Osman screamer inspires 10-man stand

, 16 March, 259comments  |  Jump to most recent
Everton 2 - 0 Manchester City

David Moyes has dropped Captain Phil Neville and striker Nikica Jelavic, with Gibson and Anichebe stepping in. Barkley starts on the bench, alongside Oviedo and Duffy. Howard, Jagielka and Hibbert remain sidelined with injuries.

Match Summary to follow....

The team is apparently set up to play 4-2-3-1 with Gibson and Fellaini in the holding role with rather a lot of empty seats at the kick-off. A couple of free-kicks until Distin went in over Dzecko, who wanted a foul and didi't get one, then having a go atr the referee. Baines was taken out on the byeline and a good free-kick opportunity was headed out for a corner that Baines swung in but it was cleared. Fellaini put in a rather spirited tackle on Milner, flying down the wing, earning a very early yellow card.

Anichbe was the next to be fouled in an increasingly fractious start but Gibson's effort was very poor, although Coleman won another corner that Mirallas floated in and it needed defending. Osman was fouled by Milner and in the follow-up, Mirallas was perhaps fractionally offside when he produced a brilliant finish into the top corner with his left foot. Baines and Coleman were both getting forward, Everton dominating the first 15 mins but that disallowed goal hurt.

Silva almost got loose but Distin blocked his cross but when Everton got forward again, Coleman dithered dreadfully and scooped his cross-shot over the bar. Baines put in a low cross that forced another corner but Osman's cross to no-one bounced out harmlessly. City were coming into it more, Tevez and then Dzecko getting shots in that Mucha handled confidently.

It was competitive stuff and Pienaar came in very late, getting a yellow card for a foul on Barry. From the free-kick, Kolarov fired in at Aniuchebe in the wall. Barry then took out Distin in an aerial challenge and the Blues fans screamed for a yellow card but nothing from Lee Probert. Kolarov was then booked to much applause for his rugby tackle on Osman. Baines's kick was floaed to Fellaini at the far post but he could get no power om the header.

The next foul was on Anichebe as Everton once again pressed with intent, Coleman dribbling in, laid it back to Osman who hooked an oustanding shot from great distance, curling away off tyhe outside of his left foot and into to the top corner of the Park end net with Hart rooted to his line, a brilliant striker, rewarded by the Gods with a swath of glorious sunshine bathing Goodison Park.

An excellent spell of play down the right ended with Anichebe spinning and firing a fierce shot just over the bar. At the other end, Tevez got loose and lashed one just wide of Mucha's post. Pienaar did well to intercept Tevez and set up something of a break but Mirallas didn't get the bounce of the ball.

A great cross from Coleman was pawed out by Hart, straight at Mirallas beyond the back post, whose header back was deflected over the bar. Silva got a yellow card for persistent fouling of Coleman. All round an excellent first-half from Everton, playing the sort of football with the sort of spirit and determination that is rightfully expected of them — all qualities that were sorely absent last weekend,

City showed more effort from the kick-off as Everton were pushed back a little, although Anichebe did fluff what looked like a great chance for a header. City came very close on a couple of attacks. Anichebe got called for blocking the goalkeeper on a corner from Mirallas as the game went from end to end with few clear chances being crafted by either side. A Baines corner driven in was stuck well by Osman, and deflected just over.

Pienaar went in with a high boot, studs showing, then spun his body into Garcia and was shown his second yellow card, to much derision from the Goodison faithful. So Everton down to 10 men and holding on for the last half-hour. Milner's foul on Mirallas saw more derision from the crowd who felt that Probert was having a very poor game.

Tevez got in a save on Tevez, then a brilliant second save on Milner following in as City were able to pile on the pressure, But 10-man put a fair effort in down the left but with Mirallas tiring, David Moyes decided to bring on Naismith, a decision not met with universal approval by the Everton crowd, who wee now beginning to fear the inevitable equalizer.

There was a bizarre incident when Tevez cut across and fired in a shot that may well have gone over the bar but Osman slidding ahead of Fellaini whose raised hand blocked the ball down... a penalty, if called. But Probert decided it was a free-kick outside the are! An incredible let-off for Everton.

It was backs to the wall until Naismith stole the ball to start breakaway that that set Fellaini away down the middle and he released the ball neatly to Jelavic who tried to curl his shot but it deflected in over Hart to send Goodison and David Moyes into delirium with almost the last kick of the match.

So a tremendous performance to overcome the money bags from Manchester, and prove beyond all shadow of a doubt that this side with these players are capable of beating anyone... which only serves to deepen the inquest into how exactly they could be so awful in a game that was their only path to a trophy?

Answers on a Postcard...

Everton (4-2-3-1): Mucha; Coleman, Heitinga, Distin, Baines; Gibson, Fellaini Y:; Mirallas (70' Naismith), Osman (c), Pienaar Y:; Anichebe.
Subs: Springthorpe, Duffy, Neville, Oviedo, Barkley, Jelavic.

Manchester City: Hart, Zabaleta, K Toure, Nastasic, Kolarov, Garcia, Silva Y:, Milner, Barry (70' Nasri), Tevez, Dzeko.
Subs: Pantilimon, Razak, Sinclair, Lescott, Clichy, Lopes.

Quotes or other material sourced from ToffeeWeb Match Reports



Reader Comments (259)

Note: the following content is not moderated or vetted by the site owners at the time of submission. Comments are the responsibility of the poster. Disclaimer


Tony Hanlon
1 Posted 16/03/2013 at 12:07:41
Moyes is predictable: The three subs will be (off): Osman, Gibson, Anichebe; (On): Jelavic, Naismith, Barkley (85min+).
James Morgan
2 Posted 16/03/2013 at 12:05:03
The team I was pretty much expecting, but would have liked to see Hitz and Vellios/McAleny in place of Neville and Naismith on the bench. They're hardly going to influence chasing a game or holding a lead are they?
Tim Jones
4 Posted 16/03/2013 at 12:21:28
What a 'one trick pony' the Dour One continues to prove himself to be,
Chris James
5 Posted 16/03/2013 at 12:33:08
Go on then Tim Jones, you're obviously a tactical expert, let's hear which team you'd have started with...
Ernie Baywood
6 Posted 16/03/2013 at 12:40:13
Playing the 95 FA Cup Final song before the game... are they fucking stupid?
Ken Crowther
7 Posted 16/03/2013 at 13:22:29
Well said Chris James #778 - no reply I see!
Rob Smith
8 Posted 16/03/2013 at 13:58:45
That is the best connection on a shot, Osman has ever hit, even he can't believe it. Mucha is one ugly fellow, Pienaar shown second yellow the twat, stupid fucking challenge.
Rob Smith
9 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:04:51
Why would you do that, winning the game, fuck me, all the good work, best they have played in months.
Michael Kenrick
10 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:41:14
Got so excited there, I lost most of my second-half report!

Fantastic performance, one that some of us have known we were capable of, the standard to which we should have been playing since Christmas. Why we have to listen week-in, week-out to all the fucking excuses for poor play really gets on my tits.

There is no excuse for not putting in more performances like this. I'm not saying win every game: it's about the performances. Losing against Wigan was and remains totally inexcusable, and all the twaddle posted here about lack of money, poor squad size, poor players, tired players... all complete bollocks.

Ross Edwards
11 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:44:47
Get in there Blues!!!!! Can we play you every week!? Can we play you every week!? Jela Jelavic, Jelavic, Jela Jelavic!!! COYB!!!!!!!!!!!!
Kevin Tully
12 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:42:52
You could not see two more different performances in a week. Heitinga never put a foot wrong, and Coleman looked like a £10m winger today.

I am sorry I didn't go now, but that has gone some way to restoring my faith in this club. It's great to see the players & manager were hurting as much as we all have been. Fucking get in lads - superb.

Danny Kewley
13 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:48:47
MUCHA Gracias!!!! Also the rest of the Everton side today. What a difference a week makes!!
Gary Joyce
14 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:49:02
As poor as we were last week, we were fantastic today.

Once again, Coleman was on top form, both defensively and going forward. Mucha was inspired for most of the game and Big Vic put in a terrific shift throughout. Delighted to see Jelly score such a vital goal. It was this time last year he went on his great goalscoring run so let's hope he's due another one.

Just baffles me why we couldn't have some of that passion and ability in the cup last week.

Charles Brewer
15 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:46:41
Jelly's back!

Just how bad was the ref? It sounds as though he was distinctly card happy and pretty much one way.

Eugene Ruane
16 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:41:20
Fantastic result - that is what 100% effort from every player can get you. Only disappointment some really daft, clumsy, NEEDLESS tackles (Pienaar, Fellaini, Ossie etc). Anyway my one day early St Pat's night tonight (at The East Boldre Working Men's Club Hampshire) is off to a great start.
Gary Clark
17 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:53:43
Got a big smile on my boat race now. I have been like a bear with a sore arse all week. What a difference at last some bite some dedication some passion.

I feel MUCHA better pint or two anyone. YESSSSSSSSSS!!

Dick Fearon
18 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:48:49
A stunning performance that makes me wonder what in hells name was wrong last week.
My big gob is firmly shut.
MOM = a good case could be made for each of them yet I lean toward Mucha.
Dan Brierley
20 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:58:31
Could it be that last week was just a really bad day in the office, and not reflective of Moyes entire tenure? Great performance, and a much needed shot in the arm for all.
Phil Smith
21 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:56:12
I hope no one has a go at the team on here today because that performance was IMMENSE!!! Every player was brilliant. I think me neighbours thought I'd gone mad with all my screaming at the death. You could see what it meant to everyone at the club because of last week.

Peanuts was unlucky. Reminded me of Nani's red card as well. Got lucky with the pen, but had yet another good goal chalked off. Deserved that 3 points. 5th is still ours to loose.

Jack Collins
22 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:58:14
What an absolutely buzzing performance, couldn't fault one person other than Pienaar more making a second challenge when he did, but maybe both his and Fellaini's absence will force Moyes to put on Oviedo and Barkley. Thought Vic was outstanding, didn't stop running and in my opinion inspired the rest of the team. Bringing Mirallas off who has been excellent was also a mystery but fair play to Naismith he put in a relatively good shift blocking things.

Just a quick shout out to the fans, cause normally on TV you can only hear the away end for some reason, but even Gary Neville said himself "You'll struggle to find a better atmosphere all season"... Think that's what we need to do more often, love that level of atmosphere from Goodison.

Jackie Barry
24 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:07:31
Coleman simply awesome today, MOTM. They were terrified of him.
Charles Brewer
25 Posted 16/03/2013 at 14:58:08
I am also delighted to hear that Coleman was outstanding. In many ways he strikes me as exemplifying the very best of Moyes (and it is not all good!).

He cost £60,000 from some nonentity club in Ireland (this is meant as praise, not disparagement of the Irish club, by the way!), and he can shine on a pitch with the most expensive squad in the world.

I have always loved his couldn't-care-less old fashioned winger style and directness, it's good to see a bit of brave and direct play.

Well done everyone!

Chris James
26 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:08:21
Still waiting for Tim Jones' insight on a better team line up.
Although, I think we just about struggled through without it.
Steve Pugh
27 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:07:52
How much talk will there be about the City pen compared to the disallowed goal and our pen when Screech turned the defender who just stuck out an arm and grabbed him.
James Morgan
28 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:11:04
Great performance, but why do we treat City as if it were a cup final yet when it really matters against Wigan we fall to pieces?
I will enjoy today and have a few cold ones but it doesn't take away from the fact that we should've done this last week and I still want Moyes gone.
James Fletcher
29 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:13:37
Agreed Steve. They made a meal of the handball when Fellaini wasn't really able to get out of the way (Although his hand was high) but seemed unconcerned with the Fellaini wrestling and the numerous cynical fouls on Everton players when we broke..
Amit Vithlani
30 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:11:21
Great showing from the lads, and fair dues to the players and manager for coming back after last week's disaster. I doff my cap, praise well and truly deserved.

Peanuts sending off was plain daft, but he put in plenty of effort before then.

Pleased for Jelly, that rounded off a marvellous day.

Phil Rodgers
31 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:11:13
Awesome performance. Can't fault a single player. Coleman makes a massive difference to this side. Gibson was excellent
Andy Crooks
32 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:10:26
Last week I was saying that Moyes should take responsibility
when we lose , it was woeful. Today was magnificent;well done David Moyes. I thought the whole team were excellent but the performance of Seamus Coleman was outstanding. I simply cannot express how pleased I am for him. Heitinga ,too, was good and Osman's goal was a cracker.

Ian Bennett
33 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:16:19
Everton, you make me happy and sad.
Amit Vithlani
34 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:15:42
Charles Brewer - 793, in response to your question, at full time if I was wearing blue, I'd have had a cheeky peak to see if he had a City shirt underneath.

Wanker did let us off a peno mind.

Kevin Tully
35 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:13:21
I do like Mucha in goal though, he does not hesitate to come off his line, I am sure if he had a good run in the first team he would improve a bit more.

Let's hope Jelavic can go on a run, we have nothing to lose by going all out attack for the rest of the season. We threw men forward today, and the champions could not live with us.

Dave Lynch
36 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:17:30
Don't want to put a downer on today it was a fantastic performance and I echo everything MK said.

But the only thing that will appease me for the rest of the season is battering the shite on their own midden.

Nev Renshaw
37 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:13:06
Yesssssssssssssss, the jelly never wobbled this time. COYB.
Ross Edwards
38 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:23:30
The referee was a disgrace.
Kunal Desai
39 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:24:42
Great performance to bounce back, I thought we might capitulate after Pienaars sending off, the lads did brilliantly to dig in and get a result. I'ts very frustrating that this performance wasn't a week earlier as we'd be at Wembley and within a distance of winning Silverware. Still onwards and upwards, next two games will be tough without both Felli and Pienaar. Hope the lads can repeat similar performances for the remaining 9 games. It's the performances that matter to us fans.
Roman Sidey
40 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:15:42
From the first five minutes there was only going to be one winner. Every player was outstanding to the point that Baines was probably the least impressive - not a dig, just high praise for the rest of the team. Fellaini might have gotten himself suspended, but it was a good tackle and was a little bit of redemption for last week. Missing him and Pienaar next week is, without sounding like a complete knob, a blessing in disguise though. Although I guess we'll just get 90 minutes of Neville and Naismith.

To be fair Steve Pugh, the commentators I was hearing were talking about all that stuff. The "penalty" at Etihad, Mirallas' goal at the start and the penalty they should have had. As the week goes on I'm sure it will merge towards Probert ruining the title run in.

Trevor Lynes
41 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:18:05
The pundits all said that Mirallas goal should have stood and that we should have had a penalty for the incident on Fellaini.
City should have had a penalty for the handball by Felli but Osman said hje touched the ball first ????
Coleman was terrific and defensively he saved a certain goal with a header just in front of a city striker.
Mucha made some fine blocks but I wish he would catch the ball more, some of his punches were suspect, but I think he needs match practice.
With Pienaar suspended I hope that Oviedo and Barkley can share the spot.
Finally the crowd were fantastic and lets hope the tram can continue in todays vein for the run in.

Incidently I did say before the game that I fancy EFC against City, Chelsea, Arsenal and even Man Utd as none of them have battering ram type strikers.
I reckon thats why we struggle against so called lesser sides...

Paul David
42 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:28:31
Today's performance had everything that was missing last week, it's gone a long way to restoring my faith in the club. Coleman was motm by a mile.
Mike Green
43 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:23:33
Well said Andy #811, I'll be raising a glass to all the lads tonight but especially Seamus, he was fantastic. Why oh why couldn't we put in a shift like that last week? Play out the season like that and we'll end up OK and please please please, no more Phillip Neville, surely this shows we can live without him. Well done Blues 10/10.
Robert Elliott
44 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:32:43
Don't like the chairman, don't always agree with the manager, bit iffy on some of the players, but fuck me, I love being an Evertonian!
Phil Smith
45 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:30:07
2-0 Southampton! Get in!!!
Robert Workman
46 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:31:59
"Mucha Do About Nothing!" (for City - no goals, no points)
Kevin Tully
47 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:31:41
THE SHITE 2-0 DOWN..... COME ON SAINTS!!!!!!
Peter Bell
48 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:30:31
When I am wrong I will admit I am wrong. Please Mr Coleman accept my apologies for calling you a one trick pony earlier in the season. Happy and delighted to see you prove me wrong. Well done.
Colin Potter
49 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:24:01
Moyes must have won the Euro millions after that result and the team playing so well. There must be quite a few on here that owe Jan Mucha an apology after the way he has been lambasted on here.
Barry Rathbone
50 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:24:09
Just confirms my oft mentioned point about Moyes inability to motivate and how vital motivation is - 90% of a managers job imo.

A big thank you to all those putting the pressure on and finally getting some fire back in the club; as MK correctly says it kills all the excuses.

Imagine the prospects if we get someone adept at motivation next year?

Special mention for Vic, Seamus and Jela - terrific.

Peter Askins
51 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:27:26
Fantastic performance !

Coleman is fast becoming a very important player, and his marauding style from right back will give opponents a headache, and have the spin-off effect of freeing up more space for Baines on the left. Coleman has now has greater understanding of his defensive duties, is less inclined to jump in rashly and give away free kicks and penalties, and also doesn't ball watch as much.

Gibson too was magnificent today. His quick pressing of the ball is key, and has the effect of forcing a poor rushed pass, or slowing down the opposition attacks.

I was also pleasantly surprised with the speed of Mucha off his line, but would prefer him to catch crosses, rather than flap and punch.

Finally, a great shift by Anichebe, but should this be the least we should expect from our lone striker ?

p.s. Did Ossie's divot hit the back of the net before the ball ????

Richard Dodd
52 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:29:24
Just popped in home to tell the missus I`m spending the rest of the afternoon in the Freshy keeping Kier & Co very busy.If Luke`s on duty I can collect my tenner-and it`s double if the Shite get tonked ,don't forget,mate!
Just check my late-night post of last night-got all my forecasts right apart from Ossie scoring that fabulous first goal. Just hope today will have been enough to convince Lord David to get his pen out!
YOU BEAUTIES!
Paul David
53 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:35:16
Mucha doesn't fill me with confidence but he has 2 things in his favour over Howard. He looks to get the game going straight away rather than holding onto the ball like Howard. Secondly there was a time when he came off his line to smother a shot, i'm convinced if Howard was playing he would have stayed on his line and City would have scored.
Peter Bell
54 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:39:44
That performance puts to bed the theory that Phil Neville motivational skills are needed for the team. No sign of him today and the team spirit was brilliant.
Paul David
55 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:42:40
I thought todays team spirit and the fans looking to get behind the team was down to Fellaini. He started the game like a man possessed, looking to make amends for last week. This in turn got a responce from the crowd which then lifted the team.
Brian Denton
56 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:46:06
Agree with that, Paul #834. Howard shouldn't be a shoo-in on his return from injury. I was impressed with Mucha today.
Sam Hoare
57 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:46:45
Great performance. Will be an even better day if arsenal and Liverpool drop points.
Phil Bellis
59 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:54:36
Brilliant display compared to last week's shambles, demonstrating the bollocks about no billionaire backer, small squad, tired legs to be just that and which puts me emotionally somewhere between ecstacy and intense anger

Ecstacy edges it

As for Richard Nostradoddymus...what do you fancy for the National, old chap?

Roman Sidey
60 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:52:12
And it seems like the players like Mucha, so he should keep his spot really. I haven't been a Howard basher, but I think Mucha's 3 (?) performances have been impressive.
Kevin Hudson
61 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:53:20
Get that contract signed Moyes.

Kenwright: Get your wallet out.

Jelavic - a goal! Mucha - cult hero.

(Lost my voice there today).

John Brennan
62 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:55:14
Thought Mucha, Coleman and Anichebe were terrific.
Really made up for Jelavic, hope that gives him a massive confidence shot.
No complaints about Mirallas being taken off, I believe it was for fitness reasons and nothing else.
No complaints about Pienaar being sent off, but Mirallas's goal should have been allowed, although it was a tough one for the officials.
I thought ref decided Osman touched the ball with his arm , so the foul by Fellaini occurred after the original offence, but I stand corrected, that was why no penalty was given.
Apologies if this has been alluded to before, havent read any of the earlier posts, but just elated we have won !!
John Brennan
63 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:03:23
PS, thought Johnnie had a much better game too. Well done, Johnnie !!
Ken Crowther
64 Posted 16/03/2013 at 15:55:25
That referee was a wanker!
I thought the "penalty" was a non-starter because I (really) thought Ossie touched the ball with his hand before it got to Fellini (not "Felli" you notice, he's on his way), then, in the post-match interview, Ossie said he "didn't know whether he touched it or not"... Phuleese.... When I was Osman's age, I always knew where my hand had got to.
The referee bottled it!
Seamus Coleman, more of that please, Jan Mucha, you're looking good; but punch less and catch more.
David Denby
65 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:21:57
One of those typical Everton days! Could have stayed in the oak all night but out with the family tonight. Best response but doesn't make last week any easier to swallow. Coleman superb, Mucha did fantastic, even johnny had a good game. Coleman has to be MOTM. Cracking response from the fans.

Have booked an appointment with Relate for all of us and the squad for 9am Monday to see just why they have to put us through this shit! Off to Crosby to go see my aunty Stella ;) have a good night lads.

Andy Walker
66 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:17:54
Well done lads and Moyes, just like our early season form. Hopefully we will never see Neville in midfield ever again.

Does seem we have a team that can not mentally cope with being favorites in a match and need to have the pressure taken off them in order to perform. That still worries me as we will never get over the line when it really matters if that's the issue.

Coleman was absolutely brilliant today, one of the best performances of a right back I have seen. Heitinga performed better but then he was defending against a team that tries to play football in attack rather than just lumping it forward.

Also good to see Jelavic get a bit of luck and a goal, maybe that will spur him on.

David Hall
67 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:17:31
After a performance like that, this must be a day of good will to all men!

So, well done, Moysey for keeping faith in players who hardly deserved it.

Well done to ALL the lads who ran their bollocks off — particularly Victor and Seamus who had his best game ever and set a high bar for future games.

Well done to Ossie who showed he has more than a powder puff shot and skippered the side so well we didn`t miss Captain Pip one iota!!!!!

Well done Mucha whose distribution is really in another league to Howard`s and brings new power to his punch. Three absolutely brilliant stops,at least.

And finally (chokes as he types!) to Doddy whose inspired post on the night shift called it absolutely right. Hope you had a few quid on the match, old son!

Ian Bennett
68 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:31:45
I see Derek McGovern tipped city today. Nice one dickhead.
Jay Harris
69 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:00:51
If only we could have that feeling and passion every game.

The team, the crowd, the manager all brilliant today.

Referee was the only one to let the side down.

What joy to see Mancini arguing with Platt. £600 million played off the park.

Roman Sidey
70 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:30:20
OOOOHHHHHHHH I never feel more like singing the Blues...
Peter Leslie
71 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:28:44
Yes, 3-1 Saints. Good goal
Brent Stephens
72 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:35:59
Goodison rocked! Great to be there!.

Today's not a time for any negatives, not after the pain of last week. So, in that spirit, I guess if Moyes was responsible for last week's dire trash, he takes the plaudits this week (as somebody on here said, he coaches them, and sets out tactics, and decides subs).

On the point of subs, I screamed why when he brought on Naise - but I await the reason - maybe Mirallas was stuffed.

Coleman - mega. Anichebe - great effort. Ossie - really good game and what a f.. goal, as was Jelli's. All played well, individually and collectively. Passion, pride, 100% effort.

Ian Smitham
73 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:24:50
Just got in from a sunny Goodison. Read this thread and enjoyed most of it as Mucha as the game. The double save in the second half was outstanding, I agree that Howard needs not to be a shoe in back in the team. Mucha is good at distribution, seems more likely to come to meet crosses, not scared to punch the ball away and IMHO is all round pretty good. I have commented on here about the improvement in Coleman, he really was good today, I have never expected or thought that the whole of Goodison would stand and applaud Victor off, what outstanding workrate today, That Toure had a bad day,made funnier when he went off in a sulk. Gibson was fantastic, his tackles at the end really strong. And Johnny, he was up against Tevez and that snide Dzecko, Johnny was superb.

Great game, glad to be there.

Peter Leslie
75 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:40:20
Today's performance, for me, utterly justies all the rage and anger of last week: the fact we can play like that shows that too many of the players and Manager had got in a rut, beome complacent, lazy, stale or were just taking the Club and fans for granted.

So there's no apologies from me or anyone who was harsh on them last week needed - but fair do's to one and all who ran and tried their bollocks off today.

That's what EFC expects and deserves EVERY game. Do that and we will all be satisfied. Well done blues, got your pride back.
COYB !!!

Ken Crowther
76 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:45:46
Roman #853
It's been said before.]
Anyway the song says "I never felt more like singing the blues".
Sam Hoare
77 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:48:24
Will be interesting to see who comes in for pienaar and fellaini for next two games. Very much hope that its two from Oviedo, Barkley, mcaleny and not two from Naismith and Neville!
Douglas Turner
78 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:38:17
Southampton 3 Liverpool .....1
GET IN!!!
Brent Stephens
79 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:53:47
Those two suspensions maybe have a silver lining - it rests the two, and gives us the chance to see how some of the young lads fair (what, Naise?! oh no!).
Colin Glassar
80 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:53:48
Excellent game, result, performance etc... Not happy with Naismith coming on as he is so incredibly poor. It was like playing with 9 men. I don't know what Moyes sees in him.
Roman Sidey
81 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:51:30
Sorry, Ken. Wrong tense.
Eugene Ruane
82 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:53:38
Southampton 3 Liverpool 1

Hardly a surprise if you look at it from a mathematical perspective.

37 ± Pi2 ^ 5878.78.98 + X 8788232.76 x Y2

= Liverpool's defence is fucking cack.

Patrick Murphy
83 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:57:15
I agree Peter, and Moyes should make the players watch today's game before every remaining fixture and tell them any other attitude than that shown in this game is unacceptable. As for the next game we could have done without losing Felli and Pienaar, but please don't let Neville anywhere near the pitch, the difference in Coleman's performance this week and last week has a lot to do with El Capitano being over the hill. I'd play Anichebe and Jelavic from the start next time out.
It makes me wonder if Felli was instructed to take it easy last week as he was on 9 yellows - if he was he obviously took it too far - the same could be said about Gibson with Moyes expecting to face Toure in the middle of the park. Take the fixture list of DM and ensure he concentrates on the upcoming fixture, sometimes he can be a little to clever for his own good.
James Byrne
84 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:00:09
Well done Everton and too many good performances individually to mention; great goal by Osman and a top class performance from Coleman – well done also to Mucha.

I was at the game last week and what a contrast in emotions to this week; I had to watch this game 4000 miles away so sick to miss such a great game today – fans were superb and almost in tears when Jali scored the 2nd – I'm an emotional fkn wreck after last week.

Couple of points: probably one of the worse refereeing and linesman performances I've ever seen today; how the fuck was Mirallas offside?

Just caught the end of the Shite's score and great to see that shower of wankers getting beat 3.1 by a very good Southampton side – taxi for Brenda, soft twat!

Colin Glassar
85 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:08:22
Neither Fellaini or Pienaar will play next week. I would start with Hitz (for Fellaini) and Oviedo (for Pienaar) but we know Moyes will play Neville and Naismith.
Ray Roche
86 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:11:47
Terrific all round performance, Anichebe played as well as he ever has, Coleman, Mucha, excellent, but Gibson showed the difference between last week and this week with a peerless performance. If he had started last week we'd be looking forward to going to Wembley. Twice.


Moyes in.

Patrick Murphy
87 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:16:34
Wouldn't it be great if we got 4th and Arsenal finished 5th and put Brenda's and FSW's noses out of joint.
Karl Masters
90 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:16:45
When it comes to the Reds, Eugene, I always think of this equation

BR + LFC = 0 (SUCCESS) + LMFTO / SILVER SHOVEL

Karl Masters
92 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:22:04
That would be great Patrick, but it woud means Spurs or Chelsea dropping to 7th or maybe 6th.

We will do very well to come 5th although you would hope we will raise our game again in the 6 pointers at Arsenal, Spurs, Chelsea. I have left off the trip to Anfield as that's a ten pointer in many people's eyes! Any way you look at it, it's a very tough set of away fixtures we have along with what appear to be relatively straightforward home ones. Will nee another 18 points to have a realistic chance of 5th.

Mike Green
93 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:22:34
Patrick #872 - looking at everyone's fixtures we've got a bit of a double edged sword when you look at remaining fixtures. On the one hand I think we've got the toughest run in but the silver lining is it's all in our hands.

We've got Spurs, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea all to play but all away from home. Chelsea have got Spurs, Liverpool, Man Utd and us which will be tough.

I think Arsenal are hitting form now, Spurs are probably due a blip, Liverpool will continue to be inconsistent and I think Chelsea could really crack under the hideous attitude of their support.

So, it won't happen but if we win those four fixtures we could be looking at top 4..... what a difference 90 minutes makes..... :)

Steve Pugh
94 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:30:06
Naismith is poor in the final third, but when City had the ball today he didn't put a foot wrong. The tackle that led to Jelli's goal was typical of his playing.
Phil Sammon
95 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:21:54
Just got back from the game.

For a game that 'nobody cared about' is was absolutely brilliant. The crowd were the best I've heard since the opening day of the season. Probert was fucking awful. How Milner didn't get a booking is beyond me.

Was Pienaar's a bad one then? I didn't see too much wrong, but BBC live text said it could have been a straight red.

Mucha, Coleman, Gibson and Anichebe were different class. Got to give Heitinga a mention too...that was the form he showed last season.

I'd love to be entirely positive, but I have to slag off Moyes for swapping Mirralas with Naismith. Mirallas was the only one who looked like giving us an out ball to relieve the pressure and Moyes hauls him off for that little shit. Once again we invited even more pressure on ourselves.

Weirdly, Naismith's best attribute is his heading. He has one of the best leaps I think I've ever seen. Maybe he should enter the high jump, because he is fucking awful at football.

Anyway, that was a brilliant game and capped beautifully by Jelly at the end. The crowd were going mental for him and you could see what it meant to the lad.

Distin hoisting up Mucha at the end and JH doing a lap to thank the fans. That was a proper performance and the right way to apologise for last weeks horror show.

COYB

Anyone see that Bent lad at the beginning? Haha! He looked genuinely disgusted that he'd been asked to leave the pitch.

Tom Bowers
96 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:32:53
This was just the performance needed after last week. Some of the usual problems were still there i.e. poor tackling but the endeavor was all there from the off which kept City unsettled for long periods.
Still cannot understand Naismith coming on at all. He was fresh yet so anaemic.
What does Moyes have against Oveido and Barclay?
Michael Upton
97 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:37:08
A superb victory against the reigning champions despite being down to 10 for half an hour, well done Blues.

Can we finally put to bed those Osman can't shoot moans, they're tired and more importantly complete garbage.

Karl Masters
98 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:45:31
It's Barkley, Tim, not Barclay.
Phil Sammon
99 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:53:52
Michael

Not having that mate. Ossie's shot could have gone anywhere. He caught it beautifully but he would have missed it 99 times out of 100. A great shot - but he is still not good enough from outside the box.

Julian Wait
100 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:51:29
I expect he might bring Oviedo in as a straight swap for Pienaar and play both Jelavic and Vic in the next two games.

Unfortunately, I wouldn't be surprised to see Neville in for Fellaini and Mirallas switch to the left to accommodate Naismith.

:-/

Steve Pugh
101 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:59:06
Michael, no.

What we should be asking is why he doesn't do that more often instead of trying to pass the ball into the net.

Matt Traynor
104 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:00:00
Michael Upton #882, one swallow really does make a summer for you?

Osman's shooting is, on the whole, terrible, yet we have seen on a couple of occasions he is capable of smacking it just right, like today. On his left foot no less. But it was a fluke, as glorious as it was to watch.

Years ago I watched us from the home end at Arsenal. 1-0 down to an obligatory Ian Wright goal, Dave Watson equalised. Nothing unusual, he scored a few and got into double figures a couple of times. Except this one was a volley. From about 30 yards. On his left peg. Of course he meant it, but as Phil above says, 99 times out of 100 it would've hit us in the upper North Bank.

James Kirrane
105 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:03:43
Only negative for me was replacing Mirallas with Naismith. Mirallas looks class and Naismith looks Shite. Worst Everton player for a very long time.
Mike Hughes
106 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:53:36
A cracking day.
A bit of effort and application - it's great when they deliver - and it's all we ask. Well, that and a bit of silverware.

The red filth will have been expecting to be 3 points ahead of us tonight but what a difference a week makes. Hopefully we can stuff them at their place in a few weeks and stuff Brenda's "philiosophy" right up his -

A really enjoyable day - spoilt only by the fact that I can't get the Radio Merseyside after-match moan-in to listen to the shite whining. Bloody rugby's on. Bastards. What next - live table tennis? This country's going to the dogs.

Bob Hannigan
109 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:10:53
A cracker of a strike from Leon, Joe Hart had NO chance
Andy Meighan
110 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:16:14
Oh sorry boys. Did I forget to say. That I'm just about to eat the largest slice of humble pie you've ever seen the way I've slagged them off all week. Disgraceful behaviour. I really must learn to keep my mouth shut! Now where's she put that spoon
Roman Sidey
111 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:13:19
Phil, thanks. That little story gives us that only watch on tele more of an idea of the day. You could tell as soon as Jelavic took his top off he didn't give a fuck, just "Finally, I can celebrate with these wonderful fans!" So happy for him. And Distin joisting Mucha? Fantastic!

As has been said, last week is neither forgiven nor forgotten, but this is basically, 100%, the best way to begin making amends.

Peter Cummings
113 Posted 16/03/2013 at 17:59:06
I can only agree with all that's been posted, the game was on here a 8:45 am and we were up at 6 to catch it, needless to say it made our day as the 'Pool game was live afterwards from Southampton and that result made the day complete.

Pity about the the red card but it was deserved, yet another good goal disallowed but cancelled out by the penalty they should have had. Felli still won't get it and let us down again, but what the hell — great day all round.

Paul Ferry
114 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:15:20
Love watching the public schoolboys lose to the relatives of working class miners. Those twats in the St George armour must be feeling a little fucking stupid.

So, flash back six months as I and others trumpeted Coleman and a flock of seagulls came on here to say WTF ..... His best ever game for the blues today going forward and defending. That header was immense but if it had gone in it would have been one of the best OGs ever, up there with the Henry Newton header.

Well done Moyes and the boys today and nice to see some passion and smiles from the gaffer. And we need sideways samways Skip Pip for what exactly?


On a flat note, we need younger players like I need red wine.

Barry Rathbone
115 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:20:51
When you shape to hit a ball like Ossie today you are going for a bend into the other corner OR countering the momentum of the pass to keep it low and on target if it curls and ends up where it did it ain't on purpose.

I like him though, skilful if a little lightweight.

Ray Roche
116 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:22:39
Roman, you could see the elation amongst the players at the end which makes you believe that there IS a real team spirit in that team. Contrast that with the selfish arrogance which is usually evident in City...
Brent Stephens
117 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:25:33
Matt #889 "But it was a fluke, as glorious as it was to watch".

Oh, come on, Matt, have a bit of grace. Ossie's shooting is generally shit street but to say that one was a fluke? On what basis can you say that? You don't what his intention was. Why not just accept it looked great and leave it at that?

Ralph Basnett
118 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:29:09
Hate to piss on everyone's flames but Naismith will replace Piennar, Neville will replace Felli and pop, the bubble bursts...
Ian Hollingworth
119 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:19:17
I was quick to moan last week so I must praise all the lads today for a great performance and great result.
England getting battered in the rugby can I blame that on BK?
Roman Sidey
120 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:30:23
True words, Ray.

On Ossie, you have to say, he took a shot, his objective was to score a goal, and he scored. Well done, and remember that one for a long time. Not his biggest fan, but no one can take away what he did today. Just like Bily getting goal of the season how many times? Not a wonderful player for us, but undeniably some great goals.

Peter Jansson
121 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:37:24
Great to see osman banging in that shot.
I am sick and tired listen to the Osman is not good enough crap.
Peter Jansson
122 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:38:06
But Moyes got to stop substituting our best player.. Mirallas...
Tony J Williams
123 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:29:15
Fuck me, things are that bad on here that we have to suggest Ossies goal was a fluke...Unbelievable..
Roman Sidey
124 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:43:54
I wouldn't say a fluke, Tony. Although some have,. You know I'm a massive critic of the bloke, a fluke that wasn't. With any goal like that you need a bit of luck, but that goal was a peach, and, as I said above, he was trying to score and he did.
Anthony Lamb
125 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:16:39
What a terrific performance today and an especially good response from the team to the totally justified condemnation they received after last week's performance. I thought Moyes's comment today about "every team has an off day" was very barbed and is not one to endear him to those who are not his most fervent supporters. That being said, however, it was a terrific day and agree with most that has already been posted.

I for one never thought I would get off my seat to applaud Anichebe leaving the pitch but since he has curtailed his posturing he is beginning to show actual potential. One name missing from the accolades is Distin. I think the man is immense and is a total credit to himself and the game and today I just thought he was awesome. Many people obviously appreced his gestures to the crowd at the end especially at the Street end.

One negative note however and that is the presence of Naismith on the bench let alone on the pitch. I have said it before, this is not personal as he does not select himself. When he came onto the pitch my heart literally sank as it now meant effectively that it was 9 v 11. I do not know where the two earlier positive comments come from. Maybe Mirallas was not balancing the defensive duties on his side of the pitch as he should – I do not know, but Naismith is without doubt one of the most limited, totally ineffective footballers I have witnessed at Everton in almost 60 years of following them.

The man seems incapable of actually physically engaging with the game and seems to think that running closer to an opponent is actually doing something like tackle? tussle? dribble past? actually lift a ball from a corner? All praise to the other nine therefor especially Coleman, Distin, Gibson, Osman and Anichebe but in the name of heaven put Naismith out of his – and our – misery.

Eric Holland
126 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:46:20
So glad to see the relief on jelly's face, the weight has been lifted off his shoulders
hopefully he will kick on now, but can we replace Victor after today's performance???
It's all great on the blue half again......
James Flynn
127 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:03:17
Eugene (867) - Had to laugh. Good one.
Mark Stone
128 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:45:15
What else do you expect, Tony? This is Toffeeweb!
Phil Martin
129 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:53:39
Cue tears from BK at the end...I literally kicked the wall in anger when I saw that. My wife asked what's up ( having heard me shout for joy moments before).

I couldn't explain without sounding mental but it really pisses me off. A silver lining by not getting to Wembley is not seeing this actor performing to the watching world.

Phil Sammon
130 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:01:22
I don't think anyone is arguing that the goal was a 'fluke'. It was just a one-off good strike from someone who doesn't do it enough.

Phil

I have to say, I had tears in my eyes at the end. The lads really showed some passion and it was great to see.

Sam Hoare
131 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:06:56
Naismith getting a lot of grief as usual but have to say that while he's no mirallas the lad works really hard and his tenacity and tackle totally set up the second goal so I think he deserves a little credit for that. Though I still hope he doesn't start next week.
Ross Edwards
132 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:07:19
Phil Martin
Obviously Bill must have looked at Rod Stewart crying after Celtic beat Barca and thought he might have a go as well.
Andrew Laird
133 Posted 16/03/2013 at 18:06:10
Great result, well played all.

We all learned something new about Naismith, he can't even take a corner.

Keep Neville away from the team and suddenly Coleman looks inspired, not a coincidence as the poor lad is the first to get a bollocking from the man who can't pass 5 yards but can point a good game.

No more Neville, ever.

Kevin Tully
134 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:05:56
The players, the club and the manager were left in no doubt how we all felt after last week, and came out wanting to set the record straight. It goes to show you they do feel the backlash when they sink to such poor levels.

It's great to know they all care, no matter how much money they earn, and Moyes has to take a lot of credit for today.

If Silva had scored the goal Ossie did, everyone would be raving about it - give the lad some credit please.

Brendan McLaughlin
135 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:17:36
Phil #916...see Barry #901
Patrick Murphy
136 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:28:21
Good old ESPN have you seen the trailer for next 2 games v Stoke and Spurs, they have it as 'peoples club 2 games two save their season'. I hate our coverage on that channel if it was the DS they would be saying something like 'DS late charge for CL' or some such rubbish. COYB go out to win the remaining games.

Richard Dodd
137 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:00:34
Gawd,there`s some miserable buggers in the Freshfield tonight. But that`s the price they pay for being RS supporters! They were moaning like Evertonians after a surprise defeat to Wigan!
Evertonians marvelling at Ossie`s goal and Mucha`s saves.Victor won plaudits too but EVERYONE (even the Reds) said Seamus was out of this world!
Let`s all start praying Davie moves to settle the uncertainty by signing a new contract next week.
Joe McMahon
138 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:31:05
Good performace today (how the hell did last week happen though?). Nevvile never again please and as for Kenwrights tears, my god how embarrassing is that!. We really are stuck with him aren't we, crying because we won a league match.
Patrick Murphy
139 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:32:48
Let's not get carried away Richard, he was still responsible for what happened last week. One of his faults is that he only seems to motivate when our backs are to the wall. Joe Royle on Sky was talking about Manicin and how playing negatively undermines the chances of winning, remind you of anybody? However, I am only too glad to give Moyes the credit for today, even if he did manage to somehow introduce Naigoodsmith into the battle.
Patrick Murphy
140 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:37:23
PS Richard, I do hope you've only voted once on whether Moyes should re-sign, I've noticed how the percentages have changed dramatically over the last few hours.
Brent Stephens
141 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:36:33
Phil #916 "I have to say, I had tears in my eyes at the end".

Look, Phil, you know what we think of people being seen to blubber over Everton. Just make sure you don't sit in the directors' box and blubber.

Have to say, though, there was a tear in my eye, too. And in case anybody thinks I'm a softie - well, er, what I mean is there was a "tear" as in a "rip".

Can't believe that I could have felt so emotional about the game today, given that I was going into it so flat after last week.

Dennis Stevens
142 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:36:43
Richard, I'd rather Moyes moves to settle the uncertainty by advising the Board this match was his last & let them get his successor appointed in time for the Stoke City fixture.
Michael Upton
143 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:31:19
Peter Jansson, me too, but Ossie-bashing is a TW sport.

And Kevin Tully, spot on. What kind of fans won't even give a player credit when he scores a belter. I was thinking Lampard but echo your feelings.

The guy has earned an England callup, scored 8 goals, has other teams' fans calling him the English Iniesta and still he's always first to be criticised. As I said TW folk are just hard to please, because fans fave Felli scores a screamer every week, doesn't he?

James Morgan
144 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:36:09
Would anyone argue against Seamus getting player of the season if he continues this form? I wouldn't.
Without sounding like a Mr know it all, I did believe that he would become a very good right back, he just needed game time and to learn the defensive side more.
Jan Mucha has shown he is a more than capable back up for Howard these last few games, it seems the lads like him too. I feel good for the guy.
Gibson showed again how he knits together the midfield and Vic worked his socks off. Can't fault any of the lads, Pienaar was a bit daft with his challenge, he has got a bit of a tenacious side, that's for sure.
Will be interesting to see the line up against Stoke, hope to God Neville and Naismith don't start. I'd like to see Oviedo come in for Pienaar and Barkley for Fellaini, but Moyes will have his pin ready to burst the bubble.
Richard Dodd
145 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:41:10
Patrick It`s 7.44 and I haven`t noticed a single hint of praise for Davey in these columns.Seems it`s all his fault when it goes tits up but it`s the players who are due all the credit when the lineup,shape,tactics and substitutions work like a dream.
But that`s Evertonia,I guess!
Patrick Murphy
146 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:50:12
Excuse me I said that DM deserved credit for today - despite bring on Naismith!
Brendan McLaughlin
147 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:49:22
Seamus Coleman
60,000 yo-yo's from Sligo Rovers & he didn't look out of place against the mega-buys of Citeeh....course Moyes doesn't improve players ya-know!
Colin Wainwright
148 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:50:20
Well done to the manager and players. Osman, Mucha, Pienaar and Seamus were outstanding. Baines, Fellaini , Heitinga, Gibson and Vic were excellent. Fuck it. They were all good. Doesn't come any where near excusing last week, but it feels good to be a blue today. Well done lads.
Colin Wainwright
149 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:55:24
BTW, I remember a couple of months ago, folk saying Seamus couldn't defend. Easily MOTM today.
Brian Harrison
150 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:27:26
The team played very well and deserved their victory, pity we cant play City every week I think Moyes has won more games against Mancinis City than any other Prem manager. I got the feeling walking up Goodison road that the crowd were looking for a response to last weeks horror show, even if we didnt win they wanted a performance. Well we certainly got a performance just like the start of the season we started on the front foot and kept going forward at every opportunity. As for the substitutions Kevin Mirallas was just about out on his feet when Moyes replaced him, also he couldn't have written a better script to the finish. Anichebe taken off after a great performance and deserved his standing ovation then for Jelavic to come on and score was perfect.

I think last week was a rarity where a David Moyes team seemed to lack any fight not something we usually get, even if they play badly they normally still work hard.
So all the doom-mongers who were predicting us to drop out of the race to compete with Arsenal and Chelsea and Spurs is still on, not to mention the doom-mongers predicting the R/S would be above us after today.

Ian Bennett
151 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:56:39
Everton and Wales win, Liverpool lose. God is great.
Colin Wainwright
152 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:04:56
Kenwright's still a lying shithouse though. Don't forget that!
Phil Bellis
153 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:52:46
And yet...10 men, 5 knackered, somehow it made sense to bring on someone who'd just be fresh nuisance value
For all Naismith's faults, he ran about a bit
I like Seamus's comment "We're all mates here and I think that showed.'
Dead right it did, son


Colin Wainwright
154 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:10:14
Totally agree Phil. You can see the team are together. Don't know what happened last week, but we need to keep this up.
Ian Bennett
155 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:10:18
That city side needs a huge clear out. Toure, kolorov, Barry, Milner, Garcia, are pants. Vic fancied it against toure all day long,
Andrew Presly
156 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:45:22
Typical Everton. As funny as it is to always beat City, a small part of me resents this win as it just makes last week, the one that really counted, even more sickening. I'm a confused and troubled individual.

It's going to hurt not being in Europe next year as this team is so dangerous when they're on it, even with all the injuries. Such a pity and even if the RS miss out too it'll annoy me throughout the whole of next season.

I was behind the goal for that Dave Watson strike at Highbury as well, nearly got ejected! Loved that regal wave celebration he used to do too.

Brin Williams
157 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:10:00
Everton smashed Shitty
Southampton smashed the Shite
and Wales wiped the shit off their boots and smashed England

What a marvellous day. Total Grand Slam!!!

Trevor Lynes
158 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:10:50
No mention of our most reliable stalwart who is the most consistent performer we have...Mister Distin take a bow !!!!

He is so reliable that he hardly ever gets noticed.

Fantastic team performance and Coleman had his best ever game for us..great going forward and excellent in defence.

We do far better against the best teams because none of them have big, pacey, strong strikers.
I feel far more relaxed with Heitinga playing against the top sides...he is a liability against teams with direct strikers.
Hopefully he will cover Jags injury absence as DM obviously does not fancy Duffy.

James Flynn
159 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:16:46
I don't argue with those attaching no value to Naismith when we're in the final third. But he did the business when he came on today. Type situation fits him perfectly. And his tackle sending Fella on the way . . .. Perfect ending.

On 48 with 27 more there to get.

COYB!

Ian Bennett
160 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:24:00
Andy it felt the same against united. Typical everton.
Jimmy Sørheim
161 Posted 16/03/2013 at 19:35:44
This game tells me what was made wrong in the Wigan game:

Nr 1: Gibson should have started that game, Moyes chose to spear him in order to prioritise the League.

Nr 2: Moyes clearly had instructed the players to take it easy and avoid injury, the huge difference in performance by the whole team shows clearly that Moyes REALLY prefers the League to the Cup.

I do not accept this from Moyes, he said it had nothing to do with his contract situation, or anything like that. If you rule out all other possibilities then Moyes's preference for the League is all that is left.

Nobody really can disagree after watching the team picking and performance from both matches, today we were the good old Everton and held a clean sheet for the first time in forever.

Does anyone feel that Moyes should be sacked for not giving the FA Cup the same attention? I do, it simply is not acceptable. The way we went out from the League Cup was as much a disgrace, and Moyes's team picking and performance then smells the same, though he tried many youngsters he went too far and he knew it himself before the game started.

Gibson tor us now is all or nothing: if he plays, we do well. If Neville plays instead of him, that is just not good enough. Neville is the worst midfielder I have seen, why Moyes chose to play a weaker side against Wigan just goes to show that Moyes DOES make huge mistakes, and he was the reason we lost the game. When not giving it a 100% you get punished, Moyes is the reason we did not win the Wigan game because of his bad choices.

I think it is fake that Moyes gave us the impression that he treated the FA Cup and League the same. Why could he not be up front about it? Because he would have alienated most of the fans. To win a cup after so many years of waiting is priority number one, get that Wembley feeling back into the club and it changes the players for the better when you win a trophy. It also gives you Europa League which is an added bonus.

For Moyes to mean he wants 5th more then a cup trophy just makes him the wrong manager for us right now. We need a manager to be in sync with what the fans want, Moyes to me is just out of touch with our fans these days. It should not be accepted anymore, fans I think need to make a stand against Moyes at a certain point enough to make him leave.

I will be waiting to see what happens with Moyes and if the fans want him or not at the end of the season. Kenwright is NEVER going to sack Moyes or not hand him and improved new contract, so it is only the fans that can make Moyes go.

Colin Wainwright
162 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:26:31
You're right Trevor. Distin was fuckin' solid. Dzeko never got a sniff.
Matthew Williams
163 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:14:49
Great result today but, as we all know, it was a week too late. We need to reproduce that level again at Arsenal, Spurs, Chelski & in the derby; maybe then we'll scrape into Europe again. Hopefully we won't wind up playing in Portugal to get another fucking hiding live on telly!
Phil Sammon
164 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:21:46
Yep, Distin was good again today. He won a lot in the air against Dzecko - which is not easily done. People talk about him ageing and what have you. The guy is still as fast as anyone at the club and really looks after himself. He's got at least 2 more years at the top. He looks to have finally cut out the silly errors that have stopped him becoming a world class centre back.

Mucha was very good and deserves every bit of praise. His kicking is shocking though. Even out of his hands it's a complete lottery as to where its going to go. He does look to throw it out though, which is something Howard lacks. Not having a pop though, he won the game for us and kept an unheard of CLEAN SHEET.

Victor was immense. He baffles me at times. All he has to do is give 100% and he will have a great game. He needs to do it every time he pulls on the shirt. Well done Vic.

Gibbo was the real quality for me today. The man is a Rolls Royce at times.

But MOTM has to be Seamus. If he improved his final ball he would be the best RB in the league. His pace on and off the ball is just incredible. He was so strong on the ball too. And that header to deny Tevez capped a perfect display.

£60k!!! Up yours City!

God, I'm welling up again!

Ady Haggar
165 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:30:27
Brilliant result today but its the least they owed the fans after last week!!! Maybe it was a blessing in disguise and we can give top 4/5 a go although I can see Neville and Naismith back in next week and then we are back to where we started!!!

Couple of points, Naismith is truly awful!!! And yeah Vic ran round loads today but if my 84-year-old mum bumped into him he would fall over, love to see his stats for actually being on his feet for 90 mins!!

Thought Ossie's goal was a screamer, we have had a couple this year, Baines free kick still GOS for me but wont be because Rooney/Ratface didn't score it!!!

We all have a bad day at work, hopefully last week was ours and we can have a good end of season and get ready for a bright new future under a keen, young, ambitious manager who likes to play attacking football!!!

Steven Telford
166 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:20:24
Dup
Steven Telford
167 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:20:24
Did you see David Pratt's brazen lack of humility!

Referring to ref decisions, he had the audacity to say, “Sometimes you look for decisions to go your way, and they just don’t”

Adding further that Ozzie did not hit it particularly well.

Fucking clown

Colin Wainwright
168 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:38:47
Let it go Phil man. Feel like crying myself. Come on Everton, They're all shite!
Phil Sammon
169 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:45:43
Haha
Clive Lewis
170 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:44:42
Moyes I take it back, we were fantastic. Can we play like that every week? was it just a blip. BK needs to support us financially!
Colin Wainwright
171 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:46:50
Fuck him Steven. Did he mention the Mirallas disallowed goal?
Brendan McLaughlin
172 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:43:23
I was particularly pleased with the reaction of the team to Jelly's goal...they couldn't have been more delighted if they had scored themselves...takes a special manager to imbue a spirit like that!
Colin Wainwright
173 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:50:03
I was particularly pleased with the fact he never played Neville, tbh.
Andrew Clare
174 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:35:30
Great day. Great performance by all concerned.

I would add though that a great manager motivates his team no matter who they are playing, week-in, week-out.

Gavin Ramejkis
175 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:50:42
Just about got my voice back from today's game, outstanding performances all round, Anichebe was murdering Toure who was running scared, another shit ref performance which should have seen that dirty little bastard Milner walk only for not even a single yellow for at least three fouls from behind.

Coleman blistering down the wing and simply taking the piss was funny given his two opponents had a combined cost of £38m to his £60k, trash with cash.

Mucha playing out of his skin and really should make Moyes think about giving Howard an automatic place when he's fit again. Hard to choose a MotM but for me personally I'd give it to Gibson for his tireless midfield hunting the whole game chasing everything that moved.

One niggle was Moyes replacement of Mirallas for Naismith which luckily thanks to Mucha went unpunished – the guy isn't good enough and was turned inside out on more than one occasion or simply couldn't catch the player he was supposed to mark but that was just a small blip on a great performance.

Phil Bellis
176 Posted 16/03/2013 at 20:54:19
Tonight, in my "starring" spot in the Baby Croc karaoke (yeah, I know) I shall launch into my slightly paraphrased version of that wonderful Guy Mitchell/Tommy Steele oldie with even more gusto than usual.

I hope Moysey lets Gibson and Seamus have a lie-in after St Paddy's night as well.

Colin Wainwright
177 Posted 16/03/2013 at 21:20:34
Sing it loud and sing it proud Phil.
Trevor Lynes
178 Posted 16/03/2013 at 21:21:12
I did notice Phil Neville cheering the team on and remonstrating with the 4th official when Milner committed a foul quite similar to Pienaars without punishment.

I reckon Phil is 100% Evertonian and a good man to keep at the club after his playing days.
Even Gary for my money is the most honest pundit and I have changed my mind about him.
Both Nevilles are fully committed professionals.

Harold Matthews
179 Posted 16/03/2013 at 21:38:59
We were terrific today, manager included.

Can't say the same about the usual suspects on this thread. Trying to be clever but achieving quite the opposite.

Mike Price
180 Posted 16/03/2013 at 21:32:05
Fantastic to watch today and I agree it was strangely more emotional than usual, probably because of the utter despair that we all suffered last week.

I really felt we were likely to pull out that performance and that's the really exasperating thing about Moyes's Everton, they just can't do it when it really matters. Underdogs, pressure off and we go for it, but if we're expected to win and it really counts we freeze. Also I think Mancini and City in general have slighted Everton a few times over the years and we just to love to ram it back down their throats.

Really feels good today, especially as the RS got taught a lesson, but I can't help but reflect back to last week and I still hope Moyes leaves.

Stephen Sulliven
181 Posted 16/03/2013 at 21:47:44
Ian and Brin
Everton are an "English" club let's not forget?
Colin Wainwright
182 Posted 16/03/2013 at 21:59:15
Forget about the rugby. Game for public school lassies.


(Dons helmet, waits for volley of abuse from ex public schoolboys/coppers/farmers/masons/welshmen)

Roman Sidey
183 Posted 16/03/2013 at 22:06:40
Oh, Colin...
(shakes head in dispair)
Colin Wainwright
184 Posted 16/03/2013 at 22:13:22
I know Roman........I know.
Phil Sammon
185 Posted 16/03/2013 at 22:36:11
Just seen Ossie's goal on Football First.

I think a few of you may want to amend your statements. It looked great and fair play for hitting it from there...but even he would admit that was a fortunate effort.

Si Cooper
186 Posted 16/03/2013 at 22:30:41
Haven't seen the game yet, but I have a genuine question:

Obviously the application from all players was better but how much was influenced by change of personnel / tweaking of the formation (assuming the OP is correct)?

As far as I am aware Gibson's omission and Ossie having to do the lion's share of the donkey work in the middle of the park last week was the manager's tactical choice.

People are talking about last week being a blip when the quality has been distinctly variable for a couple of months at least.

Great result and the manager deserves his share of the credit, but does it show he did make the wrong decisions last week?

Si Cooper
187 Posted 16/03/2013 at 22:46:41
Colin, I will have a go at most sports but football and rugby are my two main passions.

I enjoy both for some shared qualities but also for some very contrasting ones, and most of the players I know are the same.

Unless you have played both it may be impossible to understand that, or it may be that you have to have a particular mindset.

Watching MotD; Ossie's goal wasn't a fluke, he just caught it as he hopes to each time he has a shot, and Pienaar's challenge was worthy of a second yellow but never a straight red (IMHO). Seamus's defensive header was outstanding.

Colin Wainwright
188 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:07:20
Could just be I was taking the piss Si. I like Rugby tbh.
John Crook
189 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:07:17
Seamus Coleman absolutely outstanding today and Man of the Match closely followed by Darron Gibson who was in the right place at the right time every time. Superb committed performance today. But I want another 5 or 6 similar performaces before I consider forgetting lst week.
Si Cooper
190 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:11:48
Fair enough Colin. I do know some people who seem to think never the twain shall meet, and I have never understood why.

Definitely a day for English rugby fans to blank from their memory as the Welsh were excellent and well worth their victory (sob!).

At least it was an excellent day up until 5 pm. ;)

Phil Sammon
191 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:16:48
Si Cooper

'Watching MotD; Ossie's goal wasn't a fluke, he just caught it as he hopes to each time he has a shot'

He kicks as much turf as he does football!!! Jesus Christ, are you blind?!

Garry Corgan
192 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:17:03
Si - Re Pienaar's red card. It sounds like you're of the impression that it was a straight red? They showed the red card being given on Football First, but MoTD did show a second yellow being given a few seconds earlier, so just a one match suspension and probably fair based on the challenges.
Tony Stanley
193 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:16:57
I was just beside myself early this morning watching this...

Oh my god, Big Club hands it to a Rich Club.

I love Everton and Goodison.

Paul Kelly
194 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:02:57
Manager and players alike, give yourselves a pat on the back, you've earned it.

Quality. Bit more of this week in week out please.

Phil Sammon
195 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:30:06
Garry

It's his 2nd red card of the season so will miss 2 matches.

Paul David
196 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:14:38
I didn't mention it earlier cos I didn't want to complain after a great win but seeing all the plaudits for Anichebe has pissed me right off. People say the crowd are quick to get on his back but its the opposite, he gets away with murder.

Pienaar runs and chases all game, every game and gets nothing, Anichebe does it when he feels like and gets a huge round of applause just for closing someone down.

If that was just it I wouldn't have brought it up but what I seen towards the end disgusted me. Last week Fellaini was rightly condemmed for turning his back on the ball. Yet Anichebe, not once but twice sat on his arse when the game is still going on around him when we were down to 10 men and there was fuck all wrong with him.

Can someone explain to me why Fellaini gets booed off the pitch but Anichebe gets a standing ovation for doing something twice thats just as bad?

James Flynn
197 Posted 16/03/2013 at 22:59:17
Ugh, on last week and it was Moyes' fault. The players laid down at 0-3. Not one, NOT ONE, did a single thing to energize the team. Not one. With all that time to go, no less.

We have a few weeks left with Moyes. Never heard of the Globe, but found it interesting, reading in here, that they're playing up "cyber" whoevers as the problem. As much as anything, read it as the first salvo our owners are firing across the bow of the post-Moyes era. They know he's the reason their It's-all-about-the-profit approach might become problematic next season.

It's their money and they're betting, fairly, that the next guy in can keep EFC in the 85% who retain EPL status to share in the TV gelt coming over the next few years. We'll see, but I'm worried already, the next fellow in do what Moyes has.

Immediately, we're on 48 with 27 more to go get. 6 points off 3rd place!

COYB!

Ernie Baywood
198 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:29:04
I couldn't understand last week. When I played, if things weren't going for me or the team I would work harder, get frustrated, and end up clobbering someone. How can the players who have the drive and determination to reach the top level just give up?

Well today we saw they had some bottle. Don't blame Pienaar - he went but it could equally have been Fellaini, Osman, Mirrallas as they were all trying to make a point.

Outstanding performances for me were Coleman, Gibson and Mucha. Seamus was just outstanding in attack and defence. Gibson was really classy in midfield - none of it is spectacular but when he intercepts, plays a quick one two in a tight position and then starts the attack by switching play you see what we lose by picking Neville. I like Mucha, not least the way he looks to start attacks by bowling the ball out wide rather than dropping it to a centre half who the has little choice but to ping it.

So they've got balls. Even if all evidence is that if there was something riding on the game they wouldn't have put in this performance.

Ernie Baywood
199 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:36:47
Oh, and haven't smiled like I did for Jelly's goal in a long time. So happy for him - the perfect finish to a great game.
Phil Sammon
200 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:39:00
Paul David

Bollocks

James Flynn
201 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:32:56
Mike (980) - "I really felt we were likely to pull out that performance and that's the really exasperating thing about Moyes' Everton, they just can't do it when it really matters".

Today's win puts us 6 points off 3rd place. I saw it as mattering. What did you think?

Si Cooper
202 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:31:32
Garry - someone further up said they had been told it was worthy of a straight red and the commentator on MotD opined the same, but it wasn't at that level in my opinion. It was foot raised and so the studs were exposed, but not like jumping into someone straight legged.

Phil - will look at it again, but I thought he hit the ball pretty flush whilst it was just off the ground. Some turf flew at the moment of impact but as he didn't seem to make too much contact with the ground (from what I could see) I thought maybe the turf was already divoted / loose.

Paul David
203 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:41:23
Phil

Please explain how its bollocks? Anichebe did sink to his feet twice and did it while the ball wasn't far away. There was nothing wrong with him cos after spending about 10 seconds on the floor he then stood up and started running again.

Phil Sammon
204 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:51:43
It comes down to circumstance.

Fellaini was throwing his arms around when he, and the rest, had done fuck all to earn us anything all game.

Victor ran himself into the ground today. He rightly gets a load of shit when he turns up and puts in half arsed displays because we all know how good he can be. He does go down easy at times but today he was magnificent. He deserved that round of applause for his effort all game. He chased everything.

Paul David
205 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:59:31
Phil

He did work hard today but I still doesn't excuse what he did. He wasn't injured and he hadn't worked that hard that he physically couldn't stand up any more so why do it? We were down to 10 men at the time and only one goal up.

Patrick Murphy
206 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:03:06
For all those who are sniping at the members of the MOB, according to the Mirror, there is bad news as David Moyes is likely to leave at the end of the season, even if there is no club to go to, he intends according to sources close to Moyes to take a sabbatical and wait for the right club.

Admittedly there are as usual no sources quoted, but I think it is exactly what he will do and it has nothing to do with the outpouring of anger by the fans last week.

Phil Sammon
207 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:11:58
Paul

He does sulk at times and there were plenty round me telling him to 'get the fuck up'. He deserves that and gets it every time it happens.

That aside, he was brilliant today and I can't understand why you'd begrudge him an ovation.

It's also worth noting that Vic hasn't spoken to any media outlets about leaving the club. Though I don't necessarily think that's why people jump on Fellaini's back.

James Flynn
208 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:41:33
Colin (940) - "Kenwright's still a lying shithouse though. Don't forget that!"

Could I "forget" a spectre hovering just above me?

I'm all about us being 6 points off 3rd place with 27 points still out there. COYB all the way, every day.

But, Moyes gone in a few weeks, we're still stuck with our owners and their front-man Kenwright.

Paul David
209 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:19:29
Phil

This time was different. Usually he pretends he's injured, holding his head while on the floor, hobbling after a clean tackle ect. This time he didn't even bother pretending, just sat there watching the game go on around him.

Seeing as no one else has mentioned it or thought it was a big deal, it must just be me cos I really can't stand him.

Phil Sammon
210 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:28:51
Paul

Yeah, sounds like you're not his biggest fan.

He had a good game mate, you've gotta admit that.

James Flynn
211 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:28:06
Patrick (021) - Huh? This is some news-flash?
And why the preamble, "For all those who are sniping at the members of the MOB"?

Post when you're sober tomorrow.

Paul David
212 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:32:42
I think he worked hard yeah but that doesn't mean he'd earned the right to sit the game out for a bit.
Patrick Murphy
213 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:34:24
I don't drink James, and the preamble was to those who think it is the MOB's fault if David Moyes leaves the club, when it is clearly his own decision, aided and abetted by the lack of backing from the board.

In another article in the Mail – I think – he is reported as saying that he and his players are ambitious and intimates that some of them will not be around come next season either, despite the fantastic display today I don't think an Everton manager should be saying these things. As you say, it is hardly a newsflash but I thought it was noteworthy.

Phil Sammon
214 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:39:46
Paul

You're right, and he got the grief he deserved from my section of the ground for those incidents.

He also got a standing ovation for all the good he did.

He does my head in at times too, but today he typified the team's performance.

Phil Sammon
215 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:42:57
You're called Patrick Murphy and you don't drink?! On today of all days!

Goodness gracious.

Nick Entwistle
216 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:42:39
The Mail article is no more than what was said at the press conference which is available on the official site with the Man City preview.

What Moyes said when asked on his future was that it depends on the players and where we finish, we're chasing Europe. That some players may not be here next season, he was more or less saying was dependent on the same things.

I still believe Moyes is still chasing 4th and hopefully saying that today won't bring a barrage of abuse my way.

At the start of the season everyone seemed in agreement - top 4 or bust. Nothing has changed.

Patrick Murphy
217 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:54:25
Phil in my younger days I was a proverbial fish, but things change and even Irishmen named Patrick have to obey doctors orders rather than last orders.
Ernie Baywood
218 Posted 17/03/2013 at 00:30:23
I think you're being unfair. The lad ran himself silly right to the end. So a couple of times he appealed to the ref and took a moment to carry on – if he didn't appeal we'd say he should be a bit more cynical.

Very different to Fellaini losing the ball and just giving up.

Just rewatched the game with my kids. Brilliant!

Phil Sammon
220 Posted 17/03/2013 at 01:01:31
Ernie

I was going to say Ernie. Do you have the kids sat by the TV, pad and pen in hand. Both wearing Steve Round headsets analysing the game

Phil Bellis
221 Posted 17/03/2013 at 01:00:38
Harold Matthews
Eh! What!
Si Cooper
222 Posted 17/03/2013 at 01:04:51
Having watched the game on Football First I am no closer to working out why we were so good today compared to last week.

It appears to be a riddle, wrapped in a mystery, inside an enigma!

Our recently porous middle was well marshalled by a plethora of willing combatants and we never appeared to be nervy and profligate when under pressure.

There didn't appear to be a radical change of formation and yet it all looked so much more cohesive.

I thought Gibson looked assured and sprightly and Victor harried with enthusiasm and athleticism, but is that enough to explain such a radical swing? I would certainly have preferred Gibson to Neville last week but though he has not been scoring I have not been able to find fault with Jelavic's work ethic even though he is not as quick as Anichebe can be when he chooses.

Is it that Mancini lacks the nous of Martinez when it comes to dealing with the Everton system?

Minimal changes leading to a massive difference, or a combination of a number of intangibles flip-flopping from one extreme to the other?

Have now heard Pienaar's second bookable foul now described as a potential leg breaker by two separate pundits but I think this is a ridiculous assessment of what is, to me, a miss-timed leg dangle.

Ernie Baywood
223 Posted 17/03/2013 at 01:36:33
Leg dangle is right. The view from behind makes it look like the ball is bouncing to Garcia and Pienaar jumps in. In reality the ball was in dispute, both chased it and went for it and the City man got there first. The worst I can say about is it was a bit silly the way he shaped the challenge.

I can understand the yellow, but describing at as a leg breaker is ridiculous. Shin grazer at worst.

James Flynn
224 Posted 17/03/2013 at 01:38:25
Si (037) - We can go round and round. The boys laid down last week.

Peculiar to our lot. But if there's another explanation, I'm listening.

I prefer to think Top 4 was more important to them, given Moyes, Fella, and at no surprise, Baines will be gone come June or July.

So, 27 points there to get and effort like today could get all of them. Put us on 75, and let's see where that lands us. Certainly, a fond fairwell for this era in the Club's history.

COYB!

James Flynn
225 Posted 17/03/2013 at 01:44:57
Oh, and Si, the Shite have a "system", not us. Martinez is a cipher. Had zero to do with us losing.
Ernie Baywood
226 Posted 17/03/2013 at 01:40:39
And on the "what changed" question. Effort is a big one but I think people continue to underestimate Gibson, seemingly Moyes included.

The comparison between him and Neville in that role is not worthy of comparison. You sort of overlook the clever one-twos in tight situations (he does that 5 or 6 times each week). He starts attacks as opposed to just shifting the ball on. He bursts through when the timing is right. He can pick a forward pass - that one to Naismith when there was nothing on was just exquisite. And he makes so many vital challenges - before the Naismith tackle for the second goal he made two beautiful challenges on the edge of his own box.

He had a perfect game against City. And most of the time he's at a good standard. Makes a difference - sets a team up if the centre is working.

Compare that to Oldham. Seamus and Leighton getting the ball and having nowhere to go. Neville marking space was a big part of that. You can get away with some weaknesses but not such a massive one in the centre of midfield.

Phil Sammon
227 Posted 17/03/2013 at 01:39:31
Si

I've heard the term, 'Raked his shins' a few times today. He did catch his studs in Garcia's sock but there was absolutely no weight in Pienaar's challenge. This is football right? His foot, on contact, was maybe 10 inches off the floor. Hardly horrific. His first yellow looked bad too, yet he never even touched Barry. He went down in anticipation.

AND Fellaini's tackle was very hard...but he got the ball. It wasn't 'excessive force'. He tackled Milner fair and square.

AND I'd even say that Fellaini should have had a penalty for that blatant block by Nastasic. Didn't Victor get pulled up for blocking Hart in a similar way?

And they have the cheek to moan about a City penalty not given! We had a good goal ruled out!

James Flynn
228 Posted 17/03/2013 at 01:47:59
Nick (031) - Not sure why you'd be abused when your Club is 6 points off 3rd place.

The run in for us is no picnic, just as it's none for the 3 clubs above us.

James Flynn
229 Posted 17/03/2013 at 01:50:55
Ernie (042) - Must be the folk you're around that "under estimate" Gibson.

Can't think of a single ToffeeWebber even hinted at such.

Gibson's only been seen as a talisman, deservedly. Today, yet another example.

Why do you think him underestimated?

Tim Jones
230 Posted 17/03/2013 at 02:43:47
A great well deserved win for Everton . But that of course raises the question where the fuck were these virtually identical players heads last week. There is only one conclusion you can reach and that is that Moyes tactically and motivationally fucked it up big time against Wigan and that is why he has to go.
Roger Sunde
231 Posted 17/03/2013 at 03:09:59
a fantastic goal from a underrated little player thats been a toffe all his life.
Ernie Baywood
232 Posted 17/03/2013 at 03:12:15
James, I think people see him as a good solid midfielder. Most of the time he's much better than that.

The clincher for me is, while all saw selecting Neville as a bad decision, not too many seemed to think it was pivotal.

That we lay down was bad, but that decision was the root cause.

In the live forum there were people saying he'd been a bit quiet (until he really came to the fore when we were down to 10). He was exceptional all game - little things that people don't always notice. Meanwhile there was a lot of praise for Ossie because he hit a belter. Ossie played well, but Gibson's supposed quiet game was streets ahead all match.

Peter Leslie
233 Posted 16/03/2013 at 16:28:44
Yes, 3-1 Saints. Good goal
Tim Jones
235 Posted 17/03/2013 at 02:47:49
Chris James # 804 Pay me £67 K a week and I will be perfectly happy to pick a team and whats more MOTIVATE them for EVERY game too.
James Flynn
237 Posted 17/03/2013 at 03:55:40
On the other hand, a ManCity view of things:

http://espnfc.com/blog/_/name/manchestercity/id/782?cc=5901

Tim Jones
239 Posted 17/03/2013 at 03:51:43
Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers was right to point out that no single player should shoulder the blame for a woeful performance.

'It was the team,' he said. 'Steven's been brilliant and his performance levels have been high. But today was just a poor day at the office for us.'

Seems like they all trot out the same bollocks.

Tim Jones
240 Posted 17/03/2013 at 04:06:41
Yet again Mirallas can't, or maybe is not allowed to, complete 90 minutes. How he was voted Player of the Month on TW beats me.
Tim Jones
241 Posted 17/03/2013 at 04:10:47
James Flynn (#055) writes:

"Ernie – Let's take another run at it when we've slept it off." — Is it you or me who's pissed?

BTW its 12 midday here in Bali — a time when only 'Alkys' are drunk.

Chris Corn
242 Posted 17/03/2013 at 07:51:50
Have to agree with Phil at 043 with every point he made in his post. They dissected the handball to death on Sky, yet failed to discuss the Fellaini block and not offside goal. Milner also hacked Mirallas from behind and hardly merited a talking to.
Eric Myles
243 Posted 17/03/2013 at 07:56:45
Tim#062, given how good (indeed how much better than anyone else in the team) Mirallas looks every time he takes to the field I can only think that there are injury issues still lingering with him that means he can't be risked all game or every game.
John Crawley
244 Posted 17/03/2013 at 08:14:10
Eric, Moyes has been taking Mirallas off early in games throughout the season. I don't think its got anything to do with injury issues, its more to do with Moyes's footballing philosophy regarding hanging onto leads.

This was a good performance by Everton but are we that surprised? In the main they have been playing well against the top sides at Goodison all season. The problem has been the way we have played against teams in the bottom half of the table. I thought Man City were really poor, Silva and Dzeko in particular didn't seemed bothered. There was one point when Coleman ran past Silva and he just stopped running!

The players & Moyes get themselves up for this game and have for every Man City game since Lescott was sold. The fact that they can't do this when it really matters is the problem and frankly so what if they played well yesterday its unlikely to make much difference to how the season turns out.

Ian Bennett
245 Posted 17/03/2013 at 08:40:42
John - I think you're wrong about Mirallas. He was clearly the out ball with his pace, but I think care over that hamstring is reducing his game time. Moyes has said something about injuries coming when the player is tired. Perhaps they've learnt after Rodwell.

I was unhappy when he went off, however at least he's good to go next week.

Tony J Williams
246 Posted 17/03/2013 at 08:56:50
Tim 048, it's not the only conclusion at all, it's one of many. Another player apologist.
Laurie Hartley
247 Posted 16/03/2013 at 23:24:30
I've just finished watching a recording of the game - the team played great today. DM got it right with his selection and tactics and the players showed the fight that Evertonians expect from any player putting on a blue shirt.

I posted on one thread after last weeks debacle that it was heartbreaking to see Goodison emptying half way thought the game. Those fans who left were not "doomongers" - they were protesting with their feet for the lack of fight and pride in the shirt they were witnessing on the pitch. Many of the protests that followed on this site were from fans who had previously defended DM and acknowledged his contribution to the club.

They gave the players and a manager a proper bollocking for a performance that was just not good enough in arguably the biggest game of the season - the prize a very possible double trip to Wembley and silverware. To say it was a missed opportunity is an understatement - it was a disaster.

David Moyes said he would have been surprised if he hadn't got a reaction from the team. So would I. The commentators on Sky suggested that the reaction of the Everton faithful to the Wigan debacle was over the top. How wrong can you be.

I think most Evertonians are as one eyed as me - certainly all the ones I know are. The following the team gets away from home and the 30 odd thousand that turn up week in and week out are the envy of most of the premier leagues been counters. So when those fans arch up everyone should take notice and ask why. I think the manager and the players did and I give them credit for that.

Morals of the story:

No individual is bigger than the club (player or manager)
Nothing but YOUR best is good enough if you represent EFC
Once an Evertonian always an Evertonian!

Drew Shortis
248 Posted 17/03/2013 at 09:24:31
I was so pleased to see Mucha take his chance and excel. I always thought he was a good keeper, but his first few outings were below par due, possibly from feeling too much pressure to do well on his rare opportunity. Now he knows he has at least a few matches to show what he can do he looks like a man possessed. To be fair none of the Wigan goals were his fault and his saves yesterday were as good as anything Tim could have produced. It will be good to have two genuinely talented keepers pushing each other for the jersey. It was great to see Coleman and Anichebe thriving as well. They have taken some stick in recent years, but both look hungry. The icing on the cake was Jelavic finally putting one away. Hopefully that confidence boost will see him go on a little scoring spree. We need it if we are to finish in a European spot and above the Red side!
John Crawley
249 Posted 17/03/2013 at 09:35:34
Ian 082, we are going to have to differ regarding Moyes's substitution of Mirallas, unless of course Moyes has been protecting him from injury all season! He's started 19 games and has been taking off in 15!

Moyes consistently pulls off attacking players when we are protecting a lead, why do you think his substitution of Mirallas on Saturday was due to anything other than that?

Ian Bennett
250 Posted 17/03/2013 at 09:55:36
John I think he has been protecting him since he had a run of repetitive injuries. Before then maybe, although didn't he come injured?
John Crawley
251 Posted 17/03/2013 at 10:02:30
Ian he came back into the team against Southampton on the 21st Jan and I would accept your point about injuries for a short while but given that it is now the 16th March . . . and he has consistently subbed him from the start . . . . and his track record with taking attacking players off to protect leads . . . then I think you are wrong!
Joe Clitherow
252 Posted 17/03/2013 at 10:21:03
Tim 056 The thing is if you COULD carry out that contract you mention then you would be doing so, unless you're already paid more than £67K a week.

Talk is cheap and you're talking bollocks

Ian Bennett
253 Posted 17/03/2013 at 10:28:33
John - Hamstring injuries to quick players don't just clear up like magic. They need to be managed. The guy had a knee injury before hand, so he is obviously still not 100% fit. Yes, Moyes does sub attacking players, but so do all managers.

Hell you're right, let's keep him on and flog him. Using an exclamation mark must prove you're right..... not.

John Crawley
254 Posted 17/03/2013 at 11:30:16
Ian I have given you evidence that Moyes has regularly substituted Mirallas all season to back up my point that the substitution was a tactical one by Moyes. We also have his track record of doing this for the past so many years. You on the other hand have given absolutely no evidence whatsoever that Mirallas being substituted was down to trying to protect the player from injury.

In addition to all of this we have the evidence of who he has actually brought on in his place - Naismith. Now if he had put on Oveido for Mirallas then you could at least make the argument that he wasn't changing his tactics and wanted to have a pacy outlet on the counter, therefore the substitution might be down to keeping him fit. But he didn't do that, and the reason is, that he wanted to sit deep and keep things tight for the last 20 minutes. That is his view of the game. I think its pretty clear why he substituted him and to pretend its anything other than tactical is rubbish.

Eric Myles
255 Posted 17/03/2013 at 11:19:56
I'm wondering where all the TWebbers are that criticise the manager when he makes an 89th minute substitution?
Ian Bennett
256 Posted 17/03/2013 at 12:06:14
John this isn't evidence in the slightest. The lad has a knee injury, and broken down a number of times already with a hamstring already. This is an injury where they sent him to germany because our medical team couldnt fix it. This tells me they are building up his game time. The lad can't currently last 90 minutes, Moyes or not.

The same as I have no evidence that he was taken off for tactical reasons, you have no evidence that it's not been because of fitness. His choice of a right sided forward over a left sided full back counts for fresh air.

Ian Bennett
257 Posted 17/03/2013 at 12:46:10
Had a knee injury.
John Crawley
258 Posted 17/03/2013 at 14:13:02
Ian I know he has broken down with a hamstring injury a number of times but given that he has played since the 21st January, how long exactly does it take him to get over it? You are really stretching on this one. As I said earlier I could accept that you might want to ease him back in for a while but we are talking almost 2 months. The fact is that he is running at full speed, throwing in tackles and the player himself has said that he feels absolutely fine! Look at that tackle he threw in on that Wigan player which left him in a heap by the advertising hoardings.

The reason he can't last 90 minutes is because Moyes hauls him off! Sorry you do have evidence he was taken off for tactical reasons, you just need to look at the player that was brought on for him and how we played.

Brin Williams
259 Posted 17/03/2013 at 16:07:27
Steven Sullivan,

Don't I know it, and I'm an Evertonian and Welsh. What is more I have always
secretly thought of Liverpool as the capital of Wales - sounds daft you bet, but there is such a long history with North Wales and Scouseland.

Cymru am Byth, COYB

Brin Williams
260 Posted 17/03/2013 at 16:14:31
Oh, by the way - Wales could have two teams in the Premiership next season - however I shall only be supporting one team - Everton.
Ian Bennett
261 Posted 17/03/2013 at 17:04:38
John - playing in near freezing conditions and on poor pitches, yes I can see it. Hamstring injuries follow certain players, so if they are being careful with him, it's fine by me. We don't want this to be a recurring issue like Rodwell, kierian dyer, or a blast from the past - terry phelan.
Lee Simpson
262 Posted 17/03/2013 at 17:07:32
Spurs beaten at home by Fulham. We are 6 points off with a game in hand and still to play them. If yesterday can be the start of a winning streak, we could do it. If we can get 7 points from our 5 away games, we have Stoke, QPR, Fulham and West Ham at home. It's in our hands. For the first time in years we are 6th in the run in with 9 games to go. I think we could nick fourth.
Kev Johnson
263 Posted 17/03/2013 at 17:33:34
Brin - I don't really get it mate. If you are so proud to be Welsh when it comes to rugby, why support an English football team? Alternatively, you're a fan of EFC so why not support England?

As someone who spent quite a few holidays in North Wales as a kid, I've always loved the place and the people - so it makes me feel a bit odd to realise that a lot of the Welsh seem to hate the English.

This is worth a listen, if you haven't seen it before. Gavner P's Scouse/Welsh song, 'Scwelsh': http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RcFB7Oowt8I

Ray Roche
264 Posted 17/03/2013 at 17:38:14
Brin, you are right, Liverpool WAS known as the unofficial Capital of Wales for a long time and I think Liverpool even hosted the National Eisteddfod as did Birkenhead. And there is also the "Welsh Streets" area where all the streets have Welsh names. Pall Mall was also regarded as Little Wales and in Huyton Quarry there was a Welsh Chapel which my neighbours used to worship at. Links between North Wales and Liverpool and long and varied.
Dean Adams
265 Posted 17/03/2013 at 18:09:30
Kev, 253

I don't see why you find it hard to understand Brin. Being an Everton fan is something that means so much to so many of us, including the Welsh. I lived on the border in south Wales for much of my formative years and supporting Wales in the rugby was essential as so many English friends wanted the rivalry. Being both a Wales rugby fan and an Evertonian fit well enough for me. Both have been the nearly men so many times in my life, but Welsh rugby is on a high, just wish Everton could copy that winning formula.

Ian Bennett
266 Posted 17/03/2013 at 18:17:44
Kev - many welsh players have played for the blues, hence the strong links. Wales is a pretty large country, so most north/mid walians will support a larger club than Swansea or Cardiff which are miles away or everton on your doorstep?

Support England, you must be joking.

Kev Johnson
267 Posted 17/03/2013 at 18:23:44
Dean and Ian - sorry guys, it still doesn't make any sense to me! If you're not patriotic in so far as you support an English football team then why would you be suddenly patriotic when it comes to a different sport? Surely your Welshness is not dependent on the type of sport that is being played?

I went to a rugby playing grammar school in Liverpool at a time when Wales ruled the (British) roost, rugby wise, so always have a soft spot for The Red Dragons. I still support England, though. It is odd, very odd indeed, when Evertonians celebrate a Welsh victory against the English.

I have no axe to grind against Wales - as I've already said, I'm positively inclined towards North Wales (and Pembrokeshire is very nice, too!) and I'm well aware that many true-blue Evertonians come from Wales, but the whole thing is a muddle, to be honest. It is totally illogical that Wales is a separate country and yet Cardiff and Swansea can compete in an English league! Unless, of course, Wales is not a separate country...

Ian Bennett
268 Posted 17/03/2013 at 18:40:45
Kev - I am welsh first. Ask an Irishman or a Scotsman to support England, and you'll get a response that they'd rather eat their own innards.

I found everton as an 8 year old. No one sat me down and told me they were English, or indeed would break your heart, but 29 years on thats what I can tell you. My nearest side plays in front of 150 people so please excuse the glory hunting tendencies, Newtown didn't feature much in panini sticker books.

Kev Johnson
269 Posted 17/03/2013 at 18:58:36
Ha-ha! So be it, Ian. I don't want to cause any strife on this issue. It just doesn't make sense to me. But then again, a lot of things don't make sense to me. COYB!
Paul Dark
270 Posted 18/03/2013 at 10:45:46
Very sorry to see the Newcastle player carried off yesterday. Let this be a warning, though, to those who extol the virtues of Martinez. His teams consistently play thuggish (vide Scharner), ugly, (at best) functional football. Those who want this relegation manager to be our next custodian should really think again. Wigan really are one off the most horrible teams to visit Goodison every year.

A benign smile, a foreign accent and a good relationship with the Press maketh not a good manager!

Barry Rathbone
271 Posted 18/03/2013 at 11:29:31
Doesn't get anymore Welsh than "Gwladys st".

I'm of Irish ancestry but born in Toxteth couldn't be prouder of our Welsh, Irish and of course Tartan blues - fantastic.

Phil Bellis
272 Posted 18/03/2013 at 12:02:01
Barry,
Born in "Toxteth"...you must be a posh Dingle person; I'm a Liverpool 8 man, other side of the Avenue, Granby St
Just glad you don't call Liverpool 8 "Toccie" {shudders}
Ian Smitham
273 Posted 18/03/2013 at 22:15:48
Paul Dark #413, quite right .
Roman Sidey
274 Posted 18/03/2013 at 21:46:12
James Flynn, thanks for the City column. I especially liked this bit:
"Instead we got the annual Merseyside carve-up." Perfect.

On the match, my memory isn't wonderful for it, but was Fellaini's foul at Etihad that gave them their penalty somewhat similar to the one on him yesterday that wasn't given?

Nick Millington
275 Posted 18/03/2013 at 23:46:05
Still not forgiven for woeful display in cup, produce this commitment each week and it will go some way
Eric Myles
276 Posted 19/03/2013 at 00:37:08
John #80, just think of the stick Moyes would get on here if he knowingly kept on an injury prone player with the result that he gets injured and is out for a month.

Add Your Comments

In order to post a comment, you need to be logged in as a registered user of the site.

» Log in now

Or Sign up as a ToffeeWeb Member — it's free, takes just a few minutes and will allow you to post your comments on articles and Talking Points submissions across the site.


About these ads

© ToffeeWeb