Premier League — Matchweek 37

Woow! Spurs cratering. 3-1 to Brentford now.

Sign in crowd:

Levi Out
Lewis Out
Profit over Glory

Who are they playing next Sunday?

Well how nice it is to see that supposed top Premier team Tottenham getting destroyed by Brentford . Wonder if Toney put a bet on this game through someone else.

And this was them with something still to play for. They could have their flip flops on next week.

Two good goal-bound headers from Richarlison, one tipped over acrobatically, the other a pure reaction save pushed onto the post and back in play. Spurs trying but its far too late now… surely.

Now we've got two reasons to hope Villa win. Assuming Spurs fancy the conference league.

OK, there's unlikely any kind of "help" coming from Spurs on the final day.

Wrong thread

Good week for West Ham, that draw means they are now safe. How will they play tomorrow, with a final coming up?

Forest one up.

Forest 1-0 up already. Sort it out, Arteta, you need to show your gratitude.

Forest refuse to read the script. They're mammoth mediocre squad was pre-ordained for relegation but they refuse to accept their fate.

If Arsenal don't come back from this and Leeds win tomorrow, we are in big shit. Also if Leicester win on Monday, we'll be in the Bottom 3 for the last game.

Arsenal need at least a draw here to help us out. We need all the options possible from other games open to us.

It then forces Forest to need a win away at Palace if we beat Bournemouth, to finish ahead of us. Could make a massive difference on the last day.

If Leeds do win tomorrow and Forest win today, we are sunk.

Arsenal are making the football look like a medicine ball, far too heavy to kick.

I do wonder how Forest manage to get away with so many fouls on almost every occasion I've watched them.

Come on Arteta, this isn't good enough you melt.

For years now, whenever I've wanted Arsenal or Spurs to win, usually against Liverpool, they've never helped us but always turn up and batter us. Do us a favour for once.

Arsenal have no real motivation in the back of their minds. They've all but lost the title.

Man City would have to lose 2 of their last 3 games and only draw the other, even if Arsenal win both of theirs.

Arsenal have been very hit-and-miss since they blew a 2-0 lead at Anfield.

Hopefully this will be a game of 2 halves.

Nottingham Forest getting their fair share of luck. Last home game against Brighton, a massive deflected goal from a cross to equalise on the stroke of halftime.

Today, the defender won the ball but the ball ricocheted off the striker into the goal. The luck's got to run out soon… hasn't it??

Jesus looked like he was being held back. Got booked for it.

Tony @17,

I thought it would be a penalty, this Anthony Taylor – I think he's the referee – has a one-man mission to see us relegated. He gives us nothing when he takes charge of our games and seems to help those who we are rivals with.

Yes, Barry, the replay clearly showed he was being held back, did VAR even look? I need that decision explaining. Arsenal have been poor though, a one flip-flop on performance.

Any erroneous VAR decision now is possibly going to send a team down or keep one up. That one looked very dodgy, maybe it was the angle we got?

The trouble is Arsenal playing crap recently and Forest at 1-up will win that game – then they're safe.

So Forest are safe with a win.

Yep, Kieran. Let's hope and pray for a West Ham win tomorrow and Newcastle on Monday.

Colin,

So Moyes and Anthony Gordon are our potential saviours.

Tough times…

Just shows you can't rely on others (which unfortunately we are having to).

There's been about 3 minutes football in the last 15. Forest wasting as much time as possible.

The fates are conspiring.

We're gonna go down to Moyes, Arteta and Allardyce. Stephen King couldn't write that shit.

Looked like another penalty, no replays allowed for that one.

Didn't fancy Arsenal today but I do fancy West Ham to at least win or draw tomorrow which hopefully means we just have to beat Bournemouth and if we don't, then we don't deserve to stay up.

I'm quite concerned now as its looking like 2 from 3.

Leicester could easily beat Newcastle on Monday now they are assured of a Champions League spot and West Ham have bigger fish to fry.

Spurs are one of the worst teams in the league on current form so Leeds I think will beat them last day.

Well done, Forest. You showed real spirit in the last few games.

So poor from Arsenal. Almost like match-fixing.

Gary #25…

Misery?

Fuck off, Arsenal!

That result is worse than us not winning today.

It's past so that is correct.

What the fuck does it matter anyway?

Forest safe.

Over to David Moyes, the irony that our fate now depends on what strength team he puts out. He will be desperate to win the final. I am dreading going next week…

Brendan @31 - still Needful Things for now, but I recon Me Gaunt sold us Moshiri.

Arsenal were terrible, lethargic shite. A ricochet goal again for Forest. Two Arsenal penalties that the VAR seemingly didn't even look at and now will be buried for all time. One didn't even get a replay on Sky.

A terrible result for Everton but an even worse one for Leeds and Leicester. Tomorrow's West Ham v Leeds game now is huge.

Leeds have to lose one or at least not win both matches, and Foxes have to fail to win one match, whilst Everton – which even now is the most difficult task – have to win at home, for the first time in an age.

Best wear a dozen pairs of undies next weekend.

We'd better pray that West Ham and Newcastle do us a favour so it's at least in our hands for the final game.

We have to beat Bournemouth, probably without Calvert-Lewin and Patterson… behind-the-couch stuff.

I suppose it's well done Forest, they started winning games and have some goalscorers.

Rewind to 3 or 4 weeks ago, when some were saying Forest had terrible run-in. So frustrating as I can still see Pickford pushing the ball back in play for them to score.

As we knew 4 weeks ago, Everton have to win their games, and having to hope others lose still. West Ham are now safe, so who knows what they will do with their final coming up?

If I'm being honest (and it's hard), I think Everton will end up with what they deserve, the Kenwright narcissist show has ran it's course. Hate is a strong word but boy do I hate that man!

Leeds have to win both matches to guarantee safety, from Everton's point of view, we need them to lose tomorrow.

Kenwright on the phone to Moyes as we speak…

David Moyes – please do us a favour tomorrow and win!

I have little to moan about relating to Forest, but they've had a lot of decisions go their way, in the last dozen or so games. Has their owner got compromising photos of Howard Webb and Coy?

They are a small club who are allowed to put their foot in so often, because they are seen as the underdogs. No such favours given to us over the season. We had Gordon and Richarlison play-acting to win free-kicks last season.

This season, every Forest player seems to be well-rehearsed in the dark arts, something we should have done a few times this season, including today when Wolves broke away to score.

Barry,

This small club have won 2 European Cups.

Barry @43,

A bit harsh saying Forest are a small club; 2 European Cups ain't bad.

I'm sorry but Forest are a small club, much the same as Ipswich Town, Derby County et al. They did have very good team once upon a time, but they are not as big a club as Everton are.

Even with a crap team or over the years teams, we are still a bigger club than those I've mentioned. If you think differently, that's fine.

How ironic that our fate is now in the hands of two former Everton managers tomorrow lunchtime: David Moyes and Sam Allardyce.

It dawns on one that it's now no longer in our hands if we stay up or not.

If Leeds win both of their games, then we are gone.

We have to be positive but we must face the reality also.

Another gut-wrenching week ahead then?

If Leeds win tomorrow, I might top myself.

I can't stand another week of this.

Moyes has won his last 8 games against Allardyce. :)

Agree with Barry. Won two FA Cups ex-Clough, then got lucky in Europe (like Liverpool – right place at the right time).

End of story.

Barry,

We haven't won a trophy since 1995. We could be in the Championship next weekend. Yeah we're massive ain't we?

I said weeks ago that others around us only had to match our results and not better them to send us down.

If Leeds win tommorow, we are toast; there is no way they will lose to Spurs.

Average odds for tomorrow's game: 13/8 West Ham, 13/8 Leeds, 9/4 draw.

Bookies can't separate them so hopefully a draw is what we'll get as a minimum.

I don't think Moyes will do us any favours. The only shred of optimism I have is:

1. It is their last home game. The fans will certainly be up for it. Hopefully the players will put in a performance.

2. The final is not for 19 days.

3. At least it's a group of players on a high of getting to a European final; hopefully the adrenaline rush and success will spur them on.

If Leeds win tomorrow, we are down as Spurs have been shite since Conte left.

Dave, they may win tomorrow, then draw with Spurs or vice versa. We could then beat Bournemouth.

I'm not exactly brimming with belief but this isn't over until next Sunday.

I think those odds are from last seasom.

The win probabilities are: Hammers 41.2%, Leeds 29.7%.

Paul,

I think you get far too much enjoyment out of belittling Everton, why don't you take a day off?

We'll are still be a big club even if we end up in the Championship. You can't dismiss our entire history because we haven't been successful in the last 28 years. You can't dismiss our following throughout those fallow years either.

Apparently, there are 20k on the season ticket waiting list, so that says we are certainly a lot bigger than the clubs I was comparing us to.

Our major problem over the years is that Bill Kenwright has never believed that Everton is a big club and we are paying the price for his lack of ambition and his extremely poor stewardship.

It's a tall order to expect Leeds to go to West Ham and win. West Ham will be full of themselves and in tremendous good cheer. Whereas Leeds have had an even worse day than us, watching our last-gasp equaliser, plus watching Forest beat Arsenal.

They pretty much know they must not get beat tomorrow, that's a lot of pressure. Moyes on reflection won't want to put out a shadow squad when he knows how much is riding on this game for us. I think West Ham turn up tomorrow.

It's not belittling, it's honest facts.

Cue what is a big club discussion.

We haven't had one for a couple of years.

With Newcastle still needing a point or two to guarantee Champions League football, you would expected Leicester not to win, a draw at the very best.

Tomorrow's game is a different kettle of fish altogether with West Ham safe and a bit of fatigue after Thursday, also anyone with a niggle will be rested. It's going to be more stressful than today's game.

If Leeds fail to win, I think we will stay up as Goodison will be the ultimate bear pit next Sunday, and we will find a way to get the 3 points.

Dale they are from a selection of bookmakers within a fraction of a point of each other (check Bet 365 for one if you don't believe me).

Bookies are not soft and, knowing that West Ham are safe and have a Euro final in a week or so, will probably field a weakened side. If this was mid-season, Leeds would be around the 3/1- 7/2 mark.

I will check but I saw WH +135 with Leeds +188 which I think translated to the other.

Kevin,

It's not a "week or so" it's nearly three.

Plenty of time for Davey to do us a favour and still win a trophy with West Ham.

It's very weird but I don't believe that many on here would look forward to Everton having to win an away game at West Ham followed by a home encounter with Spurs, but seemingly super Leeds are more or less guaranteed to win both matches.

It may well end up that way, but as long as it might not happen, we have to hope. Anyway, I think two draws this weekend in the remaining games that affect Everton and three draws next weekend and we'll be okay?

Brendan,

Sorry, I thought it was sooner – but still I wish I shared your optimism that Davey will do us a favour.

With Hammers getting a free shot, why wouldn't they aim it at Sam's head? Plus the motivation to get entirely in form is not small.

Think about it, Leeds defence… Hammers offence. I don't see Leeds supposed motivational advantage making the difference.

Spurs hate sending Harry off and will likely take out some frustration on a much weaker side.

Leeds won 3-2 at West Ham last season!

Let's hope they don't do that again this time around!

Sorry, Kevin,

My optimism is in such short supply that I can't share it with anyone...

Tomorrow will seal our fate.

If Leeds win, then we go down as they will beat the Spurs at home the following week.

What a fuckin shambles. The inquest will be fun if the worst happens…

You know who is going to save us next Sunday? Richarlison.

He's gonna score against Leeds and pull up his shirt to reveal ‘Once a Blue, Always a Blue'!

Chris – I was thinking exactly that: if we are tied on points and goal difference with Leeds, we would go down on goals scored according to the Premier League.

If any clubs finish with the same number of points, their position in the Premier League table is determined by goal difference, then the number of goals scored, then the team who collected the most points in the head-to-head matches, then who scored most away goals in the head-to-head.

Somebody said Moyes should play his strongest side – even if he does, I can not see the desire being there. Allardyce playing mind games but he is right, it's one thing reminding players of their responsibility, quite another the same players being totally committed.

No doubting Wolves were totally committed against us today, but they have no big final to protect if you get me.

Always thought it would go down to the last match for us, if Leeds win tomorrow, we are in trouble in my opinion.

Are we capable of beating Bournemouth? Who the fuck knows!

By the way, if Leeds win, we are most likely going. It's out of our hands and getting a win at Goodison is difficult enough without relying on another team to lose at home.

Remind me who manages Leeds? Oh yes… it's the guy who took us up to 8th when we languished in a similar position.

How did the conversation regarding the appointment of Dyche go over Allardyce?

We could take the guy who got us to 8th in the table before… or the other guy who consistently achieved 1 point a game.

"Yes, he could get us winning as before. No, we will take the other guy who has a husky voice."

With Liverpool drawing against Aston Villa and Newcastle Utd guaranteed a Champions League place as a result, they won't put much effort in when facing Leicester City on Monday!

Another result that we didn't want.

I thought the Liverpool draw meant Newcastle needed a point from the Leicester game?

People are discounting West Ham and Spurs and think Leeds will suddenly turn into world beaters.

Big Sam has made them hard to beat, but they don't look much going the other way.

I can see them getting a point at West Ham, but don't see them getting 3 points unless Moyes puts out the reserves (their final isn't until next month so I think Moyes will put out a strong-ish side in their final home game) Spurs have been written off but they've gotta win to get a European place.

I'm a little worried about Leeds but we'll be fine as long as they lose or draw tomorrow.

Gavin,

Newcastle have a much better goal difference than Liverpool, so they don't really need a point to get into the Champions League.

However, I think there is an advantage to finishing 3rd rather than 4th, so they may be still up for it.

Brian,

I'm not worried about Newcastle beating Leicester whatsoever. They will be up for it being their final home game.

I am a little worried about the team Moyes will put out tomorrow. He's cautious by nature and has never won a Cup. He'll definitely make changes but I don't think it will be the reserves as some people claim.

Tom Cannon is back from Preston. I wonder if there's any way we could play him next weekend?

Gavin,

I am worried about all games involving our destiny! Be it Moyes's team selection for tomorrow or the Leicester game away at the Skunks or our last game next week!

It's un-fuckin-bearable!

I honestly wish our useless board suffer as much as we, the fans, do.

Soren, yep, It's unbearable.

Let's just hope by Monday evening, after the last of the weekend's fixtures, it's in our own hands for Bournemouth.

The "Boring one" cannot save us so we are desperate for Moyes to do us a favour and bail us out of our misery.

I don't fancy our chances, to be honest.

Sorry. West Ham will lose both games. Newcastle will not not win at home to the Geordies and they are too good anyway. Leeds will beat Spurs because they are shite.

Let's have a chorus of "Always look on the bright side of life" to let them know we are unbowed.

COYBB

Well, at least Yorkshire post believes we will survive. Surprise, surprise!

Link

You might be able to predict a team's performance over an extended period of time but in a one or two game spell involving relegation threatened teams it's pointless.

The simple maths before this weekend was that there were four bullets in the chamber and we couldn't afford to be hit by 3. Odds felt like they were in our favour.

We didn't win - that's bullet number one hitting us. Forest won - there's bullet number two (and was probably the least likely).

Two bullets left this weekend. Only one needs to hit. The odds have now shifted against us. We're hoping for good luck, because the results can go any way at this point.

We can debate who has what to play for. Leeds and Leicester have everything to play for. Wolves had nothing to play for but it was their last home game. That's true for West Ham and Newcastle too. Arsenal still had a lot to play for!

At a guess I feel like it's going to be out of our hands going into the last weekend but a win against Bournemouth will be enough. I can't quite see either of our rivals winning twice. Mind you I'm not sure I see us beating Bournemouth either.

It's going to be a horrible next week regardless of what happens.

David Moyes has got a real massive dilemma on his hands.

Does he pay Kenwright back for the personally delivered free tickets to the next West End show and bottle of scotch or does he accept the $1M offer from a dodgy phone call from a guy named Samuel?

I think he will go for the tickets and scotch myself!

In the real world, my biggest fear is a full Goodison Park watching years of boardroom ineptitude unfold as our team fails to register a shot on goal v the mighty Bournemouth and we meakly surrender our top-flight status despite only needing a draw to stay up after Moyes has done us two favours.

Fuck me, there's too much going on in my head and right now I feel like how Doucouré looks with the ball at his feet. Lost!

Soren, they've got us picking up two points from our last game so not sure how much heed I'd pay to that!

A Leeds win today sees us gone.
Can't see any chance of Spurs getting anything up there last game

Moments before the world ends someone will post on here:

"Can I remind you that under Allardyce we finished 8th."

I predicted a draw yesterday in our game. I predict a draw (WHU - Leeds) today. I can't see Leeds winning tbh.

Very little between West Ham and Leeds today according to the bookies. Leeds actually slight favourites with some.

Worryingly Leeds are now favourites to beat West Ham which possibly suggests dour Davey is going to play a wekened side.

Bill @69, you write as if taking us to eighth was an achievement. It wasn't. Allardyce is a blight on football and his appointment a shameful time for our club. Also, we were not "languishing in a similar position". Praise Allardyce, devoid of integrity as he is, if you admire him. No need to make things up to do so.

Peter #78 I have a guy at my front door telling me the world is about to end. Should I now tell him about Allardyce and eighth?

Bill, we weren't in a similar position. It was October or November. We were 14th, with a better squad. Allardyce was given £50m to spend/waste.

Whatever your thoughts on Dyche, he did not inherit a similar position.

Even if and that's a big if we are still with a chance of survival next weekend I can still see us blowing it.
All that money we had and we have absolutely nothing to show for it. What a disaster, what a joke we are.
Stay up, go down we will still be facing another grim season and another after that.
Howard gave us hope all those years ago but since then apart from an FA Cup we have been completely out of the picture as far as challenging for major titles is concerned. Thanks a lot Kenwright and Moshiri for ruining our once great football club.

Huge day.

It's quite a simple one for me.

Leeds lose or draw today and I believe we'll stay up.

Leeds win, Everton will be relegated.

We are currently outsiders of 3 to go down, I would have us Joint favourite with Leicester (who are no forlorn hope to beat Newcastle on Monday). The odds makers are very really wrong but I believe our chances are well overated. I can only hope I havent a feckin clue what I'm talking about.

Andrew (94) I can GUARANTEE that come next Sunday, whatever the results today and tomorrow, we will go into the game with a chance of survival.

Brian (97)
You are correct. All the same it will be a very slim chance of survival.
I am just hoping Leeds will not win today and Leicester will not win tomorrow.

Allardyce has, quite rightly, said that today's game against West Ham is their Cup Final
Well our Cup Final was yesterday.
We didn't win the Cup

We have to hope that Leeds or Leicester can't get a win, though Leeds are the main dangers if they both lose we only need a draw to finish above them. Whatever happens we will still need a draw as a minimum to stay up (providing the other 2 dont lose both their games which is unlikely) and thats where the concern lies. What does Dyche do, sit back and play for a 0-0, we all know that is a dangerous game to play.

How the feck have we got to this after spending 𧺬m.

Jesus : The Thread of doom and despair.

Prepare for the worse and anything else is a big bonus.

It boils down to the last 1-2 games for our rivals which will seal our fate but ultimately we sealed our own.

Home defeats to Soton, Fulham, Wolves, Brighton, Leicester. Plus a draw against Forest.

Home results which ultimately killed us. One or two wins in those fixtures would make us safe.

Our shocking home form and an inability to realise Frank Lampard was out of his depth and needed sacking doomed us.

You get what you deserve over 38 games no such thing as luck

Daniel it depends how you define luck, our 99th minute equaliser yesterday had some modicom of luck attached to it and might keep us up. I suppose you get relegated over 38 games but Bolton fans always cite being unlucky when they got relegated instead of us a few years ago as from memory they had a disallowed goal when they played us earlier on in the season. You need luck to win some games but it usually evens itself out over the season (VAR and referees withstanding) and I agree you generally go down because you've been shite for most of the year.

You could also argue that the so called big 6 have more than their fair share of luck, but we all know why that is.

The hardest thing is to reach a point when with only one game to play, your fate is not even in your own hands and it is now down to 2 from just 3. That Arsenal result was an utter gut wrencher.

My hunch is that Newcastle will still be motivated enough to see off Leicester in front of their passionate crowd.

Which leaves today's game. Will West Ham turn up? On this, I'm a lot less hopeful. True, Leeds are useless, but slightly less useless under Allardyce. I'm in the camp that this is the result most likely to decide our fate. A Leeds win and I think we are most likely doomed, given how Spurs have fallen apart. Maybe Teary Bill could do one last thing for us before he buggers off- put in a call to Gollum and plead with him to play Rice and a proper striker

Kevin, discussion about luck comes later on in the season when you suddenly put the few games left under the microscope, but is it luck when you had over 30+ games prior to set your destiny?

Yesterday was a great example of bottle and grit. We simply just kept going it wasn't lucky it was deserved. Wolves away isn't an easy fixture but we grinded it out despite our injuries and losing our two best players before HT.

Leicester are 1/8 to be relegated, Leeds 1/3, we've been nibled at, at 11/8 to 5/4.

Get on if you think we are doomed, this is going to the wire anything can happen yet.

The problem is can we beat Bournemouth if we have to with our 1st choice players crocked again, I wouldn't like to stake my life on it, they have tonked us twice this season.

Yes we have not had any luck this season with injuries and losing the Icelandic fella, but the level of incompetence of the club from the DOF upwards has been breathtaking.

If you didn't know better you would think they were trying to get us relegated.

Maybe Daniel but a few were saying Forest have been fortunate to have 2 deflected goals in the last 2 games which has given them the points to stay up.

However, you do make your own luck and if you keep trying to score usually the chances come, you just need to take them which is something we havent been doing enough of this season.

I've not watched Leeds this season so for me they are an unknown. Their league position like ours tells me what I need to know.

But big Sam is an organiser and a motivator, throw in the rowdy Leeds fans and they are capable of beating a tired West ham and a Spurs side in free fall.

But then again I didn't expect us to get beat by Soton, Fulham, Wolves, Brighton, Leicester at home in a single season either.

Good west ham team. Come on hammers.

Motes has picked a strong side with Antonio rested after hobbling off midweek. Ings up top but quality all over the park. Come on you Irons.

Maybe Teary Bill did in fact make a begging call to Gollum.

Let's just hope they are not too knackered or play to avoid injury

If you can just suspend the suckness of the situation it is a remarkably suspenseful drawn out experience. Top that with the good v evil battle between two ex-mgrs with the Moyest One v Lardiola. It is a fucking circus served up here so please take a moment to appreciate the universe's sense of humor.

Okay you can go back to full freakout now. UTFT! Just kill Leeds now.

If I had a Hammer, I'd Hammer in the morning, I'd Hammer in the evening, Allllllll day long!!!!!

Come on West Ham for the sake of f#ck!!!!

Somebody said, we should not worry as Richarlison will do the business for us at Leeds, and you know if he plays he might do - still has a soft spot for us lot and odd's on he will be getting messages from ex team mates!
Now then, come on the Hammers !

WTF at West Ham???!!!!
Joke bringing tgeir kids out laughing and smiling
Leeds serious as shit and quite rightly
West Ham having a day out with the kids!
This is going to be strange

is it camera angle or does the pitch seem very long and narrow

Come on Moyes. Beat these!

It's a much stronger West Ham team than I expected. Doesn't mean they'll be fully committed of course but some of them will be trying to get a place in their cup final squad.

Daniel, I think the outer running track (as was) makes the pitch look narrow.

I still think we could have been safe by now IF we had brought in Fat Sam instead of Dour Dyche!

You can already see Hammer players not getting stuck in

No live forum?

Behind the couch stuff, this.

West Ham have started as flat as a witch's titty.

Leeds lacking intensity as well. Playing for a needed win has changed Sam's plan.

And I still think you will be wearing that if we stay up. Lardluvvah!

Moyes has put out his best team so credit to him there.

Oh dear...

Well, that's us done for.

We are truly fucked.

West Ham and Spurs – easy 6 points, I'm afraid.

Oh well…

Dale, its not about who we like or dislike. It is about survival, so I'd have preferred Fat Sam as he has done it before.

And Leeds score as I was typing this, for fuck's sake!

West Ham half-asleep.

Soren, why would he have come back when many gave him so much shit. Like my old dad used to say in all sport you get what you deserve. I hope on this occasion he's wrong.

Game over. No surprise. We were already gone after yesterday's bleak performance.

Not many more terrible phrases than 'out of our hands'.

It isn't over. They've only been playing for 20 minutes!

West Ham need to pull their finger out though.

All down to how much West Ham want an equaliser now.

Raymond Fox @38,

Moyes has made six changes. And allowed them to go on the piss. Not his strongest team.

A draw will do here. We just need it to be in our hands.

You can put your best team out, as Moyes has done here, but let's face it, they are mentally in that Final already, this is not a big game for West Ham.

Same with Spurs next week, on the beach already, some no-mark managing them that won't be there in August, Kane will be gone.

We've done this to ourselves, if you are on 33 points with one game to play, can you really expect to stay up?

One thing Sam can do is organise a defence. I expect them to win now they have their noses in front.

The relegation gods are against us, I fear.

Doesn't matter what Moyes did or didn't do. We needed to take care of our own business, all our own fault if we go down.

It's not the relegation Gods – it's dreadful managers packing the team with defensive midfielders and playing one isolated forward who then gets the blame when he gets no service.

That's why we're going down.

Moyes wants us related so he can get the few decent players we still have.

It was in our hands and we fucked it up against Wolves yesterday. We can't keep relying on others.

Joe,

In an interview with Sky, he said it himself – that he would be interested if contacted by them (Everton).

Just a figure of speech, Ian.

Do you not think I know why we are going down, for fuck's sake.

West Ham are getting back into this.

Leeds are still shite.

James,

Correct that, hoping results go our way when we can't even look after ourselves.

The finger-pointing starts next week when it'll be done and dusted.

Robles (oh the irony) – cracking save.

Only hope is Sam wants to sit on a 1-0 lead and they get punished.

I well remember some posters on here stating they would rather go down than have Sam as manager.

Perhaps he would've given us a few years of stability till the stadium was complete? How does the saying go?

Be careful what you wish for... it may not necessarily be what you want.

Ian is correct.

We needed to win yesterday, and we went 4-5-1 and played a quarter of game with only a winger as an attacker. Leeds needed to win today and Sam's gone 4-3-3.

When we needed strikers last season, we bought defenders and defensive midfielders.

A club with no balls, led by a manager with no balls. No bets made, walk away the loser.

Trust Joel Robles to have a blinder today.

And the relegation gods too.

Instead of criticizing West Ham, ask yourself wouldn't you expect Everton to do the same in their position?

It's the hope that kills you. Probably it will end with a comfortable 3- 0 win for Leeds.

Yes!

1-1!

Go and get a 2nd now. Please!!!!

Well it won't be 3-0.

Good timing Svein-Roger 😀

C'moooon Hammers!

Getttttt innnnnnnnn

See, Leeds are still shite!

1-3 Svein!

Yeeeeeeeedeeewwedeeee

Get in, Declan, my son!!!

We're back in business.

YESSS!!!!!! West Ham playing with a bit of swagger here now and also pressure free, screw turning on Leeds.

A draw will do right?

Ray Roche 151, well let's just call it a strong team!

And Bamford injured. Looks like a hamstring. Result!

Psychological blow for Leeds.

Yes, a draw is okay.

I am a little more optimistic now…

Drinks break… what the fuck for?

Now Bamford has got dcl-ed!

Bamford off!

If Leicester win tomorrow, we will definitely be down as they'll definitely win their home match against West Ham.

Yes, Paul. A draw would be just fine.

Shit, Bamford's going off.

Soren, it is about timing as well as odds of keeping us up. Your timing of exclamation points and Fat Sam love are annoying and so I respond. If I thought it was straight-up opinion I would honor that bit is the timing.

1-1 mate.

Bamford is shite. I'd prefer him to stay on.

James, I love your positivity. It's not blind / naive optimism just realism. Don't stop.

Almost 2. This Leeds team ain't all that and they're cutting open up easily.

Anyone want to remind us that we're down?

We still need to beat Bournemouth.

Dale, " Fat Sam love"? Lol.

Because I've not heard of some of the players, I don't always know who's attacking.

Its like living in 2 realities where we are safe in one and down in another but they keep interchanging

Okay. Fat Sam preference you got me there. Play on.

Roger, a draw or a defeat against Bournemouth could still be enough. We just need to match or better Leeds result

Technically Leicester aren't down if they beat the toon tmrw they are in the box seats as they have the best goal diff

I'll hang my hat on Leicester not beating Newcastle tomorrow

I must confess, I thought Leeds were the worst team I'd seen at Goodison this year (and that includes Everton). I confidently expected us to finish above them, at least.

Fool.

Uh huh Uh hih Hammers!

I'll raise you Will. Every team is on the beach except when they play us, Allardyce is a genius (1 point from 6). Leicester are world-beaters waiting to happen and I can't believe Dyche hasn't got us playing like Brazil!

Leeds' 6 other trips to London this season have all ended in defeats. Lets make it 7.7.

Kevin,

"It's like living in 2 realities were we are safe in one and down in another but they keep interchanging".

Don't open the box and look! We're dead and down if you do!

James (209) - depends what Leicester do tomorrow.

Knowing us, we'll sell Calvert-Lewin in the summer and replace him with Bamford.

Indeed, Brian, but I can't see anything but a Newcastle victory tomorrow night.

What is Fat Sam doing? Why isn't he trying to win this??? He needs to sub someone doesn't he? Backpaases ti safety??

Ok but you get what we experince there don't you?

I just woke up to see West Ham 1 Leeds 1. A draw will do. A loss would be better.

Leeds much more of a threat to us than Leicester, need to get this one out of the way. If Newcastle play anywhere near their normal level Leicester won't win.

Anything could happen with the Leicester game... they are fighting for their lives and Newcastle already qualified for the Champions League.

It will be a huge relief if we get to the final game with it in our hands.

What will be will be. We cant change anything today.

I couldn't give a shit about Leicester, West Ham or fucking Leeds. What I do care about is Everton and what happens next. Whether we stay up or down, we must have change.

We have to stop the mentality that we are a Roll Royce club. We fantasize about our players being Ferrari or Lambo standard when in fact they are a stuttering Morris fucking Minor. We pay big money and running costs for these Morris Minors but in any race we will always come up short.

Change is needed from top to bottom but not just for change sake. We need a short, medium and long-term plan for this club and we need to invest in proper people to implement this plan.

Paul - you've convinced me. It's all over.

Mark,

Fortunately, RS can catch them mathematically, so there is hope That Barcodes will go all in for a win.

My pleasure, Will. Reality always trumps performative hysteria...

Soren, Newcastle have far superior goal difference so they've basically qualified for Champions League.

Leicester do have good players that can hurt any team. I just wouldn't totally rule out a Leicester win.

I hope this scoreline holds or Leeds lose obviously. But thinking on this last night, I see no way Leeds lose at home to Spurs. I think they'll find a way to win.

We're going to need to beat Bournemouth, and assuming DCL is out along with every RB and LB we have under contract, I'm scared.

But at least it will be win and survive, or lose and drop. It'll be up to us.

We desperately need West Ham to hold serve here or win. Freaking me out. If we are relegated, we are screwed. There's no money and a 𧺬 million stadium being built. It'll be our death.

Happy Sunday, everyone!!!

Mark, I know. 7 goals better but as I said they can be caught "mathematically". They can't afford to loose that game.

As far as it goes between us and Leeds, it makes no real difference if they lose or draw this game.

First half at London Stadium went according to plan: 1-1. The pressure will be on Leeds and Moyes will want possession maintained and discipline. Hopefully he will ask for better marking up than what resulted in Leeds first goal from a long throw-in.

Seems to be a big crowd at the London Stadium. They will want a win. Leeds deep looking for a counter-attack or a se-peice. Some thing's never change with Big Sam.

Yes Will, another West Ham goal will calm the nerves, a massive 40 minutes for EFC.

We need to win on Sunday. It won't be easy but that's what we have to do.

2-1 I'll blow bubbles!!

Get in Hammers!!!!!

Lucky Bubbles

Phew,

Bowen goal not offside. 2-1 to West Ham, who are supposedly thinking only of European glory...

😘

God this 7 minutes thing is killing me

Love you Davey Moyes! Thanks m'man.

Worth the extra minutes Jamie😀

If Leicester lose tomorrow then a draw vs Bournemouth should see us safe. Can't see Leeds winning by 3 vs Tottenham

Get in!!!!!

This is good for goal difference. If Leicester get beat tomorrow, then a draw against Bournemouth will be sufficient. Unless Leeds were to beat Spurs by 3!

West Ham 3-1 Leeds

Goal difference now 3 better

3-1 you fuckin beautiful bastard, Moyes!!!

I can't believe it's now in our hands provided the Geordie's melt Leicester tomorrow night.

3-1 Lanzini !!! Get in

Yesterdays point is looking massive right now

West Ham have shown commendable application today, after a horrible game on Thursday night in that atmosphere too, take my hat off to their professionalism.

Yes this draw to stay up scenario is huge Connor and Phil. Just massive.

the great thing about this is it ruins Leeds week. they know they need snookers, the aura of invincibility from Fatty is now starting to smell like yesterday's fish and chips

That has got to be one of the longest 90 minutes of my life.

Leeds will not beat Spurs either. Harry Kane might well be playing his last game for them, and Richarlison will be begging to play.

David Moyes making being an Evertonian bearable, even after all these years.

Thank God for that. West Ham played very well considering the start and their impending Cup final.

Now we're all Newcastle fans.

So depending on Leicester if Everton draw leeds need 3 goals win over spurs to overtake us.

If we go down now, we'll we will have only ourselves to blame as the side below us are terrible!

Bill (290) That's right. Can we trust our team to take a point? Can we trust Spurs not to lose by three?

Rob, me too. The point from yesterday added to West Ham's 3rd goal is huge. A draw on Saturday may be enough, in fact the point from yesterday may be enough. Leeds looked devastated at the end.

Feeling much better than I did at this time yesterday.

God bless the saintly Moyes. There are four spare seats in the Main Stand, sir. Take your pick. Actually, have them all.

Leeds should have never, ever fired Marsch. Ridiculous decision that sent them down a shite managerial merry go round. Don't even remember the name of the last clown, then they go and hire Fat Sam?

They've gone from Bielsa to Fat Sam in what? A year? Marsch is a capable coach who would have never gotten Leeds relegated. Horrific management by that club.

Couple that with all the comments I read on here about their fans being neanderthals, I'm looking forward to a win next week to see them down.

Leeds were always in trouble.

No club gets in the way of a Moyes team "Getting to 40 points, first"!

Form held.

Leicester the big threat now. The Toon have been a little inconsistent of later but they have something to play for.

Because I love nothing more than spoiling the mood: I really have this feeling that Leicester will beat Newcastle tomorrow. I'm more confident of them beating the barcodes than I am of them beating the hammers. I know, call me crazy or stupid but it's just an odd feeling I can't shake.

Hope I'm wrong!

It's shit or bust for Leicester tomorrow. That's a bit worrying.

Just crawled out of sick bed to check TFFT !!

Thank you, West Ham. Back to bed…

Newcastle know a point is enough for Champions League football but they will want to put on a show at home. Difficult to see anything but a home win although a draw is still okay for us.

Joseph, I thought both Forest and Leeds would win this weekend. I'd dismissed Leicester but didn't realise that Newcastle don't really need to win. I now have 27 hrs to worry about that.

I see Bowen's goal was only just onside. The book of ToffeeWeb tells us that we never get such luck.

Best thing Moyes has done for us in a long time.

One down one to go then it's back in our hands.

Why does that game seem a bit less like a home win than it did half an hour ago?

Jamie disagree about marsch having no chance to bring Leeds down but gracia was a strange appointment. Even more ridiculous was giving fat Sam 500000£ for four games, starting with man city. Makes moshiri seem almost sane

Rob (287) It was hell to watch until West Ham took the lead. In the end I was cursing they failed to add a fourth.

I must say I thought the third goal looked offside with the West Ham player's foot behind the Leeds player. I don't trust those VAR lines.

I'm still worried that Leicester could pull a rabbit out of the hat by winning their last two matches. Whereas we look like we couldn't pull a hair out of our arse.

Leeds were absolutely diabolical.

I can't see them beating Tottenham now.

Jamie @295.

Leeds should've fired Marsch before the season started, he barely kept them up the previous season. He was way out of his depth trying to play the style of football he implemented.

Jamie @295

I don't know much about Marsch and his capabilities but I am not sure if I agree that he would have never gotten Leeds relegated.

He took over around February last year and only managed to save them on the last day perhaps the owners didn't want history to repeat itself this season with him at the helm. Hindsight is a wonderful thing.

Also Andrew @ 307. Everton are capable of anything, not many teams go to Brighton and win 5-1. Football is an odd game.

As for those thinking Newcastle only needs one point to qualify for Champions League football so may not be at it quite as much as usual. They will want to finish in 3rd place so, until they have seen both Liverpool and Man Utd off, they won't be resting.

Well done, David Moyes. Will this count as one of Chaiman Bill's Good Times?

John, both second and third goals looked mightily close to being offside.

Now for Eddie Howe, apparently a big blue as a kid, to do us another favour. They are still not mathematically assured of a Champions League spot and, with Liverpool playing Southampton away on the last day, they could easily put a few past them and reduce that goal difference, which at the moment is +6 in Newcastle's favour.

Leicester's confidence is shot, so expect a few goals for the Skunks tomorrow.

Shane #302.

Newcastle still need a point to be certain. I guess they'd also want to finish above Man Utd so hopefully they'll do the business tomorrow.

A general question: if Calvert-Lewin is unfit does anyone know is Tom Cannon available to put in the squad? Preston North End are finished for the season.

Newcastle… last home game of a good season for them. In the evening… against the team 2nd from bottom.

They will want to put on a show and spank Leicester City

Newcastle won't want to rely on goal difference which at the minute is 7 better than the neighbours, not with the other lot playing at Southampton in the final game. I think they will look to win tomorrow, and they like us would also settle for a point.

We can't dismiss Leicester because they have a superior goal difference to us, and we need them to drop points tomorrow due to that; otherwise we'll be cheering on David Moyes's team again next Sunday.

Thank god for that West Ham result. If Newcastle play to form, a draw last day may be all we need – albeit we should be going for a win.

Great weekend so far but, even if Leicester lose tomorrow, I can see them winning their last game of the season (as well as Leeds) so we'll still need something against Bournemouth.

Two results down, one to go this weekend. Can almost put this sorry season behind us.

I've taken this off another site regarding the recall of players out on loan. So Tom Cannon can be recalled back to us, and probably has already been; however, it doesn't look as if he can feature.

The league's guidance reads: “Other than the early recall of a goalkeeper in exceptional circumstances, no other player will be permitted to return outside of a window and play first-team football.”

Well done, David Moyes and his team. He has been under plenty of pressure and responded.

West Ham were a remarkable price against a poor team with a monumentally overrated coach. Some ninnies on here were talking as though he is a footballing messiah. Sam Allardyce is the perfect legend in his own mind.

Thanks for the correction, Barry, I put +6 when it is +7, in favour of Newcastle.

Did anyone else also get the impression that the Sky commentator and Alan Smith were almost willing Leeds to score?

Just woke up to this result.

YAY.

Moysie, you always were my favorite manager. Thanks, pal.

And thanks old friend Joel for your help as well. That slapstick tumble into the net on Hammers' first goal was hilarious.

Thank you, Moyesie! Probably his most important result than in all his time with us.

I thought Leeds were a shoo-in today after their European game. I watched Maupay live against Leeds and thought he had an okay game, was doing well battling and getting his body in the way on long balls and holding things up even though it's not his game.

Only based on the warm-up, I know, but I also watched him live against Fulham and his first touch and finishing against Pickford were brilliant. Out of 30 odd shots he was near on perfect, finished them all and hit the post once so there's a lethal goal scorer in there somewhere and that's probably what Dyche sees above Simms.

He's just too small to get chances and not much decent service and not backed up by what I've seen during the actual match, unfortunately.

Our worries are no Coleman or Patterson. No Godfrey and maybe no Mykolenko. Shows what a waste of wages Vinagre was. No DCL and not sure Dyche is impressed with Simms. You would have thought a draw at home to a team on the beach should be possible.

Newcastle do have to get a point. Lose both matches by a goal and a 5 goal win for Liverpool puts them in CL not Newcastle. I am sure they are going to want to go out on a high.

A draw will be enough if Leeds don't beat Spurs by 3 goals
A draw will be enough if Leicester get beat tomorrow
A draw will not be enough if Leicester get 4 points.

He's got red hair but we don't care - thank you David Moyes. And to the person at 8:50 last night said Richarlison to score and show a shirt - Once a Blue always a Blue - that is what I said to my kid about an hour or so earlier.

Why do people 'see' Leeds winning games of football? Do you not watch Leeds play? They're utter shite. I don't think we'll need or get anything against Bournemouth. We won't have to.

Sadly, we're going to be right back here again next May. Battling it out with Burnley, Sheffield United and either Luton or Coventry.

Thanks Ian. It would obviously be a big ask of the lad but I would have had him in the squad if we could of.

We await with bated breath the outcome of tomorrow's match, but some of the earlier posters on this thread should really look at the League table when Dyche arrived.

Compared to now, we had quite a bit of catching up to do and, although it hasn't been pretty, so far it's been just enough to keep us hopeful that we can avoid the drop.

After 21 matches, Everton were lying 19th in the table and 2 points away from safety – 3 points behind Leicester and 7 points behind Leeds.

At the moment that Dyche took over, we would have accepted a chance to win our last game to reach safety. Of course, that depends very much on the outcome of tomorrow's game and whether we can take the opportunity, should it be given to us.

Dale.

Yeah, but they got stuffed today. Haven't won a game in I don't know how long. Haven't kept a clean sheet in I don't know how long either and look totally demoralised and deflated.

People can talk about how bad Spurs are, or how they've got nothing to play for, but, they'll easily score some goals against this Leeds side.

Moyes to beat both Leeds and Leicester in West Ham's last two games would be the assist of the year.

Newcastle won't be taking it easy, they know Liverpool can potentially get a cricket score against Southampton if they needed to. I expect Newcastle to be full on with their strongest team out.

Richarlison to score the winner at Elland Road next week….

Hmmm… nice pitch Invasion at The Etihad.

What will the FA make of that, I wonder?

We could, feasibly, lose our last game and still stay up thanks to our old boys, Moyesy and Richarlison.

Michael, my guess, the first million pound fine in league history. Or as the Sheikh calls it, loose change.

After today, latest odds to be relegated.

Leeds 1.11
Leicester 1.17
Everton 4.0

Thank goodness Moyes did the business for us, I am one of the few on here it seems who still hold the job he did for us in high regard under the circumstances and financial constraints.

I was out with the kids but checking the score every five minutes. First thing I did was YouTube that narcissistic shit-stain Allardyce's post match interview. There wasn't enough despair or anger for my liking. Hopefully they go down with Leicester next week and the fans give him hell.

For any of you who think my Allardyce comments are out of line you clearly missed the sub-text of his interviews throughout his time as our manager. He could never resist a sly and carefully considered dig at the fans. He's "up there with Pep and Josè" though, apparently!

I'm feeling much better but we need Newcastle to really fight for that top four slot. Whilst we will be down to depleted numbers next week I hope a) Bournemouth are on the beach already and b) the crowd will bring us over the line. We need to make it extremely charged with emotion and hostility for Bournemouth. COYB.

When Leeds were 1-0 up, I think we went as low as 1.9, Tony. I was very worried at that point.

Don't know how any one else feels, but it is depressing seeing Man City fans celebrate (over and over), Liverpool many seasons, and even West Ham fans. What have we got, or even had for years? We really do need some "genuine" Good Times, it's negative goal difference season after season.

You don't need me to tell you 1995 was a lifetime away, How that rotten Fat (you know what) can cling on to this club has killed us.

Apologies for being miserable; it's just seeing the City fans this last few days… years.

Joe,

I couldn't agree more! Watching teams celebrating is gut-wrenching.

Beating Bournemouth to stay up next Saturday (if it happens) will not and should not count.

My son is 9. I was 9 last time we won the title. We're miles away and it feels like the best we can hope for by the time I have a 9-year-old grandson is maybe a lucky cup win?!

Apologies too for the negativity.

Joe, I'm watching this telling my eldest about what happened for the last 40 years and how we got fucking screwed by the worst club in history, who we spawned, and a fat fucking parasite who thought he was the club.

Running any football club has to be professional first and foremost, and we've been run like rank amateurs for years. and when it really mattered, we ended up with fucking Kenwright and his hangers-on bleeding us dry.

I'm pretty certain – now at least – everyone on here and more importantly in the stands would debate this board regarding their underachievements and would demand change.

And I wouldn't mind, even if the worst happens, that every fan owns a share in Everton Football Club going forward and has a say in who runs this institution and how. Because, actually that's what Everton is. And that should never be forgotten.

Barry #322, good perspective.

We seem to think the big game is just next week but there's a massive game tomorrow up in Geordieland. There's been some crazy results this season and, as long as tomorrow's game goes to form, maybe then we can look forward to Sunday.

Oh yes – don't expect any favours whatsoever from Bournemouth. I watched a rerun of yesterday's game against Man Utd. They were definitely not on a beach somewhere…

Stephen & Nick, I've just raised my bottle of Amstel to you both! and yes I agree, we want our club back to where it belongs.

No but at -33 goal differential we don't need a squeaky bum. We might just do it the right way. Come on. UTFT!

Stephen 243, sorry but if you look at who's won the title the last 10-15 years, Leicester once in a lifetime aside, unfortunately I can't see Everton winning the title again in my lifetime (in my 40s).

To win, you need about ٟbn of investment and it needs to be invested wisely in a short space of time. The league now has two teams with limitless resources (P&S is a farce) and with Saudi and Abu Dhabi off the table, which other petro state or multi-billionaire is going to come to Everton?

Russians are gone for the foreseeable future and the Yanks don't have the cash to challenge (I don't see Liverpool challenging next season or for a while tbh). Despite Arsenal's lead a couple of months ago, Man City you felt were always going to reel them in.

Barcodes will only get stronger and City are simply unstoppable. They have jointly the most money and the best manager. 5 titles in 6 seasons is getting boring (which may get the Premier League to do something if viewers start dropping).

I really hope Inter win the Champions League, albeit unlikely. Only upside is that Newcastle will challenge soon but they'll need another season or two imo to collect enough world class players, then it'll be a two-horse race unless they properly enforce the rules.

Everton's only hope is a decent cup run and perhaps cause an upset here and there, with the odd European adventure. That's really it. First off, however, we need to stop dangling with relegation and get a balanced squad.

If you support Everton and think we've got a chance of winning something, you're only going to suffer from depression. I'm actually afraid of my kids supporting Everton, luckily my daughters don't care about football in any case. That's a lifetime of misery avoided for them.

Step 1: new ownership. Step 2: new ownership. Step 3: new ownership… with Kenwright et al afraid to show up at Goodison Park, I'm really curious if any of the management will turn up to the last home game. If not, then you've got to think that's the end of the road finally. Here's hoping…

Barry @322. Exactly.

I said to my brother that if Dyche kept us up, he deserved a statue. We looked shambolic under Lampard. I couldn't see anything but relegation. Dyche lost games where we usually had no chance: Man City, Liverpool, Man Utd, Aston Villa. Only the Fulham game was a truly terrible and unexpected result.

We drew with Forest, Spurs, Chelsea, Leicester and Wolves. Beat Brentford, Arsenal and Leeds and thrashed Brighton. He gets my respect, given the paucity of options and some risible players at our club.

Just hope we get over the final hurdle, get buyers with better football acumen and reset.

Does anybody else believe that Eddie Howe won't be all out to help us achieve safety? I seem to remember him confessing to be an Everton fan...

Watching the Brighton v Southampton highlights on sky, and having just seen the Theo Walcott disallowed goal due to offside, which would have made it 2-2, but my god, it looked more onside than the two goals West Ham got today which were deemed onside by VAR. Not that I'm complaining of course, but when you're down there, the luck certainly goes against you.

Will there be another live forum for Newcastle v Leicester?

Yes, Dale, use it wisely.

Turning it on now... Although I do worry about Rob Halligan being put into a position where he has to hope for a Newcastle win. I've got a feeling he really doesn't like them Skunks.

Nope not at all. I thought we all believe they're shite but occasionally useful in these times.

Thank you, Michael. UTFT!

I won't lie … I'm beside myself with worry.

A Leicester win tonight and it's all over, that's how crucial tonight is. The Hammers did what they had to do yesterday but you can't expect them to play a full side Sunday, a few days before a European Cup Final, and be committed.

I went on rawk to see how they took events over the weekend. Here is the reaction when news broke of West Ham's line-up:
"Fuck Moyes for not resting Rice and Bowen. Just give a few youngsters some chance ffs."

Also "Good Lord, that Leeds team look so shite on paper. It's the hope that kills you".

Yes John, Leicester win and everything changes for the worse. We would be long odds on to go down. It's all at stake at Newcastle tonight.

Leicester may well threaten, but Newcastle have been lethal on the break and I'm convinced they will catch Leicester cold a few times tonight. May not be a big win but they will do enough, as long as there is no stupid red card or mad deflected goals, dodgy VAR decisions etc, etc. On second thoughts, I'm getting worried again !

Michael,

I was giving a gentle clap last Monday for the RS first two goals (unheard of).

As much as I can't stand the Geordie Red Shite, I will be cheering them tonight.

Surely Newcastle won't mess up tonight.🤞

You've cursed them now Paul.

That's a red

That could have easily been a red.

Bruno better behave himself for the next 80 minutes!

It would have been red the other way around. Geordies have joined the favoured teams.

Peter -bang on.

Have had to turn it off … too bloody nervous

Well, the possibility of being killed, chopped up and carried away in a suitcase does concentrate minds, I suppose.

Newcastle look like they're already out of ideas

A Leicester draw takes away our safety net of a draw on the last day. A Leicester win and their GD sinks us.

They won't win Ian but a draw could be on the cards. Newcastle are huffing and puffing but not much else.

Skunks need to wake up. Playing like total idiots

I've a bad feeling about tonight.

It's not going in I feel physically sick

Fuck the safety net of a draw being enough on Sunday, I'm just praying it's still going to be in our own hands.

Same here Paul - benching Barnes and Maddison - one of those will come on and nick a winner

I have a bad feeling about Leicester

Geordies not arsed? Draw will do them..unlike us!

It's just a matter of how many. Never seen such domination. No way Can I see a draw even.

I disagree Simon. They're not exactly carving them open and a couple of yellows. I'd take a draw.

This is a job for our Anthony.

Leicester are going to open up at some point. A draws no good.

Can see where this is going….

Shane (376 ) I was a little uncomfortable with my own confidence, and still am to be honest. Maybe it was wishful thinking. .I'm a bit more opiomistic than many on here.

One deflection, one moment of brilliance, one dodgy refereeing decision and we could be Fucked!!

Come on Newcastle!

Got 1 0 to Leicester written all over this!!!!!!

Score ffs.

Worrying a bit now!!!

Come on skunks and get this sorted. We put 2 past them on their own patch, and we're shite in front of goal

Taking Wilson off is disappointing

Leicester game plan spot on so far
Nightmare

Please score

A draws not to bad.

Pressure on next week if this is a draw.

If we can't beat Bournemouth in a must win game. We deserve to go down.

if this ends up as a draw we have to win next week in case Leicester beat West Ham

Paul Hewitt agreed

If Leicester get a point from this, they will beat West Ham and send us down, take it from the horses mouth, my Mrs is a Hammer. Me I'm a realist that my club will blow it much to my absolute horror.

Who would have thought that proven useless tw*t Smith could outsmart boyhood blue Howe?

Never been so nervous watching another team.

Paul, I reckon we absolutely deserve to go down already. I'm just hoping we get lucky.

Can you even imagine Everton going to Newcastle and needing some sort of result and getting it, I can only wish, we would end up getting battered.

Surely Gordon won't score the winner

Now Howe is playing for the point

Gordon will score.

Bloody hell

Agreed Bill.

My god what a save!!!

Pope saves EFC.

Glad I stopped watching. Happy enough.

Ok, I will take that.

Jesus. It wasn't that good a save.

In our hands for the final game. That's more than we deserve after this season.

Now Everton FC have to save themselves with a win next week Leicester win next week we cant even afford to draw

That will do. It's in our hands.

My heart stopped then.

So it's in our hands. Unfortunately they're the hands I trust least.

Newcastle very happy with the point.

So now we must win, most likely without a striker and with Holgate right back or another square peg.

Fucking barcodes. That's both these they've failed to beat recently the twats.

Thank God for that. My heart sank when they had that shot in the last minute...its in our own hands again now and if we can't beat Bournemouth at home when we really have to, then we deserve to go down.

At least it's in our own hands - win the last match & it doesn't matter what anybody else does. However, I wouldn't be surprised if all three clubs failed to win at the weekend.

Thank you Jesus
Expect no favours from Bournemouth that's for sure

All in our hands, if it goes wrong now no one to blame but ourselves now.

A win on Sunday it is then?would you put your house on this pole of shite beating a half decent Bournemouth?

That was possibly one of the most tortuous 90 minutes I've ever watched for a game not involving Everton. I honestly thought that Foxes had got a last gasp winner, before Pope intervened. The draw only means that we have to do what I thought we needed before tonight, a victory on Sunday, which is possibly better than falling between two stools. Full voice on Sunday from the Goodison crowd will be required.

What frightens me Lee is when have we won a had to win game this season.

Bournemouth have lost more games than anyone but Leicester and Southampton.

Even if Leicester had lost we would still have needed to win to guarantee safety just in case Leeds battered Spurs.

We could have done with just needing a point Sunday, another yes another horrendous 90 plus minutes of having to endure this fucking badly run football club

Thank you Nick Pope.

It is in our own hands. We are in pole position. Leeds and Leicester would give their right arm or should that be right leg to swap places.

All the pressure is on them because they must win. A draw may still be enough for us as may a defeat.

However, let's just win and make sure. Decent results for us from both games involving Leeds and Leicester.

UTFT!

Make no mistake folks… this is not in our own hands. Bournemouth will be trying to beat us and we need to make sure it doesn't happen. We owe them one too.

I agree with Brian, if Leeds had put a few past Spurs, however, unlikely, it would have meant we had to win, as it is, we know for sure that we have to win, unless of course the other two candidates only draw or lose.

If we can't beat Bournemouth (jeezus wept) in flip flops then we deserve to go down. But without a striker and no full backs, the likely outcome is we go after years and years of mismanagement. The fans deserve so much better - Kenwright has has us all off for years just so the fat fraud can live it up with all the premier league high rollers, the despicable bastard.

Bloody typical of Everton. A nail biting time come Sunday when we should have got points from so many home games that turned ugly against beatable teams.

I dread a draw come Sunday as it may come down to goal difference. All three teams are at home and in winnable games but I wouldn't trust Everton against the ladies team given their record this season.

Hope to God we don't have to use Holgate or Maupay.

Bournemouth have absolutely nothing to play for but have done us twice already this season.

Matt 427. I genuinely don't understand the ' this is not in our own hands'. It is. ? Yes we may need to win. In our own hands. YES.

Terrible last 30 minutes from Newcastle. I thought they were going to blow it. Leicester and Leeds still have a lifeline but I can't see either of them winning their last game (maybe a draw).

It's up to us now. Can we hold our nerve and win?

Matt @427
Ridiculous statement, every game is competitive and every team wants to win, it's only in our hands in the way that we only have ourselves to rely on and if we do the business i.e. win the game, nothing that happens outside Goodison will affect us, only if we fail to win, will the results from elsewhere matter, let's hope it doesn't come to that. I also believe if Leicester had won tonight, we'd have gone down even if we had beaten Bournemouth.

None of the stats matter for Sunday. None of the bookies odds. None of the history. None of the omens. None of the great escapes. None of the previous head-to-heads.

It's what goes down on the day. And none of us knows. Just 5 sleeps and then it'll be close to over.

What a horrible feeling.

I think you've made the mistake, Matt - it is in our own hands. Although, that does mean we need to perform on the day, of course.

The manager and the players know what they have to do. No excuses. Dominate the Bournemouth game and get the three points

Thank god for that Nick Pope save! Absolute duty on the team and all present to drag us over the line on Sunday.
Mr Dyche, please please please give Ellis Simms the role of striker. We need a focal point and a striker that can finish and be powerful and physical. Neale Maupay is clearly not that man.
UTFT.

We need to win and we've had 7 wins all season. This would be a greater escape than last season given our lack of goals. 10 defeats at home. We need to make it a cauldron for the whole game. The fans will be vital on Sunday. We can't rely on Spurs and West Ham. It's felt, in recent months that we've been relying on nearly every team for favours.

I'm not saying it's a sure thing but Bournemouth have lost two games and conceded 13 goals more than us. UTFT

Well, if offered those results on Saturday evening I'd have taken them. Leicester were bloody lucky today, think Newcastle hit the post 3 times. Given the last half a dozen fixtures I think we all knew deep down it would come to the Bournemouth game. At least it's in our hands.

Gotta win to make sure, can't rely on other results as you've got to assume one of Leicester or Leeds will win. West Ham were up for it yesterday as it was their last home game, not so sure it'll be the same last day away to Leicester. Leicester will have nothing to lose so will go all out to win. Same with Leeds.

5 days to get prepared and get the wounded fit. Can't believe we've got another last game nail biter like ‘98 and ‘94!

Really thought the barcodes would do it tonight leaving us just needing a point. Going to be tense come the weekend..

Colin @ 432 -

Leeds and Leicester losing would be magic. Not that we can count on that, but it's nice to have two "outs" come Sunday!

Don't want to tempt fate, but Leicester deserve to go down with that cowardly attitude. If that was us. I'd be Fuming.

I am not especially pleased with how this season is going so far.

Simon I agree. They shut up shop and looked for a road point when two wins would guarantee their safety. If that were Everton I'd be absolutely apoplectic!

Kieran, ha ha me neither mate although it has improved since January, a little!

Jamie, the look on the faces of the Leeds and Leicester players was one of total dismay. I think Leicester almost played the perfect game ie defend for 80 mins and then go for it.

Rodrigo and Bamford are major doubts for Leeds and it looks like Leicester picked up a few injuries as well tonight.

The planets are lining up for us. I just hope they don't collide and smash into us.

It's almost fate. When is the last time 34 points kept you safe? 34 points would almost always be sure-thing-relegation.

So win. Finish on 36 points, flirt with death but survive, and then regroup come summer.

I'm a wreck right now. That game was brutal to watch. Sunday will be worse.

Last year was my first near-death experience. Never thought I'd have another. This year is even worse than last. This is just brutal and this can't happen again!

Slagging Leicester off for not going for it but isn't that what Dyche did against them when we had the momentum to get the 3 points. We'd be safe now if we could have won that game.

That goal from Mina is so important, imo. That point means that only a win will be of any use to Leeds &/or Leicester, so they both have to go for it & hope results fall the right way - I think this actually increases the likelihood that they'll both lose. Not that I'm clutching at straws!

Colin -

I'd normally agree with you. But having seen this game - TOTAL domination by Newcastle and three bars hit, numerous shots in the box blown over the bar, this "unlucky" thing can happen in soccer. It's can be a horrifically unfair game at times!

Leicester see us 0-0 in the 60th on Sunday and throw the kitchen sink at their game, while we miss opportunities? Can absolutely happen. Fate is a fickle bitch.

Put better, I thought Newcastle would put Leicester to the sword today. Anything can happen. I don't like this situation at all.

Jamie, only once in the last 10 seasons has 36 points not been enough for survival. Usually, it's even less that's sufficient.

Neil

That's true. Just not quite enough to avoid another nail biter lol

Kieran, it feels like we have had around 37 nail biters already! Jeez, here we go again.

People having a go a Newcastle for drawing. We are that bad we want other teams saving us and so far they have. And by the sounds of it we don't trust the team to get a win next week and hoping Spurs and west ham will save us

West Ham's Euro game isn't until 2.5 weeks after the PL ends so they might be trying this weekend 🤞🏻

Dennis - I think you'll need 36 this season!

I've been thinking WAY too much about this, and now we're at the culmination of all fears, looking down the abyss.

I keep telling myself this is just stupid. I'm a fucking American who's jumped on board. I've never even fucking been to Liverpool, and haven't left the USA ever! Like, why the emotional response and real, real angst? it's just fucking killing me we're in this position. The thought of this club going down chills me to my bones. We will not just pop right back up - our financial situation is shite. This is easily the scariest thing to ever happen to me in my entire life, aside from almost losing my wife when she had our 5th son. Literally that is true. Something I care about deeply is staring death in the face now, and I pray to God we survive.

It's just sport FFS! Life goes on and there's WAY more important things. But God above this situation has grabbed me in a fearful embrace and will not let go.

Ugh. For years I'd read, "Everton tha" and such comments. I'd giggle.

I fucking get it now.

If we had really gone for it at Leicester, we may well have dropped a point and the Foxes may now be two points better off with both teams level on 33 points, which given the goal difference would likely have resulted in Everton being relegated even with a victory on the last day. I think we should all be thankful that it's down to our own efforts what happens on Sunday, that doesn't mean we're at all safe, and nobody thinks we're safe, just yet.

Kevin 448, that lack of ambition against Leicester could still cost us. We need to score in the first 10 mins against Bournemouth otherwise the players, and crowd, will start shitting themselves. And we all know how well we cope with nerves.

Kevin #448 Iversen made the save of the match off Doucoure in the 87th minute so I don't think you can say we weren't trying for the win at Leicester

Yes Colin that first 10-20 mins is going to be nerve racking unless Leeds and Leicester are 3-0 down by then.

We win, we stay up.

If Leicester or Leeds were in our position, win a home game against a team lying in 15th position to stay up - we'd be saying it's goodnight Vienna

Colin @458
It's a bloody good job Leicester didn't win tonight then isn't it? Honestly I think some folks just love to revel n misery. Can the crowd and team be any more nervous than they were at 0-2 against Palace, or at the same stage against Wimbledon, Sunday is a day of destiny for Everton and the fans that attend will all know that, they will try to help and not hinder in these desperate hours.

To me Dyche is a draw merchant and wouldnt know how to go for a win if he managed City, that's what worries me more than who he picks its what tactics he employs.

Another few days of Everton sickness; the disturbed sleep pattern, nausea, anxiety, loss of appetite, irritability, increasing dependence on alcohol, loss of other, even minor, pleasures. It is rife in the Blue world. Possible cure on Sunday, but it always lies dormant, ready to return.
On a happier(?) note, I have had a feeling for some time that Maupay will play a big part in what will transpire. I really can feel it.

Strike a light… it doesn't take much to figure out what I meant. Every game has been in our hands and most of them have gone wrong. Bournemouth turned us over twice in one week. Nervousness personified because they will be doing everything they can to send us down.

As a team we have often been embarrassed by possession. The 5-1 win at Brighton was achieved because of, rather than despite, having only 22% possession.

Bournemouth have a slick counterattacking style. They will let us have the ball and be ready to break quickly. We have reason to be very worried about needing to win on Sunday.

But at least it is in our own hands.

7-1 on agregate against Bournmouth. We need to win. Forget about the other games nothing we can do about that. But we can make one hell of a noise come kick off and carry this sorry bunch over the finish line. Lets hope this is not the last premier league game to be held at the Old Lady.

Considering the personnel I honestly think that Dyche has had us playing too open in quite a few of our games. I think he definitely should have used Demari Grey more, so I'm hoping he selects him on Sunday.

If Pickford never saved that penalty at Leicester we would have been a point behind them now, and this after we had taken the first half to Leicester and should have been out of sight.

Hopefully this penalty save will be in our thoughts after we beat Bournemouth?

Well the football and somewhat the result were so shit I thought I should come back and thank Kevin Naylor, Jack Convery and Pauls Tran abd Ferry (and others) for the bird talk. It would have neen way more excruciating without that back and forth. I disagree with Kevin about Dyche but that's for another time. Keep it going til Sunday.

The most important thing was Leicester not winning. That didn't happen so it has to be seen as a positive result for us. At least we now know we cannot sit back and defend the point we start off with. Out of the five (Bloody five!!) home wins this season, four have been by a 1-0 score line. One more of them and we're home and dry. One final big push to get over the finishing line. There cannot be any greater incentive to win a football match, knowing your destiny is 100% in your own hands, irrespective of what happens elsewhere. As crap as this season has been, a month or so ago, I would have taken knowing we needed to beat Bournemouth on the last day to stay up. Right now I'm convinced we will, but as Sunday draws closer, my mind will be swirling with every possible scenario. Of course, doubts will creep in, but every single one of the squad, manager, backroom staff, the lot, even the miserable bastards on here, have to believe we will get the job. done.

There is absolutely no need to fear Bournemouth. They've beaten us twice, so what, that means absolutely nothing. And if revenge is on the cards for those two disasterous results, (though I doubt there is any kind of revenge on anybody's mind within the club)then there is no better time to get revenge on the last day to stay up.

So to everyone, stay positive, stay optimistic, instead of being a miserable bastard for the next six days, get behind the team, and if players do read these forums, let's show them we are 100% behind them. You can then go back to being a miserable bastard once the season ends, we are still in the premier league, and we can then all turn our attention to the little matter of removing that board.

Barry, tonight I screamed at the dog, son and wife, in that order, in a matter of seconds after Newcastle blew another chance.

This was in the comfort of my own home. On Sunday there will be almost 40.000 people with their nerves shredded, kicking every ball, hoping and praying for a win.

We all deal with it in our own way.

Hear! Hear! Rob, I'm sure we'll all be a bag of nerves on Saturday through to kick-off time on Sunday, but once the match kicks-off we'll be right behind the players on the pitch. Did I read that Bournemouth have only taken the bottom section of the Bullens Road away area, if so, that means there will be a few more Blues than normal in attendance.

I've just written an article titled A RALLYING CALL, Rob, (let's see if it gets published) but I think you have just said it much better with that post mate👍💙🙏

We win and stay up, we are luckiest team in country. We lose or draw and go down, then we deserve what we get. We suck it up, get rid of board and KNOW our time will come again one day. Just like it is for city, just like it is for Toon.

Colin @472
I was even shouting 'our ball' and moaning at the referee in my head whilst watching tonight, It's much better when you're actually at the game as we will be on Sunday.

Gary @475
But there is a possibility that any result on Sunday could mean we're safe, depending on events elsewhere, but I'm hoping for a win of any kind, to save what nerves that I have left, which haven't already been shredded.

The problem for Dyche is I don't really know how he approaches this fixture knowing a win gets us over the line and anything else sees us shitting ourselves looking at the other results. We could easily lose and the other 2 don't win which will do us but I don't want to live through that on Sunday. I'm not sure whether it was Joe Royle who said he'd sooner be a lucky manager than a good one. Well Sean I hope we get all the jammy deflections, own goals etc on Sunday because we fans deserve it for putting up with this shit show all season. Good night to you all and one more for Dale Self, Lynda Carter as the fabulous Wonder Woman.

I don't know how to meditate but I do know how to remain calm, and this is the only emotion that matters between now and Sunday. Good night everyone, I'm going to bed now because once I wake up, I won't be able to get back asleep!!! At least it's in our own hands.

So many fans spot on. It has to be a win on Sunday and I hope Dyche has them up for it right from the off.

That draw by the Foxes today gives them every hope to escape on goal difference so Everton need to beat the crap out of Bournemouth to make sure.

The results against Brighton show that results earlier in the season against Bournemouth mean nothing.

As Rob says so well above, we ALL need to give it everything on Sunday and show the players that we believe in them and trust them to win.

Goodison will be loud, no doubt about that.

UTFT!

Well it's back in our own hands, and it's now plain and simple as it gets - win and we're safe. Leicester and Leeds would give anything to be in our position.

We are at Goodison which will be a cauldron on Sunday, every player will be playing out of his skin to get the win. The crowd will be the twelfth man. Bournemouth have nothing to play for, but as someone said earlier we have to manage the game well using the grey matter - it's crucial we don't give the ball away easy leading to counter attacks.

It's terrifying, but most would have took this situation when Frank had us sinking like a lead brick into the abyss back in January. The manager and players available have done well to get us to this point. One last push now to finish the job off.

now that I've calmed down I think it's actually helpful for us that we know we've got to win. you just know that with this team if we only need to. draw we'd ben good for half an hour and then concede and everyone would brick it. Better to know now and prepare a game for just winning.
I'd go 352, with Coady, and McNeil and iwobi as the wing backs. And some combo of 2 up front. Maybe Maupay and the young lad, how about that? and if it doesn't work, sling Gray and Keane for the last half hour.

The new odds are 1/33 Leeds going down, Leicester 1/7 and us 11/4 against being relegated.
That draw for Leicester has given them a slightly better chance of surviving.

Can we beat Bournemouth, which we may have to if Leicester win, a draw is enough whatever Leeds do.

The portents are adding up: Pickfords save v LCFC, Minas late goal, Popes save. Let's make them count Sunday

Well played Kevin Naylor well played. And well said Kieran, Tonys and others above UTFT!!!!!!

There's 27 possible permutations and in 19 of them, we stay up. Although that's presuming in two of them where we lose and Leeds win, that they don't better our goal difference.

Nine of these possibilities, we win and nothing else matters.

Considering that not all permutations are equally likely, i.e., opposition and we're playing at home, it doesn't look too bad.

Come on Everton!!

Is this an accurate summary?

SAFE if all win OR all draw OR all lose

SAFE if Everton draw, unless Leicester win OR Leeds win by 3 goals

That's correct Brent. If we're all losing 4-0 after 80 minutes, I might start celebrating.

Brent #488.

Great (and accurate) summary

Whilst I'm not sure I have confidence in us to win, I would say that this scenario (going to the last game with our fate in our hands) was a dream scenario

Now to make it count.

I don't expect either DCL or Patterson to be fit BUT didn't Dyche say he expected an assessment today??

Brent @488
If Everton's result is the same as both Leicester and Leeds results then yeah we're safe.

If Everton draw or lose and Leicester win, that won't be good enough, if Everton draw and Leeds win by 3 or more, that won't be good enough.

if Everton lose and both Leicester and Leeds fail to win then we'll be safe.

Jimmy, all losing 4-0! What a day that would be checking the phone as the 12 goals went in over 90 minutes!

if it goes to form, we lose and Leicester and leeds both draw.
jars out!

Why don't we get a handful of eco protesters to chain themselves to the goal every 10 minutes or so as the last one gets cut free.After a couple of hours of this the other games will be over and we will know exactly what we need to do

It's still in our own hands and If we can't beat Bournemouth at the third attempt - at home...

That said; you don't get relegated because you didn't win your last game at home, you go down because you didn't win enough of the previous 18!

(Short Term)
Especially Lampard's unholy trinity of a Post Christmas Goodison swansong - Wolves, Brighton and Southampton.

You often don't get what you deserve...and we deserve better, but in the long run 'We' as a Club may well, through no real fault of our own (depending if you see not acting like our noisey neighbours as a fault) deserve what we get.

(Long Term)
Kenwright (well insulated by Moyes) decided, for his own reasons, that our course of slowly coasting downhill to mediocrity was the way to go.

(Medium Term)
Then Moshiri, (still aided and abetted by Kenwight) wedged (no pun intended - but it is apt) the accelerator to the floor with millions of pounds and has sent us hurtling down the ski jump like a richman's Eddie the Eagle - and if we're able to walk away at the bottom is still anybody's guess.

Not sure where all that came from - but better out than in as they say

Brent, I think all three of us will lose on Sunday. A fitting end to another disastrous season.

Joking aside (I'm not really) I think Spurs will honour H by winning their last game. Moyesy will get a draw as his players will be playing for a place in the final. And Everton will be Everton and make us suffer to the very end by scoring an 89th minute winner.

Andy, I think you're thinking the same as me, Maupay, and Murphy's law, a single goal all season, hopeless in front of goal, final game of the season, who would you back to score? Probably Pickford ranks higher at the moment but everything is for a reason, Maupay's Moment, it shall forever be remembered as thus!

Dale 470 - you'll be pleased to know I'm off to sleep, perchance to dream of the 60s and 70s fantasy women, particularly Lady P as that means I'll probably get a ride in her famous pink Rolls Royce ! As for next Sunday, Everton - Just Win Will Ya !!! COYBs.

Unhappy that the barcodes failed to win, but they were happy celebrating their draw.

In the end, I'd have taken this a few weeks ago. Home match against a side already on the beach with our fate in our own hands.

If we can't win this, and one of the others win (in Leeds's case, handsomely), we will deserve our fate.

But I think we will likely squeak home. And all change for next season because otherwise, history will repeat.

Given the circumstances we were in a few months ago, I think we are in a great albeit very very lucky position to be going into this last game with our fate in our own hands.

Who knows how it's gonna go given the way we are but, if we are comfortably in front with 10 minutes to go, then the whole stadium should be singing “Sack the Board!!!"

That would be a fitting way to finish the shittiest season ever.

Jack, I just came back to see if you would and you did indeed take it over the top. Well done Sir! I'll have to look that one up.

Thanks for the laughs, I think I'll live through this.

By now, we all know the fixtures and permutations off by heart.

We all know that the three teams in contention are all crap. All are capable of winning, losing or drawing at home in any combination across the three teams.

From a statistical perspective, we're favourite to 'beat the drop'. If every result was as likely as any other, then we simply have more scenarios where we stay up than anyone else has. Add in that, in theory, we're playing the statistically weakest team of the three opponents and the odds move further in our favour.

But we know Bournemouth aren't that bad. We know Spurs quit weeks ago and that West Ham have two eyes elsewhere. And we know we're missing players in key positions. And there's a psychological element to being in the pole position trying to avoid screwing things up rather than having to win and hope.

It's just a nightmare. All I can focus on is the bit that is within the club's control – and that is the team selection on Sunday, and more importantly the change in the leadership of the club.

The latter continues to be more important in my view and the very second that relegation is either staved off or confirmed, focus needs to switch to that.

It's going to be nerve-wracking. If memory serves me correct, our previous two close shaves in '94 and '98, we were in the Bottom 3 going into that final match – so we were dependent on getting a result and other results going our way.

Buckle up, ladies and gentlemen… I also seem to remember teary-arse saying "never again" after '98.

Just came across this article from last season, recounting the game against Coventry:

Everton's great escape in 1998 remembered as Frank Lampard's side face another epic battle against Premier League relegation

Interesting that Johnson faced threats but turned up to the game with a policeman. After pre-recording a relegation interview.

Ernie,

Kenwright and the rest of the board will turn up with an SAS regiment just to further blacken the fans' name.

Annoying point by Leicester but I think we'd have all taken this scenario a few weeks back.

Do I trust us to beat Bournemouth? Absolutely not. Do I think Leicester will beat West Ham? They have a very decent chance. But they and Leeds would both prefer to be in our position.

Next weekend will be incredibly tense!

It'll be interesting what approach Smith takes against West Ham after last night's performance.

Then again it's not really interesting at all. They just need to lose.

A long week ahead, however, both Leicester and Leeds would rather be in our position.

Great post Rob H @ 471, UTFT!

I wonder if Everton can set a new EPL record if all 3 relegation threatened sides lose on Sunday?

The Premier League clubs with the FEWEST POINTS TO SURVIVE:
36 points - Bradford, Fulham, West Brom, Southampton, Brighton
35 points - Hull City, West Ham, Aston Villa
34 points - West Brom

Gerry #510 another trophy for the cabinet, then?

Brent, there probably aren't that many Evertonians left that can remember winning anything!!!!!!! :)

Wouldn't surprise me if none of the three teams concerned win on Sunday. That would suit us, but would be nerve-wracking!

I think the fact that we have to go for a win is better, I wouldn't trust us to 'hang on' for a draw.

All three teams have had appalling recruitment. Us and Leicester have sold and not replaced best players after a financial hit, Leeds have played mad scattergun after Bielsa bled their squad dry with his smash, bang, wallop football that is unsustainable in this league.

Let's just get the win and make it easy on ourselves!

Gerry -

Thank you! That was a point I made earlier in this thread. 34 points is a really low total to have and expect survival.

Your post confirms what my thoughts were - we have to win. One of Leeds or Leicester will win. Surely 33 points isn't enough to stay up!

UTFT. **barfs from stress**

Can't say that I'm chuffed to hear that Sky have chosen to broadcast our final game live on Sunday, it means the officials will be under even more scrutiny than usual, and I honestly believe that the broadcasters influence marginal decisions even though we're all told that the VAR guys are in a box miles away from outside influences.

Please all Blues in attendance, behave properly, no running on to the pitch at any time on Sunday, because any reasons that could derail our fate will be taken up by the authorities. Remember, no matter what, it's our club and we are its true representatives and there's no reason to help undermine our situation, just so you can say you've been on the pitch.

Barry,

very valid points.

Funny how interested Sky are in us when they sniff chance of a possible dramatic upset.

Rob,

I hoped to speak to you yesterday, but you were too busy rightfully pointing at those people in the hospitality boxes at the end and I got lost in the crowd before trying to eat something, which wasn't happening.

I had to throw it away after interestingly watching a young Wolves fan trying to kick off on a street full of Everton supporters. I advised him that it might not be a good idea. Fortunately, the Police ushered him to safety. You always get one, I suppose.

Fine words Rob.

The time of reckoning will come for this board. There is no way back for them. But right now, all that matters is Sunday and the team. We've been on our own since January. We will do this on our own.

Danny,

There was one bellend who appeared to be showing the league table on his phone. He got the full bifters, though I doubt he could hear a word I was saying, as that glass must be pretty thick and reinforced. I guess even a bullet couldn't break that glass.

I've always thought it's a daft place to put the away fans, all the way down that side in front of all the executive boxes. It must happen every time Wolves play at home. Banging on the glass by away fans and shouting and screaming at the occupiers. All good fun!!

Rob,

I had the pleasure of turning to the glass panel right behind me when we scored and seeing a closet blue in the executive box reveal himself discreetly to me (no, not that — his EFC badge!). We both chuckled a silent chuckle and gave a knowing thumbs-up. A big blue (no, not that!).

Brent, I saw your post yesterday saying that. We were also on the back row, just inside the half to our left. You must have been right by us, but I never saw you.

Went in with Danny after a drink, Rob. I'm too small to spot.

Ahh that dirty bastard Haaland gets his comeuppance!

I made a pure guess early season that Haaland would score 39 league goals.

Seems he's not up to it.

Positive thinking. Coventry and Luton fans looking forward for a chance to be in top league. We just need to match two other crap teams' results.

Great chance for us which, before Dyche took over, I thought we have no chance.

Espanyol Come on!!! Back from 0-3 to 3-3 with 10 min left.

The way Chelsea are going, I can see them finishing 14th.