man’s bar is high. He simply will not stand for these weekends taken off from work by our players.

I also loved the way he’s pulled zero punches with the Digne red card. He called it “a joke” and also intimated that all the nonsense this week with Picks and Rich may have affected the decision. He stated emphatically Everton would appeal the red card decision.

Finally a manager who is class, but will fight for us and his team’s cause when justified.

A pretty shit day at the office. But I’d not want to be working for any other man other than Carlo. This guy is just gold.

In addition, a "best 11" is of no import no club goes through a season without injuries and suspensions

I feel compelled to “race to post” again after reading your comments.

You're by far one of the most reasoned, intelligent contributors on TW. But I could not disagree more.

There has been nothing, absolutely nothing, I've seen from any other team in the entire league to make me think we don't have a shot at the Top 4 this season. Nothing.

Spurs - Already beat ‘em. Not all that. Shite manager who's past it.

El poo - more injuries than we can count. Have lost their best player and leader.

Man City - on a downward slide.

Chelsea - Trying to fit a bunch of new jigsaw pieces into place. Not firing on all cylinders.

Leicester City - Just not sure about them.

Wolves - Not all that.

Man Utd - Really overrated. Not that good.

Not a single team scares me. And at our best there's not a single team in the league that we can't beat.

If not Top 4, why the heck not?? This window of opportunity is now. Which is why today is so disappointing.

Looking at the entire season, and our entire season, to date, we're every bit as good as any other team in this league. We've had a poor day. So has everyone else in the league at one point or another. Based upon our peers, we are a Top 4 team this season. The only thing holding us back from that is some weird mojo bullshit and lack of belief.

Draw a picture for the dummy. What at - what? Not sure what you’re asking, need clarification.

Richarlison is irreplaceable with the players we have, neither Iwobi, or Bernard have the pace, have the ability to beat players and neither have got that playing relationship with Digne. And as a consequence, Calvert-Lewin was starved of chances that side has brought and of course neither Bernard or Iwobi score goals.

Gordon is the closest we have to Richarlison and clearly Ancelotti doesn't see that yet, when he came on he provided a few moments of panic and linked up well.

Again why play Rodriquez in front of a rookie right back. Godfrey hopefully will be a great centre half and maybe a good right back in time, but he's not there yet. Rodriquez won't support back, he won't give him cover.

We need Allan, Doucouré and Gomes together as the firm base for Rodriquez to go out and exploit his ability, using Sigurdsson in that midfield three doesn't work as again he can't defend well enough.

So we go into Newcastle and Utd without best left-sided pair and possibly still without our best right-sided full-back in Coleman. We desperately need Kenny back ASAP and I suspect we'll see Delph at left-back with Gordon in front of him, as Knoukou is still too raw defensively.

I don't want to see Sigurdsson, Iwobi, Bernard, a Godfrey right-back ever again. What was demonstrated today was that we are woefully weak with good back up players.

And finally, Mr Ancelotti, please realise that James Rodriquez needs to be a free spirit with no defensive duties and that means we need a midfield which can dominate, win tackles, keep the ball, shield the back and get up to support Calvert-Lewin and this means Allan, Doucouré and Gomes.

Brent...

A-ha... Edit to the rescue.

Also, do we play players half-injured? That just cannot be good strategy. The only midfield player that was not playing in slow motion today was Gordon. What is that all about?

I think you know what you're doing when you run at that pace directly behind someone at close proximity. You're hoping for accident or distraction. I don't think he intended it to be as bad a challenge as it was but he was pretty reckless about it. That could have been very serious.

I also think that, if consulted, VAR wouldn't have overturned it as 'a clear and obvious error' but that the panel may well rescind it on appeal. We'll be citing the Son example for sure. He didn't intend to create that outcome.

Basically it's a close-run decision. I can see why it's producing multiple points of view above.

If he does get off, I'd like to see Nkounkou start at right-back. Full-back is a specialist position – I'd rather see a left-back there than a centre-back or midfielder.

Finch Farm coaching staff need to focus on this somewhat intellectual quality but, given the intellectual make-up of some of our ex-players there, I'm not overly optimistic.

That said, we're now way beyond accepting as "legendary" anyone getting sent off, again, for throttling comparatively puny non-Scottish opponents for a few weeks off on maximum pay, aren't we?

I don't understand the acceptance that a centre-half can't be expected to play right-back! Maybe if you reverse the roles, I could understand that... but Godfrey looked so out of his depth.

Today also proved how much we need Richarlison in the team for his work rate and threat. Sigurdsson has improved but will never win a 50/50 challenge while Iwobi won't even contest a 70/30.

We have a few tough weeks ahead with injuries & suspensions given the lack of depth in our squad. Here's hoping!

But guess what? we're still top, because in the grand scheme of things none of the other teams are, 6 games in, any better.

All the problems we conveniently forgot are still there, but Carlos been managing them and managing them quite well too... so far.
I think Ancelotti tried to win it yesterday, when, with the miracle of hindsight, maybe he should've put out a formation not to lose it.

Some sort of Christmas Tree formation with Calvert-Lewin at the top, keen young legs wide left and right in Nkounkou and Gordon. Because yesterday showed that when defending its not the full-backs, it's the man in the space In front of the full-backs that counts and we mostly had none.

Only he knows how fit James and Allen really were. The truth is we only have a 9-man outfield... and that's when everybody's fit and not suspended. The keeper is prone to mistakes, Iwobi is an other of those 'built like Tarzan, plays like Jane' players. Bernard has lost what ever mojo he had, Sigurdsson & Gomes are peripheral at best.

Over to you, Carlo, wave the magic wand.

Son's red card – a deliberate dive in with intent – got recinded. If Digne's red doesn't get the same treatment, well as Carlo said... all the whinging worked.

Our face doesn't fit, so no chance of getting it recinded.

There were hardly any players coming out with any modicum of credit, we have had false dawns before, but there appears to be little or no excuse for this one. We had ONE player suspended through stupidity, another who was touch and go till yesterday, so basically one player down, yet we played like they had never played together before.

I am deliberately avoiding saying Southampton were unplayable or any other superlatives, because they weren't frankly anything special, but we made them look that way. They played as a team, which we should have done, they played well, but nothing more than that.

I was one of those advocating Gomes be dropped because he has been crap, but his crap would have been better, hypothetically that is, than the shit we were subjected to yesterday. The only saving grace if you can call it that, is that nearly all other results, went right for us, and we are by a thread still top.

Can we stay there? If we play like we started the campaign, yes. If we play like yesterday we will go down like like a lead balloon again to mid-table mediocrity.

I admit I know one cannot speak ill of the Don, and he is amazing, but why setup in a way that magnified our weaknesses? Godfrey had no chance with James in front of him... but, in a solid 4-4-2 with James close to Calvert-Lewin, and suddenly we'd look compact.

Allan looked shattered from early on. Doucouré started well but faded badly, Godfrey not a right-back so we can forget that idea right now. This was so poor it actually shocked me and, like most here, I'm used to bitter disappointments.

It's not that I can't see it's “just” one game. It's that suddenly you can see the weak squad. The lack of cover for Richarlison and frankly given how well he was playing, Coleman was badly missed in an attacking sense as much as for his defending.

Digne was poor before the sending off. I don't get the protests afterwards though I can see some disagree with the red. I thought he was slow, chasing, clumsy but raked his studs over the guy's calf.

Iwobi did start okay actually but he just cannot play the simple cross. He keeps trying tricks and a few step-over moves. He ends up going backwards. What a mistake he's been and an expensive one at that. Gordon needs his chance but more and more. I worry it's hard to see his best position with a lot of chopping and changing he goes through.

I honestly worry we have just seen how thin the squad really is and it makes the decision not to go for Josh King even stranger.

Maybe it was also the fact that he couldn't get up the pitch to cross to Calvert-Lewin, throughout the game. He became really more and more frustrated at what was going on and then the incident with their right-back happened. I do think it was an accident but given the screams of "Murder! Murder!" of the past week, there's no way it will be overturned.

Allan is playing with an injury and if he isn't... but he must be. His influence has fallen off a cliff since the international break. Carlo should leave him out against the barcodes if he's injured so he can get fit for Man Utd. Kenny must play right-back in the next game, or possibly right-wingback, with Nkounkou as a left-wingback, and Keane, Mina and Godfrey as a 3 at the back.

We have to stop conceding goals. Sigurdsson and Iwobi should be nowhere near the team next week. I did put a starting XI up for next week on another thread but having watched the match back, we need to tighten up and a get a clean sheet asap and one or two goals next week:

Pickford, Mina, Keane, Godfrey, Kenny, Nkounkou, Doucouré, Delph, Gordon, James (if fit), Calvert-Lewin. If James is not fit, Gomes.

I see the Saints centre-back dedicated the clean sheet and win to Van Dijk, who is forever in their hearts and minds. You couldn't make it up.

Godfrey is not a right back and seldom overlapped which meant Rodriguez lacked space.

Turgid stuff.

The test of where we are now will be what reaction we see. Newcastle away and United at home. Two difficult games to call and Carlo may have to work out a different way to play for us because it looks clear that the previous system may not work without Richarlison to run in behind or create space for Digne.

Coleman has been digging us out of this problem with some superb displays.

Don't write off Godfrey as a stand in just yet. Write off the tactics and team set up. Saints played 442 and we had no answer for it.

James and Gomes are both good when we're on the front foot, but we might be better reverting to more rudimentary approach away at a well drilled side where we can't get any control of the ball.

Perhaps start with runners and pressers to match the opposition before introducing some class later on in the game.

The only trouble is that we ideally need to play Gordon LW, RW and as a number 10 to make this work. Everyone else is just too pedestrian.

Outfought, Outthought, Out passed, Out skilled, Beaten for passion, Beaten to every second ball.

Godfrey left wide open whole game, no support ahead of him.

James didn't look fit.

Midfield looked as pedestrian as last season. The fighters had forgotten their fight.

The artists didn't turn up.

Forwards had no service.

We pussyfooted from the start. Looked terrified playing around at the back. They smelled the fear and gave us a good hiding.
The score line flatters us.

I am reading that this is fallout from the Derby.
Well the Management and Players should have expected this backlash and gone into the game with a siege mentality.

Southampton looked superb. Had sussed us out tactically and gave it to us in spades.

Lets show more grit and determination on the Park and not lose our heads and get stupid suspensions.

Carlo, sort this lot out please and get your tactics and selection right.

The fact that he managed to get a foot to the ball and poke it across the goal (albeit with no real impetus) shows that the ball was still very much in play (therefore qualifying for an offence), but the fact that he did, kind of detracted from the foul itself. It seems that if an offence is comitted but the fouled player manages to carry on it is not given, but if a player hits the deck because he's been breathed on it's seen as a foul. Such is the modern game.

I'm surprised that VAR did not have a look at that yesterday.

I remember something similar with Coleman a couple of years back when - because he is the player he is - he didn't go down under a pretty aggressive challenge/trip in the penalty area, and the play continued. I can guarantee a years salary that Salah, Firmino, Mane plus a few others not necessarily of a rs ilk (but it's nice to cite them) would have hit the deck like they had been sniped on that occasion and, indeed, yesterday.

Credit to James yesterday but that was a definite shove. Clear as the day is long.

Two more games before Richarlison's back and Coleman will likely miss those two as well. Will probably be a struggle until after the next international break.

Still - we're top and I'd have taken 13 points from the first 6 all day long. At least neither, Richardson nor Digne are injured, so they'll be well rested when they get back.

I've been swept up with the optimism of late but I've had this nagging feeling that we still have a lot of players which we have said for years aren't good enough. It's worrying that if our new signings don't perform well, Richarlison is injured or suspended and DCL gets no service, like yesterday then we don't look much better than we were during the tail-end of last season. Pickford, Davies, Sigurdsson, Iwobi, Delph and Bernard aren't good enough for where we want to be. Gomes can be good but has invariably been rubbish this season. He doesn't look the same player since his injury. I know that Carlo has only had one transfer window but yesterday was a grim reality-check. I too, think it was a mistake to let Kean go without finding a decent replacement. It was always asking a lot to rely on Richarlison and DCL for every game.

The thing that I notice from watching Everton is how slow and unfit we seem in some games. The RS looked far fitter than us last week and it does make me think there is something in the rumours to their fitness levels. Southampton were far more energetic and quicker than us from the first minute yesterday. I thought Doucoure would be a player who would drive us forward but he an Allan looked absolutely shattered yesterday and we were back to sideways and backwards passing in our own half.

I really hope yesterday was a blip - I accept that we're going to lose matches but there are suddenly a lot of areas of concern. As my dad used to say, Everton are only ever two bad results away from a crisis.

We rely on Richie so much, we are a different team with out him. I can't remember us winning a game when he has not played.His presence is so important even when he doesn't score he is a constant pest to the opposition like Tim Cahill used to be.

The problem with an under strength team is it can be weakened further if you pick the wrong replacements. On Sunday we did just that.

In the last couple of seasons, we have ended up with squad players that should not be picked however dire our situation is. Our latest one is Iwobi, who has been given so many chances and failed.

P9 W7 D1 L1

If we replicate that throughout the rest of the season - I shall be quite happy.

The key, of course is that if we do lose or draw - it should be in the league not the cups.

Once we made the changes we were back in the game and drew the second half 0-0.

Iwobi and Siggy were the wrong pairing and Godfrey is never a RB.

Southampton play a 4--2-2 system which means we could have done them with the width if we would have had Coleman and Richy available and a fully fit James.

On the other hand in their absense we could have played 4-4-2 which we kind of reverted to as we chased the game in last 15 minutes with James up with DCL.

Bad day at the office all round but at lease it wasnt 2-7 which would have given the media a field day.

We have won 7 out of 9 games in all competitions, we are still top, we are frustrated with the team performance and selections, overall though I think we have done a lot better than we expected with Carlos first dip in the transfer market.

Once this season is over, Carlo will be able to offload players who,s contracts end in the Summer.

It may take another couple of seasons, before Carlo will be able to do a complete overall.

For now though we are going great guns and heading in the right direction.

Write this game off and move on to our next game.

We all knew that we would have a defeat somewhere along the way. Southampton are a decent team, with a steady defence, a little bit of talent in the midfield, with Ward Prose, pace with Redmond and a fox in the box with Ings. No disgrace to lose to them. There will be many a team who come unstuck against them.

Most important thing is that we get back to the good habits and way of playing we have displayed in the first few games.
COYB

Last week it was JP and the VVD incident, what agenda have they got against us? Maybe I just happened to turn on when this was happening, but 3 times? Sorry but it boils my urine, not a pleasant feeling!

So why the hell they opted for that mushy pea/poo strip is beyond me. Like you say neither Blue or Yellow would have clashed with theirs.

Thinking back, I think Barkley scored as well. So Lukaku, Kone and Barkley.

I was wondering the same, and foolishly expecting that piece of journalistic trash, the Red Echo, would at least follow up on the snippet they let drop early this morning.

But no. Not a dickiebird. Nothing on NewsNow either. Sorry, I don't have the patience required to check Twatter.

Southampton's first kit is shite as well. All looked a right mess aesthetically as well as technically on Sunday.

I agree with others that Doucouré and especially James and Allan looked either injured or leggy or both. They played straight through us, Ward-Prowse was made to look like a world beater. It was a great game to miss. Gomes has disappointed me recently but he looks like a potential saviour now. Maybe even Davies? Okay, it's not that bad...

Since our best players are either injured, suspended or fatigued, what to do? Not play Godfrey as right-back, that was sadistic. If Kenny is not back, Davies at a push. Nkounkou at left-back is obvious. If Allan is not 100%, then Delph. Gordon is worth persevering with, young though he is; the other options there will never be good enough and we need some pace beyond just Calvert-Lewin. Maybe listen to Steve Ferns and bring back Gomes to bring 'perfect balance' to the midfield. Not convinced that changes all that much but, if it allows Doucouré to forage further forward, then it would help.

Right now, I think we made a big mistake not getting hold of Josh King. We could really use a player like that, even when the others are back and he was a much more realistic option than Zaha. In fact very nearly a bargain...

I do not like the green top but very much doubt it was the green kit was our downfall.

I agree with others though, no reason we could not have worn blue or yellow, unless we play Plymouth, or other teams in green.

I wanted King (or better) to be that replacement / competition but sadly we have none.

Against a compact and energetic team we got done. Like Leicester, Bournemouth, West Brom (1st half), we failed to control midfield only playing 3. That led to poor passing and getting dispossessed and our midfield getting overrun.

I think Carlo needs to take some blame for this. Calvert-Lewin totally isolated and there was no supply, a lack of crosses and runners in and around their penalty area.

We offered little as an attacking side and yet we were poor as a defensive unit. Godfrey did okay but our right-hand side is exposed due to James and what he brings with the ball.

If we struggle attacking we should at least remain hard to play through. Mina and Keane too similar, ie, slow. Couldn't cope with movement. That balance is still a work in progress.

I couldn't understand why Doucouré was subbed off and not Allan or why not go 3 at the back or push Bernard up to create and support Dom?

We all know Carlo is the best manager we could get and we all have differing opinions on players, formations etc. I'm just adding suggestions and a few questions whilst not trying to be too critical. We dominated Spurs but have been patchy since.

I think what's most important is we bounce back quickly with a win. Carlo continues to assess squad players and add reinforcements in January.

All great teams have great defence and we are some way off.

Spot on!!! We might need to focus on getting more clean sheets as the next clear focus.

Gordon may well push on this season, hopefully, and step us another level.

Looks like they went to a mid-week party and still recovering. Just a blip I think. No team goes that many games unbeaten and is bad overnight.

League is definitely still wide open, eg, Leicester is one Vardy injury away from mid-table.

Klopp daren't bring on Minamino and Origi when it's stalemate – pretty much firing blanks for a year. Firminho is winding down as a Number 9.

Frank Lampard keeps dropping Mount, who is their best player, because he shelled out £90 mill on Pulisic Mk 2.

Man City have 4-touch dribblers everywhere like Foden and Sterling, no-one is one-touch passing. Seems like each has to stand a man-up and beat them before they knock it forwards.

When Richarlison is back in 2 games or so, we'll be back up and running. Coleman hopefully too. We just hang in there until then. Maybe midfield of Allan, Delph and Doucouré further forward so we're solid vs Newcastle.

For me, after the season-ending Bournemouth game, we are in a dream position this week – this season – and feel Carlo is just feeling out who are the best subs in the team, as the first team is pretty special for the first time in years.

At Christmas, if Carlo and Brands do a bit of good business, then we go up another notch.

By the way, I can't seem to find any info on when we might see Holgate, Coleman, Kenny or Branthwaite (Gbamin too!). Anyone any idea?

Slightly off-topic: Godfrey says a conversation with Tom Davies was key to his opting for Everton's offer:

Everton new boy Ben Godfrey wants to go all the way to the top

Godfrey hadn't a clue playing at full-back and if Kenny isn't fit, then Davies will do a job. On the left side, Delph should reprise his time in the full-back role at Man City.

Happens every time somebody suggests that Davies should play right back. In a Premier League game. Having never spent a minute on the backline in his entire life.

DT, you just said "Forget experimenting for now" -- and you just touted the wildest experiment possible.

No, thanks.

Godfrey is a defender and has more pace than Davies to rightfully be 3rd choice cover for right-back. Kenny takes over if fit, he's a natural right-back.

On the left, young Nkounkou should play ahead of Delph as he's a natural left-back. For me, our left side is stronger both as an attacking and defending force. More pace, energy, work rate and final ball delivery.

Just to point out, Davies has actually played right-back a couple of times having moved positions due to injuries. I like Davies but I don't want to see him play there.

And I agree with you about Nkounkou, but if James isn't fit next week I'd like to see Delph start in midfield ahead of Sigurdsson and Iwobi. He did really well off the bench.

If we haven't got decent attacking midfielders and wide full-backs, don't play a system... etc etc.

If the alternative to Sunday's shite is grinding out 1 point 0-0s for a game or two, so be it.

👍🏼

Obviously Richarlison was a huge loss but there can be no excuses for that performance. Let's hope it was a one-off and we put on a far better showing against the barcodes.

Not sure how people are blaming Pickford for either of the goals, personally I didn't think he could do much about them.

It has to be Gordon for Iwobi next game and Gomes back in place of Sigurdsson. If not Gomes, then Delph, or Davies but, please, no more Sigurdsson!

I hope this was just a one-off blip and we, at least, show up next game. I can take a defeat if we give everything to the cause, but another meek surrender will definitely set alarm bells ringing.

I fail to see where Ancelotti has proved to be an ' in play' genius as so many attest, and fear a pre Chstmas meltdown will see us mid-table !

Top 4 would require another 4 quality players.

If Bayern Munich played in pastel green with pink spots, they would still be the best team in Europe.

Carlo needs to take some blame for how he filled the gaps left by Richarlison and Coleman. Godfrey was all at sea... and why he picks Iwobi is beyond me. i still thought Allan battled well and we need him in there, Keane and Mina did okay and looked terrified of what was happening to Godfrey. Digne was petulant and irresponsible and was shite from the off – it didn't help having the ungainly Iwobi ahead of him.

Saints twatted us to be honest. Pressed without exposing themselves to our counter which was impotent anyway with nothing on the wings and the midfield struggling. Up until now, James has made space and had options; that was gone yesterday, he was frustrated (not fit). Gordon in next week and maybe Delph. Gomes gives so many fouls away he's a liability if he can cut that out then he takes Delph's place.

If you've been monitoring that page, can you give me any idea when Kenny was no longer mentioned? Seems I've missed him being declared fit again and resuming training.

Strange that Transfermarkt list nothing by way of injuries for Kenny this season, even though Carlo said he had suffered a twist on his knee that was "quite serious" after coming off early in the cup tie against West Ham.

I absolutely agree Zaha should be top of our shopping list come Jan, if there still interested in Tosun maybe it would reduce his price. I cant for the life understand why Man Utd are willing to spend over £100 million on Jadon Sancho who isn't a patch on Zaha. Also liverpool paid big money for Jota yet Zaha would fit perfectly into their team just move Mane in place of Firmino and slot Zaha on the left.

I think Zaha would be sensational for us, we could play him down one side and Richarlison on the other side, DCL in the middle with Rodriguez just behind the 3 of them.

I would have no qualms about signing Zaha, but for decent, not silly money, or like you said there Tosun as part of any deal. I also like Hirving Lozano, (Napoli) who has also been linked with us as he knows Brands and Carlo well.

The only thing there is, when he was strongly linked to us he was not getting played, didn't get on with Gattuso, but that seems to have changed. He is playing and scoring fairly regularly for them now.

Either way, Sunday showed, although we have a large squad, with a couple out or off, we are very deficient in the replacement category. It's the old conundrum again, we need to offload before we can realistically bring anyone else in.