Fantastic Gray goal and massive defence wins Blues a point

And Simms recalled, but not even on the bench??

Strange...

Realistically we should get well beaten. But let's hope Lady Luck smiles down on us for once. Instead of The Devil sticking his pitchfork up our arses!

Simms can't rejoin until 1 January, but I'm sure Bill will be rubbing his hands at the thought of not having to buy a striker!

Gordon is sick.

Backs to the wall, all hands on deck, park the bus, do anything for a win or a point.

Going to be a long afternoon.

COYB

I've seen some terrible Everton teams down the years but have always been optimistic that we'd come good one day. I don't have any positives these days to cling to other than the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock.

It's not fun anymore. It's like a bizarre experiment to see how much dejection a football supporter can take. Last season's ending was miraculous but I don't see lightning striking twice.

Yet again, we sold our best player and haven't replaced him. How daft we looked when we were licking our lips at an Iwobi, Onana and Gueye midfield. Even the worst Everton teams of the 90s had Big Dunc, Hutchinson, Speed etc.

Even if we signed genuine quality, they wouldn't perform in a blue shirt. Desperate times. I think our last season at Goodison will be in the Championship.

Man City are light years ahead of them though so this is a difficult day for us. Brentford went there and got a win so there can be aberrations. Man City got kicked all over the park against Leeds so will be nursing some bruises only a couple of days later.

It would be one of the biggest surprises of the season form wise but, get right at them and give them no space, take our chances when they come. Show no respect at all.

COYBLUES! Here's to a better 2023!

Simms can't do any worse than what Maupay has contributed so far, but surely Everton need better, especially with the way Calvert-Lewin has constantly been injured for the past 18 months.

I've got massive concerns about today, but I'm not worried, (which is a worry in itself) because I'm beginning to feel like I'm past caring and only think my interest will really return once our club has got new owners.

It's a funny old game though, so if City don't put seven past us, then maybe we might even sneak it, with a couple of clever goals on the counter-attack.

I've said it for a while now, Kenwright wants us relegated. He will hoover up all the shares and make himself life-long Chairman.

He's made millions out of us with no cash input. I will bet you he will have Moyes or Martinez in before February.

World Cup winning keeper, World Cup squad member and class player, class striker... connection?

Any attempt at attacking will only leave us vulnerable.

In the voice of Mrs Merton: "Where did it all go wrong for the multi-millionaire Bill Kenwright's Everton?"

Recalling Simms is admitting a mistake in persevering with Rondon.

Simms is a big lad so maybe the penny is dropping that we need to go more direct and fight for the 2nd ball instead of the defensive triangle of death we have all had to put up with.

Not pessimism, just realism.

Whatever, I don't know if five at the back or five in midfield will outplay this opposition but at least it looks like we are trying something different.

Frank's post-match chat will be about how great City are, Pep etc, and we are where we are! It is what it is.

Then Brighton will win at Goodison and he will tell us that there are still 60 points out there.

I've got everything crossed.

Getting battered by City. Midfield shite.

Having said that, keeping it at one and going into the last 10-15 and you never know.

At Chelsea last season, we barely got out of our own half and came away with a point.

We're going to lose of course, but 1-0 at half-time is commendable.

Godfrey has stood up to Haaland well, but it's probably best not to wind the fucker up too much, he's bound to get a hat-trick.

When we have got forward, it has been a long ball and Calvert-Lewin has tried to lay it off but there is nobody with him and, on the odd occasions I've seen us forward, nobody seems to want to get in the box. Damned if I know what we should do about it.

I would have liked to have seen more players supporting Godfrey by getting in the Ref's ear during his early altercations with Haaland.

Yes, we are under constant pressure – but this can only be good for us going into the transfer market and New Year.

We will survive.

Wound up because Godfrey had the temerity to stand on his ankle in the first minute.

Celebrates because he got a foul against Godfrey and then taunts him after scoring.

Add to that flying challenge on Mykolenko which had to be dangerous play but only a yellow.

Kudos to Godfrey for getting in his face. Pity he lost him for the goal and ended up on the goal line.

But at last some fight, some passion. Glad to have him back!

Maybe we get something from this game. The effort is there and we could get a chunk of luck. But for crying out loud, can we please keep our only viable centre-forward fit??!!!

Very defensive, but at least we have got structure, but have we got enough to go and cause City a few more problems by being brave?

Diverted it into his own net. Now that's for real!

I guess we have to play to our weaknesses which is a lack of speed of movement and thought in midfield. So we hang off them till they get to the penalty area. Leeds lost but they gave them a game.

Onana looks injured, will miss our next game and is gonna get sent off here! Crazy management…

Great result.

What an utterly fabulous goal. Great credit to manager and players in the teeth of a storm.

Crazy management indeed.

A great goal by Gray and stout defence. Well played, Blues!!!

Written off for a beating by many, we've got a valuable point.

I've spent the last half hour detached from social media.

Spirit. Forever.

See you with the near 10,000 next week.

We love you, we live you.

We need that determination every time.

What a second-half performance! 🤣😆

Brilliant work by the team today, and good to see Godfrey back. Win against Brighton now lads to get us fully back on track.

One proven striker in would make a lot of difference.

A big Fuck You to Haaland who lost his head a bit today. We wound him up and, goal aside, he never looked in it.

Brilliant performance. Simms up top with Calvert-Lewin next match.

Didn't create many chances but stopped City creating many of their own. That is the sort of spirited performance that no-one can complain about. Let's see more like that and get up the Table.

Great win.

Happy New Year :)

The supporters who out-sang the home crowd never gave up and deserved to see our team perform the heroics that they did today.

Gray played brilliantly. I'm sure we can make more of him, playing in that role alongside Calvert-Lewin, or whoever. He's got one of the best, if not the best, shots in the team.

One thing above all: They all pulled their tripes out, played for each other; we want at least that in every match, Blue Boys.

ps:, Haaland was a dirty sulky bastard! And we handled him well. Great stuff, lads.

I had us down for an absolute hammering with Haaland scoring at least 15 in the first 20 mins but there ya go. Everton making heads fall off for all the right reasons for a change.

A little hope when peering into the abyss is always a joy.

A piece of brilliance from Gray that makes you wonder what he could be and made more so as, at that moment, my picture froze and it looked as though he had stopped to pick up the ball when actually he had slipped.

Couldn't make out the reasoning behind the substitutions. Davies on made sense but not for Gana going off, and who in their right mind would put Maupay on?!

On top of that, it appeared to me that Patterson was one of our best and couldn't believe he'd been taken off but it might have been a touch of brilliance because City then seemed to target Coleman and that wing.

A thoroughly welcome and unexpected point.

And what now that a game can be delayed for 10 minutes owing to a Linesman's faulty earpiece, Heaven help us!

Well done, Blues... UTFT!

Keep this spirit and belief and Everton can build on this reduction today. It's a massive step in the right direction.

Great to prove the media wrong today.

"What's Our Name?"

UTFTs, all take care and have a great party tonight! 💙🤍🍻🍻🍻🙏👍🍻🍻🍻

Nice to see Calvert-Lewin and Godfrey contributing again. Good players both who will benefit from a run of games.

Gray – the sort of brilliant goal he's capable of. A very good result going into the next few fixtures.

Great, hard-fought point, it's still an 11 v 11 game, where those who fight together will always stand a chance against quality opposition.

Haaland should have had a straight red for his tackle and even a second yellow for the elbow on Tarkowski late on... A great point, but a greater turning point?

If we can turn in performances against Brighton and Southampton, the table will look brighter.

Happy New Year, everyone btw.

Massive effort by the whole team.

And a great tactical set-up by Lampard.

Everton are a weird fucking team. Don't be surprised if we get a result against Man Utd as well. It's the crapper teams we can't fathom out.

We won't go down if we keep up the fight. This has to be the turning point.

Well done, Gray; well done, Everton!!

I was thinking about your prediction at full-time.

There is character in our ranks, the manager can come up with the right tactics and line-up to get a result. We just need to keep doing these things...

Happy New Year! ☺️💝

Feels more like a win than a draw. Gray has a worldie in his bag.

Thought Pickford had a strong game with good decisions from him. In fact, all of the team and subs put a shift in. Davies blocking Rodri on the back post with the last touch of the game stopped a certain goal. Gray MotM.

You're spot on about Haaland. I couldn't believe he'd gotten away with that tackle.

I'm not saying that Tom Cannon and Ellis Simms are Premier League players... yet, but just to have them to call on in the squad will be a morale booster.

We may well bring someone in, but who knows what our financial position is? However, if it's dire, then at least we've got fighters and goalscorers.

I put it down to youthful optimism but he remained steadfast when we went 1 down and he said "We will get at least a point from this."

"Considering who we're playing and that sod's antics, I am not overly disappointed at this stage. Yes, we are under constant pressure –but this can only be good for us going into the transfer market and New Year. We will survive."

Anyone disagree?

Must have been planned at Finch Farm.

3 points on Tuesday and into the 4th Round on Friday night.

Results going our way.

All of a sudden, the season could look very different this time next week.

I'm useless at typing fast on phones.

H N Y 2023!
🍺🍺🍺🍺🙏🏼⚽️🥃🥃🥃🥃

Seriously, this is the perfect example of what can be achieved when 11 players play with a fist-shaking defiance. City were empty. Out of ideas.

Sometimes when you play against superior opposition, you have to play like men.

Happy New Year, everyone.

Made up..... Fucken made up.

"Must have been planned at Finch Farm."

I heard a rumour that they hired a shaman to exorcise the evil spirits from the Old Indian Burial Ground that Finch Farm was built on. It worked, but my source didn't say how long it will last for! :-)

Godfrey is a tough fucker. Tarkowski involved in everything, Patterson standing up to Grealish. And Iwobi finishing the game at wing-back.

A possible goal of the season from Gray. He would be worth £30 million if he could do that regularly.

That was the best team performance since Crystal Palace.

I recall (last season at Goodison, or the one before) when we held on with a few minutes left when we got caught out. Usually the mistake happens... thank God it didn't this time.

Take the same mindset in versus Brighton and Man Utd.

40 years since we got pipped in the quater-final in 1983, I'm confident of a good week of results.

🙏🏼🍀🍺🍺🍺

Maupay, I'm sorry, is very poor even when working his socks off! Great away support. We must win on Tuesday to follow this up.

Anyway, a decent fighting performance and a valuable point, We're due a good performance at home so let's hope we beat Brighton and start the New Year in better spirit. UTFTs

When Andy Crooks messaged me this morning to say he fancied us to get a result, I thought he might have been on some mind-altering substances. But he was spot on.

Absolutely made up with the fight and skill shown, and especially for everyone who travelled there today. Sorry Danny couldn't make it.

A valuable point and we need this to boost our fragile confidence, especially mine!

There's a bit more to this story, and I'm certain someone at the club has been onto this radio station to complain about the stick our great chairman has been receiving. Things like this help to show why Kenwright has survived so long.

But today is about Frank Lampard, getting his team to work hard, fight, and to play with real structure. Well played, Everton!🙏

We can do the politics all day long, but when it matters on matchday, we all want the same thing: a performance and a result.

I'm off out in an hour or so. I don't think I'll sleep tonight as I will watch Everton into the early hours.

Well done to a great defensive set-up and performance by the entire team.

Another major factor: these players don't want Lampard to be sacked. Absolutely massive that.

Still need better forward and midfield play to unlock teams that set up shop and push them deep.

I don't really expect much in the January Transfer window. They will be thinking that Frank has the right formula to stay in the Premier League and can make do with what he has.

Simms to replace Rondon and maybe a attacking midfielder.

And some people wonder why I hate them…

Have a great one tonight and a prosperous New Year.

Everton forever!!!

See you all next week!

I never expected anything today, doubt many did, but the effort was certainly there today. Stats will show for large parts we were defending, but it was down to City to try and break us down. I thought we stood up well today and refused to be bullied or lay down.

Had deserved stick against Wolves, but you cannot fault the effort today, that's all we ask for Everton, to get stuck in.

I don't know why it takes us going behind to get going but we then started to compete a bit more and, although they dominated the game, we looked dangerous on the break and defended stoutly.

Kudus to Pickford Tarkowski and Coady with honorable mention to Gana Gray and Iwobi. Couldn't understand why he took Gana not Patterson off and neither could the players.

We've got a potential 6 points coming up so I hope we use today as a platform to move onwards and upwards.

But great battling performances from all the team, don't think anyone had a bad game.

New Year's Eve tonight, all the best to all ToffeeWebbers, great result, have a great night!!!
🍾🍾🍾🎉🎊🥳🥳🍻🍻🥂🥂🥂

But why spoil it when we can moan about someone supporting Bill Kenwright on Radio Merseyside instead?

Everton:

Anti football
Cloggers
Kicked us off the park
In our face, cheating bastards.

Love all of those but the best is: "dirty as hell and very intense"

I didn't think Frank had it in him but proud he did. In our position, if you can't beat them, beat the shit out of them.

Seems City don't like it up em.

Many, many miles to go but that was steel on show, and it's what you build with.

Thanks to the lads who keep this site going for us,
Happy New Year, Blue Boys, God bless! 🎅🎄😀👮✝️

Great determination and spirit shown by all... but why can't we show this every game?

Brighton and Southampton wins a must now. Let's get points and confidence up!

Well done everyone

What about Lampard's tactical set-up throughout the entire game? It was spot on and limited them to three shots on target – that is City at home. There was zero luck involved.

Let's give credit where its due.

Haaland couldn't hack it either, Godfrey had him wound up tight.

Anyway, fuck ‘em!

Our back five all played well but, if I was Lampard, I'd be looking for a good left-wingback right now. I thought Mykolenko did brilliantly taking away the defender with a strong run forward which really helped Gray when he came inside for his goal, but I think our Ukrainian is much better defensively and him and Godfrey might eventually give great balance to a 3-man central defence.

Everton committed 14 fouls, City 13. Now, what was that City fan saying again? 😁

Do you know, there are some contributors to the Live Forum who must be absolutely gutted tonight. Which makes me as happy as the result does. 🤣🤣

Happy New Year to all Blues everywhere.

May 2023 be full of happiness, love and good health to us all and our families too.🙏

Godfrey and Mykolenko either side of a commanding centre-back leader in a 3. That could work.

I'm smiling tonight.

They might upset me, but when they make me happy, there is no other feeling.

Happy New Year to all ToffeeWebbers. Here is hoping for a better 2023.

See you all the other side of the New Year. Thanks, Michael and Lyndon, for keeping this wonderful Toffees fan site going.

Whatever else, today showed that the manager has not lost the dressing room!

Enjoy the festivities tonight!

I'd also take out Iwobi and put Doucoure into the position that Alex played today, and make Onana realise that a kid with his potential should be trying to get right in amongst the thick of the action and demand he gives us at least one hour of real intensity every game.

We need more players, it's a squad game now, but if Everton play with intent and intensity, you will only ever hear boos at Goodison Park when they are being directed at the referee!

Happy New Year to every single Evertonian, except one man of-fucking-course!! 💙🙏

You will never throw in the towel, it's not in our nature. Happy New Year to you too and to all on here.

Fucking immense result and performance that, wait and see.

I came on here to give you credit for your call yesterday, well done.

You have however blown your own trumpet. Shame mate. But well done again.

I was expecting another defeat given the run we have been on so a point away to the current Champions is very welcome.
Haven't seen Gray's goal yet but its a cracker according to everyone.

Happy New Year ye all – hope it's all good.
COYB.

Missed the second half, left the lucky mascot in charge who had been tidied away! Sounds like we actually had a go so fair fucks to Frank. That's what it's all about after all. Have to follow through now against Brighton.

Happy New Year, Evertonians!

Never underestimate the power of a proper Scouse following who saw the team over the line again today. One question though… why the fuck wasn't Haaland sent off?

Straight away, we could see his intention as he set off from the middle of the 6-yard box, running and launching himself, with every intent of causing serious damage. If that's not a red card, then I don't know what is.

Anyway, fuck the Manc shithouses, a more than deserved draw.

We'd have lost the match 99 times out of 100. The same huge relegation-threatening problems in the team still exist. I can only hope today's result gives more confidence to the players and they step up in the second half of the season.

If they don't, we are down.

A big Happy New Year to all ToffeeWebbers! I hope you all have a better 2023 on and off the pitch! Thank you to the TW team, great site and community. 👍

We have got to build on this because games like today prove that we are a much better team when defending our own half, but we are not so good when we open it and begin to leave gaps that even average teams expose.

Some of us are 60+,

Results like today are getting carried away results!

It might be as good as it gets.

A fantastic goal earned us a very welcome point. Let's see if we can take confidence from this result and win the next two home games.

Still can't believe Gana Gueye went off and Onana stayed on for the last two games!!

Same as you regarding the substitution of Gueye twice running, it does worry me as to what Lampard is actually seeing and thinking, it is bizarre.

Are you sure it wasn't an old Indian takeaway that it was built upon?

Really got into them today. I thought Godfrey was excellent against the big gobshite.

Please, Everton, keep it up for the rest of the season. All the best all you Blues worldwide.

Spoke sense and was rational and quite decent about Everton. Given that the media view the non-fashionable sides like us beneath their contempt.

Push the boat out for a striker or preferably two on loan, regardless of what the cost is, and we stay up.

I'm absolutely delighted with a draw but, if I'm honest with myself, I know we were very lucky. I watched the 90 minutes.

If we'd been at home, played like that against away opposition and only drawn, we'd have been up in arms about the injustice! One thing I think our club needs more than ever is reality, not fairy tales.

Enjoy your night though, mate, it does feel good not to lose for once. But I just can't get rid of that feeling based on what actually took place on the pitch today…

Manchester City may have been lucky Erling Haaland wasn't sent off

The referee and the VAR should explain how that is not a red card?

Allan got sent off for a far less dangerous tackle than that last season, with a three-match ban, a decision that could have sent us down.

There are loads of soft-in-the-head Evertonians who think Kenwright saved them. It's shameful but, as long as the lying bastard has their support, he won't be going anywhere.

It's like an Orwellian novel with Everton. If there was any hope, it must lie with the proles…

Happy New Year. Let's hope we can use this result as a turning point.

On the cheating bastards, I hope you reminded them of the Rodri handball last season, and the time when the ball went out by a good foot in the cup game a few years back, but no goal kick given and a City goal standing from the cross.

But why spoil it when we can moan aboat someone supporting Bill Kenwright on Radio Merseyside instead.

It wasn't Hughes's supporting Kenwright which was the problem: it was the way he did it, as though the supporter – you know, the sort of person who makes phone-ins possible – had sworn on air.

If you didn't hear it, don't jump to conclusions.

Well done, Rob #125. Made up for you tonight.

Not surprised he got away with it. Can't have the poster boy of the Premier League missing games through suspension. Lineker and co would piss their pants on MotD!

Thanks to Rob H @125. Great stuff. UTFT

ps: Good lad, Rob!

I listened to a radio reporter interviewing John Stones, roughly, it went like this:

"The delay for equipment failure didn't help you, did it?"

Reply, "It didn't help either team."

She tries again, "Then they employed all the dark arts, didn't they [goes on to list some]... It must have been very frustrating for you."

Don't know the reply, I turned off.

Why does the BBC, and 5live in particular, employ fawning, star-struck, desperate-to-be-liked, know-nothing morons who are incapable of asking a fair, open question? They are crap.

For me, it's a mid-table squad that has been underperforming. I'm not convinced the squad is good enough to play that well every week, but today's commitment should be a given for every game. If they give that, we'll finish in the 12th position I thought we would.

A great end to the year and let's build on it for 2023.

Happy New Year to all Blues everywhere!

Patterson was on yellow and was being targeted. Coleman came on, played superbly, even outpacing Foden and was arguably Everton's best player in the last 30 minutes.

Unfortunately for him, he hasn't quite realised it yet,
the rest of us have.

This is the media these days unfortunately. I watched an interview with Chris Hitchens from 1999 the other day. Was excellent and the interviewer (American) was all over him regarding his point, rather than belittling him for his point (as today).

Journalistic integrity has all but gone, I'm afraid. Most of them are narrative towing pricks nowadays.

I listened to that too. Every time a fan comes on Radio Merseyside to criticise the board or any member of it, they get the Devils Advocate response from the presenter.

It's not just Everton either, I recall listening to local media people defending the Americans who almost bankrupted Liverpool before FSG took over.

The root of the problem is local media rely on access and cannot risk upsetting the club hierarchy. You can probably trace it back to when Phil McNulty upset Joe Royle and was banned from Bellefield.

You only have to listen to the pointless questions at the pre-match press conferences to get the idea.

Seamus was outstanding in the last 30 minutes, I had no problem with him replacing Patterson. We knew he wouldn't let us down.

It was Davies for Gana that bemused me, especially with Onana being on a yellow and playing erratically.

At least Frank was proactive with his subs, even if I thought taking Gana off and putting our small slow striker on was wrong at the time.

I really hope this is a catalyst for us but last season, when we got these sort of results, we never kicked on.

Anyway, I will be looking forward with hope but with apprehension to 2023. A fond Happy New Year to all fellow Blues.

May I wish all Evertonians across the world a happy and healthy 2023.

That's the old Man City defender, Nedhum Onouha, I've definitely spelt it wrong but he does speak well, clearly and makes some excellent points; he seems a really intelligent fella.

"Whenever other clubs start wondering how to avoid getting hammered at the Etihad, they always phone Frank, because he always gets it right!"

Well done to one and all – and a Happy New Year!

Defensively, great. Midfield, still unbalanced. Our best midfielder was mysteriously taken off for Davies.

One game doesn't make a season. The lads left everything on that pitch today. Take notice, Anthony "I'm a Superstar" Gordon.

UTFT.

Manchester City star escapes with yellow against Everton after launching himself into Ukrainian Vitalii Mykolenko with both feet off the ground.

On to Old Trafford. At least I can be there.

Looking forward to the game against Brighton before the blue scouse invasion of Old Trafford on Friday.

Happy New Year to all!

I think Ossie has jumped on the media bandwagon. You wouldn't have guessed that he had played over 300 games for us. He fawned over every City attack.

Jeff. Credit where it's due: Gana was disappointed getting dragged off but, at the same time, it was Tom Davies that stoped a certain goal at the end of the game. Onana is suspended for Brighton so let's see if Doucouré and Davies get a run out.

Brighton have just run Arsenal close so it will be a tough one next up.

All the best, Blues.

Will get the fans back onside and hopefully a rocking Goodison Park, whereeas a big defeat today and it might have been a little quieter on Tuesday at Goodison. The players stood up today and put in every ounce of effort they had.

Win on Tuesday and suddenly the cup game at Old Trafford looks more promising.

A big week coming up that can make or break our whole season.

I too loved that Godfrey got stuck in to Haaland right from the start. It sure set the tone and we definitely rattled them from then on.

What a performance that was from Ben, BTW, for a first game back after such an injury.

Okay, the tactics were obvious, frustrate them and you have a chance. They rode their luck at times and the refereeing was inept, to say the least, but getting a point has to be a morale-boosting result after the recent poor performances.

They finally showed some grit and team spirit so let's hope this carries over to the Brighton game.

Best observation on the thread: you're right, the players don't want Lampard sacked. As you say, that is massive.

Some really good gritty performances today and something to build on in 2023.

Happy New Year to all and, on a positive note, bear in mind Arsenal were absolutely nowhere a few years ago, but stopped wasting money in the vain hope of a shortcut to success and put in place the foundations of a good young side instead.

Our turn can come.

But what a shithouse that Haaland is – one horrible bastard. Let's face it, if Calvert Lewin makes that challenge, he's off, but let's not upset Guardiola because him and Klopp make the rules up.

It's been an absolutely shit year for me this and one I definitely want to put behind me, but that result today has got me thinking, well, maybe life isn't so bad after all.

Thanks, boys, for making my day and Happy New year to everyone. Win on Tuesday and things are definitely looking good. After watching Brighton tonight, they're nothing special.

Goodnight, lads and lasses.

We will have to defend like today , when we restricted Man City to two chances, that was exceptional.

Spudhead Murphy is right in that Gray is needed up front with no defensive duties.

As for all the Seamus knockers – "legs have gone" etc – he was outstanding, not only with his pace but his leadership. That bloke will never let the Blues down – he's Everton through and through.

Lots of key 6-pointer matches coming up; if we perform like today, we'll be out of the battle at the bottom of the Premier League.

Happy New Year, You Blues.

If referees have the conviction to address his indiscretions, he may find himself suspended every now and again.

However, not likely to happen.

And let's hope Everton put a smile back on our faces.👍

Okay, he scored early doors but shackling Haaland seriously perplexed the City players.

I hope that sort of fabulous mentality, which more than a few displayed, is infectious in Finch Farm.

Haaland, as much as admire the talent, shouldn't have remained on the pitch. Nasty tackle that could have hurt the player.

Maybe his dad needs to remind him of what a sinister challenge can do to a player's career.

Great point. Maybe 2023 is going to be our 1984 turning point moment all over again.

Sorry, I'm getting carried away.

First of all, I want to wish every single ToffeeWebber a happy New Year and my wish to each of you is health, wealth and happiness. For those few, especially Bernie and John Mc Snr, you are sorely missed. For Michael and Lyndon, once again thank you for providing the platform we rely on.

Realistically, we would be 4 seasons from completing with Man City on a sole basis of quality, even if we could afford to even try. But today, the skill had to bow to effort, a great leveller.

I hope it's a cornerstone we can build a season upon.

That's the problem when teams sit back and pressurise the midfield against Everton. Everton do not move up collectively as a unit, with some players staying deep, and loss of possession or an error exposes them as the opposition exploit the space available.

This has been a problem for years, but at least Everton got a result against a Top 6 side where they were up against good play, rather than the pressurised spoiling play of the lower table sides. Under Frank, they were not even getting that.

Today, though Everton did play well defending, it did take Gray's Richarlison-type pull out. But it was a great relief to see Everton get a point.

I don't bet often. I put a pound each way on a horse on Saturday.

Yesterday, I bet on Everton to win. To cover my arse, I bet on a draw.

Now I will never become a millionaire in Las Vegas, but this morning I am £15.80 in credit and happy.

Can anybody enlighten me as to why we don't get that? Because I just can't fathom it.

Do we follow it up with a Bournemouth, Leicester, Wolves type performance against Brighton? I wouldn't be surprised.

I really enjoyed Godfrey's performance from the off. Watch MotD at the start of the game, the handshakes. Godfrey means business.

He went toe to toe with Haaland and Haaland cracked in the end. He should have been sent off – flying, out of control assault on Mykolenko. I still can't believe he got away with it.

Not even a mention on MotD. Sky 6 are a protected species.

And 2023 starts with the 1989 title decider on ITV 4 right now – Liverpool v Arsenal. Lovely.

Happy New Year to all Blues.

I've never been a lover of 5 at the back but any formation, should be about getting the best out of your squad. For the reasons I gave yesterday, I think this is a system that could get us higher up the pitch if we could find the right left-sided player.

Our three midfielders played with a much better shape imo yesterday; if Calvert-Lewin can stay fit, either Gray, Gordon or Maupay could play off him?

If we could play like yesterday but get ourselves 20 yards higher up the pitch against the lesser teams, my own view is that we would be much harder to play against and we would start winning more games.

Much better fighting performance… it's all we ask for on a weekly basis. Not a huge fan of the 5 at the back but I have a feeling it's Frank's preferred system, and having Godfrey back at the back gives us that insurance with his pace.

Feeling better about Tuesday now.

COYB

My concern though is that “not losing” isn't the same as “winning” and, for me, Tuesday is still an absolute must-win for Frank.

Assuming they're fit, I'd stick with 3 at the back, but maybe more 3-4-3 than yesterday's 5-4-1. Simms off the bench, and:

Pickford
Godfrey Coady Tarkowski
Patterson Iwobi Gana Vinagre
Maupay Calvert-Lewin Gray

The next 6 fixtures should produce a run of results that steady the ship. There will be slip-ups along the way but, without getting carried away, we should be able to lift ourselves away from our current position.

I would love to know what Kenwright has over Moshiri; otherwise, why is he still here? All part of the deal, I expect. I just wish he would go, but that's not going to happen, is it?

Every single Everton player is given a higher average mark than every single Man City player! How on earth can that be anywhere near true?

The worst Everton player, Dominic Calvert-Lewin (them saying this, not me!) who did nothing in 69 minutes, gets 6.86; the utterly brilliant Kevin De Bruyne gets a pathetic 5.70!

The only explanation can be that – because they failed to win against "plucky little Everton" when 'expected' to do so by all the fucking pundits – and a painfully disgusting number of our own miserable fans, I might add – then they must all have been utter crap!

What I can't understand was the almost gleeful piling on of posts predicting an almighty battering on the pre-match live thread. It's like some enjoy the misery.

Yes, we're not very good at the moment and we've a long way to go but I can't understand the bizarre comments I read yesterday right up until Gray's goal and even after.

Yesterday was a great battling performance and, at 0-1 at half-time, I personally thought it was on. If we can channel that bloody-minded Dogs of War mentality for more games to come, we'll have a base to build on.

UTFT!

It also shows that we have to play 11 men and 3 officials, I wonder if we would have gotten away so lightly with the antics City got up to, especially that flying challenge the long streak of piss committed on Mykolenko. He should have walked but we all know that won't happen!

Who the fuck does Haaland think he is? Great goalscorer, yes, but he's not untouchable.

That first-minute clash between him and Ben Godfrey was a total accident. Both players had their eyes on the ball, and it was just unfortunate that Godfrey caught Haaland.

After that, Haaland started losing his rag, culminating in that disgraceful challenge on Mykolenko. The fact that he didn't catch Mykolenko is totally irrelevant, the intent was there. He could just have easily caught Mykolenko and done some serious damage.

There was little niggles and shoving between both players in the first half, and also words between the two. The easiest way to wind any player up is talking into his ear all the time, sledging if you like.

Maybe in future, more teams will follow Ben Godfrey and wind Haaland up, rather than making it too easy for him. After all, why should we, or any other team, just roll over for City, and Haaland?

I'm sick to death of people such as Pep and Bingo saying teams spoil the game just because they make it difficult for them. If you're that fucking good, then you will find a way to cut through any defence, no matter what tactics they use!

See you after the second half!

Man City fans think the BBC pundits are biased against them. They think the referee was biased against them as are all referees. Many of them think that it is time for Pep to go. Some want Haaland sold because the team have changed their style to accommodate him.

There is not a group of supporters in the Premier League who think the media and referees are fair to their team or that the coach always knows better than them.

However, they are all wrong except us.

KENWRIGHT AND THE BOARD OUT STILL THOUGH!!!

Like you, I'm not a fan of it either, but as you (and others) have said, we need a system that suits the resources available. We need points and yesterday showed a way to get them.

If Godfrey's pace can get us 20 yards further upfield as a unit, that would be a big help.

Key thing though – as the late Don Howe used to preach – is not to be outnumbered in midfield. Whoever plays in the forward role does need better service from the wide players.

Good point. It was like our cup final where we did amazingly well not to get buried. It wasn't a near win though just holding on brilliantly after a great goal.

Superb performance, btw, but not sure how we transform this into wins against weaker teams than City.

You answered your own question really, it was based on performance compared to potential rather than absolute performance compared to the average on the field.

Perhaps it was also based on defensive qualities which all of the Everton players showed in spades. Not sure whether it's the right way but it's a subjective thing however it's marked...

I will hate it if we sell Pickford to raise some money to buy poor players, as we tend to do.

It would be difficult to show us with the ball as we only had 24% possession and most of that was us clearimg our lines!

I thought MotD was a fair analysis with Shearer and Potato Head Murphy saying it was a good battle between Godfrey and Haaland.

If you look just after his tackle on Mykolenko, for which he should have been sent off, you can see Haaland running away from Tarkowski and hiding behind the Ref. :-)

There are a few media reports saying that it should have been a red card and, if it had been the other way round, it would have.

Happy with a point as they put in a shift and, whilst I never agree with 5 at the back, if we can get Gray or Maupay up supporting Calvert-Lewin, we can get some points.

Onana could definitely do more. I thought City tried to target the space on our right side more than our left, possibly because Iwobi has a tendency to get sucked towards the ball. I also thought Gana Gueye was very disciplined playing slightly out of position on the left.

A good left-wingback could see us playing much higher up the pitch and done right, I think this would make us very, very compact in midfield.

It looked like we were starting to defend a bit higher up the pitch in the second half, and our goal came as a result of this. We weren't giving City any space whatsoever, resulting in a poor pass by Rodri, enabling Gana Gueye to release Demarai Gray, and boy, what a finish.

We did start to defend a bit deeper going into the latter stages of the game but, let's face it, which team wouldn't when holding onto a point at the Etihad?

To restrict Haaland to just about the only chance he had, and scored, showed what a great job our defence, and Ben Godfrey in particular done on him, and City overall. Other than the save by Pickford from Mahrez, did they have any other meaningful shots on target?

A very creditable point in the end against the best side in this league and one of the best in Europe.

He easily shows all those traits and anyone coming up against him now will know how to get the better of him. Pep will be aware of these shortcomings and plan accordingly. He will be restrained, he will be gagged, and he will not score at the same rate as before.

He has been sussed; well done, Godfrey; well done, Tarkowski; well done, Everton. Job done – now for the next job.

So I would be one of the disgusting number of fans you refer to regards my opinion to expect nothing at City.

Doesn't make me or any other Evertonian disgusting for expecting the worst given the way we have been playing, and I ask you how many weekends have you been "miserable".

We have seen it all before so get a fucking grip!

It looks like City were rattled yesterday and now look like graceless Champions who aren't up for a scrap. I honestly believe we could do 'em it home, once the siren goes off with all the Blue flares too, then Haaland will shit himself!

It was so great to see Godfrey and Tarkowski winding up the opposition which is something that's been missing from our game for a long long time.

Everton have been a ‘nice' team for too long. It was good to see a little cynicism from our players and the gaming of the referee went a long way to keeping the calls almost honest.

I'm just hoping that we go into every game playing to our strengths and, at this moment, our strength is a rock-solid defense. Play like that home and away and just don't get beaten.

We can develop a team with a more expansive style when we have the players to do so.

Great post regarding Pep and Bingo.

I remember Howard saying after we drew 1-1 at home to Forest in 84-/85 with Bracewell scoring the equalizer late in the second half. He was asked if he was frustrated by Forest's tactics.

His response was "It is a great compliment when teams come to Goodison and sit back and it is up to us to break them down.''

Howard always acted with class and respect in his interviews.

Oliver, it's just reference to supporters who go into matches with negativity.

Conversely, optimistic fools like me are labeled and criticised as being happy clappers. It works both ways.

I criticise the club as much as many. But come match day, it's about the team and getting a result.

Bring on Tuesday.

NSNOW. 36 / 28

Haaland was a disgrace, should have been gone for the first assault, but getting away with the elbow on Tarkowski and him already booked was shocking refereeing. Also constantly shouting in Godfrey's face, inciting the crowd, full of arrogance, he thinks he can't be touched.

I thought Frank's subs were spot on, Gueye was great but he's 32 now, and probably ran out of steam, and Davies made a crucial block at the end.

City tried to target Seamus, but he was superb, for a player written off here many times, and his pace supposedly gone, getting back and taking the ball off Foden, with only Pickford to beat, outstanding.

Tuesday night won't be easy, but having Calvert-Lewin fit, makes a massive difference.

Even when we went 1 dow, we didn't go for it and try for an equaliser, just seemed to continue and make sure we weren't embarrassed.

Remember when Ancelotti was here, our away form was better than at home. He set us up to play counter-attacking football, a bit like yesterday.

Our problem is and has been trying to get a better balance between defence and attack.

Quite rightly, at home, we wouldn't expect or accept tactics like yesterday, so Lampard has to get the balance right against Brighton or the team will be getting the same chorus as after the Wolves game.

Yesterday, we had 2 important players back for us and we need Godfrey and Calvert-Lewin to stay fit and help this team to climb the table.

When I look at the League Table the positive in me says let's get after the likes of Brentford and Fulham and catch up to them. Frank has to continue to make us hard to beat, like yesterday.

Then there was De Bruyne's shocking lunge on Onana, was it not City who were the instigators?

And you put your mark on them and win your personal battles. Earn the right to play football.

Wind them up? Just do what Tarkowski done yesterday. Let them get wound up. Looked after his players, smiled and laughed at the opposition when their players had lost their heads and cried at the ref as well as an over exaggerated goal celebration in the face of a player who dared to tackle and foul him. It’s football. Great to see. Let them have it. Keep your nerve and keep your calm.

Well done, Ben, and most importantly, amazing you were back and fearless only 4 months after breaking a leg. Respect.

Happens in all sports – and regarded as a test of focus and mental toughness. Be it Aussie cricketers sledging or the Wimbledon of Fash & Vinnie – it's always been part of the game.

Jimmy Greaves used to talk about the Leeds teams starting the verbals before the game had started.

A relative of mine was a decent standard middle-distance runner and he said it happened in track and field all the time.

Haaland is dirty but we have to love Maupay's shithousery.

I have been on a self inflicted absence from posting recently, because of some of the negative views posted. I have no problem with individuals expressing their opinions, but it appears to me that some take pleasure from a poor performance, or delight in criticising players. I have been ridiculed on this site for saying that footballers are not machines who can be programmed, but I stand by my opinion which is, "We win as a team or lose as a team".

I learned some years ago that anything can happen in a game of football, I attend matches with an open mind and leave Goodison Park feeling either elated or deflated, and if the worst thing that happens to me this year is that Everton lose games, then I will consider that I've had a good year.

Not as much time for ToffeeWebbing as usual - my wife had a bit of bad turn so (a fall causing a broken shoulder, added to her Parkinson's etc) is taking a fair bit of my time.

UTFT!

We have to make one enforced change due to Onana's suspension. If yesterday is anything to go by, then Tom Davies will play. But if Frank wants like for like then maybe Doucouré will get a chance to either show us the Doucouré of recent years or put himself in the transfer window.

Recently, we have been frustrated with Gordon, so, until he sorts himself out or get the move he wants, then when we have all of yesterday's starting XI fit and healthy, he will have to make do with a place on the bench.

One of Gordon's strengths is his willingness to tackle back but I thought Demarai did this very well. But can he recover by Wednesday?

If those players can keep themselves fit (big ask) then we have every chance of enjoying a happier. 2023!

Hopefully we can play with confidence at home to Brighton and the crowd are patient. With the players we currently have, we are rarely going to dominate possession, so expect Brighton to see a lot of the ball. I know this is not how we want to see us play, but we are very much a counter attacking team at the moment.

Happy New Year!

COYBs
It will be very interesting to see how many of the XI play on Wednesday. Hopefully all of them except Onana but, will DCL or Godfrey have a reaction?

Certainly illustrate's what John Mac says above: "if the worst thing that happens to me this year is that Everton lose games, then I will consider that I've had a good year."

God bless..

Sorry to hear of your wife's fall and her other ailment, wish the both of you better health and news in the New Year, I thought there was something wrong when you hadn't posted for a few weeks and missing the youth and U21s games.

Hope to hear from you soon, very best wishes to you and hoping your wife recovers from the fall.

Never liked that pratt Stephens anyway...

Seriously Brent keep posting...despite everything it may help a little...

Best wishes to your wife and yourself. John Jeffrey who are you?

Top Class, Die Hard Blue Brent and Family, our, prayers are with you.

Also great to see John Mc Farlane on here too!

I regard TW as an extended Family but unfortunately there are a few that don't share my philosophy. We all, allegedly, support the same side and I fully appreciate we have differing views about certain aspects, but no need for verbal abuse etc. Unless in jest, but make it clear it is!

You rightly point out it is a team game. Individuals can be praised or criticised for individual performances, but teams win and lose football matches.

John Mc. I hope you are well and good to see you here also.

I can sympathise as I am trying to look after my dad who has Parkinson's, he had a fall last week but got lucky.

I hope you're both okay, and we just need to hear that Bernie, on the other side of the world, is also okay, and is hopefully just suffering from the same symptoms as John Mc.

I can't help but feel negative towards Everton whilst Kenwright remains at our club, and I'm almost certain I get under quite a few people's skins on this website because of it.

If anyone can give me a list of the good things our chairman has done for the benefit of our once great club whilst he's been in charge of Everton, I'd love to read it and be convinced to change my opinion of the man.

I started preparing the Blue Bill positive list but I am stuck at No 1!

Sorry, mate, can't help with that…

I guess, John, we should all agree that we are lucky if that is the worst thing that happens to us. Hard to put into practice sometimes but I will try and think of this more going forwards.

Best wishes to ToffeeWebbers and Blues everywhere.

Negative on failing to capitalise on getting ourselves back to the pinnacle of English football and winning a European trophy. We can point to the obvious constraint, but it didn't constrain Manchester United, Arsenal or the perpetrators of what contributed to the setback that impacted all of English football for several years.

Bitter Blue? Possibly… and with cause. But it's not the root cause of what exists at Everton.

Blasé took over. Mismanagement. Two of the clubs I mentioned overtook us in league title counts... significantly. I dare not look at FA Cups. Another 2 or 3 now have stadiums that are significantly different to the Stamford Bridge and Maine Road I went to. Man City capitalised on an opportunity, but the point is vision and that starts at the top. We have lacked it, hence where we are.

The positives (always end on a positive as they say): I exchanged messages with a fellow poster and one of the biggest Evertonians I know this morning. I agree with him. I have a feeling we could have a good second half of the season. The Ruckrunde as the Germans would call it. Turn it around, Blues, like it's 1984.

And the thought of that stadium next year. Complete with the Liver Birds lit up in Royal Blue looking over it. The bird is blue. The city is ours.

Happy New Year All.

We need to bring in a couple of players at least, and we need to stay compact, and we need all eleven players to work as a team; otherwise, nothing will change imo.

But longer term, change in the club.

Now I'm getting boring!!

Tony #238, my regards to your father.

Hopefully he sees this post, Brent, because if he does, I'm sure he'll respond to you himself.

Hopefully things get a little bit easier for you soon, Brent, has this also stopped you going to the game since the restart?

You can have the best goalscorer in the world but he will struggle without someone to give him that killer pass.

I sent a post to Brent last night and he answered me under the name of John Jeffrey – which was the name he used when he worked for MI5... a man of mystery and many disguises is Brent!!

I missed the game before Xmas but got back fro Boxing Day (not a good return). Danny did send me a separate text.

Kenwright is a massive millstone around the neck of the club, aided and abetted by the owner that is. How do you get rid of them though, they own the place.

It is not negative to look at how it has been run for a generation and think what Sir John Moores would have done with the current Chairman and CEO (actually, capital letters don't seem appropriate for the job that's being done!); he would have run the Chairman out of the club years (decades) ago.

The way we played against Man City was heartwarming, stirring and will hopefully unite supporters and players against all-comers again. I thought our lads fought for everything; and played well too. I also thought our sup[porters were magnificent... a credit to EFC.

I hope that John Senior will come back and post because to read good, well thought out posts is an antidote to what is happening to our our club!

It is good to know that there are many others who think this club has been and is being damaged by the current crew in charge.

There are two aspects of our club, the football and we are all entitled to our views of how we're doing at that; but there's also the state of our club and that's casting its shadow over the football side. They are intertwined and indivisible, and one is squeezing the life out of the other.

What on earth are we doing bumping along at the bottom of the Premier League, no cups in our cabinet for 20-odd years? No Championships for even longer.

It was a great fighting display against Man City, and hopefully he lads will carry it on for the rest of the season, but something has to be done to turn this club around... and fast!

'Broken Hearts' should be our club song, whilst Lampard demands ever more patience from us. Cheeky bugger, just do your job and inspire your charges to string a few good performances together. It is our right to demand this!

All ended well though. ❤️❤️

I've been watching Morecombe playing, the game is a bit different, but they've got some good honest young players (mostly from bigger clubs on loan) and I've been enjoying it.

I'm going through a stage of really despising the fraud who has always been more concerned about himself rather than the club who he professes to love, and I can only see darkness whilst he remains.

I'm a little bit crazy at times (but I'm not stupid – I love the way you never blew your own cover with Dave before!) and my biggest worry is that Kenwright will be around for the opening of the new Everton Stadium at Bramley-Moore Dock. If he his, I genuinely think he will curse this new ground, just like he's been cursing Everton for many, many years now.

I think Kenwright will only leave once Moshiri sells, Martin, so I'm praying every single day that our books (because of the way we have been run since he arrived at Everton) don't spook these latest Americans, who are allegedly showing great interest in our once great club. 🤞

I'm actually shocked that you haven't got 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙 on whatever technology you use, mate.

💙💙💙💙💙

My previous comment says everything old tear eyes has done for the benefit of our club.

I know what you mean about watching our lot. I don't think I've felt as low as the Wolves game for a long time.

Christy, thanks mate.

I have just finished watching the whole Man City game and, whilst the three centre-backs and Pickford were fantastic, a word for Onana who had his best game to date and looks like he may be settling into things – what a shame he is suspended tomorrow.

A great point, which shows what we can do when the team gives its all and the fans get behind them. More of the same please, everyone!

As an aside, for those who haven't read the tale of Pelé arriving at the gates of heaven, he sees a football match taking place involving Cruyff, Maradona, Di Stefano, Eusebio: “Wow, who's the little ginger guy running the show in midfield?” says Pelé to St Peter.

St Peter replies: “That's God. He thinks he's Alan Ball!”

Clerical error, nothing else. I made plenty of those during my time working for a government department. Don't tell John Raftery though!!

When I was younger, an Everton defeat could spoil my weekend, but now I can accept any result because, other than encouragement, I can have no influence on the outcome of games.

You may have noticed that I have never posted a critical comment directed at any Everton player because, no matter how poor their performance may be, it's my opinion that even the least talented professional player is head and shoulders above my level.

I steer clear of off-the-pitch postings, mainly due to the fact that I have absolutely no idea of what goes on behind closed doors.

In closing, I will repeat what I have said in previous posts, "For the best part of two hours on match days, my world is 120 yards long and 70 yards wide, when all that matters is what happens on the pitch."