Still in lockdown here in Melbourne but great to see the crowds on TV.

Thanks again.

Wish myself can be there...instead stuck in South East Asia due to job commitments..

COYB...

Forgetting about Keane’s mistake, it was the lack of communication between him and Holgate, that was hard to understand, and there were times when I was looking at one to help the other out, and when this wasn’t happening, I was bemused that they didn’t have ago at each other, and demand more help? So it was two individuals rather than a partnership, marshaling the middle of our defence at times unfortunately, even though Pickford was largely untroubled for most of the game.

Goodison looked even older, but I suppose the same could be said for a lot of us, until Doucouré made us all feel like kids again, and everyone went home happy!

Can't say I saw any of the double jab checks taking place on Saturday. Did anyone else? If so, how and where did they take place?

There was a guy at my turnstile on the Gwladys Street keeping a tally of who had been double jabbed or had a negative test, but he made it clear we'd have been let in anyway. Had to show him my Covid pass.

I found it a little surreal to be back and fairly quiet on the streets. The Elm has gone, the Blue Hub on Spellow Lane was closed and I assumed St Luke's was too so I strode in unopposed at 2:20 pm. I wonder if they only checked covid passes for younger people that might not be vaccinated?

No steward in my section and quite a few familiar faces missing, some through illness and some not willing to chance catching the virus perhaps?

Anyway, the second half made the trip well worth it!

In agreement on Doucoure as Man of the Match. He just shaved it for me over Richarlison as I said on Michael's match day thread.

Great day out. Early train from London and a few cheeky ones on the way. Met my brother in the Crown near Lime Street. I too found the e-ticket system very smooth; just my own fault I got there late and there was a large queue for the turnstile I entered.

Back to meet my brother, cousin and a couple of my dad's old mates in the Clock on County Road. Back to the Crown so I was positioned to not miss the last train home. Still managed to dip for the line, but made it by 2 minutes and joined up with my other brother who had been with his mates from Halewood. He too lives and works in London now, so we travelled back together. Cheeky one in the Green Man near Great Portland Street then home by 1am!

Can't wait for the next one!!

Thanks for that. My concern was that my season ticket is not in my own name (long story!) and that they may be looking to match the name on the ticket with that on the Covid Passport (which I've obviously got).

On the subject of tickets, my mate, who opted for the season ticket app, couldn't go on Saturday (last minute problem) but didn't know how to give his ticket to a friend so... it went to waste. Anyone have any ideas on this?

Obviously, Richarlison scoring so early in the second period helped, but it was nice to see an Everton team chasing a game, without looking like headless chickens in doing so.

Everton's OS is showing full coverage of the Southampton match and as far as I know, it will be a feature for the remainder of the season, there is also a shorter highlights package available too.

Official Members – as well as Season Ticket, Lounge and Hospitality Members – can watch our opening-day over win over the Saints in full now.

I suppose in the past it was simple, but with the Covid "passport" imminent, then I assume it may get stricter in terms of checking names etc.

Martin #14
Don't know if that's possible without handing over the phone! But the FAQ on the website said something about transferring at one point.

The device which reads the e-ticket seems to flash a different colour for adults, juniors etc., so maybe they're trying to clamp down on things.

Out of 10 opening day host clubs in the Premier League, there's only one that doesn't know, or cannot say for some bizarre reason, just how many of those precious fans were actually in attendance on Saturday.

The Anne Frank 'error' can't really be blamed on the club as it was probably submitted by somebody with a juvenile sense of 'humour' and the blame rests with them instead of the club. Although I'm sure they'll double-check every entry in the future to prevent idiots from submitting silly stuff.

The attendance thing is strange, perhaps, they decided to operate the new system without the usual checks? In order to prevent an embarrassing situation from occurring?

This more than anything should form a big part of Benitez's plans. Once the team work hard, the hard and unforgiving crowd gets right behind the team, and hopefully then, the fear can switch from some of the Everton players and into the opposition players instead.

I was a little (no, a lot) concerned that virtually the only people inside the ground wearing masks were the stewards and police. Being vaccinated, or wearing a mask, doesn't stop you getting it but the evidence is that it helps.

If there's one thing, apart from the virus itself of course, that has perturbed me, it's the sheer lack of logic in some of the rules and procedures set out during the pandemic.

Anyway, great to be back!

After all that, the rather stern girl behind the counter told me "no alcohol when the game has started". There was no negotiation. Double punishment. Missed the equaliser, no drink.

On a serious note, when are we going to stop treating football fans like naughty children who can't be trusted? I go to watch Schalke and can go and get a drink and bring it back to my seat whenever I want. I can even stack and get one of those McDonald's like cup holders to carry 4 back and see me through the half!!

Surely we've moved on from the 80s now. Maybe that changes when we move to BMD?

Anyway, first world problems. Me having to wait an hour for a drink didn't distract from a great day. Just wanted to get it out there!!!

I agree it did feel very good – for a change! I've just been trying to assess the future what with the new stadium on the horizon, albeit a few seasons off yet – sometime in 2024 hopefully, and Benitez still at the helm.

I wasn't anti-Benitez to start with, what he said was a long time ago, chaps, and probably riled by a load of abuse from some of our fans.

I have a sneaking suspicion that, as ironic as it seems, he may end up an Everton hero or legend – no, I have not been drinking... but alright, you could say I'm getting carried away after one game.

I can see him making the most of the task he has been given if he's allowed to get on with the ups and downs for a decent length of time. He will know that we have the potential to become one of the super clubs again, especially when we move into the new stadium.

He's the right age with loads of experience in all situations and I can see him being our manager for a number of seasons. The stadium is costing an absolute fortune but I would imagine that the management will want a team of suitable class that matches our new stadium.

So why not!

The fans make such a difference and they certainly had their moneys worth in the second half.

The manager has to be given a chance and it was imperative that he got off to a good start. Hopefully, he will be a success.

Not all night though!

Danny #16 – interesting about you and your son being named on your nephew's season ticket. I assume his is an e-ticket rather than plastic card – any idea how he went about organising that?

I was fine with that personally but, sadly, my message to anyone who is in two minds about whether or not to go to the match because they feel vulnerable, is that the club are not particularly interested in trying to enforce any covid safety meaures.

A tale of two cities though – although my train back to London seemed to be another mask-free zone (like most of Liverpool in my experience), as soon as I got on the Tube it was at least 80% masked up.

Great to be back at the match and the 3 points made it a perfect start.

According to my sister, he sends me a link if not using it and I can access by my phone. I then cancel it off the phone after using it. Apparently very easy to use.

My brother used it this week (I paid for my ticket).

It is always enjoyable to see the human side of supporting the blues.

I am stuck in Florida at the moment so your report helps me reminisce what I'm missing.

BTW can you name the pub that offers free hot dogs. Mike G and Jamie (LOL) might be interested when they eventually get over.

Danny (23) You raise an interesting point about fans being treated as naughty children. Unfortunately the evidence in this country is that there is a significant proportion of the public who behave exactly like that. The behaviour at Wembley is not the only recent example. I read that Lords Cricket Ground has stopped serving alcohol during the Hundred owing to poor behaviour ruining the occasion for others.

I remember going to see the GB team at the London Olympics and trying to bring a beer back to my seat. I was stopped in my tracks and told that it was because we could throw the beer. At the same moment, a guy walked past with hot coffees, and was allowed to take them to his seat! I said that surely you could do more damage throwing hot coffee at someone than cold beer?! They had no answer.

It’s a nonsense mate.

Lords haven't banned alcohol during The Hundred; they've banned fans from bringing their OWN alcohol into the ground - the bars are still open. They did this because, to their surprise, a clear majority of the spectators were families with young children, which caught them 'on the hop'.

Lancashire have a similar thing at Old Trafford; they have the 'Party Stand' on one side, where the bars are open all day, and the Family Stand on the other, where alcohol is banned.

If I support a rugby club or a cricket club I can drink a beer whilst watching the game, but when I go to a football match that's not allowed, why? I'm the same person at the footy as I am at the the other sports. To be honest, I'm quite glad that I'm not allowed to drink watching football, as it gives me a welcome break from the ale.

Then you don't have everyone piling downstairs in a 15 minute period. It's more spread out as people can go and get a tea, coffee, beer or food whenever they want and take it back to their seat.

Appreciate we don't necessarily have the facilities or concourse at Goodison like Schalke, where there is much more space, more facilities and even mobile beer stands, but just a thought.

We are effectively encouraging mass congregation in a tight space over a 15 minute period!!

And #43 – well said. I think we were encouraged on Saturday not to gather in concourses, yet beer was served that you were not allowed to drink anywhere else! Doesn't really affect me as I do my drinking earlier in the pub but does seem ridiculous.

The season before last, the club found it necessary to include a note in their advice to away fans that throwing beer in the air would not be tolerated. I rest my case.

I guess I've been spoiled at Schalke. As well as the far superior facilities and trusting me to take a drink to my seat to actually drink it, the Veltins Arena is sponsored by Veltins. A fine German Pilsner.

Remember warm Chang?

I think a part of the problem with the drinks in the ground was that there was no fan zone, surely we are better off drinking outside than in the cramped Dickensian conditions afforded in the Bullens Road stand.

Good report, Paul, apart from Iwobi 8, seriously!

What worried me more about the incident was the ease with which he was then knocked off the ball and onto his backside. He's going to need some muscle-building if he's ever going to make it at top level.

I can't agree with the idea of being able go and buy alcohol throughout the game. It pisses me off having to get up and down for the number of fans who get in late and also those who have to go to the bars from up to 15 minutes or so before half-time and then get back to their seats another 15 minutes or so after half-time and then leave early another 10 to 15 minutes before the game ends.

Personally, I can't understand why people pay the rip-off prices at the official outlets.

I appreciate what you're saying but I don't want to be constantly having to get up during the match, having my view of the game obstructed as people go for another beer / toilet break. The stands at most British football grounds don't lend themselves to a free flow of people. Besides, I don't want people edging past me constantly at a distance of at most 6 inches during a Covid pandemic

Keane.. Yeah, he wont make more blunders like THAT this season, Or will he..? I still rate him higher than Mina, whos also suspectable of yellow cards in dangerous positions. Also, hes very fragile. Keane and Godfrey is my pair. Holgate might improve but he make Keane nervous and me aswell.

DCL and Richie did well.
Doucoure very good.
Allen an enigma. Is his engine at fault??
Digne and Coleman did the job, nothing more.
Gray was quite good, but hop he imptoves.
Townsend nothing spectacular.
Pickford did ok. Nothing fancy. Could communiate better with his defence.

When I was watching a game at the San Siro, 2 or 3 years ago, a chap came around with a tray full of beers – like a cinema usherette – and you could just buy the beer at your seat. That would seem to be a solution to your issue.

At Haydock Races, guys used to go round with cylinders of beer on their back, squirt re-filling empty glasses.

Still maintain though that the stands are far too cramped at most UK grounds for such American customs.