Long long way to go but

A) Already super impressed by Rafa;
B) The ‘team' looks better than under Carlo (I'm aware it's only been 4 games);
C) Squad isn't big enough – we need to find a way to back Rafa in the transfer market;
D) It's become fun to watch the Blues again!!!!

nb: Where is Godfrey??

The defence were moving forward with the attack and moving back as part of a tight unit, with each defender knowing their job and doing it. The attacking options were enhanced with good final-third passing and movement.

Everton looked solid and professional; fine-tuning of individual performances, with a few astute additions, could finally result in the Everton we all have been looking for, for so long.

A real confidence-building teamwork display.

Benitez has taken off the shackles; the team know what they are doing and are enjoying themselves. Townsend and Gray can't believe their luck and our centre-mids have hit top gear. And to think Allan was written off after the first game of the season.

Coyb

It's a pity we did not get Rafa before Carlo came...

The Professor even brought his star pupil with him but let him stay off school when he wanted, a spoilt brat.

I know where you live, Rafa. If you keep playing with bravery, dynamism and integrity, I'll be round with a bottle of wine, flowers for the missus, and I'll even cut the grass.
COYB

Make sure you take a long extension lead, very long! 🤣

I'm also looking for us to move out players that don't want to play for the club... Moise Keane looks set to rejoin Juventus (where I'm sure he will do very well – he clearly never settled) and the disappointment that has become James Rodriguez after such a blazing start last season...

Point being is, there is no point having players take numbers and salaries that they don't want to earn... Which brings me to our manager.

I'm very pleased with his attitude; we're all seeing his abilities and knowledge and experience, he's been in charge less than 8 weeks and he's already transformed the playing style and given clear instructions to an expensive and talented squad that has woefully underperformed for >5 years now.

We've spent >£300M in 5 years. More money on this squad than in the entire history of the club. We've seen very little return – no silverware, middle-of-the-road league results, pedestrian commitment, and a loss of identity. Successive managers have stripped the club of pride. We've been absolutely left behind by the old Big 5... We are barely a Top 10 team and we think we are Top 4... Look at the reality of the league table over the last 8 years...

I am really pleased that we finally appointed a manager that a) wants to be our manager; b) has the pedigree to be our manager; and c) has just gotten on with the job of coaching our expensively constructed squad...

Is it too early to tell? Absolutely not: 8 weeks in, look at the results, look at the performances, look at the press conferences and post-match interviews. This is a manager with a plan, and he's been allowed to run with it – and the results are showing. Yes, we got mauled by Man Utd... a great game that ruthlessly exposed what our weaknesses are. But this manager is showing that he can learn, and adapt, and change the shape of games – mid-game. The characteristics of an exceptional manager.

The day I learned Ancelloti was leaving – on the day he left – I was sitting outside the Mal Maison Hotel next to The Liver Building with a colleague. The news broke, I was pretty stunned like all of us were...

Even though we finished a rubbish 10th, and even though our home form was appalling, and we laboured and struggled to kill games, and we seemed at sea on many occasions - showing little spine almost every game... I was still really happy we had a manager with Ancelloti's history and class.

But the moment I read he'd gone. I looked up and said to my colleague, "Rafa Benitez." I have always been convinced he was the right man, at the right time, right club and right city... I knew at the time his name wasn't in the frame, and I knew there would be many, many, many Toffees – and many on this site, including Lyndon & Co, that would need convincing...

Convinced yet?

Of course he's going to lose some. But he's going to win more, and he's going to coach a very expensive squad, he's shown he can identify players we need – to play the way he wants them to play, and build strength and depth... Just as (if not more) important... He is showing a winning mentality. He wins trophies.

We need to win a trophy. 1995... I can't believe it's been so long. We need silverware. We lost our 'once every 10 years' rule under Moyes...

We absolutely need to change that narrative; if it's Benitez that can do that – great, especially as he would write a bigger name for himself in this City – in Royal Blue, if he managed it with us...

Time to get behind our Manager – in full...

Only the best will do.

Forget the results, I've actually enjoyed watching us play so far this season. Pacy, direct and some lovely interchanges.

BTW, Burnley have just signed Maxwell Cornet from Lyon for around £15M. I mention this because he plays on the left side, winger or full back. And, as far as I know, there have been no rumours of Charlie Taylor (their first choice left-back) being sold!!

Dwight McNeil could be on his way to...

Gray – another really good contribution, ditto Townsend. Two additions to the first team that have made an immediate impact.

My spare was in a girl's name and I wasn't even asked for Covid pass so I wouldn't let that stop anyone getting a ticket for the ride!

UTFT!

The only negative for me was Calvert-Lewin's injury. Let's hope it was only a mild strain..

But Evertonians, are Born, Live and Die a Blue, and each to their own view, respectfully.

This season is another massive challenge but very early days, for me we are getting the best tune from any squad in many years.

I've taken age-old adages from the Alan Biley debut a month ago, and yesterday for me was like being at the Goldstone – Kevin Sheedy's brace and sublime second goal, if scored in modern times would be given grace to Zico, Marco van Basten, Ronney, Messi, etc.

The initial touch, to almost kill and caresse the ball and roll it in, for me has not been met closely in almost 40 years.

Everton at that time were emerging and becoming top class.

I do sincerely hope and as being as Partizan as an Evertonian, that this season, could become a catalyst season, genuinely as it was almost 40, years ago.

“What's Our Name?”

It could have been, but we know that history and fate over the last fifty years, has made history.

But the banter, grit, whit, fortitude and passion of Evertonians, is the best !

Bit off topic, but watched excellent Roy Keane interview by Gary Neville. He mentions being dismayed with some of the players at Villa when he was assistant manager. He was annoyed with attitude and professionalism little delve into who it might be. Our own F Delph is probably one of the culprits

Allan was outstanding. I love that mix of Reid and Pirlo description!!

I've said many times, although we have Seamus, who demonstrated his leadership qualities when the kids were arguing over who's ball it was, Allan is a captain without the armband.

Constantly talking and pointing to the team. And something we haven't had in many a year of being plucky or nice little Everton, he's a flea in the official's ear. Watch closely when Coleman goes down after being on the end of his pinpoint pass. He's the first to be telling the ref what decision he needs to make.

I don't think we will get the helpless manager look of Silva and Ancelotti on the sideline this season. Everton will be more effectively adaptable with leadership both on and off the pitch doing everything possible whilst there is still time on the clock.

This will be needed as opposition teams try different tactics to counter Everton as the season progresses.

"But we huffed and puffed without really playing to our highest level and when you are playing a team that is in good form like Everton are, that are well organised with good players, that it is hard for us to get results and that has been proven today. " — Graham Potter.

That's my point. My ticket had a girl's name on it (not mine) and it made no difference. I understand that it doesn't matter. I was just going to tell them it was my mother-in-law's ticket and the sour auld cow had decided to go to Anfield instead but I wasn't even asked.

It was just really annoying to see the empty seats when we know there are so many Blues who would love to be sat there and can't get away tickets.