The aggression and toxic language heard even at Goodison, would make a nun blush.

Glad you both enjoyed the experience.

I took my lad to his first match at home to Villa on the first day of the season when he was 2 (I think). We sat on the front row of the Enclosure, right in the corner with the Park End. My back turned for a second before kick off and he'd helped himself on to the sideline, heading towards the pitch, but his mini pitch invasion was curtailed and the offender returned to his seat. Probably his first memorable away match was not so memorable. Lost away to Charlton in the match Ferguson got himself sent off in.

Agree with most of your ratings. Probably would have dropped Keane a point. Extremely harsh of me, just picked up on his token "let it float over my head and watch the ball" moment in the first half that nearly cost us. But other than that, he did play well.

Your comment and comparison on Gordon intrigued me. Technical but not blessed with pace. I instinctively thought of Pienaar. I could be wrong here, but I don't recall him being particularly quick either. But his technical ability, quick thought process and change of pace gave him an edge. And the left back of the time enjoyed playing with him too!!!

The way Townsend cushions the pass from Doucoure, is absolutely brilliant, just a little pat with his left foot getting it completely under control ready for his right foot to take over and slam it in, excellent.

A very good team effort that I thought was deserving of all three points. Benitez is doing a great job with a threadbare squad, the longer he stays at Everton all the better for us.

My take on the match was pretty similar overall to your own, although like Dave@1, I think Gordon (who played far better than I could have hoped) certainly does have some pace about him, if not being exactly jet-heeled.

I've entered the Davies debate on another thread so won't repeat myself here!

I took my youngest who loves playing football but has no time for watching it to the Norwich game, and although he said he wants to go next week, I've got a feeling that he will like the away games a lot more, because he only came alive when the crowd sang, and during one of the quiet moments he jumped up out of his seat and shouted “just break his fuckin ankles” something he definitely never got from me.

I asked him why he said it, and he said the Everton player was just watching their player who had the ball, and you're supposed to get stuck in, and not just let them do what they want, which is exactly what Everton did at Old Trafford. 👍

I think the best place for this kind of behaviour and language is precisely at an away match with heightened emotions. Maybe I'm looking at it through tinted glasses and because I now live in another country and missing matchday atmosphere, but the 'aggression and toxic language' is actually kind of brilliant – maybe even poetic in its own way – and I miss it very much.

Thought Ben Godfrey was our weak link, he is definitely not a full-back and a lot of the time Man Utd had the freedom of our right flank. Don't understand the reluctance to play Kenny, he is a natural right-back and, whilst he may not be the long-term solution, he is limited going forward and does not have Godfrey's pace, but he would have been tighter on Martial. Got to be worth a go.

Reading Paul's comment on that made me thing of the bloke behind me, Derek Knox & Andy Crooks last week in the Gwladys Street. All 3 of us grown men, lots of cumulative Goodison experience between us and used to sitting near "that guy". But he was special. Genuinely never heard one that bad in all my years.

I hope the young man is still buzzing, Paul.

Like others, I was surprised to read your comment about Anthony Gordon's pace. From what I have seen, he is quick, certainly compared with some of the pedestrian performers we have recruited in previous years. On Saturday he was up against Aaron Wan-Bissaka who is one of the fastest full-backs around and gave him a run for his money.

A concern about Gordon has been his lack of physical strength but he is beginning to show the sort of tenacity he will need if he is to make the grade. The other obvious aspect for improvement is his output of goals and assists. The lad has potential but we will need more from him as the season progresses.

What I see is an intelligent football brain and a good turn / change of pace. That is just as good to beat a player and buy space as much as winning an outright 40-yard sprint and can give the perception of pace, when really, you've left them standing and given yourself 10 yards that they won't make up in time.

For a lot of players, it's often the change of pace that's important and I think that's what Gordon has along with technical ability and a very intelligent footballing brain. Hopefully I'll get to watch him more closely but so far, that's what I'm seeing.

I believe Gordon is pretty quick as a few said.

You're article reminded me of my visits to Goodison, great descriptions mate! I envy you a lot, from Argentina! Hahaha.

As for the slating man, well that is something that very often happens and can be frustrating, but away at Old Trafford, I'll take it!!

Stephen #9
Before the QPR game I'd have agreed with you on JJK but he had a nightmare and didn't deserve to be selected on Saturday.

We could only get tickets in their North Stand, and behaved a bit like a tourist neutral for most of the game, but as soon as we equalised Issy said to me if we get a winner lets go for it!!!

88th minute and we are on our seats screaming goal like the best South American commentators – sadly saw our arses a little, when we finally sat down – but all the fans around us were perfectly decent!!

Issy said she was surprised how subdued a group of fans they are and how Ronaldo obsessed the support was!

Outrage at his non-selection and then delirium when he came on. They were so wanting him to score so they could no doubt roll out their pre-prepared scripts.

And it continued onto Match of the Day. "If Ronaldo is on the pitch, he scores that", repeat x however many!

But what you did last weekend will always be a first for both of you. Not counting the one you took him to when he was 2. For his sake, and with all due regard to Lincoln City, never tell him that the Lincoln game was his first.

I text my son, who lives an hour away in Melbourne, and he had turned it off after 8 minutes, fearing the worst. He was carried to his first game at Goodison by his mother when he wasn't to be born for another 3 months but at least was there as Tony Cottee scored a hat-trick (yet another false dawn) on his debut.

Sounds like you had a good time with friends and family of both colours. Good to be reminded of that when we often just concentrate on the idiots.

What a smashing article – and another Blue for life... brilliant.

What was equally great, that *goal* was so near to being perfect and a wonderful piss-take of the Mancs. What was equally excellent, is that we had eight players in and around the box in that attack. Good to see and I can't remember seeing so many thoroughly superfast counter-attacks from Everton for yonks!

As for funny moments at Old Trafford, me and me mate went up there on Boxing Day (forget what season,) horrible day, pouring down, cold and we got beat 4-Nil. That was bad enough but we got surrounded by a bunch of Mancs in a chippy, no way out but past them. One asked my mate what the time was and he just jammed a load of chips in his gob and mumbled (quick thinking get!) Then the Manc asked me... knee-knocking time. Luckily, by the time he got to me, I remembered my dad's woollyback language (he came from Haydock) and spouted out a poor attempt of relying "It was a great match, didn't we whack the scousers!" and held me hand out to show him my watch. I think he thought I was a mental defective!

Thankfully, we escaped and when we got into town, spent the rest of the night in the wine lodge drinking Hot Toddies... Got the last train back to Liverpool. Don't remember the journey...