Desperate 6-pointer ends with a frenetic point each

Forest and Leeds – I cannot see either picking up many points, that gives us the Wolves and Bournemouth games as back up.

Win tonight, great; a loss will not relegate us.

Will save my comments for after the match.

Big cojones needed tonight.

But of course he persists with Keane and Iwobi... it's absurd that Calvert-Lewin's return somehow forces Gray to the bench when our attack is this limited.

I am not confident that we will get anything out of this game.

Also gone with the experience of Vardy (rather than Daka) to replace the injured Iheanacho.

It's a strong looking side. Doesn't look like a relegation candidate on paper.

For us, DCL should have the beating of their CBs if we can get crosses in. Huge plus for us to have Coleman back.

COYB

I just can't understand the continued omission of Mina, stats say it all, he is our best defender by a mile and is also a threat at set pieces (where Leicester are incredibly vulnerable).

hopefully Coleman is fully fit.

I have no idea how this will go.

We in pink today? If we win I'll buy one of those pink shirts from the online store. There, I said it.

"Their defence is poor," How about ours? Who'd have thought six years after Koeman got sacked on the back of a bunch of thrashings that we'd still have 3 of the same back 5?

Loose this and it's all over.

Could do with Maddison getting a red card in the third minute, and Vardy pulling his hamstring on his first run.

Carragher can be annoying, but he was spot on with his comments about our defence.

Onana apparently unwell but on the bench, hope Garner plays a blinder and keeps him there for now. We can do this!

A lot comes down to McNeill. The full backs won't provide the service. Iwobi won't provide the service. McNeill will need to find some good delivery from deeper positions and, of course, set pieces.

Let's just hope. Leicester look strong but they're down with us for a reason.

COYB

Alex Iwobi has been atrocious. Coleman has shown him up in attack and defence. No midfielder plays that pass. It's number one in the junior coaching manual.

Followed by our best player injured. That was a horrible movement Seamus' knee made.

He's been outstanding on his return.

Don't change anything though, Dyche.

Alex Iwobi and Michael Keane are not even 2nd division players on this form.

Dyche has to sub them both at half time. If they stay on the pitch there is no way we are getting anything from this.

I predict that Dyche will not make those changes at all. . . he's too stubborn

Dyche should take Keane off. He's having a nightmare. I think the clumsy oaf must hold the unenviable record of giving away the most Everton penalties. A 35-year-old Vardy has been skinning him that 1st half.

Fucking Iwobi giveaway and unbelievably pathetic miss from Calvert-Lewin.

Gutted for Seamus, that looked really bad.

The chances missed, the choirboy turning his back on Leicester's first goa. You can't blame Dyche for us being behind – we should be well ahead.

I hope Seamus's injury is not as bad as it looked. Well played, lad, you showed most of the others that you cared about Everton.

Keane is awful – slow, poor positioning, and can't tackle.

Mina on for Keane, Gray on for Iwobi.

Story of our season.

The fat lady is ready to give us a song.

Calvert-Lewin has got to score, but my oh my, oh fucking my, I honestly feel like crying watching Alex Iwobi.

Absolutely devastated for Seamus Coleman, and although he's not as effective on the right wing, I'm certain Demari Gray could cause Leicester's left-back massive problems.

If we can carry on playing like this, I'd be more than happy, but think this depends on James Garner staying in the game for as long as possible.

We have nobody to fill his boots next season when we're going to need his kind of personality

This team owe their captain, the next 45 minutes has to be payback time.

I was concerned that Seamus would push himself too.much.I pity some of the other players haven't half his motivation.Patterson is the correct sub.

Shout out for McNeil, our best player

But how do players go from being in the side to the sort of players you wouldn't risk in exchange for an exhausted midfielder?

That game was crying out for a forward run from Gray. Or some energy in the middle from Onana. Or even Davies. Leicester were wide open and there for the taking.

Really baffling from Dyche.

McNeill man of the match.

It's not over yet onwards to Brighton!

Keane was abysmal - how Dyche kept him on is baffling. As baffling as him stubbornly refusing to make a second half change when midfield was clearly flagging and we needed fresh legs

How professional footballers cannot cross the ball is equally baffling

Whether we stay up of go down, Dyche is not the future of this club

To the positive, the lads put a shift on and DCL is getting there

Onwards we go... we can stay up if that level of effort continued and we can add some polish... COYB!!!

Leicester play Fulham away next, then have Liverpool and Newcastle. They could easily lose these 3 games. I think Leeds will lose their next couple against City and Newcastle. Then they have West Ham and Spurs.

We could also lose our next two so it's going to come down to Wolves away and Bournemouth at home. 4 points from the last 2 may be enough so this was a really important point.

We created loads of chances today and could have scored 4 or 5. However, we also saved a pen which had it gone to 3-1 we'd have been out of the game. Can take encouragement from tonight, their keeper got them a point and DCL missed a sitter.

WE DID NOT LOSE - let's stay positive. we're not down yet.

DCL will have another 90 mins under his belt and the pen would give him some more confidence.

Will go to the wire but I'm hopeful.

I've had it with Dyche though. The stubborn team selection is bad enough, but to not bring Gray or Simms on to attack a tired and vulnerable defense - like, what in the actual @$!%?!

Dyche would stick with his favourite Ashley Barnes who scored 1 league goal all season. If Vydra did come on it would be after 80 mins. New owner thought fuck this and sacked Dyche

As it was said earlier Everton's passing out of defence was poor and has been all season.

Okay one cannot see us getting anything from the City game but certainly the others and the fixtures for the other teams are just as difficult.

C.O.Y.B.

Dyche tonight was paralysed with fear of changing anything.He had his point.but could have lost it.It is going to go to the last game of the season.

Then we have the Independent Comission finds.I just found out today that Barret Baxendale was instrumental in the formation of the Independent Comission as part of the Premier League steering group, in respond to Government regulation.

She was that stupid she did not realise who they would be investigating first.

Wolves and Bournemouth are winnable. Draws will not do for those, we need to win at least one and I accept that won't be easy. Just have to hope they are on hols by that point. 4 from those two plus a point at Brighton might just about do

Relegation betting now to go down is Southampton 1/50, 1/2 Leeds, 4/6 Everton, 4/6 Forest.& 2/1 Leicester.

We are in a better position than before this game, its all to play for now and I think we can do it.

Personally I'd have brought Gray on for Iwobi - maybe Onana for Gueye. And do you know what? We might have lost.

But that is a big step up in performance. 23 shots away and a world class save by their keeper late on.

When Dyche took us on it looked like it would go down to the wire. Especially when we were the only club not to strengthen in Jan. But were still in it.

I gave Iwobi loads for his first half performance and I take none of it back but he was certainly was very much better in the second half scoring a very good goal and using his energy much better attacking and defending so a pat on the back for that.

Why wasn't Gray brought on in the second half? Only the manager knows the answer to that along with why he kept Keane on, he was as poor in the second half as he was in the first.

I hope Seamus is fit enough to travel with the team to Brighton maybe he could coax something extra out these players even off the field.

What does Mina have to do to get picked over Keane?
What does Keane have to do to be dropped?

We are a different team with a fit DCL, and although he should have definitely scored, he kept us going all night, along with McNeil, Doucouré, and the tiring engines of both Garner and Gueye, who should have definitely been replaced once the game was stretched and Everton were doing most of the counter-attacking.

At least we got a fighting performance and this was typified by Tarkowski, who defended brilliantly whilst having to put up with both Leicester and his defensive partner, who constantly gets caught on the wrong side.

Who wouldn't have taken a point when Maddison stepped up to take the penalty? So well done, Pickford, who is another absolute lunatic at times.

We are now a draw from safety whereas before it was a win given we were 2 pts adrift.

Leeds are rocking. Leicester have difficult games as have we. We can win at Wolves and beat Bournemouth.

Turns 35 in October so outside chance he could make a couple of appearances next season but not looking good. Even if he's thinking of hanging his boots up, you'd hope he'll make an appearance next season, if just to wave goodbye to the crowd.

He's out for a fair few months.

Iwobi terrible bar the goal. Their keeper was MotM. No luck, we should have won though.

Brighton are a minimum of 2 goals better and Man City will run up a cricket score, among the slight possibility of draws against Bournemouth and Wolves but I wouldn't bet on it.

Such a shame.

You are right, but Everton are a dreadful team.

They really need to keep going. No more Fulham blips, which they are still capable of.

Leeds Utd's fixtures look hard but Spurs at home last game isn't Spurs of old. They might be on the beach. If not, we need something against Wolves or a draw at Brighton.

Why couldn't we have beaten Fulham? Still in it. Dyche getting stick but wish he was in place during the World Cup.

Maybe, just maybe, Dyche senses this and he needs 100% combativeness, not somebody holding back a little. Sad but plausible...

It would be nice to take some heart from the effort tonight at least, but the wholly avoidable self-inflicted wounds are too often part of our performances to not be even more significant than any positives.

2023 has had far too much trial and tribulation for me already. At the moment I can't see it improving.

Yes, no more than 50/50

I'm still staggered by Michael Keane though who still doesn't know how to play to his strengths after being in the game for years, but even though I haven't, maybe I've just got it in for him.

Apparently Maddison hadn't taken a pen since Dec 2018 - where he missed against Cardiff!

Thank god for that.

I can also see why Patterson hasn't been chosen in the past, because he did get turned inside out a couple of times. God bless Seamus, but I fear that not only will we not see him again this season, but it may be the end of his career, he still tried to rally the crowd as he was laid out on the stretcher.

My observation was solely on Mina because many were questioning why he wasn't getting picked, which I understand because he is probably the pick of our CB's if fit and in the mood.

I think I'd have Coady over Keane based on how bad the latter's form is, but let's not forget Coady wasn't exactly tearing up trees. With Everton, your reputation tends to improve when you don't actually play...

Dyche is faced with the choice between the equally slow Keane and Coady. Not sure it's realistic now to expect Mina to come in. He's only played 3 times due to injury and may not be right.

God bless Seamus Coleman though. He's deserved a trophy for his efforts at Everton. I hope it's not as bad as it looked.

Much better tonight and pretty much I thought the better side for most of the game. Garner was excellent first half although tired in the second half but looks a player with a good eye for a pass. McNeil was MOM for me bursting from midfield and working his socks off all game.

Iwobi was absolutely crap first 45 but was much improved after half time and took his goal well.

How on earth does Keane keep his place in front of Cody. Turns like an oil tanker, no pace and consistently on the wrong side of his man. He was turned inside out all night.

Seamus was amazing until he was injured. Looks like he will be done for the season now and hope he isn't too seriously injured but it looked a bad one.

Set up against Wolves and Bournemouth as we did tonight and we could still stay up should other results not help us. See what a central, proper striker does for a team. Calvin Lewin was excellent tonight and gave a focal point for midfield going forward. Missed a good chance but overall was a breath of fresh air compared to what we have been forced to use as for most of the seasons as strikers.

I know it's easy from the sidelines, but the minute you don't play to your strengths, football becomes a lot harder.

Take the point, and hopefully also take a lot of confidence out of that performance. I wish Dyche would have been braver though because we definitely would have won that game with a bit more quality in the final third, although you could also argue it was their keeper that gained Leicester a point with that save at the end tonight?

I don't want to pick on Keane but my god the man is slow, doesn't read the game, has no anticipation, can't tackle or head the ball etc…What does Dyche see in hum?

Loads of encouraging signs from the likes of Patterson, mykolenko, Garner, DCL etc… but my motm goes to Gana who stopped everything that came near him. He just edged McNeil imo.

Shout out for Seamus, what an exemplary leader he is. Praying for a quick recovery.

I think Keane has the slowest reaction speed of any player I can remember. Not something you can train for either.

I said "no more" than 50/50 in other words it's the maximum we can hope for (in my opinion). If, as form dictates, it's a lot less then quite clearly that is a "slight possibility".

This is simple stuff don't get dragged into the whirlpool of what is positive and negative it is of no consequence amongst honest opinion.

Not to mention utter bollocks

My nickname for Keane is "The Matador" because he yells "Ole!" and spins out of the way of incoming attackers.

The Patterson debate is interesting. I think the point is how predictable a players movement and the likely choices in passing make the difference. Seamus obvously is a better defender even with the age difference.

Patterson can limit his gambles for the ball just outside the box. He gives up less when even with the ball and his offensive presence with Garner could reduce the total number of exposures the defence will face. More care when he tries to find the pass forward when the opposing defence is overloaded to his side would be good too. Risky but with return.

McNeil and DCL chances don't get missed by teams near the top.

I don't get the game plan given the state of our team.

Coleman is going to be a massive loss although Paterson did well although he did make some school boy errors.

Garner and McNeil looked good. Iwobi had a right mixed bag and 90ins for DCL is a bonus. Gray should have been on for the last 20 mins for Doucoure who looked goosed.

The 2 CBS looked nervous today. I though Tarkowski hid whilst Keane is one of those footballers that is unlucky. I don't know how to quantify it but if there is a ricochet or handball it will be off him whilst the likes of Coady and Mina the ball ricochets wide.

I would play Mina in the final run on games but Dyche likes his old boys.

A point keeps us alive. Us Leeds or Forrest need to find a shock win from somewhere to make a statement.

For god's sake sit in tight against Brighton and hit them on the break.

At that point it was just total despair. Then unbelievably, a penalty save and an Iwobi goal to equalise. We won't easily get away with any stupid mistakes against Man City or Brighton, they'll wipe the floor with us if we offer any freebies.

I've definitely not given up hope of a hard fought draw against either if we can play like tonight minus the mistakes, and take any nailed on chances. Yes Dominic , I'm talking about you. ( A fantastic shift from Dom though , worked very hard for the team). We are a far better team with him in it .

I've watched Leeds, Notts Forest, and they have good spells but are always vulnerable in every game, it's a low bar but they are not as good as us. We fight on, and with hard work, discipline and bit of luck, we can do it.

Hoping the fact we have to play City sandwiched between their CL Semi Final offers a glimmer of hope too

There were some awful sights in that game - Keane's hopeless “watch the ball” defending for Leicester's first, his utterly futile attempts at defending the break following Iwobi's suicide pass for their second. But, above all, possibly the last appearance from Séamus - he deserves far better than to be seen disappearing on a stretcher.

On telly, James Garner seemed anonymous. But it also looked like he might have added some midfield positional discipline - I would be interested to read the thoughts of those at the match.

On a question of balance, it's slightly a point gained over the weekend. But, boy oh boy, we are poor and are going to take it to the wire.

The support came over loud and clear - great effort, everyone who travelled.

Both our next 2 are free hits really - we aren't expected to get anything, so who knows. I reckon we'll pick up another 5 points - so finishing on 34 - will that be enough? Maybe it'll come down to GD.

I see big Sam is heading to Leeds

Players probably did as well as their limitations allow them to but my god we are awful:

When there's a chance for a defender to head it to a teammate easily, instead they'll head forwards into a 50-50 zone

Our midfielders simply cannot cross a ball. Their understanding of how to arc a cross beyond the 1st man is awful. Their understanding of trajectory of a football is poor.

We don't seem to attack with numbers and when there's presentable chances we don't take them eg DCL & McNeill

This was such a winnable game: Leicester 1st goal there were 2 duels and we lost each one: not getting significant contact on any of them

Leicester 2nd goal was a ridiculous give away whilst not under pressure. How many times will Iwobi make the same mistake??? (Remember West Ham away last season?)

Our free kicks are wasteful and our corners are predictable.

Of course I hope we stay up. I'm DESPERATE that we stay up but we really REALLY need to improve big time and quickly

It is debatable whether Mina or Coady would have made a difference to the defensive duties but Dyche certainly favours Keane and I am sure that goes back to his Burnley days.

Keane looked very slow against an aging Vardy today and looked all at sea for the penalty.

Keane scored one terrific goal against Spurs but apart from that has not looked good under pressure.

Having said that the whole team no matter who starts has been second rate in most games despite the obvious lack of goals being the main problem that was never fixed.

Or is it a masterstroke? Nah….can't be…can it ? …. Nah

Our supporters tonight, well done!

Leeds won't be going anywhere, facing Man City and Newcastle. So we'll be in touch with them.

Forest have a huge chance to move away and make us very nervous. I'll definitely be a Southampton supporter next week. Then hoping our old manager can do us a favour the week after.

Leicester missed a huge opportunity tonight. Their fixtures aren't pretty at all.

So we'll likely still be 19th going into the last two games, with Southampton hot on our tails (hopefully). That makes me shudder - but I still think it will go the last day and a win against Bournemouth will be enough keep us up.

If we can't beat Bournemouth at home with everything riding on it, then we simply won't deserve to stay up.

Their goalie had a blinder tonight, couple of costly errors but overall I was pleased with that performance tonight.

Shame about Coleman.

Massive game at the City Ground this weekend. We have to hope for a Southampton win, even though it would pull them back within touching distance. This is the only "6 pointer" left for any of the teams involved:

LEI - 30 Points (-13 GD) FUL(a) LIV(h) NEW(a) WHU(h)
LEE - 30 Points (-24 GD) MCY(a) NEW(h) WHU(a) TOT(h)
NOT - 30 Points (-32 GD) SOU(h) CHE(a) ARS(h) CRY(a)
EVE - 29 Points (-25 GD) BHA(a) MCY(h) WOL(a) BOU(h)
SOU - 24 Points (-32 GD) NOT(a) FUL(h) BHA(a) LIV(h)

I think all of the run-ins are quite even based on fixture difficulty. All teams look to have two harder games, and two winnable games. If we can still be in with a chance of survival on the last day, then you have to say we have the best final day fixture on paper.

Leicester and Leeds both play 3 top 10 sides in their last 4. It could come down to goal difference with Leeds, so we have to hope for Man City to give them an absolute pasting this weekend.

The way we played tonight (23 shots?!?!) gives me hope that we can go to Wolves and get something.

This is not going to be a fun few weeks that is for sure, but all is not lost my friends. All is not lost.

He is a poor, limited manager with zero in-game management skills, which is astonishing considering how long he's been one.

From the Fulham game it's been one selection shitshow after shitshow; the Godfrey fiasco, the Holgate fiasco, where he was the only person in the known universe who didn't think Holgate was a red card waiting to happen.

And then we come to Keane; what is it, love interest? has he got the negatives from the office party? But it seems he couldn't wait to draft him in and since then, worldie notwithstanding, it's just been mistake after mistake, which could be the title of his Everton career.

If we get relegated or even if we stay up, why not go for Graham Potter, and give him the time he had at Brighton, which he didn't get at Chelsea to mould the team.

Why not throw in some variety?!

I suspect he'd make a very good YouTuber doing tricks but he's just not a footballer. Even right down to the parts of his foot he uses... it's baffling how you get to this level without knowing how to strike a ball in certain positions. Some of those weirdly clipped/chipped crosses were incredible to witness.

I'll add Mykolenko into that mix too. I can't watch another scooped pass. What do you think your teammate, with a big centre back at their backside, is going to do with a scooped pass?

And this is where our problem is. I laud their efforts. I'm in the small camp that actually thinks the team has put in this season. I've seen plenty of hard work and no-one typifies that more than Iwobi.

They're just not good enough. Poor recruitment, poor players, poor management.

Don't rule out West Ham being dragged back in.They could easily lose their next 3 games. Still have to get another result against Leeds or Leicester.

I remember 25 years ago being mortified watching Joe Parkinson in a warm up that he didn't know which part of his foot to kick the ball with. In hindsight he was a tackler who we bought for peanuts from Bournemouth I think when they were in the lower leagues. We spent 30 million on Iwobi as an attacker!!!

While we are at it can we have a moratorium on buying Arsenal players? Since Limpsr we spent a fortune on future England number 1 Richard Wriggt, future England midfielder Stephen Hughes. Walcott once he's lost speed which was his one asset and Iwobi.

We give away goals through stupid passes and rubbish defending and then miss unmarked chances in their six yard box. Dyche says this is his best central defenders pairing but Keane stands around watching while Tarkowski stands almost on the goal line in front of Pickford and lets it go between his legs when he should be out there challenging. And how can Onana be so ill he can't play but is on the bench, more poor management?

While this looked like one of our better performances we won't be playing such weak opposition again before season's end. How a few results may have been better if we had had a forward for the entire season.

Sorry but I've got to go and take it out on something, bad hip and all!

We need to redefine injury prone regarding Mina.He is never injured for Internationals.

He loves the Club particularly Medical Services.His only Everton picture within the Club was with Donachie, the sacked Head of Medical Services.He is currently leaking that he wants to leave Everton.Dyche knows the type he is. Frank had him.on the Players liaison Committee, which was for airing player discontent.

Simply put Mina is not into training and does not care whether he plays are not.All he is interested in is playing for Columbia and running down his contract as handy as possible.He is now looking a move to Miami, or any other latino America city.

There is no way Dyche will play him, unless all selected players in his position are injured.

Should I be happy? Probably yes. Getting a precious point away from home and we have many goal attempts. A bit more fighting spirit than our last few games.

Should I be sad? Definitely. We are toothless. Looking at Vardy scoring from the break just makes me cry. If and only if we had a proper striker...

Dyche not making changes is inexcusable. The closing stages of last night's game was not the time for caution. A win last night and we're right back in it. As it stands, I don't see it as a 'precious point'.

It was a must win, we didn't win, and that's us relegated.

I know Iwobi scored the equaliser but, my god the man is an embarrassment. Wasteful, cowardly, useless and plain crap.

Perhaps that the almighty has ordained that neither Everton OR Leicester will be relegated this season and this was the first instalment of his answer to your prayer.

I was very encouraged by this performance for a number of reasons:-

We went for three points - for the full 100 minutes

We didn't fold when things looked bleak

We created a lot of chances

Dyche has figured out that Gueye, Garner, and Doucoure are our best midfield three

DCL looks to have overcome any physical or mental problems

Sad to say it looks like Seamus won't be pulling the shirt or the captains armband on for us again. What a player, what a man, what an Evertonian.

As I recall Seamus when he first played for us, as Patterson is now, was better going forward than defending but he will get better with games. I watched this young man listen to his instructions before coming on - he is full of confidence and intent this'yn. He will be a great replacement for Seamus.

Actually I think Patterson and Mykolenko are going to be a good fullback pairing for us. I like to study the players faces - I think you can get an impression of what they are about from the look in their eyes. Patterson is fierce, Mykolenko - cold baby face hard case.

Garner is another one. He will do the business - he looks very composed while in possession and looks up. The sort of player that we have seriously been missing and will improve us.

O'Neill also seems to be growing in confidence - I like the way he is spending more time in the middle of the park. I think he can get a few goals from there.

I actually enjoyed watching that game - it was a proper game of football played by two teams that played the way football should be played. From the evidence of my eyes both teams have enough about them to avoid relegation.

A point was a better result for us than them.

If we keep playing like last night we've definitely got a chance. Much will depend on other results and at least one of the teams will pull out an unexpected result. Perhaps it will be us against City?!

Keane was poor again but as others say Mina is unlikely to care that much and Coady proved absolutely disastrous when we press higher up the pitch so not sure our options there are up to much.

Really hope that Southampton can get at least a point at Forest next Monday!

Apart from Iwobi/Keane what really concerns me is the lack of fresh legs from 70 mins onwards. It was when Newcastle over ran us and last night it was when Leicester started to pin us back.

Better teams than Leicester will take advantage.

2nd is 100% on Iwobi. If he plays it early, Doucoure is in acres of space. Instead of an easy pass to Garner, he plays a ball with 3 Leicester players ready to pounce. Absolutely brain dead.

Penalty again just poor. All defenders know to keep their arms down apart from that donkey Michael Keane. He's the worst central defender in the history of Everton Football Club. We've had some shite, but he's a different level.

If Mrs Keane is on the site, tell her husband he's dog shit from me. Please retire.

Perhaps Mina is the answer. But Gueye should have protected better. He gets too far ahead of the ball for a CDM.

A very good second half from the lads but that game could easily have been 4-1, and done and dusted by half time.

I'll take the point.

Two big IFs…

IF we play like that in the remaining games, we will pick up points.

IF we do stay up, then bring back Branthwaite and pair him with Tarkowski (or Godfrey if in form), replace Iwobi and build around Calvert-Lewin and Garner with youth.

I think we'll stay up.

UTFT

Iwobi (apart from his goal) gave the ball away for their goal and penalty, and should have been subbed; Dyche was too slow to change things.

Ian @167, how you can blame Gueye for Iwobi not being able to make a simple pass and Keane's lack of pace and awareness?

We got a point that we were odds against to get.
If you go off the betting Leeds are more likely to go down than us, Forest are rated the same as us to go down, thats better than before last nights game.

Complaining about no substitutes, that can work both ways changing the team may have also got us beat.

Keane, Dyche is close to the players, he knows better than us who's up for the challenge, Mina lasts 20 mins usually, takes 10 mins to turn around and may not give a damn if we stay up or not.
Coady is a good talker but is he any better than Keane who has come up with valuable goals at vital times.

I think we have a definite chance of staying up now, I didn't before last nights game.

1) Definitely our best overall team performance for several weeks
2) DCL in attack transforms us (despite his miss), and we were far more creative in attache
3) Patterson played well when he came on - he has to stay in the team
4) My assumption is that Dyche plays Keane because he can play a slightly higher line with him in the side
5) Despite that, I would pick Mina for the next game as he has a goal in him
6) We are ridiculously vulnerable on the transition and I would position in front of the defence and tell him to stay there all game.
7) The wide men were very threatening and energetic
8) I assume the demands to sub Iwobi were after his priceless and well-taken equaliser!

I go from 1 minute thinking its easily possible with other results in our favour. Then remember how crap we are.
Dcl could be all the difference he's getting fitter. Put a few in the net Dom plleeeeaaasssseeeee !!

Unfortunately Dyche has created some of this problem because Mina, who is another fuckin' nuisance, and Coady have'nt played for weeks and are not match fit so we are unlikely to see any improvement whoever comes in to partner Tarkowski.

We did look better going forward last night and created enough chances to have won the game, tighten up at the back keep the midfield compact and use the bleedin' subs, we may come out smiling at the end.

One other positive note, possibly if I'm correct, Maddison was a bit subdued last night and I noticed when he was booked it was his ninth booking, if he gets another booking is he banned for the two matches? If he is it will help us and not do a lot for Leicester and in future games he will play knowing getting booked could end his season.

Assuming City beat them (handsomely!) then a draw at Brighton is enough to lift us above them.

Small comfort but it's very fine margins now, so it's a crumb of comfort.

Having said that, I just realised Forest play Saints at home so maybe not!

We need to play slightly deeper and Gana needs to play as a holding midfielder given the lack of pace in the middle of our back 4. When Iwobi's pass was intercepted for the second goal there were too many midfielders ahead of the ball.

I don't know how Godfrey was played as a left or right back, if he can't cut it as a central defender then he should not be in the team. Playing him out wide has probably shot his confidence.

I would also stick with Garner going forward.

Patterson and Myko won't let us down over the final four games.

Hoping that we will finish ahead of Leeds, in absolute free fall, and Leicester.

Monday 8 May is going to be a long day!

I do think we are in a better place now than before the Leicester game I fully expected us to be beaten.

What I don't like is Leeds getting Allardyce in if that is what happens.
Say what you want about him but theres more chance he will improve them than make them worse.

I think that after the 32nd match, there are no more suspensions for picking up individual yellow cards. So Maddison is safe.

I wouldn't call Allardyce a mythical character.

I'd take that now. I don't like the man, or his style, but it was effective if nothing else and that's all that counts.

I tend to agree about Keane not being as bad as some are making out, I would imagine had Mina been in the same position when Vardy received that ball he would have brought him down and been sent off.

Coady is the slowest of all our centre-backs and never carries the ball out of defence. To read some you would think we were keeping clean sheets every week when Coady was playing.

I am not saying Keane is the answer but he does carry a goal threat, he will bring the ball out of defence, and is a decent passer of the ball.

Like a lot of centre-backs, he doesn't turn very quickly and he sometimes is found wanting for pace. I think he was unlucky for the penalty but he was in exactly the right position to try and cut out the cross.

I think Leicester have got the best team of all the clubs in the relegation battle. I think being able to dominate for as long as we did in this game shows that this team is better committing to an attacking philosophy than trying to sit back.

I think 6 points from our remaining games might just see us escape relegation.

Michael finished his piece saying he thought the result was better for Leicester than us; I completely disagree – if you don't beat a side lower than you in the league at this stage of the season, at home, that is not the result you want.

I bet most Leicester fans will be just as fearful of their upcoming games seeing as they couldn't beat a next-to-bottom team at home. I bet their fan website will be doom and gloom this morning.

Firstly because Dyche is stubborn beyond words. And secondly, because I presume we'll sit deep (very deep) against both Brighton and Man City and this is where Keane is at his best, relatively.

He really struggles when we try to play on the front foot and move up the pitch, as Tony A has been telling us all for seasons now.

Watching on the telly in our house, we all thought Garner was magnificent last night.

I don't give two fucks about Sam Allardyce.

I give more than two fucks about Everton staying in the Premier League. It is costing me sleep.

Sam fucking Allardyce. And people called Carlo a dinosaur?

We have one now, but if he keeps us up, he is welcome to be our Everton Tyranossaurous.

Those outdated managers made a wage on the back of failure.

Everton. All that matters right now is Everton.

Sorry for the language John Senior. I'm still raw and tired from last night.

I don't think either of them expected their argument positions would actually get tested in a well let's call it an unnatural experiment.

Looking forward to their beliefs being marked to market as the saying goes.

But not taking the win was just so disappointing. We have to take our opportunities for 3 points when they appear - especially at the moment. It's the difference between staying up or going down.

That's true for the team and individuals - the amount of chances we miss each game on the whole is staggering. How did DCL miss that sitter last night for example? Big moments in games and you can't win if you don't make the most of your chances.

When you combine missed chances at one end with the constant stream of costly errors we make at the other end, you are left feeling nervous still. Errors could be the thing which hurts us most eventually but it seems no manager can coach them out of this bunch of players.

Let's see what next game brings anyway and wishing a speedy recovery to Coleman.

I thought we were much improved last night - we at least carried a goal threat for a change and looked energised despite the draw. Leicester were always going to be going at it full-tilt as well, given the league positions so I'm putting it down as a point gained regardless.

Before the game I thought we'd lose and be relegated, but we got a draw and I still think we'll be relegated but not just because of last night - more because of the entire season.

We are where we are on merit over a season, not one game, so we deserve to be second bottom.

Their opinion is Southampton definitely down, then next Leeds, then us, with Forest rated a marginally better chance of staying up than us.
Leicester are 7/4 to go down.

Its in our own hands now I suppose it always has been, at least the performance last night gives us a fighting chance.

It's so annoying, that the few opportunities to gain 3 points in recent months have passed us by, and have left our top-flight status hanging by a slender thread.

Points at the seaside and we make the title run in interesting.

I haven't had 3 hours sleep in the last 24 hours and almost a day on the road for nothing

For me it is a case of still being in touch, when the Wolves and Bournemouth games come along, anything we pick up before then is a bonus.

What pleased me last night was not just the effort, but players finally shooting at goal.

We can nit pick about the mistake for their second goal, but on an whole the performance was there last night.

I am not going to say this or that, all I wanted was a performance that gives us hope for the remaining games.

We got that last night.

Coleman made a huge difference, we are going to miss that leadership on the pitch, some are calling for Mina to come in for Keane, me personally, I would bring Coady in, add a bit of nastiness in our defence, short term I think Coady could make a difference there, but looks like he has pissed on Dyche chips.

I'd like to think we'd take something from Wolves and I really hope we can pull a home win out the bag on the final day. I fear for the city and Brighton games and the potential to hammer our goal difference

Chances of Forest, Leeds, or Leicester winning all their games is slim to nothing so while technically it's out of our hands, you can't see the above happening.

I think it's more about who loses more of their last 4 games than wins them.

In his defence, he hasn't had the opportunity to bring new blood into the squad and he did inherit a woeful situation, not helped by the board of directors, but there is something lacking in his game management, as exemplified last night and away at Palace, which may prove to be very costly for Everton and for Dyche.

Simply breathtaking negligence on Dyche's part and one of the many reasons I don't think we escape relegation. Continue with Keane, we're down. Continue with poor in-game management, we're down.

Up or down I'd go for Kompany but not with this toxic board. Clean sweep of board and manager, then work on getting shut of bang average pub team players 🤷

Leics could realistically manage just one more point with their run in (a draw against West Ham imo) and they will drop along with So'ton and Leeds (games against City, Newcastle, West Ham and Spurs to go) who might also get just one more pont.

My weeks ago prediction had us finishing 17th with the absurdly low points total of 33 but with Forest also quite likely to finish on 33 that would have us at 16th.

The Allardyce effect has become a bit of a joker in the pack and at this late stage the best he can do I reckon is give them a hefty kick up the arse. That may be all they need but that run in remains what it is.

Leeds, Leics, So'ton to drop.

Everton safe on 33 points. Get in there...!

So James, yes, 8th would be dreamland right now, as would 16th or 17th. The point I make about Allardyce is that he gave us nothing. He didn't save us from relegation, we weren't in trouble when he arrived. He had the opportunity to show that he had more strings to his bow but didn't take it. That was always his complaint, wasn't it? That he was only seen as a firefighter. We were mid-table when he came, mid-table when he left. He offered nothing.

He got relegated in his last job and yet some think he is still the saviour. That's the myth he's made millions out of. Leeds are about to find that out.

There are similarities between Dyche and Allardyce. My hope when he was appointed was that Dyche will show that he can evolve and become something different to his general perception as a dour, unimaginative manager. That's still on hold until our fate is decided. Allardyce couldn't or wouldn't even try to do it.

Some players will have a relegation clause in their contracts, could this be a way of shipping them out if the unthinkable happens, then start a rebuild?

Alright crazy I know, can anyone come up with a better answer, the reasoning of lack of subs and the likes.
.

However although Everton played with a lot more gusto let's not forget Leicester have been on a poor run themselves.

Three points would have been great but having survived the penalty at a crucial time they showed some character in coming back and avoiding defeat.

That point could still be what matters in the end.

We cannot seriously hope to beat Man City but let's face it they did draw with them at their place.

A point at Brighton would be very welcome and coupled with wins against Wolves and Bournemouth it would probably save us.

Let's not forget that those two clubs will have nothing to play for although that doesn't always work out does it.

The big results we need is Southampton to beat Forest and we take a point minimum at Brighton. We can definitely do this and it's probably easier for the players to do it away from home without the added pressure.

As much as we are all calling for Michael Keane to be removed I don't think Dyche will do it. He brought him back in the team for the extra height and goal threat so he will probably stick with it. Unfortunately he's got an excuse in that neither Mina or Coady are reliable either.

We are 1 point better off than last week which keeps us firmly in the game to stay up and I think the players will be buoyed by their effort and result at Leicester.

Michael Keane to score the winner at Brighton. COYB

However, it takes a great manager, with the conviction in his own ability, to make changes necessary for victory in these remaining crucial games.

Patterson must surely pick himself now at right back, in the tragic absence of Seamus. Mina should have been in the side as soon as he was injury free. I would select him immediately at the expense of Keane. It's perhaps harsh on Keane, but the fact is that his deficiencies have been cruelly exposed in recent games. Vardy continuously turned him inside out the other night.

In midfield Garner is developing a good partnership with Gueye, but Iwobi again showed characteristic flaws and schoolboy errors in passing and judgement, costing us a goal. Gray gets the nod for me, ahead of Iwobi for the remaining fixtures.

A final word for our Captain Courageous

Seamus. You are the only player in recent years, who gets in my 'EFC All time Greats Eleven'.

A fitting acolade to such a magnificent servant, would be to offer him a permanent job for life within the Club in some capacity. That's assuming the worst, in that he's played his last game for us following his horrific injury.

So many non deserving, under achieving phoney sycophants, have held down far too many plum jobs at Goodison over the years.

It's high time that an honest to goodness consistantly talented performer, is finally rewarded for his unselfish service to our club.

God Bless you Seamus Coleman. Get well soon.

Managers are supposed to impact games. Dyche doesn't. We just get whatever the players can muster on a given day.

And if not, and he has real substance, then why in God's name would he be enticed to Goodison?

You never change a winning side in general, but equally so, you don't persist with a losing one expecting it to be different, or with under-performing players when you do have some, but limited options. It is hard to see, even after an improved away performance against Leicester, as to where we can muster enough points to survive.

The injury to Seamus was a shocking one, and one that could impact us greatly not only for his contribution on the pitch, but for his spirit and leadership, and I really doubt sadly if we will ever see him playing again. I endorse what a previous poster said, that "Seamus was the only one for a very long time, who genuinely would have a serious claim to be in the Goodison Greats Hall of Fame".

All your contributions over the years Seamus have been appreciated by me at any rate!

Dyche doesn't use subs like other managers do. We have other posters on here who have strong Burnley connections and they have said he simply doesn't like using subs and, when he does, it's often very late on in a game.

I think he's bang average from what I've seen. Gray for a spent Iwobi was nailed on IMO especially after he scored, he was never going to score 2, was he?

Dyche the Ditherer.

If anyone would be interested in subscribing to a free ‘newsletter' of articles and rambling rants on all things Everton, then you can do so via the following link:

The Blue By You

Time permitting, I'll be aiming to get stuff sent out semi-regularly.

You certainly won't be bombarded with content (because, frankly, I've got better things to do… honest) and there'll be no ‘You've Got Mail' style secret yearnings going on (at least not on my part), but nor will it be like that time you sent money to some lass in Thailand for an emergency lower-back tattoo and were left staring, lovelorn and in vain, at a barren inbox for an entire league season….before finally cracking and flipping a coin to decide between signing up for Series 14 of Catfish, or catching the first flight out there.

Be good to see some familiar names there. Any names. One name? Jesus, come on.

It was my intention to donate to the kitty at the next get-together but, on reflection, I believe that donating to the excellent idea of purchasing ToffeeWeb Badges is much better.

If the person who's suggestion it was (or anyone) can retrieve the post, or if someone with a better business acumen than mine can carry the 'torch', I believe that it will strengthen the bond already established, and allow strangers to become friends.

I to believe that TW Badges would be get a massive and collective thumbs up, from the majority of TW Members. I too endorse the original poster to come back and if we can somehow formulate the numbers interested and a Payment Method, that would go down extremely well.

I have just typed "Lapel badge manufacturers" and there are quite a few, there's even one on my doorstep in Skelmersdale.

It seems to me that someone more familiar with the process of on-line deals than myself might want to explore the possibilities. I am prepared to set the ball rolling at The Bramley Moore get-together by donating 㿞. It's something we can discuss over my Diet Coke.

60p each, excluding p&p.

Minimum order 100

Thanks for your information. Iif a deal ever gets off the ground, my 㿞 should come in handy.

Are you thinking it would be like taking a knife to a gunfight, Tom #234?

I don't think there has been any following mention that Merseyside police could find no proof in that so-called threat.
Similarly the headlock on Little Miss Dynamite.

We all know it's a load of crap, however, out with Everton supporters, people read and believe this nonsense.

It's a long time since I saw the film The Magnificent Seven, so I might be getting confused but didn't Britt played by James Coburn actually beat hit his gunfighter rival by throwing his knife quicker than the gunman used his gun?

And didn't our new owner say that we don't expect to get points away at City, and others, just a couple of seasons ago?

Seems like some of our fans are afflicted with the same mentality.