Champions League Quarterfinals

I bet Barcelona are “Hurting” right now. They were leading 1-0, 4-2 on aggregate, but then had a player sent off after 30 minutes, and are now behind 2-1, 4-4 on aggregate.

PSG must surely fancy their chances of progressing now.

PSG now lead 3-1 on the night after a reckless challenge by Cancelo to give a penalty away. Put away by Mbappe.

Watching this Champions League game between Barcelona and PSG, is really galling for all us Blues.

Okay, I know it was nearly 40 years since the European ban, and who knows what would have happened with that great 80s team had they been allowed to participate in the European Cup? I'm convinced we would have won it, and probably gone on to greater things which could have been the catalyst for success for years to follow.

All cruelly snatched away from us, through absolutely no fault of our own.

Astounding miss by De Bryune of all people!

Oh my gawd... Terrible Bernado Silva penalty!

City out on penalties.

Carlo Ancelotti rolls on!

Carlo does it … again!

Carlo does it again. 4-3 on pens, but as Michael says, WTF was that penalty by Bernardo Silva?

A gentle chip down the middle straight into the goalkeeper's hands. It was a great penalty by Ederson, the city goalkeeper as well.

Rob. I think Bernardo Silva was gambling that the keeper would go left or right. Either that or he’s been taking penalty advice from Onana?

Carlo Magnifico!!

Michael (5)

Reminded of a penalty at Goodison this season, but you expect better than that in a Champions League quarter-final, and by a class player like Silva, did he think the goalie would move?

Pep just learned not to mess with Cosa Nostra.

Mike, more likely been watching Maddison, when he done similar against us last season. Straight down middle thinking Pickford would dive.

At least Maddison's had a bit of power, Silva's was like hitting the ball at the goalkeeper in a warm-up.

Some Dinosaur that Ancelotti, still, we knew better didn't we?

Just class…

Up yours, Premier League.

By deducting points from your members, you have put the shits up everyone else.

RIP Premier League, and I hope you go the same way as Italy.

Sorry, just ranting…

Mike (9) You beat me to it but only just by seconds!!

Masters, how are your big clubs doing in Europe?

Will that mean the number of English "Big Clubs" in next season's Champions League is reduced to 3? – I bloody hope so!! Liverpool will hopefully fail tomorrow too.

Good rant, Michael at 15.

Taxi for Mr Masters after tomorrow night's games!

Good point, Rob – that one seems a long time ago, whereas when Everton are on TV, my wife points to Onana and asks if he was the one responsible for the ridiculous penalty.

Who'd bet against Carlo winning this (yet) again?

Dave @16,

I just beat you to it because, despite being 60+, I suspect I'm still quicker than most of Everton's forwards (at least the ones Dyche picks every week).

Moshiri is a prick but bringing Carlo to Everton was a wondrous thing.

Go and win it again!!

Thank fuck we haven't got Carlo any more. He's done nothing since leaving us.

Peter # 18.

I can't see West Ham overturning a two-goal deficit against Bayer Leverkusen. As for Liverpool, well we all know how spawny they can be, but let's hope Atalanta can finish the job tomorrow.

Forgot about Villa. They lead 2-1 going to Lille for their second leg. Not a foregone conclusion by any means.

Carlo was the worst thing we have done.

He was paid a million a month, bought some crap players and fucked off at the drop of a hat.

His football was shite and he also slagged us off after he left.

The Italian Dinosaur does it again!

Ian and Darren will be furious.

Hard to believe that only 3 years ago we were 2nd in the league under Ancelotti. Those who broke in to his home have a lot to answer for... I am sure Lampard and Dyche were not too upset.

I think Moshiri gave up the dream when Ancelotti left... I think a few of us did.

Ancelotti left because the money ran out at what he would have realised was a very, very badly run club.

Moshiri hasn't invested anything since the last roll of dice spending in summer 2020. Possibly because Usmanov turned off the tap, possibly because it finally dawned on him just how poor the squad was and that it would take more than £500m (without sales proceeds to reinvest) to get us near the Top 4.

Possibly because we'd already hit the limits under Premier League rules and had to start selling not spending. Possibly all of that together.

Ancelotti is a magnificent manager, it's just a shame our owners were not in his league.

I agree with a lot of that, Robert.

Ancelotti's record speaks for itself and he knows what it takes to build successful teams. He probably saw what was coming and got an offer from Real Madrid.

The perfect storm.

What does that Man City result mean for the Brentford game?

Is it on the Saturday or the Sunday now??

Mark - stays as Sat 5.30

In part I am with James, no 25. I think we were simply used by Ancelotti. He came to us when he and his son were unemployed, and as far as we know they were given very generous terms. He had some success on the field but like so many before and after wasted millions in the transfer market and on players wages. As soon as Madrid came calling he was off without a second thought for us. OK we briefly filtered with football royalty but I wouldn't swap him for David Moyes, who made us respectable and by todays standards very successful.

David # 33,

I expect it was more that we unwisely coaxed Ancelotti to Everton with the promise of funds and ambition. On arrival, he discovers what a mess we are, does what he can with a badly assembled squad, a couple of familiar faces in Allan and Rodriguez and other new players like Doucoure who he'd never even heard of.

It soon becomes apparent a club with Top 4 pretensions are barely Top 10 standard and the money has run out for improvements. Hence he reverted to something like Dycheball once opponents cottoned on to the fact that Rodriguez still had a lovely left foot but was a defensive liability.

David #33,

"As soon as Madrid came calling he was off"

Actually he "was off" even before Real Madrid came calling. It was in the contract he signed with Everton that he could jump ship if Real Madrid came calling.

Although I think it was Carlo who actually called Real Madrid.

Every time I see Carlo Ancelotti on the touchline, I think how lucky we were to get him and how sad that a man who could have built a dynasty just walked away. What happened to make him ring Real and ask were they still looking for a manager I don't know. I suspect that when he was interviewed by Usmanov on his yacht he was probably told he would be backed financially, but I would imagine that starting to plan for the coming season, he knew what he needed and would obviously ask the owners what was his budget for the coming season, upon which the owners said practically nothing.

So what was the point of possibly the most decorated manager staying for, managing a club with no money was not something he was prepared to consider having probably being promised the earth when he signed.

But I remember reading some of the posts when he was here criticizing his style of football, a serial winner, a manager who had us 2nd in the league on Boxing day and yet some of our fans were giving him stick. Strange how some of them fans were urging us to stick with Lampard and Allardyce and now saying the same thing about Dyche. Ancelotti has won the Champions league 4 times the most of any manager and after the penalty shoot out victory last night who is to say he wont make it a 5th.

I don't know how much the burglary at his house when his daughter was at home changed things, and then finding out there was no money in the kitty for the coming transfer window made him walk away. He certainly liked his bike rides in and around Crosby, it was also rumoured that his Son Davide was about to buy a house in Woolton, so until the burglary everything seemed fine.

But so Everton to see someone that special being lied to by Usmanov and Moshiri which probably sealed our fate of continuing with a World class manager in charge. Again so Everton we went from the class of Ancelotti and appointed a man who should never ever have been anywhere near the managers job.

David @33. Therein lies the height of this once great clubs ambition. You prefer Moyes to Ancellotti. Says it all really doesn’t it ?

David, 33# "l wouldn't swap him for David Moyes, who made us respectable and by todays standards very successful."
Sounds like that Ronnie Corrbert sketch..I know my place..
I think I know what you mean David, I just can't believe you actually believe it..

Well Christine, how apt. Maybe “ I know my place “, should replace NSNO as our motto !

Thanks Chris - that’s the best option for me so I’ll plan my weekend now.
UTFT

Brendan (35), A bit of a contradiction there Brendan. Of course he called Madrid, and got paid by Everton, hugely, for ‘ doing one’. Everton would have saved a lot of money if they hadn’t asked him to come here in the first place.

Mike (20), I wouldn’t be surprised if you were faster than our forwards, I’m older than you and watching them I know I think quicker than them!

ACT OF DESPERATION TIME for this Irish OAP I'm going over to GP for the Sheffield United game May 11th, as it will be the last time I will get to see GP before the big move. I haven't been to The Grand Old Lady since 1989, when I lived in Waterloo. Ticket office telling me game is sold out. Any advice lads, would be highly appreciated on how to get a spare.

Chris (32) Yes City are kicking off at 5-30pm on Saturday but I think they are playing Chelsea in the FA cup.

Some interesting rumours doing the rounds and as always speculation.

Moyes to leave West Ham in the summer and Tuchel to move on from Bayern.

I don't profess to have any knowledge and tend to stay away from rumours, but interesting thoughts.

Carlo's record speaks for itself, he had made life especially miserable for our friends across the Park.
When he arrived, the damage was largely done, the Koeman era destroyed us. The absolute madness in terms of player recruitment and contracts offered should used as example for years to come of how not to do things. Big Sam did not help but was not here long enough to do long term damage.

Pre Koeman, Martinez never really got his hands on Moshiri's money. Post Koeman and Big Sam, Silva wasn't given the players he needed. Benitez had no money to spend, Lampard had the Dele transfer but no other major disaster signings and Dyche has being living on scraps.

If sometime down the road it transpires that Moyes ended up back with us as DOF with Baines as manager, I could live with that.

Christofer (46), I absolutely loathed the idea of having Moyes back, but my mind has been playing strange tricks with me lately! Moyes with Baines and Coleman as his deputies may not be the worst combination in the world. I agree 100% with you that Koeman was the worst of our managers - such an arrogant a**ehole, who did lasting damage to the club. Almost single handedly responsible for driving away Lukaku and Barkley, disastrous signings, poor work ethic, horrible treatment of Niasse, etc, etc, the list is endless.

I would have thought managerial change is fairly unlikely.

If we stay up, Dyche will be recognised as having achieved that in extremely difficult circumstances.

If we go down, Dyche will be recognised as having secured promotion twice from the Championship on a very low budget.

The real issue is investment (or not) in the playing squad. And the sad fact is that we will sell and be unable to reinvest more than maybe 50% of the proceeds in the playing squad, even if we stay up.

Whatever happens I expect we're sort of where Brighton were under Chris Hughton - and are looking (through more patient player development) to get ourselves where Brighton now are under DeZerbi.

There's no short cut though, through just switching managers. A switch to Moyes will not generate material change unless it is accompanied by players of the quality of Saha, Yakubu, Pienaar, Cahill, Fellaini, Arteta etc etc. He will certainly have nothing like the quality of Bowen, Kudus and Paqueta to work with.

As I said, it was speculation but from decent sources. The conversation can wait until the summer and once the ownership is sorted out.

Right now, we need this manager to motivate the players he has and get the results we need.

I hope those players are hurting as much as we have been since Monday night and come out to show some courage for those 37,000 who will be there again. They owe us big time.

Brian @ 36, a factual correction.

Ancelotti called Real Madrid to enquire about a player not the manager position - I assume a loan as he knew by then the squad investment he had been promised was a lie. It was Real Madrid who then raised the potential of moving with him.

We paid Ancelotti a big salary to steer us within one game of Europe. We then paid the catastrophic Benitez and Lampard to steer us to the brink of relegation. Ancelotti has gone on to win La Liga and the Champions League (and may do so again this season), Benitez was sacked by Celta Vigo in his first season. Lampard remains unemployed.

But the mistake was in hiring Ancelotti.

Although it is hard to top David @ 33 who says he wouldn’t swap Ancelotti with David Moyes!

It would just be Everton to get Moyes, after we have just got rid of the curse of the last quarter of a century, because David was definitely in bed with William, and they kidded a lot of Evertonians, between them.

Twelve years without a trophy and he got clapped out of Goodison; just think about that for a moment and then try and get your hands on one of the little videos that is doing the rounds on wattsapp, that Paul The Esk, has made.

Christopher (46), Being honest Christopher that 2-0 at Anfield was achieved during a spell when Liverpool failed to win at home for six consecutive games, the 2-2 draw at Goodison was saved by a last minute VAR decision and the least said about the 1-0 loss in the cup game the better.

Ancelotti has proved he has been a great manager always managing clubs with money to spare, sacked by Chelsea, ironically at Goodison on the last day of the season, been around a lot and won honours with different clubs, unfortunately we were skint and he did nothing here except lose more money for Everton, although he did very well himself of course as did his son for helping him out ( lol). He came he saw then did one.

As we said, Tony, that Esk footage caused watery eyes.

Not immediate, but one of the opening scenes of Howard's Way shows black-and-white footage of the 1966 team bringing the FA Cup home.

You and I were there in 1984. It is special. An experience I'll never forget.

Tony ( 52) FFS will you stop calling yourself an old timer, how do think this makes me feel, I’m in the fuckin’ departure lounge as it is, are you coming to take me away. Jesus wept!

Liam #43, The resale site will open a week before the game and there are always a few unwanted season ticket seats. You will need to be a member though.

Robert #48,

If you flipped things around and the last 15 games were the first 15 games of the season and the first 17 games were the last 17 games, then Dyche would not be in danger.

Our first 17 games in terms of points won and performances were infinitely better than the last 15. Even when we were losing games, take Fulham early in the season, we were creating loads of chances. That's not happening now.

The manager has to turn things around in the next 6 games, I am hoping he does as you simply can't have a scenario where at the end of the season you have played 21 games and won 1 and the manager survives.

Dave #53,

I was thinking of Carlo's victories in the past few seasons as Madrid's manager rather than the victory in an empty stadium across the Park. He is Mr Pragmatic; however, in saying that, his second half of his only full season with us was a disappointment.

He didn't win last night by playing front football, his team rode their luck.

Tony #52,

I know you are not a fan of Moyes, however, when he walked out the door, he left us in a better place than he found us. Remember Walter Smith's final game against Boro?remember where we were in the League, on the verge of relegation? He certainly left us in a better place than we find ourselves today.

Baines, maybe I am hoping for a miracle here, might be our Pep!

It really is a generational thing, and this conversation will not die.

I'm 35. I would have preferred Moyes that December. He gave me the only Everton I've ever really been proud of supporting, barring a season under Martinez which I loved, but which had enough warning signs of what was to come: Sunderland (H) on Boxing Day 2013, the collapse against Crystal Palace, etc.

Ancelotti brought James Rodriguez, the kind of player we'd never have dreamed of signing. He brought eyes to the club. He also spent a lot of money on players (nothing like Koeman, I'll grant you).

Everyone acts like his season was a success, that we flirted with European football. The truth was, we collapsed in the second half, and finished 10th. Yeah, sure. Great fucking success. Nil Satis.

He brought James, whose wages were outrageous, and who cared about the club so little that he didn't even know who and when we were playing, instead pissing about on a plane.

Older fans saw us when the club wasn't a fucking tragedy (or comedy, if you're not a fan), was capable of winning trophies, and wasn't an embarrassing basket-case. I don't blame you for wanting better than Moyes, and wanting a winner. My generation are happy to settle for not being embarrassed.

Stephen@56 many thanks for your advice. Yes, the resale site is an option, next week, but will be expensive, no doubt. Right now, I am just casting my "ticket-seeking" net. My flights and accommodation sorted, now all I need (aside from a ticket) is a local boozer where I can meet other TW supporters, so I can put a face to a name/handle.

Rob@58, absolutely correct, but you also forgot Kanes Yacht with his bikini babes. I still feel the club should have stuck with Marco Silva, and I'm sure we all remember we won at Turf Moor 0 5 when Dyche was there, not to mention the 4 0 v Manchester United.

Dave #55 "FFS will you stop calling yourself an old timer, how do think this makes me feel, I’m in the fuckin’ departure lounge as it is, are you coming to take me away."

Dave, I just think of you as chronologically challenged. Does that feel any better?

Joe # 60

Given what Silva has achieved in his almost three year spell at Fulham, your case is made. Unfortunately, the supporting staff that he had at Everton let him down.

We have been the worst run club in the League for such a long time at this stage. That cannot start to change until Moshiri moves on.

Typo alert@60, James Yacht. It's this bloody phone.

James on his yacht or Straq on his pedalo best sums up the difference between Carlo and Moyes.

With Benitez in his arm-bands with the over-65s splash club.

In our current state, with the club in financial ruin and a playing squad lacking quality and depth, no manager will be good enough. Each downward twist of the spiral brings a less talented group of players and a new manager every 12 to 18 months.

Many rate Gana and Gomes as our best central midfielders. Both are now bit part players. Both were here under Marco Silva five years ago. Despite a small fortune spent on central midfielders since then we are worse in that area than ever.

With no money left to strengthen picking up a couple of out of contract journeyman on low salaries will be the only option. That will not come anywhere near to making the team competitive in the Premier League. Of course that will no longer be a concern if we are relegated.

Luton have better attacking players and I bet they are not on big contracts. I read that Ross Barkley is on 15K/week. There is a paradigm that we must pay big club wages when we are barely above Championship level.

Brent (61) Yes thanks, but I’ll let you in on a secret, I know I can trust you to keep it, I’m rolling my eyes and looking upwards, I’ve been in touch with this professor and inventor and he tells me he is very close to inventing a machine that turns the clock backwards in time. He said I’ll be the first to know when it succeeds but it will cost me a good few pound——-You’re clever Brent, do you think I can trust him!

Dave #67 - be careful.

Maybe better to pass the money to me first and I'll assess the credentials of this guy first before handing the money over.

Brent (68),

Thanks, that was something for me to think about, but after reviewing that situation I think I'd be better going to a tattooist and getting “Dickhead” tattooed on my forehead.

Danny 49,

The players should be able to motivate themselves!

I remember Alan Ball when managing Man City and, after a heavy home defeat, the reporter asking him "Who will lift the players now?"

Ball, quick as a flash, replied "Who will lift the manager?"

Tony 52, Good post and I totally agree!

Well, what a turn for me. I used to put aside my enmity for the English clubs in European competitions. I believed an extra Champions League spot might benefit Everton sometime. Now, I hope they crash and burn.

It is still a joy to read some comments here though.

Dave, don't trust Brent with your money, he will only use it to buy more pedalos and expand his pedalo empire for use on the River Mersey to ferry people to and from Bramley-Moore Dock from Garston docks!

Rob (72),

I wish you would have told me sooner, I've bought 25% shares in his new company making them. Brent told me this time next year we'll be millionaires!

Dave #69 "I think I'd be better going to a tattooist and getting “Dickhead “ tattooed on my forehead."

Better than getting "forehead" tattooed on... no, even you wouldn't go that far.

Lovely stuff, Dave Abrahams (am I allowed to ask if Tony is in your will that is due to be read many years from now?)

Moyes rather than Carlo, Jesus wept.

And to those claiming that Carlo called Real Madrid asking if they were still looking for a manager. Think about it for a moment. Would he really need to call to find that out?

I have heard a different account of that alleged "call" and could those of you who know so much point me to an unequivocal and reliable source for your version of events: that Carlo rang to ask if the job was available?

Paul.

Do you honestly think Carlo succeeded here? Nobody in the world thinks that Moyes is a better manager than him. But Moyes would have been a better fit in that period, and for the club, than Carlo was.

Carlo dumped us, and then sued us. James and Allan were heavy financial outlays that did not pay off, other than some lovely goals which James scored before his inevitable injury problems.

Brent (74), After buying those shares off you, Brent I'm seriously considering doing just that.

Paul (75) Yes, Tony is in my will and I think he is trying to push the date forward, there is a couple of £M involved after all, that's what Tony thinks anyway!

Dave, does Tony know that you only use Roman Numerals when quoting figures?

The letter M in Roman numerals is thousand, so really you've only got a couple of thousand quid. I'm sure he won't mind that though! 😄😄

Villa close to being eliminated from the Europa Conference League, but have forced extra time at Lille.

I can't believe it's 10 years since we took well over 10k fans to Lille, with some reports estimating it could have been double that.

My son went to the Lille match, Rob.

Left Liverpool on the coach at some ridiculous time in the early hours.

And they got caught up in the overhanded Police response to football supporters having a day out!!

Jeez, Ismaily of Lille just received a bang off Watkins and has a lump the size of a football on his forehead. Watkins says “What did I do?” 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♂️

Pens for Lille and Villa.

Penalties Villa - just got back from teaching and of course they are 1 up.

Rob you went to Bergamo, didn't you? It's an absolutely beautiful city, not that red shite would understand that.

Martinez loves pens doesn't he and he saves the first.

Martinez sent off during penalty shootout. Who goes in goal?

AND HE GETS A RED!!!!

OVERTURNED

No, change of mind by the ref. Had the card in his hand though.

Bailey misses; Cabella scores 3-3

Apparently yellow cards in the game do not carry over into the penalty shootout. So Martinez was booked in the shootout, and then goes and saves the final kick.

Villa through; 2 reds at West Ham, both to coaches.

Time starting to work against the shite in Bergamo.

Only when the fat lady sings with those jammy bastards, Paul, so please be quiet for a little bit longer mate.

I'm watching West Ham, but my mind is on time, with that old adage of it only taking a second, making me bite my nails.

Fair Tony. Lookman on for Atalanta

Just 2 minutes added on in Bergamo. Moyes loses.

Shite out 3-1

Like Tony, I was watching the West Ham game. I knew the shite was still only 1-0 cos, believe me, Ian Darke, the commentator would have been creaming his kecks if the shite had pulled it back.

Unlucky West Ham though, ran Leverkusen all the way. Don't know what the semi-draw is, but Atalanta v Bayer Leverkusen would be a good final.

I thought they were nailed on for that cup, with the final being in Dublin, and just hope another team in blue, can upset the odds and get the Cyndi Lauper, faced bastards, to show their true colours next week!

Plenty of hotel cancellations happening as we speak, Tony!

Imagine going to a final in Dublin! Sorry Rotterdam, no offence intended, I had a great three days and all, but I'd rather have gone to Dublin.

I’m hoping they are nearing the end of their pact with the devil, Rob🤞

I know what you are trying to say Paul, hence my first sentence, but I wouldn’t swap my memory of Rotterdam, for anything.

Rob (76) It could be argued Allan and James were largely responsible for us earning 59 points in that season. Without them we might well have been in a relegation battle. Good players make a difference.

Me neither Tony. Precious. And we did get to go to Dublin!

I’ve been turning the clock backwards for years Brent, and still haven’t received a penny😢

I never got to go to university, Paul, and if that kid, hadn’t missed that sitter, in the second leg at Goodison, then we wouldn’t have those beautiful memories forever!

You know what I’m thinking now, and those bastards call us the bitter ones🤮

have Liverpool been knocked out?
don't think I can take much more bad news.
when sorrows come they come not in single spies but in battalions.

I hope the cancellation policy allows for a refund!

John (105), Stop it John and behave, we wouldn’t have played with nine men and although Rodriguez shone sometimes it also looked like we were playing with ten men when he didn’t shine. Allan I liked, I would have liked him better if he had been younger, injuries and age had reduced his effectiveness.

We all have our opinions, in hindsight I think Carlo was mostly influenced by the wages offered at Everton, he’s not a fool he always looked ahead, look at his contract, he had a way out even before he got here and he would have known what he was getting to coming to Everton just by looking at the previous few seasons of Everton’s performances.

Look forward to seeing you soon John and we’ll have a bit of banter together and drink a glass with a nod to our hero Iwobi, sorry your hero, I only had one hero at Everton and he’s long gone: Dave Hickson and I was young and foolish then!

Dave @110

Knew Dave Hickson in his senior playing days and was then well past his prime.

Took a few heavy hits from him on a few occasions as a youngster and was hard as nails even in his fifties and was still a fit guy.

Wish we had players with a heart as big as his and we wouldn't be in such a shitty mess.

Great guy with the kids coaching Junior teams on Rossmore road mud heaps in Ellesmere Port many many years ago.

Was Everton through and through.

Great attitude, great player who would put his head to anything.

Bravery at it's finest and would die for the cause in a blue shirt unlike the imposters who today writhe and wriggle at the slightest touch.

John (111), True John, Dave was a lion on the field and a gentleman off it. I used to get on the No 3 bus in St. Anne St, going to Goodison Park and a few times Dave would be on the bus with some other Everton players like John Willie Parker, Jimmy Harris and Ted Buckle, Dave always had time to talk to us kids as did the other players but Dave was our idol.

I was sick when he signed for Villa, then Huddersfield but overjoyed when he came back ‘ home’.

As you say he gave everything for the Blues including blood a few times, certainly wish he could play, like he did in his prime, for these last six games he’d definitely get the crowd up for those games with his never say die spirit.

An absolute beaut Dave the only idol I ever had for Everton although I realised the value of many more players. Dave wasn’t the best but I loved his robust style and whole heartedness—— Everton through and through.