Blues win a rip-roaring encounter

Also sad to see Besic not even make the starting line up and little ossie presumably will play next to McCarthy.

Hoping for a win but not impressed by the line up at all.

Hibbo is never a LB although he may be pushing Distin out to LB and putting Hibbo with Jags.

A very suspect back 4 especially against Carrol.

We could have done with the beef and pace of Browning IMO.

Not happy to see so many forward players at the expense of MF again. Would have preferred Besic and give Nais a rest.

Great to see Kev back and McCarty fit though.

I blame Osman :-)

I hope all the Ossie critics on this site will finally give the player the credit he deserves.

I agree with the posts about Barkley. Big Dunc in The Echo seems to think if Barkley stays at EFC he will go on to great things. Me, I think if we don’t see him start to fulfill that potential and MCFC will give us £60 million plus a player, I would take it.

Hopefully this win will finally kick-start our season... I been saying that after every win this season!

I wanted to see Garbutt at LB but that was a really tough physical battle there today. That also made it difficult for Barkley as well I think. Possibly Martinez is right that he’s still a bit young for playing further back in the midfield.

Although diametrically opposed in styles of play, there do seem to be a few similarities in the managers that Kenwright picks. Personally if it was like that all season, I’d be concerned. Today though I can be nothing but happy.

I thought Hibbo did pretty well at left back although I wouldn’t have chosen him personally. The key today was the defence not panicking for the most part. Eto’o is some player but how did he manage to miss that chance near the end? Ossie a good way to celebrate his 400th appearance – there aren’t too many players who have worn the shirt so often for the Toffees.

I think that forced us to stop farting around so much and it was good to see both goals coming from some really determined forward play, the first albeit somewhat fortuitous. But that second goal... Sublime!

And very happy for Osman. I thought he put in a really good performance for the full 90+ minutes, showing up those on here are so quick to parrot the claim that this not possible anymore. I’ve been a big critic of him when he has been poor so I’m more than pleased to give him full credit for this one. Perhaps someone can analyze has full game contribution in midfield today?

I’m not Howard’s biggest fan either but did he make a mistake today with that bombardment of crosses Lyndon predicted? I think not.

Good game. It might be the first one I rewatch this season.

Great goal from Ossie and well deserved on his 400th appearance, he worked hard today.

This hamstring problem is becoming a real worry, let’s hope Naisy isn’t too bad.

Take the cash if someone’s daft enough to shell out over £50 million. As for Lukaku today, lazy and useless as a target. MotM today Osman by a mile, followed by Mr Consistent McCarthy. Happy with the points though.

A lot was made of West Ham having players injured but no mention of our injured players ie; Barry, Gibson, McGeady, Baines and Oviedo. I am not counting Kone as he seems to have vanished.

Mirallas is obviously not fully fit but I see him playing well in Wolfsburg if he is selected. Wolfsburg will attack us and we will need him and McGeady for quick breaks. Maybe even Atsu will give us something in the 2nd half of the season.

I hope Naismith is not too badly injured.

Barkley is an enigma, I’m like Linda (#20), unsure if Barkley will develop as well as all Finch Farm staff believe. He’s got to start to affect games in a positive way, clearly he was annoyed when he was pulled off, probably as he realised he wasn’t contributing at all. He doesn’t justify his place at the moment, he’s behind Naismith, Osman, whoever plays in that No 10 position.

Any news on Naismith injury?

He’s still crap though :-)

Of course Martinez is becoming more like Moyes. His gaffer demands – and rewards him accordingly – to get ’top half’ and, for sure, he ain’t going to take many risks that doesn’t happen.

Hence he picks Hibbert at left-back over Garbutt. And why shouldn’t he? He wants to keep his job and sod ’development’. I’d be the same, I guess.

But please, Roberto, don’t give us anymore of that crap about encouraging young players. It’s only when there’s nobody else you’ll pick ’em!

My ratings for what its worth:

Howard – 7. Typically up and down. Might have done better for their goal, flapped at some crosses and kicked poorly but then made a crucial block near the end and even claimed a couple of under-pressure crosses at the death.

Coleman – 7. Not at his best but looking sharper. Laid on a great chance for Naismith. Mostly solid defensively.

Jagielka – 8. A good man for blood and guts and was the pick of the defenders for me.

Distin – 6. Did decently against Carroll but gave away some silly passes and missed one or two crucial tackles. Would prefer Stones or Alcaraz even.

Hibbert – 6. Didn’t let anyone down. He was beaten by Jenkinson a number of times in the first half but improved as it went on. Perfect man for a rearguard effort though I still feel sorry for poor Luke Garbutt who’s gotta be thinking what is he doing here...

McCarthy – 8. All action as even. Was a bit lucky with that challenge. The studs were up though; I think yellow was right. Otherwise, continued where he left off.

Barkley – 5. Just very poor. Lost the ball constantly. Missed tackles. Looks a long way from an Everton star – let alone the best player ever for England!

Osman – 9. MOTM. Always calm on the ball (which often results in him losing it but not today). Passed the ball efficiently and incisively. One of our few genuine playmakers.

Mirallas – 5. Clearly not match-fit yet. Did very little apart from pick up a silly booking. Offered very little help to the full back. We will soon see better from him, I’m sure.

Naismith – 6. dunno what he eats but I want some. Given how much he put into the internationals, his work-rate was phenomenal. Sadly the quality did not quite match today as exemplified by his wild miss from 8 yards out.

Lukaku – 7. Did work harder today though could easily be two marks less if not for the goal. Still loses the ball more often than he keeps it and most annoyingly for me today was criminally offside when he had the chance to be clean through. Goals is his currency though and he paid up today.

Subs:

Eto’o – 8. Like Osman, he just has a touch and quality of vision that sets him apart. Shame he missed the sitter that would have capped his cameo.

Besic- 7. Solid and sensible. We will see him start on Thursday I imagine which will be a test.

Atsu – n/a

Generally I suppose it’s good to win when playing below your best but the trouble is that we have been playing below our best for 3 or 4 months now! Still, only 2 points off 4th is not too bad at all and now would be a good time to click into a higher gear.

Perhaps RM (like others have suggested) is thinking ahead to the Wolfsburg game and the fixture congestion afterwards. Hopefully Garbutt, Besic and Browning will get an opportunity in the coming games.

Michael, if what follows passes as an analysis, I feared when I saw the team sheet with Osman alongside Macca in front of the back four. In fact, although he was passed a few times just outside the box, nothing serious came of it and the rest of the time his defensive work rate was good. He won a few headers and won a few balls in the middle of the field. It was in receiving the ball, his control of it and his passing (including more than a few sublime passes) that stood out, and his understanding with Eto’o was magical.

A full 90 minutes contribution topped off by a run of at least 150 yards (!) for that goal (on a plate from Eto’o but he had to get there and to make that lunge at the ball before the defender).

The thing about him is that you can tell after 10 minutes if he’s "on it" or not. Weirdly, if he’s off-form, his physical coordination seems to go awry – he suddenly seems like a gawky teenager who hasn’t quite got the hang of his new improved body. Whereas, if he’s on-form, he’s seems immaculately well-balanced and as nimble as you like.

At this point in his development, he needs to be playing all the time. But while he’s too good to loan out again, he probably doesn’t justify his place in the Everton team at the moment. Tricky.

If this isn’t the right time to play Garbutt then I don’t know when is. If Bobby’s not going to use him the he might as well be out on loan gaining competitive experience. The lad is 21-years-old and needs to be playing. I just hope he’s pencilled in for the Wolfsburg game... but Baines can’t be too far away from being fully fit.

So what do we do? I don’t really know. I just think that if he carries on playing like today, he won’t get picked to start, quite rightly.

As you say, the Wolfsburg game might suit him. But for the next Premier League game, I’d say there’s a question mark over him.

The turning point in the second half was undoubtedly the introduction of Eto’o. His guile and sheer class gave West Ham something to worry about. Great runs by both him and Ossie for the goal. They may both be 33 but they can teach players 10 or more years younger a few things about decision making and how to make an impact on the game. That is why they are still playing regularly.

This was a vital win and arguably the best of the season so far against difficult opposition.

Spot on, mate – why play a young inexperienced player against a team of thugs?

He will get his chance.

I can see him leaving the Blues, I’d say he is too good for us. Without him today, I don’t think we would have won this game.

Spot on.
Roberto made his team selection.....3 points.

The 86% popularity he gets from Evertonians will be up into the 90% plus soon.

Agreed, without McCarthy we would have lost this one. If he added a few goals to his repertoire, he would be a £50m player.

I do not believe he is ever going to be consistently good. l think this is it, the finished article: fantastic sometimes, injured and coming back trying to find form at other times, the real question is: Do we cash in on the enigma that is Ross Barkley?

A thoroughly enjoyable hard fought 3 points.

Oh and McCarthy was just superb.

There will be plenty of teams interested in him and very soon as well.

Did you both notice in the second half, before Eto’o came on, and we were doing nothing, he broke forward and had a good shot from over 30 yards? I think he was showing his frustration with the forward players.

He was grafting his plums off and some the other players were strolling around and giving the ball away leaving him to start all over again.

"If Hibbert is left back, then it’s only the right side we have to worry about as an attacking force. Jenkinson, you press up the right as much as you like, don’t worry about Hibbert. If he does appear in our half, the CBs will just keep him out left, not allow him to cut in , he hasn’t got a left foot to cross with . You’ll have a field day Jenkinson, just keep attacking down the right."

It seems a bit naive to give away your plan so early.

Agree that McCarthy was again superb, the best defensive midfielder in the Premier League on this form. Kevin (54) is right about Barkley and he reminds me of the young Rooney in that regard; when his rhythm goes, it goes very badly indeed.

Anyone else watch the same game as me?

I was wise to Moyes after just a couple of seasons when he didn’t know where, when or how to play Rooney, another player who was too good for us.

On form, Eto’o has to be the first pick at the moment for the role behind Lukaku, he looked class when he came on today (the sitter miss aside) and still has a great touch and footballing brain

Would like to see Barkley forget the coaching and just go out and play natural. At the moment he looks like his head can’t deal with it all. Mind you mine wouldn’t either if I had to listen to all the crap Woy comes out with. A point in Germany in the week will make today worth it though.

Which team got the 3 points?

Why are the 40,000 even bothering to show up at Goodison Park? There seems very little point to it all.

I do agree that the whole team aren’t putting in the necessary work for the whole 90 minutes and the quicker that aspect returns to the team the better, the result could have gone either way today but I’m happy that Everton won the points – a few other teams who probably played ’better’ than us today have got nothing to show for their efforts.

40,000 are most probably turning up because they love Everton, that’s the reason I go anyway. We all have different opinions, you don’t agree with what I said, no problem.

I hope like you, that James doesn’t want to leave Everton but, if Everton continue playing the rest of the season like they have started this one, then other top clubs will seek James out and he will move. I have to say that injuries have been a big part of the reason we haven’t performed, up to now, like last year but other factions have also contributed.

I think Martinez has tinkered too much with his team selections and his substitutions have not been as good as last year.

But Patrick we all have our own opinions and, I think we all want Everton to be the best, we just have different ways of showing it.

I know the ref in question seems to have previous with us, and we have our views of that previous.

Today, I thought he did well, looked a bit nervous at times, but got the big calls right. They were at best niggly, at worst plainly aggressive. He was on the case pretty well all the time.

Anyone else see the winning goal? The defender clearly blocked our player, but was 40 yards from goal and 4 of their players were chasing him down (last man is a relic of the past – it does not exist) but Clattenburg played on, clearly demonstrating the "Advantage" signal, and we scored. He then cautioned the offender.

Ignoring bias, I thought he was excellent today.

You thought he was excellent today? Bollocks!!!

He was fucking terrible, booked McCarthy for a fantastic challenge which was given as throw-in until the cockney twats wanted a red, massive arm-wavings for play on, not even on telly!

He is a baldy, wig-wearing, Redshite twat too who at times today lost control; the ONLY thing he got right was the advantage for Ossie’s goal. He the fucked up by only giving yardog Collins a yellow instead of a deserved red.

Excellent? My arse!

Patrick was dead right to pull you up for that. I doubt that very few of those ~40,000 would agree with your despicably Moyesian assessment.

McCarthy is proving himself as one of our best players... perhaps the best. But to blithely state that this makes him "too good for us" is not just a poor opinion on your part — it’s just shameful.

You go on digging the hole by claiming that, unless we play better, he will be looking to leave. Yet the greater likelihood is that, if we do play better, thus meeting the higher standard you claim he wants from his teammates, he will have been an intrinsic part of it, and will become a more likely target for the richer clubs we are hoping to compete with.

We can only really compete with them if we keep our better players. We kept Baines from the clutches of Moyes and Man Utd. We won’t stand a chance of keeping them if we think they’re "too good for Everton Football Club".

Why bring in the ambiguity of close defenders? It was a fucking red card and Twatenberg bottled it cos we scored!

FFS, we are not a fucking feeder club. Shame on you for spouting such shite about my beloved club. Now fuck off.

Take your blinkers off for a moment, we are playing shit; Martinez is a one-trick pony (positivity)...

Graham Jones makes the subs and organizes all eleven back for corners! HE is the real problem, Who? Graham Jones and his iPad negativity.

So we shouldn’t have won – and add to that the dull all-round performance & Barkley’s dive, then I see no cause for celebration. Certainly if it had turned out 1-1 as it should have, you’d all be having a go at the players and the team choice. We just got lucky, that’s all.

McCarthy played well but no better than others in the team including Osman who had a fine game. Osman scored the winner and then set Eto’o up for the chance he missed. McCarthy will learn his game by playing with the senior players in the team. He is still not at his full potential IMO and when he adds the odd goal to his game then he will be nearing that standard.

Osman played that role today and added his goal plus he linked defence and attack really well. I am sure that McCarthy will be an integral part of OUR team for years to come.

The two things that pissed me off most today is the dive by Ross and that shithouse who held his face when Mirallas pushed him in his chest.

Plenty to be happy about tonight.

Earlier in the season, we were unlucky and I think the amount of goals we conceded compared to the amount of chances we gave away is staggering. So what then, no we didn’t lose, we got a point, no we got all 3!

Read the top of the article, it says 2-1, which means we have 3 points!!!! If we play shoulda woulda coulda all the time, we would have either won the league or got relegated.

I’ve learned to live with the fact that the League table never lies.

Colin, feel good about myself? If I fooled myself into believing we deserved the win, that might be the case. If I’m honest and say we weren’t good enough, we might do better next time. Of course I’m happy with the 3 points, I just think it was a poor performance.

Wankers.

As best I could with my little psychos dragging me all over the house, but I was in front of the computer for the winner and damn near kicked the kitchen table over. I can’t really comment much on each player’s impact but I was so impressed with Ossie’s motor to be there and his technique to quite easily guide it home. Well played, Rom, to get the break started and sublime ball from Samuel Eto’o.

I sincerely hope Besic and Garbutt start at Volfsburg as I don’t think we want to risk disenfranchising the next generation. Plus I think Besic is up for this level, let’s see him play!

By my reckoning barring a catastrophic turn in goal differential, we are as good as through in Europa League Group so Thursday night is begging for some new blood – especially with a huge one versus annoying-ass Spurs coming right up after.

Whoa — hey, now I’m watching Wilshere trying to be tough with Fellaini... Hahahaha... what the fuck is it with these douschebags?

First off, people are on Barkley’s back for playing badly today and the last couple of games. He started the game wide left and then, towards the end of the first half, moved over to wide right, the same as has happened to him the last couple of home games, I am pretty sure this is not his natural position.

Last season, when he played well, it was through the middle, a position that he is not currently being picked in as Naismith is our leading scorer.

As for the McCarthy yellow card, it could not have been for the tackle as everyone seems to be reporting, as the referee gave a throw-in, not a free kick; the card presumably was for the same reason Reed got one, ie, the handbags afterwards.

In your scenario, a player is offside if he's standing next to the goalie and a defender plays a back pass to the goalie?

Slag the ref if you want but at least try to limit it to things he gets wrong.

Naismith was a world beater in the first 20 minutes and then seemed to spray the ball a lot.

Osman had one of his finest matches in a blue shirt and thoroughly deserved to score the winner.

Eto'o... when he signed with us, I, as well as others, copped a lot of stick for saying he was one of our best signings and we could feel honoured that such a player was at Goodison. 12 matches in, and I feel even stronger about that point. The man is a step above any player I've watched for Everton since I started supporting 12 years ago, and he does things with such class that it baffles my mind that anyone ever thought it wasn't a great signing.

Barry, Gibson, McGeady, Baines, Oviedo, Stones, Alcaraz, Kone, Pienaar.

That is 9 players out! And Mirallas & Naismith were clearly still not at 100%. Under those circumstances, to win against the brutes of West Ham is very satisfying, however sub-par some of our players' performances were.

If you want more info this thread is relevant.

We deserved the win against a team that went for long ball roughhouse in an attempt to put us off our stride. So I was also glad to see us mixing it when we had too; well done McCarthy for one.

Sean, Collins deserved a red card for either serious foul play or violent conduct. They are in the rules of the game. He made no attempt to play the ball, deciding instead to hack Lukaku down. The fact that we went on and scored was because Clattenberg played an excellent advantage, probably the only really decent thing he did all day.

Clattenberg, today, looked out of his depth. Watching Ed Sheeran is about his limit.

Ha-ha

Given the team isn't playing well and he's played out of position, do people expect miracles from Barkley? Naismith, who was castigated for years on here, looks a different animal played in his best position. Why is Barkley different? Why should a 20-year-old learning his trade turn in stellar performances played out wide?

I can't believe Jeff (#94) thinks Barkley's only contribution was a dive. Were you taking a dump when he wrong-footed half the Hammers defence and had his shot which was deflected for Lukaku's goal?

If that had been one of our other players, it would've been a simple pass backwards or sideways, but despite his age and the fact he wasn't having a great game, he was prepared to keep going and trying positive stuff all through the match.

As for Martinez, I think he's doing quite well. Given our injury list and the tough start we had, we're only 2 points off a champions league spot and top of our Europa group, unbeaten. I think most of us would've taken that if offered it 3 months ago.

If I'm honest, I'm disappointed that Martinez isn't using Browning, Garbutt and Besic more. Hibbert did okay yesterday, but we looked awkward because he offers very little going forward and got done a few times for pace, where I think the quicker more agile and left-footed Garbutt may have been okay. It's no coincidence most of their dangerous stuff came down our left side.

The only ref that counts says it wasn't offside, and awarded a goal.

There's even an example in the FIFA rulebook (p25) carbon-copy of what took place: http://www.fifa.com/mm/document/afdeveloping/refereeing/law_11_offside_en_47383.pdf

For what it's worth, I'm happy we got the 3 points too and the result is what counts, COYB.

Good battle and someone must have wound McCarthy up as he was well up for a battle.

Thoroughly enjoyed that game.

Too many of us are in love with what Ross CAN do rather what he DOES in bog-ordinary games like yesterday's. And the more he turns in stints like that, the less interest there will be in others signing him at anything like the ridiculous sums mentioned.

But be patient – it's early days.

Now that's certainly an oxymoron and probably racist but I know what he meant!

The last four games he has started have been Villa, Burnley, Lille and West Ham.

Can anybody make the link?

I don't think you can learn that touch and awareness that is just in built, and Lukaku can practice with Eto'o but he will never have his touch or control. Lukaku is a good finisher as his record shows so stop trying to turn him into something that he isn't.

Barkley is another that needs to play to his strengths which are picking the ball up and running at the opposition, I don't think all the hype has helped or is justified.

First half, we had a lot of possession and again the build up seemed slow and we had no real threat coming down the left flank. Naismith could have put us one up before Lukaku struck. At half-time, I felt we needed a second as I could see West Ham nicking one.

Again a slow start to the second half and the equaliser arrived and from then on, for the next 10 mins, I could only see West Ham getting the winner. The team lost its shape and you couldn't tell who was playing where.

Cracking counter attack and a fine ball by Eto'o to pick out Osman who was very good and grabbed the winner.

Delighted to get the win and stick it up that Fat Walrus, Roy Cropper Allardyce and his bunch of thugs.

Excellent performances from McCarthy, Distin, Hibbert and Osman.

If he wasn't, that could be it, and maybe why the Naismith injury is a little bit of a blessing for Barkley's progress. He and Lukaku forged a good partnership there last season, and maybe needs to be carried on this time round.

They called Colin Harvey the white Pele.

Luke Garbutt has a lot to learn defensively. Anyone who has seen him play would and should know that. A very good prospect, by the way.

Yesterday's ratings from me FWIW:

Tim – made a couple of good saves and did well generally. Still wish he'd command the box a bit more; 7

Seamus – getting better. His best game in a few, but still a way to go. 7
Hibbo – played really well. Quiet, efficient and defended really well, as if he's been playing at full back (let alone left full back) for the last 200 games. MotM contender. 8
Distin – didn't get much in the air with Carroll about but scrapped and did OK. A better option than Alcaraz but lacking confidence after early season blips. 7
Jags – Had a quiet and efficient game generally. Can't really blame him for the goal though he did look a bit surprised when the ball hit him, almost as if he was looking elsewhere at the time. Slightly odd... 7-

Ross – out of position and put of sorts. He generally goes down too easily and dives sometimes (bit like Stevie P and Nace), and someone needs to have a word. He'll be back, but not a winger by any means. Still rather see him or Sam (or anyone, even Tim) out on the right than McGeady. 5

Kevin – first game back, he did OK. Needs time. I'd still like to see Kevin on the right (though his best position would be behind Rom) with Stevie P and Bainesy on the left. 6

Macca – could have seen red, but yellow was just about right in the end. Was up for it, won a lot of important ball, not the best distribution and even ventured forward once or twice. If he could learn to pass a bit better and take some time on the ball and perhaps look a up a little more, he could become even better. 7+

Osman – probably MotM. Had a very good game and was in the zone. Excellent run (and left-footed finish) for the goal. His best game for us for years. Still light in the tackle and does spectate at times. I'd be surprised if he plays better this season. 8+

Nace – improved as the game went on and does some rather intricate etchings well in right spaces – should possibly have scored from Seamy's pull-back. Very good player but not an automatic pick. 7–

Rom – still looks bit slow and sluggish but 3 in 5. If he needs injections in his toe before playing (The Guardian), then why not allow him to recover properly? 7-

Sam – different class, quite literally. Should come on with half an hour in almost every game, I'd say. Should've scored, but his assist for Osman was simple but brilliant. 8

Besic – would really like to see more of this player. He doesn't play with the freedom for us that he does for BH – but that is hardly surprising. I'd like to see RM give him a chance to express himself more. Plays the simple balls and seems very keen not to make a mistake (still has the RS black-flip in his mind?). Needs more PL game time. n/a

Collins should have been sent off twice. We need to pass with much more purpose. At present, it sometimes feel as if we are holding the ball in order to hold the ball.

I don't think Roberto has had a great season from the dug-out. Having said that, we're a couple of points off CL, so if (big 'if') we get better in the second half (as he predicts), then this season could yet be better than last!

COYB!

I’ m a bit confused – are you referring to McCarthy or Barkley?

If he flops there, at least we can tick yet another favourite TW excuse for his failing to gain consistency.

I still think the secret with him is time to develop his decision making. Patience, please.

West Ham came and got stuck in and Roberto's tippy tappers got stuck in back. Both teams give us a bloody proper game. Well done, Everton.

Yes, the advantage he played for the second goal was a good call, but right from the off, he was allowing Carroll and Cole latitude to lead with their elbows, and you could see Jags and Distin pleading with him to do something, only to be ignored.

He should have booked Naismith for pulling their guy back, and Barkley for an outrageous dive, and that got the West Ham players started, so they went after McCarthy for a robust but fair challenge (he got booked, but a throw-in, not a foul was given?!) and then Mirallas threw his toys out of the pram as a result of niggling fouls. Yet next week, another ref would interpret the laws totally differently.

It's no surprise this got to the players and the crowd yesterday, and Clattenburg should stick to watching Ed Sheeran and stay away from important Premier League games.

The guy oozes class whenever he is on the ball and sees the game so much sooner and faster than everyone else on the pitch.

We need to be patient with Barkley; no need to keep making excuses for a player out of sorts and I'd echo Phil's comments about his decision-making.

Lots of comments regarding playing 'young' players. I'd rather think about them in terms of being good enough. Hibbert and Osman are two experienced, reliable pros who do their jobs. I'd argue that we're already carrying a 'young' player who will hopefully play his way back into form. I suspect that if Garbutt, Browning et al were played in a losing team, it was be another example of Martinez's 'recklessness'. Like the old regime, he clearly picks players who he can trust. Might not fit into the fantasy world of total football/relegation certainties but it got the points yesterday.

One thing I can't understand on here is that people come on complaining about Martinez changing the team, shifting players into different positions and then apparently he has no 'Plan B'.

Still feels like a stuttering work in progress. Mind you, the team that can't defend only conceded a deflected shot, the team that can't create scored twice and created that sitter that the wonderful Eto'o missed. Three workmanlike points; roll on Thursday.

Let's get back to the square pegs in round holes – as soon as I saw huff-and-puff Naismith in the Number 10 position, no guile. What an improvement when he went off, and Eto'o came on.

Get Barkley in his rightful position. Did Gascoigne ever play on the right side of midfield? Barkley or Naismith is a no-brainer.

Everton, Bellew, Groves, Pacquiao, Hamilton and Crystal Palace. Sadly I didn't have a bet (though Groves was 1/100 to win his fight).

Hopefully a Hull win will complete the set and catapult them ahead of the RS and below us on goal difference.

Looking forward to Brenda's post-match interview as well as Stevie G's face-like-a-slapped-arse... (snigger)!

He will always put in the effort wherever he plays, so put him wide left and you will get a similar performance as centre or right side. Hustle and bustle, hit and miss, and even a goal...

This allows Barkley to play in his best position, top of a diamond, the Number 10, and hopefully more effective than yesterday’s performance.

Far better to take private pleasure in their misfortune whilst we can and 'keep it shut'!

Every opportunity you can get to rub their noses in the shit, take it.

However, the amount of posts last year telling us that they were back to their frightening best and had a young intelligent manager who would move them to a higher level than us means we should enjoy the rare times when we do have something to smile about – no matter how briefly.

I think a lot is down to trying to fill too many gaps due to the injuries. I’m sure it will come right after Xmas when most of the poorly ones are back.

McCarthy was the only Everton midfielder who was prepared to fight fire with fire and kept us in the game when things got tough. During that spell, I kept looking for Leon and Barkley who never offered us very much fight at all – unlike Naismith whose pure graft in winning two tackles started the move for the winning goal.

Also, I'm glad Distin sorted out his differences with the manager because I thought we might have crumbled without his physical presence yesterday.
Great picture of Naismith Kev, funny that.

I can almost hear the gritting of teeth through which your "praise" for Ossie is coming.

On the basis you said he should never play for Everton again, does that mean you were wrong?

Palace played like that against us a few weeks ago, so I'm not surprised they turned over Liverpool today. Rickie Lambert is the best free transfer this season though, I reckon! Oh, sorry, I forgot. They actually paid real money for him.

He either felt a complete arse and pretended it didn't happen or, as I think it was Kev Johnson said on another thread, when he's not on his game his legs seem to belong to somebody else and maybe he tripped over his own feet.

Trouble is, we’d probably lose every game and he wouldn’t be the ’greatest’ any longer.

No, like every young player, he should aim to do his manager’s bidding for the sake of the team. We are Everton not Barkley United. And Ross knows that.

Yeah, I dare say he does like to make "dashing runs" forward, but I'm afraid doing that willy nilly would attract criticism even if he played for his local Sunday League team. Basically, football doesn't work like that.

If someone asked me to say one thing, one single thing about football, I'd say: It's a team game. At times, Ross doesn't seem to fully realise that. He's only young, and young people do tend to think 'It's all about me'. (I was the just same.) He'll learn, I've no doubt whatsoever, and will go on to be a brilliant player.

Getting individuals to work effectively within a collective is precisely the job of a manager, in football as in life. He's in safe hands with Martinez.

I don't know for how long we can hold his attention but it is a pleasure to see a footballer of the extreme quality of Eto'o playing in blue.

Credit to Ossie for his best game of the season but I still would be wary about giving him 90 minutes – he makes a very good impact sub for the last 30.

I think one of the problems we have with Ross is playing him in his best position, central and behind the striker. It seems to me a big problem is we have a surfeit of players best suited to that role- Nais, Ross, Samuel, Mirallas, arguably that is even Ossie's best position. Whereas we are lacking on the flanks (where Ross is sometimes asked to play) and indeed a genuine back up to Rom.

As for the ref's decisions, it's the first time I've seen a player booked for giving away a throw in. Barkley did indeed fall over without a challenge but didn't make a meal of it whereas Tomkins should get a 3-game ban for cheating.

"A lovely weekend, indeed, Mike, although I've never been into your brand of shadenfreude re RS as it ALWAYS comes back to kick us up the arse. Far better to take private pleasure in their misfortune whilst we can and 'keep it shut'!"

Er ...... I posted the comment on a site called ToffeeWeb, Phil - not the Liverpool Echo blog or on BBC R5L. Hence, for 'private pleasure', which I thought was obvious (but not obvious enough for you).

If we can get over this hangover and bring in some kind of consistency, we still have every hope of making the top 4. There is hope and after seeing some of the other teams in action; it's not just a small amount of hope.

You ask for some consistency. Last eight games W4 D4 L0 F14 A4

Looks pretty good to me

Good weekend for all that though, nudge-nudge, wink-wink!

I'm Singing the Blues this morning and am hoping for a repeat midweek European version.

(By the way, I never buy the rag but some of the comments on The Echo website from the other lot are hilarious. What was that about YNWA?)

Lucky Clattenberg and the linesman haven't seen that guide!

I've seen Brett Angel scoring for Everton.