Premier League — Matchweek 34

Hmm, West Ham losing 3-1. Next up for them Man City, Man Utd, and Brentford with a European semi final as well.

Palace get a penalty chance to go 4----2 and they score

Cannot believe that did mot get overturned. I'll take it bur Pawlson or whatever his name is a git.

West Ham will get sucked right back into the “R” battle. Next three games, Man City, Man Utd and Brentford. Three losses, or rather four, on the bounce after today.

Dale, Moyes will have a moan again, saying VAR disrespect West Ham.

Maybe spoke too soon.

A bit of huff and puff got that in but Woy has Palace well organized. 5-3 coming.

Now 4----3 some poor defending here

West Ham are on 33 points. The 3 that go down won't get 33 points. The Hammers are safe.

Wrong again Paul. Do the math

Finished 4-3. As it stands West Ham are on 34 points, and in three games time they will still be on 34 points. West Ham are right back in this.

Got to give Hodgson his due
An awl git but he did what he was brought there for
Still think West Ham out of it
Soton down then 2 from the next 4 depending on our result against Leicester then it's us and Soton and A N other

Three unwinnable games for West Ham, then two six-pointers against Leeds and Leicester, with three energy and emotion sapping European games in the middle of it all.

Interesting?

Sorry 34 points. Then they're even safer.

WHU not back in it.
There is no way we are getting 7 (goals difference) more points

People have said Leeds and forest won't get many more points. So how are West Ham in it?

John, we might not, but Leicester and Leeds could get six points each.

The main thing probably is that West Ham might not be safe by the time they play Leicester and Leeds, making it harder for those two.

Damn Paul.

That's true, Michael, and hopefully the case. It is our point gathering that concerns me. Makes no difference to me if West Ham go down instead of Leeds or Leicester.

Another VAR decision ruining the game took about 3 minutes to decide whether the Brighton player was offside; 1-0 Brighton.

Brighton ripping the Wolves apart 2-0.

I think Wolves are going to lose, down 3-0.

We will beat Bournemouth if we have to, and a win at either Leicester or Wolves is 50/50 in my view. Still all to play for…

We could do with that score at Brentford. Forest not rolling over so far.

Anyone think we're going to get something at Brighton?

Even with the most optimistic outlook on earth it's kind of hard to see Everton staying up now.

Our away form is horrendous, we'll lose at Leicester and get shredded at Brighton, at best a dour draw at Wolves.

Our home form has also become toxic now too, faced with a 10th home loss against Man City.

The fat lady is getting ready to take the stage unfortunately.

Grant@26.. yes, a hiding!

1-0 Forest, oh dear!!

For fuck's sake!

Bollocks

For fuck's sake… Forest have gone1-0 up!

Watching the Brighton game.
They'll kill us if they play anywhere near the level they are playing now.

Other sides around us now have started finding form and goals whereas we have gone the other way.

It wouldn't surprise if Leeds beat Bournemouth tomorrow, the Cherries are now basically all but safe.

If Forest win today, then I think that's our goose cooked.

let's be positive Wolves look awful and on the beach, that could be a win. Bournemouth will be on the beach, so that could be 3 points.

Win at Leicester and we have a chance still.

It's all on Monday night basically, isn't it?

I hate to coin the phrase but it's our Cup Final, unfortunately it's Leicester's Cup Final too though.

I think the loser of that goes down.

A draw will do very little for us, not with the next two league games.

Forest home to Southampton next week. That could be 36 points

West Ham only need a point which they will get.

We need 9 points. 3 wins: Leicester, Wolves and Bournemouth.

We'll get thrashed at the King Power, thrashed at Brighton, thrashed by City, and win at Wolves before losing our last game against Bournemouth.

I just thought I'd join in see if it made me feel any better, it didn't… but at least I had a go.

If Forest do win today, then it's between us, Leeds, Leicester and Southampton, and I do agree that we're the most unlikely to survive given our current form and lack of goals.

Not sure where the points are going to come from. Bournemouth have turned us over twice, Leicester are away, Man City will hammer us as usual.

No new light to shed on that! But I for one have resigned to thinking it's our time. We can't compete – it's that's simple.

If we lose to Leicester City, then I can see Man City coming to town and effectively sealing our fate to the Championship.

Must-win games were a couple of months ago and we failed – that is why we are in this mess.

I guess Brighton have got over their cup hangover… 5-0!!!

Have Forest won? Last time I looked, like now, they were still playing.

You can tell Brentford are not interested, that's why we shouldn't rely on other teams to do us a favour!

On the plus side, The Mail article spoke of 'the biggest relegation since Man Utd in 1974-75'. In the time since then, both Spurs and Chelsea (twice) have been relegated. Man City several times too.

We're a Big Club!

Forest showing a desire to stay in the Premier League. How very dare they!

Broadhead scores again for Ipswich, I hear.

6 now for Brighton.

If Leeds win tomorrow, then best start planning your routes to Plymouth and Rotherham.

The worst three teams always go down, so we can have no complaints. All we can pray for is someone to sort out our dysfunctional club, and there's no sign of that someone at the moment.

Brighton have scored more goals today than we've scored at Goodison all year.

We had to get relegated at some point! Flirted too close to the drop for many a year.

Make or could be break, we will see.

Toney!

Get in!

Toney equalised!

Come on, you fucking Bees.

No, we don't have to be relegated at some point – and now Brentford have equalised!

One more Brentford, please.

Forest win. Nightmare but they, unlike us, show desire to stay up!

Brentford score. I had to turn it off at 1 nil. I couldn't bare it. Looked like Brentford weren't going to score. Let's have another. Yeeeeeeesssss!!!!

Take that, Forest! You dare to try and put us under pressure, we will crush you like a bug from 200 miles away, such is our power!

2-1 to Brentford!

2-1 Bees!!

Brilliant!

Get in, Brentford! We still need to do our bit though

Get in again!!!!!!!!!

Fucking yes!!!

And that's the end of that chapter lol.

We still need to win to pass Forest – it may matter later on.

Just need Lampard to do us a favour against them. HAHA.

Brentford just scored the winner, yeaaaaah👮👮👮

Only chance you get to celebrate these days when other teams around us lose…

Surprised that was given – his knee looked off!

Thank god for Navas.

The VAR is ridiculous! The player in question wasn't even in the keeper's line of sight!!

It's the most fantastic kick in the bollocks for Forest, and hopefully a real booster for the lemons at Finch Farm. Win-Win.

Why is the VAR degrading by the week?

Not suspicious at all, is it?

That substitution law is a bit crap for Forest. 5 subs for Brentford and 3 for Forest yet not allowed to replace an injured player leaving them with 10 men for 15 minutes.

Oh well, never mind.

Andrew, why leave working rules in place when you can change them and screw it all up...

Why isn't Toney suspended? 😁😁😁😁

I didn't realise Niasse had signed for Morecambe until I saw him on the scoresheet today.

Quick question – would you swap him for Maupay?

Andrew, you are only allowed to make substitutions in three stages, so if Forest make only one individual substitution on three occasions, then it's tough shit. They know the rules.

They do, Rob - but really, did it need messing with? We all know who it will benefit most times.

No Will, you're right, it shouldn't have been messed with. Three substitutions and end of.

Paul (84). In a Flash.

No Brainer.

Paul, his record was better than Maupay's and he saved us on the cost of a locker too.

Just need Bournemouth to win tomorrow.

Beat Leicester, Wolves and Bournemouth and we'll survive. The issue is I can't see more than 4 points there. 32 will not be enough.

If we can win the last 2 avoiding defeat on Monday will be enough. Providing Leeds lose tomorrow.

Fuck me …. Feels like we've won a game. Thanks for making me feel like this, Everton.

Soren # 77… you're right, the Brentford player wasn't in the line of Navas when the ball went in..

I remember a very similar incident a few years back when Gylfi Sigurdsson was adjudged to be in the line of De Gea and therefore given offside, even though he was actually sitting on the ground at the time, and the ball had also deflected off Maguire.

I suppose it was because it was Man Utd that our goal was disallowed.

"Beat Leicester, Wolves and Bournemouth and we'll survive." Right now it looks like we couldn't beat an egg.

My, aren't Brighton a well run club that also plays football that's easy on the eye?

Everton on the other hand. #KenwrightTheFatLuvyThatKilledEvertonFC.

Brentford won, yippee, could be a big plus. For us.👮

Yes, Joe. And a 19 year old Paraguayan was apparently the star of the show. Cost? Under £10 million.

Paul # 38……….you said Forest were on 33 points. What happened, have they had a 3 point deduction after the game ended?

We cant just relay on other teams saving us.
What we need is to start winning or we go down

Big game tomorrow, if Bournemouth beat Leeds, 3 points could see us finish above them, Their last 3 are tough games.

Rob, 97

Agree on that. I remember that awful VAR decision too!

For those who are hoping for a Bournemouth win tomorrow, I won't bet on that as they only have one win against Leeds in their entire head-to-head history when both were playing in the Championship.

Link

Come on the Cherries!!!!!! please

Lille won 3-0 today - you'll never guess who scored a brace!

Oh yeah, to the regulars, sorry I had to bail out before the Bees turned it around. I was freaking out and had to go for a bike ride. A sensible and rather English thing to do, I think.

Rock on! Odds are against but fuck that, we got a chance and we will make the most of it. Sleep well, eat healthy and take care of yourselves. It will be a ride.

A life line given to us by the Brentford result. Had Forest won, the Leicester game would have been a must-win but right now it remains a must-not-los.e (I still think we'll have to play really well to avoid losing.)

Unfortunately Forest's next game is at home to Southampton, which you'd have to fancy them to win. Albeit Southampton will know it's win or basically call it a day for them.

As it stands, I think Southampton and Leeds are down (Leeds have got some really tough games to come), so between us, Forest and Leicester for the last place, with us 3rd favourites at the moment. We'll need at least 5 points imo.

Onto Bournemouth v Leeds tomorrow.

The first Brighton goal would have been offside for us.

Dale (110), Lend us your bike then!!

Come on Bournemouth and Boscombe Athletic FC*, do to Leeds what you did to us last October!

I've never supported so many clubs in my life, a different one every week!

[* That was their name until 1972.]

I've always liked Bournemouth. Lovely town, lovely people... (sending positive thoughts).

No pen. Saved by the VAR so far!

Fair play to Leeds. 3 forwards, full team press, pace and attacking intent.

They're giving it a real go.

Come on Bournemouth.

Dave, you know I would if I could. Hell, if I could carry everyone like some kind of circus show and drag all of us across the line I'd do it.

All Leeds, some big chances but no goal to show for it.

Get in! Brilliant finish!

Picked his spot and pinged it in the top corner, great finish, Lerner Bournemouth 1-0

B'mouth goal!!

It's all very well other teams losing. But when are we going to help ourselves.?

Get in what? BBC Sport says,
Bournemouth 0 Leeds 1 Jefferson Lerma. Something not right!

1-0 B'mouth

Phew, they just corrected it.

Bmouth 2

Bournemouth rocking it with the goals!!

Cherries on top. Now do we feel better? ( joking not taunting)

I hope he's scoring for Bournemouth and not Leeds, Peter. He's just added a second.

2-0, Meselier, butter fingers

Goal Difference could be coming back into play at this rate.

Dyche should abandon his ultra defensive formation and go for a feckin win!

I've always liked Bournemouth. Lovely town, lovely people Ted McDougall, Harry Redknapp, Eddie Howe, Joshua King (he could have been useful).

I just can't get excited about other teams results. You just know we will mess up tomorrow.

Yeah Soren like Leeds did with 3 fotwards eh?

So far so good,🙏🏼, this weekend, let's hope Bournemouth, can score at least x1, x2 more goals, and finish This Leeds game off.

I'd take a point tomorrow night.

No Dale. Just a balanced attacking setup will do it for me! Why is it when someone mentions "going for a win", you guys react as if it is a Kamikaze act ffs!?

Bollocks, Leeds score.

2-1

Dyche would play no forwards if he could get away with it. Comes across a negative version of Moyes and thats saying something.

Shit, game on again

Soren, because it is a Frank mentality. We don't have enough players comfortable on the ball to avoid midfield and own half turnovers.

Dale, we are losing and conceding too many goals already with his defensive tactics anyway! We are in need of wins not an occasional draw!!!

It's the personnel not the tactics.

Peter, I used to live there (wish I still did) when Rednapp was manager, they nearly went bankrupt. A bit of a theme as any Portsmouth fan would say.

Southampton actually look better than us.

Saints beating Newcastle lol

Mighty Newcastle being held by plucky old Southampton. Tossers

Jim (148) Southampton ARE better than us.

Only 3 points separate the bottom five as it stands

All are better than us I am afraid

Cooper off injured for Leeds. He's their best defender.

Looks like no-one's on the beach just yet - nor has anyone given up.

We're gonna have to get busy tomorrow night.

WTF, Southampton. Will the amazing Gordon rescue them with a 25 yard screamer?

Svein, you might be right. Though Leeds, Southampton, Forrest etc… can't defend they can score. We seem unable to do either.

Not a chance Joe. He fucking missed the goal with a one on one against the keeper.

Flush! Ha ha

Gordon hooked at half time, embaressment if he wasnt injured.

It seems Howe did see who the weak link was and subbed him out lol.

So yes Dale Flush Gordon not Flash!

It may be an area that's never looked at Finch Farm Dale, as DCL always fluffs 1:1's also. That said I never got the hype about Gordon, 3 of his goals last season should been awarded to Richie. His shots are the weakest i've seen. For once Evertion ripped another team off with a transfer.

Joe, didn't we rip off Arsenal with Franny Jeffers too? 13m!

Skunks have equalised

Very good call Soren, but 40 million is probrably worth more than 13 (20 years ago (but only just).

I see taking Gordon off has worked already!

Saw the picture of him pumping the air in the tunnel after our game, classless tosser imo.

3 - 1 cherries

3-1 cherries

Goals going our way again ! Newc and now Bournemouth…

Dig it

Nervy VAR there for a minute

No need for VAR, miles onside

Well much like last season we can't say we've not had results work in our favour because we keep getting offered a lifeline.

Tomorrow night is the one that we simply have to take as ours.

A door of opportunity has been left open, for once Everton, please bloody walk through it.

Jim like to think so but if there was no door they still wouldnt find the opening. Hope i'm wrong.

Great save by Bournemouth's keeper !

Jim, so true.

Favourable results are our number 2 of spurned opportunity. Number 1 is the dreaded game in hand.

I was just thinking how bad the teams around us are, feeling a bit more confident, then...I thought back to the second half against Fulham and felt sick again.

Andy, there's no escape.

Barcodes.

Leeds looking far too dangerous

Skanks 2-1

I'd be tempted to play 352 tomorrow, DCL and Simms upfront. Get plenty of crosses in Leicester's defence isn't great. We just have to start going for games.

It's a ripoof no goal. 1-1

Yes Brent, good job their main striker Sinisterra is injured, a big loss for them as they always need two or three to win their defence is so leaky.

2-1 barcodes

Walcott OG

WTF I'm seeing Skanks 2-1 again

I knew Walcott would come good at some point.

Well in Theo. Once a blue .

Ooh I like it. 3-1

3-1 now

Not sure Southampton are better than us now. There defence is shocking thankfully. 3~ 1 Skunks. Maitland Niles slipping around clown like.

3-1 now. That's better. Can the blues make it up to us tomorrow.

Soton, Leeds + 1 to go down.

We'd probably be 10th if we had Callum Wilson this season, mad eh?

The £40,000,000 zitty kid put in his place.

Think you would be hard pushed to find a poorer bottom 4 or 5 teams in Premiership history

It's on us for tomorrow now. Not that I'm confident we'll do the job just extending the misery. Its the hope that kills. 😩

Andrew, the league has become so good top to bottom that I'd take the other side of that argument. Low on points here but they'd beat tve fuck out o f other Euro league strugglers.

Newcastle have scored 22 goals in April. We have how many all season? 25?

3-1 looking to be the favoured scoreline at the moment. Same for us tomorrow?!

Ok 4-1 now a scoreline

4-1 Bournemouth

Goal difference so much worse now for Leeds.

I find it disturbing that we are actually two points below Leeds.

Could come down to the goal difference too, Leeds away to Man City on Saturday. Could be about to get worse.

This is good for Everton today, but of course Dyche still has to get us winning games (that will be the hardest part). He has to play Mina for start (even though he's never played for Burnley)

Jim#206 it's pitiful.

Tony#207 Everton have to play City also

Steve, I'm not sure if it will be Leeds.

I really hate to say this - but if we should lose tomorrow night, the resulting bottom 3 or 4 will really be in serious difficulty...

Well Southampton, Leeds opening the door for us, as have forest. We need to be gracious and accept.

Three perfect results for us yesterday and today, we've been thrown a lifeline, just have to grab it tomorrow night.

Yes, we have to win vs Leicester…

Yay. We live to freak out another day. UTFT!

I can't wait for tomorrow night now. And I dread it at the same time.

Big Game!

Encouraging levels of shitness from our fellow relegation rivals today.

COYB!

The only good thing is our game against Man City is between their Champions League semi-final, first and second legs.

Perfect results so far this weekend.

Now a brave manager would go for it tomorrow, but the risk-averse Dyche will see it differently.

No way are Leeds picking up another point this season.

If Leicester don't beat us, I wouldn't back them to win another game from their remaining fixtures.

Forest have got the next 2 games to get safe. They will lose the last 2 for sure.

Well, after this weekend's results, if we don't grab our chance tomorrow, then we deserve nowt.

213, very funny.

Good results last 2 days for sure. Have to take advantage of it. Of the 5 matches left, tomorrow's is one of the ones we must take 3 points from.

The other teams are trying their best to save us.
We just need to win a damn game, but why am I not optimistic?

So do we go all out for a win at Leicester or try to play canny? I'm not sure.

On current form and also the fact that Leicester, Wolves and Bournemouth have all beaten us this season already, not sure why people think it's a given we will beat any of them.

Forest this and Leeds that, load of bollocks. It's about us taking responsibility and winning games, And here lies the issue, goals win games!

Will, Leeds Utd's last 4 games:

Man City (A)
Newcastle Utd (H)
West Ham Utd (A)
Spurs (H)

Like Grant said, they won't win another point this season.

We have to drop Keane tomorrow. We have conceded 18 in the 9 games since he came back.

Previously 32 in 24 games he was absent, still not great but a lot better

Jame@223 agree. The "Managerial Wizard" known as Sean Dyche is going have to find a new formula. The last 5 games, 2 points from 15.

Today's results now give us an opportunity to what Dyche is really made of tomorrow - must win - hope he gets that.

Hey, where is Rob? I mean the results were good and all (funny Robert btw) but it's just not the same without the big man.

Steve, that's great if it actually happens. But, only if Everton actually score goals and stop conceding or it's irrelevant.

Our form is as bad as Forest and Leeds. If we don't capitalise on others' results – band, at the moment, form and confidence would suggest that is a challenge – then it's all pointless (no pun intended).

Tomorrow is massive. A must-win, a draw is not good enough.

Good Lord. The fates seem to be trying to help us. Over to us to screw it up. Don't spit in Dame Fortune's face.

Play canny, play disciplined, stay tight on their creative players, do what we were doing before Doucouré's suspension.

And hope Calvert-Lewin scores or creates the space for others to score.

The game against the Foxes could be Everton's biggest game since Wimbledon many years ago. After the defeats of Southampton, Leeds and Forest they now have it in their own hands to avoid the drop.

We all know the Foxes will be at home and will throw everything into the game and we all hope Dyche has them all pumped up to meet them and beat them.

It's been a sickening season but surely they can win at least a couple more games even if they are ugly and 1-0.

Tomorrow's game is a must-win for Leicester as well.

I agree with the guys above that Mina must come in. We have to go for it – no sitting back.

Great results today, but I'm afraid I've little confidence in us beating Leicester. Let's hope my doubts are unfounded. COYB.

If we can keep Maddison, Barnes and Tielemans quiet, then we will have a chance. They bossed the midfield when we lost 0-2 at home in November.

For me, it is must win, we need to take control of our own destiny not rely on others.

Tomorrow is still win or bust. A draw is no good as we're not getting anything from Brighton or Man City. It has to be 3 points.

I disagree. A draw after this weekend's results will not be the end of the world.

Spurs getting Newcastled.

Can we play Spurs again please?

The shite looking good for the Europa Conference unless we can do them a favour against Brighton.

Unortunately, as Doucouré belatedly put it, it's up to the players to keep Everton in the Premier League. The only thing they'll get tomorrow is twatted.

James, I agree with your broader point.

Unless we start helping ourselves, other results are academic.

Another refund coming up!

3-0

Haha some Spurs fans are leaving after 15 mins.

Spurs fans wanting Levy out, they should be lucky they haven't had Kenwright had chairman and owner.

Tom@233, you missed out the Coventry game and Everton and Howard had Gianluca Vialli to thank as we didn't do it ourselves.

Haha, someone's posted the next train time to London, 1725 from Lime Street. They can make that.

Spursy doing a Spursy. I don't know what I'm laughing about.

Poor old Harry, so sad that England's captain is humiliated again in this way.

Mind you, he's not been the same since Doucouré snapped his eyelash. Poor lad.

Steve, if we lose tomorrow, it's on us to overtake Leeds, from 2 points behind them and with a worse goal difference.

Their run in is tight but they may get a point, maybe 3 – which leads back to what we all know; it's down to us.

Wonder what Richarlison's thinking, was he was better off a big fish etc?

He may be a big fish but there's no water left in our pond.

What water there is, Peter, is stagnant.

A lot tomorrow will depend on who he selects and who is fit. We could really do with Seamus back and Onana fit who was walking a bit gingerly when substituted the other night.

We could really do with Calvert-Lewin scoring tomorrow – just to get him going again with a bit of confidence.

Couple of tadpoles flapping about in the mud.

Fuckin' 'ell, James – talk about a big fuckoff IF!!

Totally agree, Mark, we didn't at home and we'll have a job doing it away given our form and the confidence of the team at the moment.

I've not lost all hope as it's there for the taking; however, it seems unlikely at present. Stranger things have happened!

Yerry Mina gets better with each game he doesn't play.

13 games last season and he was an average centre-half, clumsy in the tackle and slow on the turn.

Just 3 games this season and he's ironed out these weaknesses. If he can avoid playing any more games before his contract expires in a couple of months, he could be excellent.

Surely Red. Jota. More favouritism. Penalty for Richie also. Defender wrong side, just drags him down.

No away team gets any decisions at Anfield. Disgraceful refereeing in this country.

Get away, literally, with murder that lot.

Robert @215 — that has cracked me up, bud! Even my missus is laughing, and she hates what Everton do to her normally calm husband every week!

Why don't we alter this thread to "Best piss-take of a current Everton player?!"

I'll start it – as Tom Davies dresses like Sherlock Holmes, surely he should start every game – he would soon solve the crime that is our midfield.

I also loved the one about Doucouré playing in square boots! A classic piss-take of a shit player!

Our back 4 ought to have separate shirt sponsorship –Specsavers. Everton's forwards should be sponsors of Ant and Dec: "I'm shit – get me outta here!"

No wonder Everton don't win any games of football – we've got Phil Mitchell and two blokes from The Hobbit films as our management.

Has Sharpy been on the "Kenwright Diet?"

Poor old Seamus Coleman – 46 and still our best full-back!

That poor Maupay chap always seems confused when he plays – like father, like son – Inspector Clousseau!

Has Ben Godfrey been watching that John Smiths advert with Peter Kay in and thought "Ah, fuck it, I can't beat 'em,so I'll join 'em – have it!"

At least Norman Wisdom is alive and kicking while Tarkowski is around – they must be related.

Why don't The Hobbits get The Green Cross Code bloke in to show Iwobi how to cross… anything!

Please stop Gueye shooting – it's akin to watching dads trying to ice-skate!

Very childish, I know – but you gotta laugh!

Richyyyyyyyy hahahaha

Richie!!!

GET IN, RICHIE. Booed al lthe way, SHIT 4/3

Aw, how sad!

Twats!

Fuckin devil spawn Portuguese Breck Road lookalike Jota wins it for them.

Spurs want banging up, first for that quarter of an hour and then for that last minute.

Jota been out all season and he's scored more goals in three games than we have as a team.

Fucking Klopp, scum.

I'll never be convinced that Liverpool FC are not the luckiest football club to ever play the game. A deal with the devil.

So long as Newcastle Utd and Man Utd don't fuck up, they ain't getting 4th – and yes, I'm bitter.

Spurs really are Everton on steroids, aren't they?

Never thought I'd say it but we need Newcastle on the scene big time this season and next season, especially now that Chelsea and Spurs are basically falling from the pack.

Their record at the pit is as bad as ours against Arsenal.

Disgraceful behaviour by Klopp on that final goal.

Satan looks after his own again.

How does Klippety and Shergar's teeth not get a red for that??

Disgrace!

That Klopp is some fuckin'head case though, first going down on his hands and knees facing Mecca and Ramadan is over and he's not even a Muslim.

Then he pulls his hamstring having a go at the fourth official or the Spurs coach but the bastard gets satisfaction because of the divi Spurs defender, will this persecution never bleedin' end!!

Klopp pulled his hammy. I wish someone would pull his teeth.

I always over-rate the importance of every game, however, I think that tomorrow night's game is the biggest in our history. No pressure!

When Richy scored he should have ran down the line and clothes-lined the twat.

I hate the Buck Toothed Ignorant, Vile, Undignified , German TWAT.

Why are people bothered if Liverpool get Top 4? We're struggling to stay in the bloody league, who cares what they do?

Mainly because we probably won't have anything to be cheerful about come the seasons end.

Poxy RS. The ref and the VAR are rigged at Mordor. Richarlison was pulled and stopped from attacking the ball by the RS defender Kanoute.

Mr Ed hould have been sent off as he did a worse intimidation verbal assault on the 4th official than Silva at United.

The game is ruined and will get worse until they get the VAR and refs, trained and checked for bribes.

UTFTs!

Not just tomorrow's game, the Final Five games are the most important fixtures in the entire history of the club.

Obviously, tomorrow's is the next game and that makes it extremely important, especially given the proximity of the two clubs in the league table.

Dyche and his team can't go into any of the other games expecting to be beaten or being unable to win, because even a victory tomorrow doesn't make us safe, there will still be a great deal to do.

How Evertonians at this time can be arsed watching the other lot, which only seems to help make themselves feel even sadder, is and always will be a mystery to me, I couldn't stick watching them when we had a half-decent team, so I'm certainly not watching that lot when we're useless.

Because, Paul ,our fucking (football) lives are so empty we have to find satisfaction somewhere…

Some great comments on here cracking me up. Love it! Let's hope we'll be laughing tomorrow.

Weird question that Paul. Why do we care what the RS do?

Because we hate them almost as much as we love Everton. And that's what most football fans do - love one team, and hate another.

I've recently been wondering about what we will do next season if we do go down, will there still be interest in the Prem to have a thread about it? Will I watch Man U v RS and be interested?

Will I give a toss about Monday night football or Super Sunday ?

The whole neutral football fan in me will be turned on its head overnight, all I've ever known is about EFC and what is happening to the teams around us in the top flight.

MOTD ? who will care?

I know Sky televise some Championship games, don't know if there's a highlights show.

Anyway I'll get my fix at Goodison but hopefully it'll still be in the Premier league, everything crossed for the next 5 games, we need Dyche to try something different and come up with an alternative game plan because the last 3 games we have been dire.

Mina, Patterson, Gray and Simms to come in and produce a completely different performance to our terrible run of current form.

Pickford

Patterson Tarkowski Mina Mykolenko

Gray Doucoure Gueye McNeil

Simms DCL

Newcastle was a must win game, but we would have all been happy with a point in the end? Well I know I would have been anyway. I'd obviously love to win tomorrow, but I'd honestly take a point right now, and think it's just massively important that we don't lose tomorrow night.

Anyone saying Leeds won't get another point, woud you really bet your house on Spurs playing at Elland Road last game of the season?

Tony, it has to be a win tomorrow.

I don't know about anyone else but I don't give a flying monkeys shit about anyone but Everton. My wife told my friends recently I'm obsessed about football but I corrected her that I'm obsessed about Everton. She offered to buy me Sky sports at Christmas so I could watch prem league matches. I told her to save her money. I'm only interested in Everton games and I either go the game, go the pub or watch on a live feed.
MOTD? Man U v Lpool? Fuck that! If we're down I'll watch every Everton game. I'm not arsed about anyone else. If the shite were playing Man U in the champions league final in my back garden I'd draw the fucking curtains!

Jeff @292 I hate the Premier League and watch more Championship and lower league football on Sky now. For that alone I'd welcome relegation. But then it's the ignominy of it and the threat to our very existence that makes me feel ill about dropping.

Nevertheless, I'm reminded of my Reading supporter friend who hated getting promoted from the Championship and always wanted to finish 3rd then lose in the play offs!

That's the trouble, we've had 70 odd years of not having to worry about it. And why I personally wished the ESL breakaway had happened. With the Sky Six out of the way, the domestic top division would have better resembled the traditional spirit of the game.

Chris 294. Why? How much of a performance do you think they'd need to beat this Leeds team?

Well done to Jarrad Branthwaite, he won the Dutch Cup final with PSV today, game finished 1-1, PSV won on pens.

Isnt PSV Brands team?

Mark, Yes, He's trying to poach Branthwaite off us, waiting to see if we get relegated and will come in with a derisory offer.

Tony 293,
The problem is by next weekend Forest will probably be on 33 pts and then have Chelsea, Leicester have Fulham and RS and we have Brighton and City.
Think we have to beat Leicester to have any chance of staying up.

Avoid defeat against Leicester and at best they'll get 1 more point from games against Fulham, Liverpool and Newcastle. That'll put them on 31 going into the last day. If we beat Wolves we have 32.

I think not giving Leicester momentum with a lacklustre defeat tomorrow night is key to our survival. Leicester really aren't very good. Only we have the ability to make them look a good side.

There will be some unexpected results by those in the relegation battle. Who knows what'll happen. Everton could even get a goal somewhere. OK, far-fetched, I know. But at least our season is lasting longer, as we keep taking it to the wire. Not for the faint hearted though. I doubt the players feel any angst.

We're running out of games where we can say we'll take a point from that. Three points against Leicester is a must, we can't keep trying to hope and predict what the other teams might do. Keep it in our own hands.

Mark@ 296, I absolutely get that. I have not watched a Champions League game ever. Not since it was the European cup and was for champions. I watch Everton because they are my team, a few local games and look out for Morecambe's results.
It's kind of like soaps; when you're in your in but if not it is meaningless.

Morecombe were dead and buried three games ago Andy, but nine points later they have now managed to take it to the wire next week.

If Everton can take it to the wire then I'd definitely take that right now, and although all the teams at the bottom are very poor, I definitely think one of them will get a few unlikely results and pull clear. Let's just hope it's Everton!

Another VAR f==ck up Jota should have had a straight red but doesn't goes on and scores the winning goal

Mark 296, Andy 306,
Agree, never understood why they called it The Champions League? How can you be a Champion finishing 2nd, 3rd and 4th. The European Cup was far better with just the Champions involved. Should have been called Europe Top 4 League!

It's just a money making scheme for the elite clubs.

Var had nothing to do with Jota, only receiving a yellow card. The ref gave a yellow, the Spurs players moaned, and because it's Liverpool, then I don't expect too much to be made of this decision? (Now the decision has been made it doesn't matter either way) I think the thing that grates is that on another day, Jota, might have received his marching orders, and it's this lack of consistency, that definitely does seem to benefit certain teams?

It's not just a money making scheme Paul, it's virtually also a closed shop, which is definitely protecting the status quo of the so called elite.

Never forget the shite refused to recognise man yoo winning it in whenever as they were runners up but when the Drew it in Istanbul having finished 5th it was the best thing ever!
Anyway, yes, as the European cup it meant something. I used to enjoy watching sports night on Wednesday in the 70s but the CL is just engineered and weighted for the Sky favourites.
And we're not in it, of course…

Pickford

Coleman Tark Mina Myko

Patts Gray Gueye Duke McN

DCL

I wish Richie would have just kept running all the way to Finch Farm and got on the bus to Leicester with our players. How we miss him and has to be said that selling him is one of our worst decisions ever.
The other teams are throwing us a lifeline right now so Dyche needs to grab a hand full of it and work out a way with these overpaid gobshites to fight our way to safety. Leicester are at home so we need to reverse the advantage and get their supporters agitated and angry at them.
COYB

Leeds are toast as are Soton Forest I'm hoping have an existential crisis and crash after the Brentford game. Their remaining genes are easier than ours and they seem to have more spirit. Hopefully it fades

So Ornstein says Leeds got Fat Sam to preserve a buyout from 49er enterprises that is off if they go diown. Is this group associated with the NFL franchise?

Bill, are you bothering to watch this? Arsenal 1-0.

Yes, I am watching; it is now 2-0.

Chelsea getting sucked into the relegation battle?

Lampard is not a manager, absolutely clueless.

Largely the same play for Arsenal: 2-0. Odegaard receives two balls rolled across the box as he runs in from the right.

Now 3-0. Why are you interested in what I watch, Dale?

3-0. I wonder if Chelsea will try and steal fat Sam from under Leeds noses.

Chelsea been extremely lucky not having Lampard sooner because they could have been at the bottom of the league at this rate, lol.

What was Everton thinking hiring him!!!?

Forest have Chelsea to play. As well as Southampton. That's 6 points.

Frank Lampard has unfortunately only ever managed dysfunctional football clubs, and will probably now be lost to the beautiful game forever because of his poor selection choices!

Lampard getting bummed. 6 defeats in 6. Fucking fraud.

Should have been legged before the World Cup. Would have given us a much better chance of staying up.

Just like Stevie G. Good player. Will never make it as a manager.

Just checking if anyone was here at the time Bill.

Watching this I'm getting convinced that Frank infected us and we might recover.

Is it just me or is Raheem Stirling quite an overrated footballer

To think we had Lampard a whole year before we realised how shit he was. Dreadful appointment and we should have gotten rid during the World Cup and given a new guy time and the January window to right the ship.

Only time will tell if we left it too late getting rid of him. How does someone so obviously bad still get a job in the top league, never mind any league?

Played 6, lost 6. I guess he'll still get another gig after this.

Good score for us. It means Man City will not ease up at the weekend against Leeds.

Arsenal away at Newcastle? Hopefully when City play us, it'll be time for them to have a rest

Wonder how many Chelsea fans will be comforted by the fact that they have a manager who "gets" them?

How can he get paid for the Chelsea job while we are paying him millions in compensation!?

That pregame interview was an uncomfortable watch. Frank looked like a shaky handed small time criminal on a cop show, didnt stop moving the whole time. Dude's a mess.

Anthony - he's overrated.

Makes you a little suspicious of American ownership,

Bill
Also British-Iranian mixed with Weatherfield

Dale #334,

Probably worried he can he be done for impersonating a manager? He has got previous.

Dale (334), noticed that during the game, one of his assistants was talking to him and it looked like Frank wasn't taking it in, looked like his mind was elsewhere and he wished he wasn't at the game.

Book him Brendan!

Dave, Frank should have gone Arafat and worn dark sunglasses

Maybe.evil Vegas poker player would have been a better reference. Sorry.

Chelsea have to sack Lampard ASAP. I can't see them beating Forest.

Chelsea pretty much said "We've given up on this season. Let's just get through to the summer and think about things then".

So this isn't exactly surprising. You can't afford to drop off your level too much in this league.

Not sure why they even sacked Potter if they weren't going to do anything.

Still can't believe we didn't sack Frank after that run of games ending in the October Bournemouth debacles. The writing was on the wall.

2 shots all game. Ineptitude galore in the final third. Station to station passing at the back, it was all Frank. This looks like we used to but with better players making wrong passes and unconvincing runs.

Uh oh… spoke too soon!

I think that was the first ever Chelsea goal under Lampard after 6 attempts!

Like the look of Madueke, who Chelsea signed from PSV.

He was a kid at Tottenham, PSV brought him in and made a fortune in on him, 㿉M. Shrewd business, now they are after Branthwaite, they know there is big money there in the future.

We played Tottenham and Chelsea too soon.

Frank is the nicest man you could ever meet. As a manager, he is just utterly useless.

I actually don't think he has it to be a pundit. His agent should be looking at children's TV.

Mike Reid used to host an awful show called Runaround or something. It was dumped because, I suspect, the tinted lensed Reid was a bit dodgy. Frank, however, has all the skills needed to revive it in a properly wholesome way.

Frank, gets on TV, albeit lower down the rank than the lovely Christine, and no other football club ever again has to suffer the utter ineptitude that he offers as a coach.

He makes Roberto Martinez look only slightly inadequate. That's how awful he is.

Andy @348,

Interesting you say that as Frank has written some children's books, Frankie's Magic Football series.

Also, Runaround was ace, and Mike Reid was a sound bloke.

Joe #349

I'm thinking "Frankie's Magic Managerial Roundabout" might be Frank's next children's book.

Good way to end that Brendan.

Laser beams? What the Fuck!

Bournemouth and Wolves can overtake Chelsea this weekend! Amazing.

Frank will probably be manager of Leeds by Saturday, it's that kind of season.

Hopefully Tony👍👍👍

Frank aint gonna forget this season in a hurry.

Couple of Chelsea players wearing gloves and tights FFS

Neither is his bank manager Kevin.

Joe, Mike was a sound bloke indeed, and very, very funny. But him being on children's TV was kind of like John Craven doing a turn at Manning's Embassy club.

Forest could take 6 points from their next 2 matches given the teams they face – hopefully Southampton turn up (which brings them back towards us) or a draw.

Also, Joe, he slept with Pat Butcher. Whether or not that is worthy of respect depends on many, many things.

Frankie's team had lost!
They shook hands with the St. Peters kids. Frankie couldn't look Louise in the eye. “I don't know what happened” he said, feeling his face grow hot. “I fluffed it.”
His friend patted him on the back. “Don't worry” she said. “We can't win every game.”

From ‘Frankie vs The Cowboy's Crew'

Frank Lampard slept with Pat Butcher! The things I didn't know!

John Craven doing a turn at Manning's Embassy club, can't stop laughing!

Now Andy, back to Pat Butcher, after a couple of Sweet Sherrys and a deep-fried Haggis, I reckon you'd be up for it, Particularly after this season!

Frank, allegedly, did have a fling with Pat Butcher (he was a kid, for fuck's sake, who could blame him). The lovely Christine got wind of it and, to cut a long story short, he came to Everton. The rest is history.

I met both of them (not Pat) but never mentioned the subject. Apparently, if you analyse the kids books (they're not ghost-written, by the way) all that shit is in there.

Honest to God, if we had an inkling of what these overpaid tarts get up to, we wouldn't sleep in our beds.

Those people who put Lampard's name up with graffiti have a lot to answer for! He should never have been allowed to stay that long. And he should never have been on the list in the first place.

Sam,

Yeah the old bed sheer brigade. I don't know if it was so much Pro Frank as anti the influence of Kia. I don't want to sound hypocritical as a critic of the board but the fact Moshiri is so easily swayed by a few bed sheets says a lot.

David Dein was often criticized by Arsenal fans down the years but did what he thought was best and generally things worked out well. We seem to have an indecisive owner who follows one bad idea that it creates a backlash that goes the opposite way. There is no big picture or convinction with Moshiri.

Christ, to do even worse with the Chelsea squad than with us is next level prime fuckwittery. Let's hope the reds get him when Klopp's upper meds finally wear off completely.

They may not ultimately be in the mix but Hamers need to be well motivated for Leeds and Leicester.

By the way, Zouma is out of the squad with an ankle injury. No mention if a cat scan was needed.

I see Liverpool have just been given their "every game we get a" penalty

So far West Ham have played spot on.

Nunez intended to foul the centre-back but when they missed the ball it was a foul for Nunez. Fucking absurd.

Thank you very much, City: 1-0. Ake from a free-kick.

I'm not watching it, but you would expect after Klopp's outburst that the officials wouldn't be very kind to Liverpool tonight.

But he said it himself, they only seem to have a problem with just one official.

I suppose much of it comes from each position being comfortable on the ball but City's ability to influence defence positioning amazes me.

The discipline to not overrun allows them to reform a line containing the ball. Then one run can unbalance the defence again.

It must kind of be sad to be a City fan.

Massive game tonight, mid-week in the spring, a win would send them too and on course to win the Title.

Yet there are empty seats everywhere, you could hear a pin drop, and when they do eventually break down West Ham and score after a tight first half, it's met with a smile and a few half-arsed claps.

They're an amazing team, probably the best the Premier League has ever seen, possibly the best English Football has ever seen, but it just seems so joyless.

Amazing Haaland!

Yep City 2-0 Nice pass Grealish to Haaland shortly after Moyes takes off Antonio. Weird choice, Dave.

Great timing of the pass. Perfect timing of the run. Brilliant finish.

Rodri is a badass

I think being so comfortable and calm definitely takes away a lot of the atmosphere from the stands.

Highbury the Library, and when Martinez had us playing great football for a short period, Goodison was never really such an animated place.

I'm not saying Man City lack intensity but they are usually that much in control, it probably just relaxes their crowd!

Rodri = a totally composed footballer who is always aware of everything that is going on around him and when he's not, the ref still wouldn't give Everton a penalty kick… Thank God!

Watching on a stream with a foreign commentator, just said tet, etet, etetete, Dixie Dean had to laugh.

Was that when Fornals tried that woeful shot?

Let's hope Carlo do us a favour and beat Man City with a few goals in the first leg of their Champions League semi-finals and Pep rests a few of their star players against us for the return match!

What a goal by Foden!

Agree on Rodri, would get in any team, anywhere.

Grealish was a player that I never really liked but he has come on a lot this last 6 months. Playing more intelligent football than just the showboat routine. Maturing a bit.

I think that has been a recent development, Tony. Earler in the season, he looked out of sorts on the left side. No question about his form of late though.

West Ham Utd in the relegation mix?

Colin @389,

I'm hoping the Hammers are safe right now with their current points total, as that means we have a better chance of surviving,

Don't they have to play Leeds, Barry? They could send Leeds down.

Colin, yes and I am hoping they lose their next 2 games so there is added incentive to beat Leeds.

Liverpool still in the mix for Europe is good for us as they have to play Southampton and Leicester. Still a shower of bastards though.

West Ham lose to Man Utd and they are going to have to get at least a draw against both Leeds and Leicester (either side of a European semifinal) – otherwise they are going to get dragged right into it themselves?

Makes it even more frustrating dropping two points against a very poor Leicester side. A bit more ambition and we could've won that game.

Colin, it was the one that got away. I hope it hasn't cost us.

Kevin~383, reminds me of the fast show "tet, etet, etetete Chris Waddle".

Haaland is incredible but seeing the City scoreboard flash up "most goals in a single season" makes my blood boil.

Did Sky really invent football in 1992? Most goals in a single Premier League season, you knobheads.

Michael,

I was reading on the BBC Sport site a few minutes back. First of all, they have the total season number wrong, quoting it as 63; it was 65.

Then they conveniently fail to say that 60 of those goals were league goals, which Haaland won't get anywhere near.

Barring some huge returns in the remaining games he won't match the 65 total either.

EDIT: A-ha! Slight modification made! Now saying "All competitions" - but they still say 63 as Dean's total, with Haaland having a possible 9 games to score 12 or more. Perhaps they have discounted Dean's 2 Charity Shield goals.

Michael @398, I couldn't agree more.

Clive Allen got a few in one season didn't he, and Kevin Philips also got 30 Premier League goals in a season for Sunderland – imagine if he had City's midfield providing the assists.

Does anyone know how many of Dixie's 60 were penalties?

Jamie,

can't seem to find that info very easily. Best I can do is, there were at least 2. It might require looking up match-by-match.

Joe @ 397,

good stuff, from back when TV was still tolerable.

Hi Jamie [401 & Will [402]

According to the the 'Official Complete Record', 2010, Everton were awarded two penalties in the 1927-28 season. John O'Donnell (22 October 1927) and Dixie Dean (5 May 1928), in the last game of the season when he broke the League record.

It really annoys me when I read Haaland's figures quoted, the fact that there were no European fixtures in those days puts a different aspect on the situation, but I've just remembered that football didn't exist until 1992.

Jamie @ 401,

Echo has description of all of his goals in the 1927 - 28 season (only league goals though).

How Everton legend Dixie Dean's 60 goals were reported

And its no contest. If Dixie could score 60 under those horrible conditions (muddy pitch, etc) and being kicked the shit out of him by the opponent players, then he would have scored double that figure if he played in the Premiership IMO.

Thanks, John.

I didn't find anything conclusive from a few minutes' look. The reason I guessed at least 2 was because Dean apparently said his penalty in that last game was his "Worst of the season".

Soren, thanks - good find.

Something good from The Echo re. Everton, rarer nowadays.

Will, Dixie was something else. Haaland wouldn't survive if he played in that era!

Nor on the wages! Different times for sure.

Thanks fella's, was the season only 34 games back then?

Hi Jamie [410],

There were 22 clubs playing 42 games.

No comparison to today's game really.

That was a man's game played by fair-minded people who did not try to cheat and referees had to make their own decisions.

Also try heading one of those old balls with the laces in every game. These guys would probably have a ciggy at half-time washed down with a sherry which would kill most of these pansies playing today.

I like Haaland but I'll like him a lot more if he scores 4 against Leeds and has a rest when we play Man City.

Sir John,

I believe Dixie only played 39 games that season.

Hope you're keeping well.

Comparing Dixie and Haaland is like comparing Lewis Hamilton and a charioteer.

It's an entirely different game. Different balls, boots, rules (offsides, pass backs) pitches (carpets – not bogs) sports science was non existent then. It's utterly meaningless to compare the two.

All we can say is Dixie was far and away the best of the old era that probably stretched from the 1880s to the late 70s. Thereafter, things changed pretty quickly and in the last 20 years it's a whole new ball game.

Kieran, yes completely different.

Players from either era would struggle in the other.

The BBC are going on about Haaland breaking Dixie's record as if it's total for the season and not league goals.

Some idiot on the BBC said Haaland is only 12 goals away from equaling Dixie's record. We need to lett the BBC know what Dixie did before they rewrite the record books.

Paul, I think they may be looking at goals in all competitions. Hardly a fair comparison as there were only two, back in the day.

To Paul and every one else who will be there — how about a few choruses of "The is only one Dixie Dean" on 60 minutes when we play Man City?

I am up for it!!

Thanks Dennis and Don. But I'm worried they will air brush Dixie and us from the records unless someone puts them right before they do.

Dixie Dean played a very different game of football to the one we see now. They might as well put Haaland's records up against Patrick Barrie, the world tiddlywinks champion (I looked it up).

For example, in those days,you could bundle the goalkeeper over the line and they'd credit you a goal. Chalk & cheese.

Keep it to the Premier League record, not the top division record. If you see what I mean.

Dixie's not important because what he achieved, was so long ago, Kendall's achievements aren't important as a player or manager because it wasn't all broadcast all over the world live and exclusive.

None of the FA Cup wins are important because they were won at the old Wembley Stadium. The Cup Winners Cup doesn't exist nowadays so write that one off too. My word what a crap club we are, we've done nothing!!!

I know that each period of time probably shouldn't and can't be compared to the here and now, if I could just convince my bank manager that all those loans I took out and still have to repay, should somehow be written off because like "times have changed" since I signed the dotted line.

There are realistic ways to make comparison in fact and context etc. Of course the BBC and other media do not always operate in this manner and would try to spin the numbers in any way to nominate Haaland as beating Dean if it's possible. Mix and match.

They already edited their articles a couple of times but just now I see they say in one that Haaland could beat Dean's record of 60. Obviously he will not as that was the total of league goals.

60 was anyhow not Dixie's all-competitions season total, nor was it the 63 they also keep quoting; it was 65. I assume they omitted or missed the Charity Shield in which Dean scored 2 goals. Haaland played for City in the Charity Shield.

So as of now, Haaland on 51 total needs another 15 to beat Dixie's season total. He'll get nowhere near the league goals total and I doubt anyone ever will.

Sorry, James, that is selective nonsense. If the game was so easy, then why was his record unique and stays unbroken?

The defenders could also elbow you in the jaw, tackle you from behind etc, you had to be cut in half to get a penalty??? How many penalties would Dixie Dean put away now?

They were / are both phenomenons in their own age – don't try and disparage it, you should be proud of it.

I wonder what effect DeZerbi's performance has done to Graham Potter's market value.

Haaland is absolutely devastating and no comparison can be made with Dixie. He is patently comparable to Dixie because the defences are infinitely better now and Haaland can't punch them in with his hand like I believe Dixie did. Why compare when there is no way of comparing.

Brian, a manager to lead us to trophies? Is there a planet on what this could actually happen or is that the Championship title?

Watching the Brighton game, early days, but they play the same way, from what I've seen of them, this season, so perhaps a good use of the Everton squad, can unlock, them and definitely, Everton, can get a good result at Brighton, next Monday.

Danny, that's a very good point, youve raised about Dixie and The Holy Trinity Statues.

For me, I'd like them to stay where they are, to mark the immortal status of these Everton players and what they achieved at the Old Lady, for Everton Football Club, Evertonians, and be as important to all Evertonians, everywhere, when the doors are closed for the last time at Goodison Park.

Time is immortal, these players and Goodison Park, have and will provide us all with great memories, and more to be made in this month of May.

UTFTs!

I agree with Martin, Dixie was a one-off but Haaland is without doubt a phenomenal player. He won't get 60 league goals but it's silly for us to get all precious over it. His record for league goals will stand forever and Haaland can have his own lesser record.

I'm proud of Dixie but I'm not gnashing my teeth every time the media mentions Haaland. My only problem is we had him here and let him go.

Good post, Billy Roberts.

Also, Martin, defences are not infinitely better, that is pure conjecture. Had George Best enjoyed the protection offered to forwards these days, he would not have had the shit kicked out of him by Hunter, Storey, Harris etc. Had he not played on pitches like Derby's Baseball Ground, he would have been even greater.

Same with Dixie. Scoring goals with a ball that might as well been made out of lead in addition. Haaland is a fine player, as was Dean. For me, today's pampered forwards have it much easier.

Lame post, Martin, from a man who deals in facts. How many did Dixie punch in, by the way? You don't know? So it's not a fact then.

Why isn't that a penalty? Oh yeah… Marriner.

I don't watch much Brighton. Is that deep pass down the middle a signature play for them or just what they're doing vs United?

Mark (427),

Don't worry too much about Everton and Haaland, he came here for trials, his dad was hawking him here, there and everywhere. We had as much chance of signing him then as we have now.

Andy Crooks,

I guess Martin has moved on from "facts" to "beliefs" as he said "I believe Dixie did" so I guess will open up a new can of worms.

On the Dixie handball allegations, no idea if that's true but let's be honest, even with the VAR, are handball calls any clearer today then they were 90 years ago? I don't think so.

In the obsession with the Premier League, "Haaland could get 90 goals" — my favourites will always be Henry, Van Persie and Aguero, Rooney, Wright.

On comparison of Haaland and Dixie, it's impossible, but as others have stated, Dixie played on muddy pitches, they didn't have dieticians and were not privileged and pampered. The ball was also heavy, and he did it for Everton!

The way Brighton pass the ball and retain possession… such pace and directness.

It's high risk, but they press and often win the ball back quickly if they do lose it.

They are a joy to watch… and we are in for a very tough game.

Things get lively shortly after Caicedo gave Fred a taste of the turf tackle. Good watch for 0-0.

Credit to Neil Warnock, yet again he's a motivator. Huddersfield were rock bottom when he went there a few months ago.

Does not matter how many goals Haaland gets, you can't compare a player from Dean's era and his. as for a starter the pitches today are far superior to the heavy mud pitches from Dean's era.

Today's ball can't be compared to the (when it rained) lump of rock with a leather lace in, that was difficult to control with free kicks.

They are just both excellent players in their era, the only difference is Haarland is able to get more media exposure with today's modern ways to view games.

Brighton were the better team We will get tested on Monday.

Ooh drama. Penal penal penal!

So Brighton win

Well deserved

Yes Dale, Pen in injury time of injury time.

Brighton look very strong tonight, last week against Forest lethargic. Hope they don't play this well against us.

Really good game to watch. I really love to see Brighton break from defence into attack.

Just wonder about the frequent claims of bias... surely if there was, wouldn't the VAR and friends do everything possible to deny that that penalty for Brighton?

You don't save them

Michael, it's to help the RS :-)

I really love seeing Ten Hag's flared nostrils.

Crap! I wanted a Manure win! For discouraging BHA and also I would rather have RS finish outside CL places!

I think we can kiss goodbye any chance of getting anything on Monday as Brighton will try everything to win that game now that a CL place doesn't seem to be out of reach!

Tony when they play us they will be motivated to stay in a position for a European place

You have to hope we can keep the GD down to a minimum over the next two matches.

Ah, I didn't think of that element, Will.

Bill, we've got our work cut out, they are a few cuts above Leicester, but we'll have to work our socks off all over he pitch and keep them out close them down for 90 mins or 95 even. DCL will help relieve the pressure. We will get chances to nick one. Patterson will have some fun looking after Mitoma, a big test for him.

Having watched Brighton tonight, I think we'll have to go five at the back, four in midfield and leave Gray up front to forage against the seagulls. Dominic can have a rest as he'll likely be more effective at Goodison against City. If we play open football at Brighton, like we did versus Leicester we'll get battered.

That lad MacAliister is the oldest looking 24 year old I've seen. Why don't our scouts pick up players like that ?

Allen @ 454
I liked him a lot until I saw he was heavily linked with the other lot. Brighton are supposedly going to get Milner, what is it with those South Coast sides helping the devil's spawn in the last half a decade or so?

Allen 454,

Watching Athletic v Betis, the latter have 2 really special players, Akouokou who is a midfield general and their right back, Salisa. Power and pace for the whole 90 minutes! What a found those 2 are for Betis! I just wonder if we even have any scouts at all!!!?

Barry. We never got battered by Leicester….

Soren, a, good call out.

Focusing on the end game, for Everton, this season and positive energies on the doable, and Brighton, can be beaten.

They're a very good team, and it will take an exceptional effort from the Everton squad, next Monday, but in the game tonight, v United, they're on tap, to a counter..

At the right time, as they transition, fast but United, caught them out, in the first half, and could have won the game by half time.

Getting a balance for a quick counter, is one for all TWrs, and Sean Dyche, but there's plenty of of scope to win, next Monday or take a point.

Ideally Leeds, and Forest loose, this weekend, and Everton, can take a point at least, the Dynamic, change is massive,

Everton, will take a point at least at Brighton, beat Wolves, and beat Bournemouth. I'm convinced on the basis, we now have a team and game plan, starting these last games from good strength and offensive potential, rather than, very little, as of the bulk of this seasons, games, Imho.

City.. Let's see what happens. At Goodison, they are genuinely beatable, every game now is a Cup Final.

UTFTs!

I'm watching an interview with the Brighton vice Chairman on The Final Word that was on after tonight's game, and anyone who wishes to run a Premier League club should find a tape and watch it over and over, especially someone who takes over Everton.

What a difference it sounds instead of the shambles at Everton upper management.

Chris @457
I never said we did, I said if we play as open as we did at Leicester this coming Monday we'll get battered

Barry, a good point, but many people moved! In those days. South & North, - UK wise but across the World..

There's loads of families who, left! Liverpool, in the late 60s, 70s, and early 80s, and that's, the, the way it was then, to find a better place, due to the economic sanctions of the Torie party, in that period, and era, as it passed, generations.

Loads of people left Liverpool, to find work, elsewhere, and were great successes, and some came back, eventually, and many found life and stayed where they were.

Successful and adaptive Scousers, across the World!

That's Life.

UTFTs!

Anyone seen the Antony v Dunk push and shove?

Can anyone explain why that shouldn't be two yellows for Antony? The foul is a clear yellow - deliberate, petulant, and pretty strong. It's close to being a red - the fact the ball is somewhere in the vicinity doesn't change the fact that he booted the man. How different is wellying someone in the legs to pushing someone in the face? I'd rather be pushed.

Then Dunk gets a yellow for the push and shove stuff. Why wouldn't Antony get one for that too? Both men getting a yellow seems well out of proportion.

Michael@442. You would think so, but since football has now become a major television sport, it just seems to court controversy, and after watching those highlights this morning, it just highlights how selective VAR, can really be, imo?

The Brighton game at home, was embarrassing for Everton, who just played right into their hands by leaving gaps for them to exploit, all over Goodison Pk.

Average players love getting space, but it's the good players who destroy you, if you give them half a yard?

Play compact, or get battered.

City 1 up. Leeds need more defenders.