Premier League – Week 18

Willing to read any offered theories explaining Leeds’s decline.

Dale, easy mate, they are shite!

Actually, last season I think they took a lot of teams by surprise but have been found out now. Bielsa needs a plan B and C, be interesting to see if he can keep them up.

He got an awful lot out of a limited bunch. Some injuries, a drop of confidence and its unravelled quite quickly.

The top 4 have supreme athletes that can pay twice a week, and a strong reserve to fill in. The rest are a couple of bad results from the manager getting the sack.

Matheus Koch, Dale.

Injury list, Dale? Obstinacy in tactics? Who was arguing we need Bielsa?

I think you all covered it. Thanks. So I get the feeling Bielsa leaving is a growing expectation.

Rob, good point about Arteta, but I couldn't see him leaving London to come back to Everton. The Everton job for a long time has always been a huge/nearly impossible task. Arsenal have recent success, the stadium, and some good players.

I have not watched MotD for some weeks because I feel it is very vanilla and will not challenge some of the incidents that it records. I tuned in to tonight's program to view the penalty that Arsenal were awarded because the incident was reported to be very similar to one that occurred between Everton and Tottenham where no penalty was awarded to Everton.

Sadly, that passage of play was edited out, not seen and not commented upon. There was no pressure for time as only the one match was played today in the Premier League. As I said, the show is vanilla and in my view not worthy of its status, if it has any left. COYB.

John. I think you’re getting your games mixed up. The Arsenal penalty you talk about was in their game against West Ham in midweek, not today. (They didn’t get a penalty today). It was though, as you say, very similar to the penalty incident in our game v Spurs. Ours was overturned by VAR, while VAR deemed the Arsenal penalty to be the correct decision.

The difference isn’t the VAR technology, it’s who’s watching, our was Jon Moss I believe, enough said.

Rob #37, thank you for putting me straight, doh! I shall wind my neck in and give my head a wobble. 🙄

Jeff #38, agreed, maybe a regular panel would help with a consistency of judgment on VAR.

Merry Christmas to all ToffeeWeb beers, with 3 points on Boxing Day leading to a happy and healthy New Year to you all. COYB.

Fred Carno’s at Newcastle.

Well, last week I suggested there was one less place in the Bottom 3 to worry about with Norwich. Maybe there's 2.

Only one to "fight" for??!!

Hopefully Danny that’s the case, but we still need another 20 points, hope there’s no complacency because 2 places are already probably taken.

Eddie Howe still proving himself to be the English Roberto Martinez for me. Only unlike at Bournemouth, he doesn't have the naivety or expectation associated with Bournemouth. He will be under pressure soon. Just as he wood have been at Everton for those who fancied him.

Could be said the Eddie effect has worn off, only an effect never really got started. The club has openly mentioned possible drop and rebuild since the takeover, and it looks highly likely.

Danny, could that final place go to Leeds? Lost their last three games, scoring 3 whilst conceding 14, and next up, a trip to the RS. At the moment it’s not looking good for Leeds, but like us, are riddled with injuries.

I’m looking forward to this Spurs game.

Could well be Rob. They don't look great, have a thin squad and notoriously collapse in the second half of a season under their current manager.

Is it wrong to want Tottenham to lose tonight? I'm just thinking that leaves us 6 points off 7th with Burnley, Newcastle, Brighton and Norwich to come.

And in-between, Hull in the cup to put us on a path to Wembley in May.

Come on you Spurs, a R/S win? gotta be joking.

Danny, wash your mouth out! 😡😡

My biggest pet hate is strikers being offside from a goal kick or a punt from the goalkeeper.

And Danny come on 😞😡

Bobby, mine’s everyone back for a corner, even with Demarai Gray in the team.

With dirty dishwater, Rob!

TAA is a good player

Jeff, yes, that’s another.

Get in, Kane!

Kaaaaaaaannnnneeeeee!

Come on, Kane. Six of the best for this lot.

“Trent” 🤮giving the ball away there, yesssss

Good goal

Should’ve been two. Kane over ht the pass

Son of a bitch

Rob, interesting how many of us predicted (Guessed!) trouble for Leeds despite how well they started and survived last year. Maybe due to demands of the high energy game. Maybe they don't use the caffeine and inhalers that "Others" have.

I hope they don't go down.

Should be 2 up

Red that

That's a red.

And now I see there was a little Christmas cheer whilst I was typing. Good time for Kane to find some form. Hurry up, Harry, come on!

Will

They were awful against Arsenal. Misplaced passes, no defensive organization. But then you realize they been punching above their wait with journeymen jokers like Ayling, Cooper who’s a liability and championship at best Bamford. The goalie is a good shot stopper but that’s it. Phillips, Harrison and Rapinha are the only players I’d want at Everton which doesn’t say much for them. But credit to their fans, 40,000 passionate and rowdy even down 1-4

What a miss by Deli.

Like a missed pen that , the melt.

FFS Dele Alli, should have buried that.

Should be 3-0. Hope they don’t live to regret these misses

Should be 4-2 this

Red defence looks poor. Jordan, what have you done?

Bingo getting rather agitated on the line. 😀😀😀

Klopp throwing a tantrum.

Fuck off.

Wasteful Spurs.

That’s what happens when you don’t take chances

Robertson so good at times.

Fucking spurs

NBC have Ndombele both playing and listed as a sub. Not sure what Conte is plotting but seems like that’s cheating

Bingo booked. Should have got a second for sarcasm.

Kieran, he'll be annoyed when he's subbed off. But made up when he comes on.

Brent

Lol the second chance might motivate him

Jurgen falling apart again.

Kieran,

true. Been nice to see what can be done with spirit, commitment and tactics/management with an ordinary squad. Plus being great to watch - but I guess it only goes so far, or lasts for so long.

I think Gary Neville has wet himself.

Spurs just have to get the ball to the final third quickly - this defence is there for the taking.

So that miss by Dele Alli turned out to be a great save by the bearded lady. Was missed by everyone…………

Except the referee! 😀😀😀😀

Not by the ref, Rob. He gave a corner.

That was a really good save Rob

Bloody Calvert-Lewin and his fucken adverts!

Get back on that treatment table, laddo. We need you!!!

Michael (65), so you can have a go at him!!

Aye Dave,

What was that they just said? The only player with more headed goals than Jiota is Calvert-Lewin? Not sure I heard it right, but maybe he is shacking of "Championship only" tag!

Let’s hope the referee and lines men play fair and don’t get conned by the RS in the second half.

Spurs will make chances but must be clinical.

Michael ( 67), let’s hope he scores a few when he does come back.

For you US viewers, Everton women are playing right now on NBCSN, hosting Manchester United at Walton Hall Park.

For UK viewers Liverpool ladies are playing Spurs on Sky sports main event.

Kane misses again

Are Spurs throwing this?

Another incredible chance created but then messed up by Dele Alli.

Spurs are going to regret these missed chances.

Kane championship at best ….

Kane not able.

Yellow card is having a good game.

Robertson v Son, 2 odious little twats.

Dele Alli hair do – Calvert-Lewin has deffo missed a trick there. Could be all over social media.

Here we go Ndombele off but will he back back?

WTF is that "Expected Goals" nonsense?

Would it match his dress Michael?

Kieran, he's been on / off all game.

And another one he fucks up!

That has to be disallowed.

Dele Alli penalty, not given. Handball by salad not given, which leads to a RS second goal, which of course stands.

See Salad there immediately grabbing his head to distract from that handball, accidental or not. Crafty AF.

Astounding... How? Why?

What a fucking crock off shite.

Yes

Yeesss. Get in.

Get in son

Noice.

Jaysus... that has to be a red card.

Keeper had the pen' on his mind there...

Red. How sad.

Should be red

That Robertson is horrible dirty fucking piece of shit. And the bastard is sent off.

Finally. a correct fucken decision!

Even The Cabal can't save Robertson there.

He was looking at the Spurs players leg as opposed to the ball that was obvious and malicious

Well Tierney has got rid of one nasty git.

Dirty twat

"Gusto". Jeez, Tyler.

Has he got a straight red or 2x yellow then red or yellow overturned for red? Anybody know my heads done in

Yellow overturned for red.

As much as I like the moral high ground, I really wish we had more horrible dirty pieces of shit playing for us.

Robert, it seems to deliver, for the "Big Six" teams at least. Not so sure for everyone else.

Another astounding chance gone begging. Would have been offside, but VAR would only look if it's a goal?

What if they then score from the ensuing corner? More VAR nonsense.

Fucking Spurs are going to rue those misses.

Michael

That happened in the Utd game a few weeks ago. Offside Ronaldo goalie saved, corner, utd score and it stood

You might have a point there Will.

Conte certainly has gotten Spurs looking and playing a bit like a football team... or does it just look like that coz they are up against a pile of Red Shite?

Fucking Spurs are going to rue those misses.

Too right, Bobby. Unbelievable number of chances.

Spurs could have had 7 or 8 today.

The ref gave them their second and again Salad gets away with cheating.

Radio 5Live saying the 2nd goal would have been ruled out for handball last season, and would have this season if it had gone straight in off Salah's arm. But because there was another phase of play, it now stands this season.

Utter fucking nonsense. When an instance happens in the game, it's either within the rules or it's not. This consequential stuff does my head in.

I only saw from the moment that Kane put a glorious chance over the bar from a corner, but in that time, I saw the official letting things go, which he shouldn't have done. I'm afraid there are too many 'Get out of Jail Free' cards for the officials, which makes them more prone to favouring the sides who will complain the most if they get it wrong.

As MK observed earlier, since when has the award of a corner been checked by VAR, when from the broadcast I was watching, neither the possible penalty (it wasn't) on Dele Alli was checked nor the possible handball or offside for the goal which gave the other lot the lead.

Manchester City scored a perfectly good goal – can't remember which one third or fourth I think, no obvious reason to check it, but VAR did anyway.

So, Michael, the exact same handball incident can have two different outcomes? Un-fuckin-believable.

Michael, we seem in a phase where the rules and their interpretation are in a continuous state of assessment and alteration. It was even mentioned in the game by Tyler.

I also noticed today that good old solid shoulder charges, once always legal within playing distance of the ball, seemed to be back on the menu.

This said, we'll see less than what happened with Salad today be ruled foul for someone. The importance of deliberate or not seems to be played with as it suits too.

Rob @118

I noticed your comment on another thread, about the other lot's goal against Newcastle.

Can you imagine the furore from their manager and the media if the Magpies had scored that past them whilst one/two of theirs were lying prostrate on the ground?

Barry (117), I think they checked City’s fourth goal because the linesman had flagged for offside.

You remind me of another there, Dave – the stupid delayed offside flag thingy. What is the point?

Dave @121

Thanks for that, I hadn't noticed the flag. I still can't bear to listen to the commentators so sometimes I miss the odd thing here and there.

Robert @106, it's just my opinion, but I think the moral high ground is usually for losers, and is not something that is used by the winning team, for obvious reasons, namely because they are usually too busy celebrating to even care?

One thing that is scary, having not watched the game, is reading the reports on the BBC website in game time and how they were all saying that they should have been checking Kane's tackle beforehand, if they thought that giving Robertson a red card was the correct decision?

This gives the cabal shout even more credibility!

Tony @124

I think you're correct, winners generally don't care about bending the rules to the full extent, I know Riedy and Co didn't.

At the same time, blatant cheating and breaking of the rules isn't at all acceptable and should be stamped out of the game, but it seems the makers of the rules are doing everything to encourage cheating.

Reidy not Riedy (I think he was a German cousin of Peter)

If a Spurs player had handled the ball like Salah in his box, would they have given a penalty? Of course they would – even after a second phase. So it's a foul (handball) and no goal to Salah IMO.

I thought Spurs delayed the substitution of the lad they bought from Fulham for far too long, he was very poor and even turned his back on the centre from which Liverpool scored their hotly disputed second goal.

He was rated very highly and cost a good fee but he looked short of confidence and lacked any sort of aggression.

Liverpool stole a point there today, helped by another weak referee... didn't we have him officiating against us recently?

Referees!! Liverpool get fuckin' homers when they are playing away!!!

Bobby, I seem to remember one stage where such accidental handballs would count as foul if it lead to a goal. I remember this because I thought at the time that was creating a dangerous distinction between accidental handball in a defensive situation versus that of attack.

There's been so much tinkering over recent seasons, it's hard to know where we are at any one time.

Barry@125, that's the most obvious thing I've heard or read today mate.

If a player is found out to be diving, then give him a yellow card, and also introduce a 12/15 min sin-bin, where he can go and sit to contemplate how disgraceful trying to cheat everyone really is.

My bet is that, within a few weeks, diving would become a thing of the past?

Tony, the BBC is a nest of RS vipers, something illustrated by the fact that, since Stevie Gobshite took over at Villa, coverage of that club, hitherto lacking, has now mushroomed. Which incidentally disposes of the claim we don't get fair coverage due to not winning anything.

I remember the last time Villa had a good side and won the league under Ron Saunders: but that was even before we last did! I rest my case.

I knew it'd be worth while having a look at this thread today.

Didn't see the game but clear red for Kane not given, clear pen for Liverpool not given, I would say maybe a slightly harsh straight red for Robertson but strangely it was other reffing decisions that are talking points.

Shane @132

How come Klopp wasn't given the red card following the match as he launched a tirade about Tierney saying, "I don't have a problem with referees – only you!" I seem to remember Ancelotti getting a red card at Goodison after the game for speaking his mind.

As for Evertonians picking out stuff that favoured Liverpool, what do you expect on an Everton fans forum?

I never watched the game, Shane, but was Robertson's red harsh, because a clear red on Kane went unpunished? And did Salah handle the ball in the build-up to Liverpool's equalizer?

Tierney was the ref who gave Ancellotti the red card, I'm sure?

Tony @134,

It was Chris Kavanagh who was in charge of the game against Man Utd at Goodison when Ancelotti was red-carded after he gave offside against the Icelandic bloke.

Barry, I expect nothing but I should get balance.

No idea what Ancelotti said. Klopp is allowed to say he has a problem with a ref. Usually the line is at abuse or questioning the ref's integrity.

Tony, maybe not harsh but, on the line of yellow or red, I'd have thought whereas Kane's and the penalty were certs.

I didn't see Salah's handball but read that it would've been given under the old rules but not the new as it didn't directly set up the goal.

Shane @136,

I think we get far too much balance on this site and other Evertonian platforms when it comes to the old enemy.

Have you ever looked at what they say about us on their sites, where the truth doesn't seem to matter, never mind balance?

I'm not a lip reader but, when Klopp was ranting at the ref at half-time, Dele Alli came over and it looked like he said “What did he want?” before he and the ref giggled.

I'm wondering if the ref said something like “Old Juergen just doing stuff I'd send off Moutinho for.”

Barry, I've no idea how there can be too much balance in any discussion and I've absolutely no idea what they say as I couldn't care less.

I'd be surprised if they care a shite about us. But going on their sites to see what they say? Why would I ever?

Shane@136

Kane at least made a (poor) attempt to get the ball, the Scottish thug was sent off for violent conduct. Do that in Lime Street and you'd end up in court.

He cared not a jot where the ball was, he just hoofed the Spurs player as hard as he could. I'm all for ‘balance' but be realistic. Robertson was a nailed-on red.

Shane @139,

I just don't understand why you want to see fair-mindedness and balanced opinion when it comes to a club we have no affinity with? Why should the thoughts of Evertonians on this thread be balanced or fair, when it comes to Liverpool?

If you want to see a balanced opinion about the enemy, I suggest you go to other sites to read about them and stop complaining about people having an issue with the neighbours.

I have a brother who is a red, so that's how I know what their sites say about us, and if you think they don't care about little old Everton, you're completely wrong. They are, despite their success, obsessed about us, even if it's only to score cheap points.

Fair enough, Ray, but kicking a player or not caring where the ball is is not on its own an automatic red. I'm not saying it wasn't, I think it was a close call.

Kane went in dangerously and there is absolutely no argument it was a red.

My point is however that this and the penalty went against Liverpool which I've been told isn't possible.

Incidentally, the ref said that Jota stopped to invite the tackle. Apart from being wrong, where in the rules does it state you can't stop to invite a tackle?

I just read Kane, saying he was surprised he got booked, and that Robertson had told him it wasn't even a foul, Shane? If Klopp said that Tierney was the only ref he had a problem with, then surely that is questioning the ref's integrity?

I just wish I only had a problem with one referee refereeing Everton because life would be a lot easier if this was the case. With Richarlison's goal that wouldn't have stood last season still being disallowed against Arsenal being a case in point!

Shame (132),

I agree with you that Liverpool were short-changed by the ref. It was a pretty clear foul on Jota in the penalty area, and the Kane challenge was much more dangerous and reckless than the Robertson hack.

Anyone who slides in at full pelt with their studs showing is in danger of causing real damage, while an agricultural swing of the boot while basically standing still might be shithousery of the highest order, but it's much less likely to cause lasting damage.

Tony, what do you want me to say? None of that makes any sense. If you agree with that synopsis then I’m lost for words.

Having a problem with a ref can be encountering numerous badly reffed matches. Doesn’t have to suggest he’s doing so intentionally. I heard Klopp’s interview and he referred to Tierney having a problem with him (Klopp) so not sure if there’s some confusion.

Not following you with Richarlison.

You said Salah's goal would have been disallowed last season, and that was supposedly also supposed to be the case with Richarlison's goal against Arsenal, Shane, because they had decided this season, that hairline decisions would now go in favour of the attacking team?

Supposedly, until VAR intervened once again, but I didn't realize that Klopp was saying the ref had a problem with him. I thought he was saying that he was the only ref that gave him problems and I was thinking, you're very lucky if you only have a problem with one ref.

I haven't watched any football today. I was just saying what I read Kane had said, and I've also misread what Klopp had said, so I'm making a stupid mistake of talking about something I haven't even seen, Shane.

Shane@142,

“Kicking a player is not on its own an automatic red.”

Shane, you might want to reconsider your stance following that statement.

If kicking the ball away or stopping a quick free-kick are yellows, then what the Scottish thug did is capital punishment.

Ray, my stance? I don't have a stance. If you clip a player's heels for example, you'll most likely receive a yellow card. That was my point. The severity of the kick would dictate the card colour.

No worries, Tony.

Shane, have you seen the incident?

It’s violent, not a ‘professional’ foul, not ‘taking one for the team’. Only the RS could try to defend it. ‘T’ shirts on sale next week!

Not sure of anyone trying to defend it but you’ll probably find one.

Shane, there’ll be thousands across Stanley Park!

Ray, and even more in Norway

In a way happy game was called off
Shot up to Hampden to watch Hibs
Should have stayed home
Same up here regarding refs
Injury time Hibs going for the equalizer. Porteous taken right out in the area and the only person in the ground that didn’t see it was the ref
Nothing changes!

My issue isn't necessarily with the incidents it is with the media going over the top about the RS here in the US.

They totally ignored Delle Alli getting pushed over, Salah's handball and Robersons thuggish attack and kept going on and on about Kane should have been sent off and Liverpool should have had a penalty. I have watched Jota's incident over and over cos they wont stop showing it and it is clear to me Jota knew the Spurs player was coming and deliberately stopped and made the collision happen.

I also saw Klopp arguing with the referee in the tunnel at half time. I really don't think managers should be allowed to intimidate referres in this way. Surely it is bringing the game into disrepute.

Both were red cards but Kane's on Robertson was the more injury threatening challenge. Awful; a proper leg breaker that I never like to see. I wonder had he not been England captain the decision would have been different?

I keep saying, VAR is the solution to this. The main problem remains, whether on the pitch or in the modern offices of Stockley Park (only 3 miles from my house).

The standard of official making the call is not good enough.

When I watch the Rugby Union internationals, that Welsh Referree always stands out to me. He talks through his decisions with authority, with the video assistants equally vocal in talking through the incident to come to a decision.

They know what they are talking about and generally, no one questions them. There is respect, whichever way the decision goes.

There lies the problem. The standard and accountability of officials.

Jay (154) - “I have watched Jota's incident over and over cos they wont stop showing it and it is clear to me Jota knew the Spurs player was coming and deliberately stopped and made the collision happen.”

What you describe is a player using their body to protect the ball from an opponent, and the opponent colliding with the player. What’s your definition of a foul?

It was a penalty at Anfield when DCL suckered Lovren into it, and it should have been a penalty for Jota. Whether a player is a looking for contact or not is irrelevant - the distinction is whether or not the attacking player initiates that contact - say by dangling a leg out that creates a false contact - and that was not what happened here.

Andrew & Danny,

Yeah, (unusually) Klopp had cause to gripe. Kane should've had a red. Jota should've had a pen and who knows? Had those been called correctly, maybe Robertson wouldn't have lashed out.

But on balance, the RS still have a ratio of 99 to 1 dodgy calls in their favour so no sympathy from me.

But VAR is a joke. The more I see inexplicable calls, the more you wonder if it's all rigged. Last season, Man City were in a rough patch, had their 2-week break, then went on a winning run. This season, Chelsea are told to get over it and struggle through while Man City are getting all kinds of outrageous calls.

Just imagine how bad it will be once City have been good enough for long enough to have good players of retirement age to stir the pot as pundits.

That's my argument, Danny, because at the moment these refs have no accountability whatsoever, which leaves many of us questioning if they are bent, or just very, very poor.

There's a number of points from yesterday's Spurs game.

Should Kane have been sent off? Absolutely. These are meant to be the best referees in the country yet two of them plus the other match officials didn't think that was a red. The standard of refereeing is utterly appalling.

If Robertson really said to Kane it wasn't even a foul, perhaps next time he's in front of a camera or some journalists one of then might have the balls to ask him why him, his team mates and manager harangue the referee for a penalty every time a gentle breeze blows Salah or Mane over?

Other than that, LFC as ever, were actually treated very favourably by the match officials, they were not hard done-by. Yes, they should have had a penalty, but Spurs should have had two. And the RS also had a clear handball over-looked in the lead up to their second goal.

And we've been force-fed for weeks now from the RS press that Salah is the better than Ronaldo and Messi. Would either of them have missed that chance yesterday? That miss will never get mentioned again by the RS cheerleaders.

Second last point, I've said many times on here our players are too weak with referees. Our players just accept decisions against them. The RS always pressure the ref, always talking to him, and always walk-off at halftime with at least one of them putting pressure on the ref for the second half.

Finally, Klopp saying he wants objective refs. This should be brought up in every interview by every journalist. Objective like referees allowing play to continue despite a player being down with a head knock, or referees being in the goalkeepers line of sight when a shot is being taken? Both happened in the RS previous game, both went their way and not a word from Klopp about it.

Who makes these changes to the rules about handball, offside etc? Do they make them at the start of the season, monthly, weekly or at half-time sometimes.

Nobody seems to know about them – even the players, managers especially us supporters – although Klopp seems to know everything about them and agrees or disagrees whichever suits them affecting Liverpool.

Everywhere you turn today you're hearing about the injustices done to Liverpool. If the exact same things happened to us, it would barely be mentioned. They're doing what they always do and preparing the ground for future favours.

Outraged at everything, ashamed of nothing!

Andrew,

In my day, that was called obstruction, but my main gripe as I said is not over the rights and wrongs of the decisions (I don't think there's a person who saw Kane's tackle that didn't think it was a red), it's over the way the media will not give up promoting their cause.

We are still hearing about Van Dijk's clash with Pickford 12 months later.

I still haven't seen any of yesterday's footage but the sooner football goes back to giving indirect free-kicks, instead of always a penalty, then a lot of the diving will instantly stop, especially if they did get around to introducing the sin-bin at the same time.

The sin bin is a good idea.

As is indirect free kicks.

Slight different angle, but I've never been in the "if you give that, you'd be giving them every game" camp. Especially when it comes to shirt pulling - my pet hate as a player, let alone as a supporter.

No. The moment there is consistency and players are pulled up, they won't do it, so they won't be getting given every week.

To say otherwise is justifying a wrong.

The key word here is consistency.

But the key word for the lawmakers/television companies, does seem to be controversy, unfortunately Danny?

To anyone who's interested, Nathan Broadhead is playing for Sunderland tonight against Arsenal, live on Sky Sports.

And Broadhead scores

Lovely finish.

It was Lee👍🏻

Broadhead injured. What a bummer to have to go off right after you score.

He won't be scoring anymore, as he's had to go off injured just before half time.

Great Arsenal fourth goal, and game over.

Leeds and Watford have been hit with Covid and therefore their Boxing day games against Liverpool and Wolves respectively, have been postponed

The season is never going to get finished.

According to Paul Joyce Everton have had a request to postpone their game with Burnley because of five cases of the virus plus other injuries denied by the FA.

Delayed finish Paul. Cup Final in June then onto Europe in August.

Just to add to Dave's observation:

Everton manager Rafa Benitez says his side have nine outfield players available after five tested positive for COVID-19.

Benitez was speaking ahead of Everton’s Boxing Day clash against Burnley, where confirmed the squad has had five positive cases of COVID-19 since they played Chelsea a week ago.

“Now I have to think whether I have 11 (players) fit,” Benitez said. “I’m really surprised we are playing this game.

“We have nine outfield players available plus three keepers. After we have to bring five young players that it seems, have enough experience to play in the Premier League.

“It's a massive risk for some of our players and it's not fair.”

It's not like the Premier League to treat Everton badly, is it? Having said that apparently the rules were confirmed recently to say that so long as you had enough players - I think it might be 13 plus a GK, then the games would go ahead.

Looks like our naive honesty is backfiring. If we’re just 1-2 players over (including DCL) surely simply declaring 1-2 more as unfit is the way to go?

Also intrigued who Benitez is classing as “younger players” - Branthwaite and Gordon certainly shouldn’t be given their experience now, but it’s probably fair comment for Simms, Dobbin and Onyango.

Not enough detail to judge this completely, but the negative “youngsters aren’t mentally ready” stuff coming out his mouth is doing nobody any favours. No doubt he believes it true, but got no idea what he’s gaining by putting them down all the time.

Sacking Donachie worked out well then

We should DEMAND, NOT ASK, that our game on Boxing Day be cancelled. We don’t yet know who the nine available outfield players are, but they could well include players who have hardly played any games this season. Mind you, thinking about it, most, if not all, of our twenty five man squad must have played at some time this season. We would need to bring in around six or seven kids just to get a bench on Sunday. If poxey games like Burnley v Watford, then Villa v Burnley can be postponed because of Covid, then surely ours should be as well. Don’t worry though, we have until at least midday on Sunday to get it called off. Just make sure it’s postponed before we leave for Burnley!!

We should DEMAND, NOT ASK, that our game on Boxing Day be cancelled. We don’t yet know who the nine available outfield players are, but they could well include players who have hardly played any games this season. Mind you, thinking about it, most, if not all, of our twenty five man squad must have played at some time this season. We would need to bring in around six or seven kids just to get a bench on Sunday. If poxey games like Burnley v Watford, then Villa v Burnley can be postponed because of Covid, then surely ours should be as well. Don’t worry though, we have until at least midday on Sunday to get it called off. Just make sure it’s postponed before we leave for Burnley!!

Rob. History tells us on a d off the pitch we meekly accept whatever is thrown at us. Euro ban and random decisions since. Niasse banned for diving. Richarlison blatant pen v Spurs. One thing about this manager is he’s not normally slow to back himself or his corner so I hope this Covid issue is out to bed before we lose precious points having to play it.

Mind you there is still time between now and the Burnley, Newcastle games for the situation to change although I wouldn’t mind betting that Iwobi, Gomes and Tosun are among the fit players, never rains but bleedin’ pisses down.