Come on, Everton, treat us to those goals that our all round play deserves...

You've had the RS losing on the day we last played and Manure, complete with increasingly panicky OFM, and Shitty losing on the same day and Chelski spluttering.

It's at moments like this, that CL doesn't seem such an impossible dream.

Let's hope that isn't an invitation for a wake up call....

Gibson and Pienaar must both be unfit as Heitinga makes the bench.

Gerrin there blue boys!!

We should have won 5-0, funny to win a game and feel disappointed at the end, just goes to show how impressive the first half was I suppose.

Everyone played really well, but for me the standout performances were by Coleman, Barry, Mirallas, Barkley and the MoM Lukaku.

Only unbeaten team in the league, in the Champions League spots, playing great football and surely an outside bet for the title now ;-)

Very happy Toffee going to watch the Final episode of Breaking Bad and drink late into the night (off work tomorrow). Perfect day!

Ultimately a great, always threatening first half. Very sloppy second half; almost lazy.

Subs from Newcastle at half time had an obvious impact. Their first goal was great but then we slipped back into old ways. It is unusual to praise everyone for the first half performance but they deserve it. I thought Distin played well throughout - too many faded in the second half (Luka, Mirallas). The second Newcastle goal was simply very soft. McCarthy showed promise over 90 minutes and plays well for the team. Barkley is really exciting when he runs at defenders and he has an awareness of others - witness the back heel to Baines. I'm not sure about Spanish boy wonder - he seems to play for himself rather than the team. I thought same watching him at Fulham.

Still nice to win an entertaining game - and remain unbeaten.

(Yeah - I know about last season.)

Plus points, Barkley just seems to improve each game, Barry looks like he's anchored our midfield for years and Lukaku has shown us what a top class striker we have been missing. The board have til May to pull their fingers out and make sure we have the funds to sign someone to replace the loan striker has Chelsea won't be letting him back out next season.

Nah but really there are still a few things that need to be refined. The last two seasons in particular we've been giving away games that we've largely dominated. Recently we did it against Fulham and nearly did it tonight and against WH. Was hoping RM would've tried to change the complacent hang on to what we've got tactic but it doesn't look like it. It'd be nice to see us go all out for a win for most of the game and hit 5 or 6 past a team like the shite have a nasty habit of doing.

Still, even though it's early days, 4th place doesn't look to shabby.

Relaxed to the point of complaceny at times would be more accurate in my opinion. A walk in the park became a little nerve shredding, but some credit has to be given to the Barcodes for getting their act together.

Some elements are a little worrying; too much aimless passing (especially when players had time and space to turn and carry the ball forward) and too much space given to the opposition in midfield during the second half (showing what Fellaini brought to the team perhaps?).

Positives include Lukaku, Barkley, Coleman, Deulofeu, and attacking threats spread across the pitch.

Still a good win and still unbeaten and there were those amongst us who predicted relegation under RM and here we are in 4th place? Keep it going, lads, well done. Best first half I have seen at Goodison Park since the 1980s.

4th, unbeaten, scoring goals and playing footy - like we've had a heart, soul and brain transplant - taking some getting used to in all honesty.

We seemed to let them come onto us too easily for my liking and the midfield really lost its bite.

Will need to get that sorted for the next couple of games as the shite will kick, moan and throw themselves everywhere as usual.

Happy with 3 points though.

Second half we got a bit nervous, the play was very open considering we were winning 3-0. Still you pays your money with Roberto and that's what you get.

Bobby has done this: wanna say a good word about him?

1 Arsenal 6 5 0 1 13 7 6 15
2 Liverpool 6 4 1 1 8 4 4 13
3 Tottenham 6 4 1 1 6 2 4 13
4 Everton 6 3 3 0 9 6 3 12
5 Chelsea 6 3 2 1 7 3 4 11

Ask yourselves the question do you want to see the football that we saw in the fist half on a regular basis, I certainly do, Tough game on Saturday though will be Barry be available or not?

Surprised the crowd was 33000+ even though it was on SKY.

Well done boys. I don't want to appear negative because I think this squad is one of the best I've seen at Goodison and I've been supporting the blues for 55 yrs. Concentration, Concentration, Concentration!
COYB

I was hoping James McCarthy would step up and really mix it with Cabaye. He was good in parts but strolling in others and he could have got much closer to Cabaye for his goal (though I think the attempt surprised everyone).

Other committments meant I could only watch the last 30 mins, so I'm dying to watch the full highlights on the OS. It sounds like we were pretty special in the first half.

Sometimes you have to give credit to the opposition and their manager, they were a different team in the second half, they went on the attack because they had to, that makes a difference.
The second half would have been a totally different if we hadn't scored the 3 goals in the first.
The manager and the players will all learn with every game, and we will only get better!

We cant ask for a lot more at this stage.

If you say, "Well, Newcastle came out and really played a lot better in the second half"... fine, but what does that say about how we played in the first half if they were in fact so bad?

I thought we were brilliant in the first half but I admit the last thing I was looking at was how Newcastle were playing.

But an extremely important win. That's really all that matters after we dropped 6 very winnable points to start the season. Wel done, Roberto!

We'll Probably be a bit more conservative on Saturday and try and dig in for a result. But you never know.

COYB NSNO

Wouldn't have happened under..... oh never mind.

Well done you blue boys! It's great to be able to say no-one wants to play us right now.

Q: Why can't Osman almost never be offside,
A: Because he almost never interferes with play.

Naismith, thanks for the recent goals, but you (like Ozzie) belong as a squad player at most.

Pienaar, I'm actually happy is out, because I also think he should now only be a squad player.

Deulofeu – get this guy on from the start!!!! Ironically, Martinez is treating him similar to how Moyes treated Barkley and Rooney. He is not going to be there forever, so get as much out of his as you can.

Barry is adding so much to our squad, and the youngsters getting to learn from him may be invaluable.

Lukaku – this is the poacher we have been missing for 20 odd years!

COYB

There is hope out there for the Toffees. I love how "mixed up" the table looks... Keep it up – hats off to RM this night.

Hopefully this will get RM the ammunition he needs to get us to play well over a full 90 minutes. We're still moving the ball too slowly, but I imagine this is the main focus Martinez is looking to improve.

Everyone played well though and Osman had a fine first half but does lack stamina towards the end and that is why we have a squad.

I will be happy to see Pienaar and Gibson fully fit as they can help bolster the team. It seems that we have plenty of class players who can 'do' an hour but that's about it. The first half was exhilarating and Lukaku and Barkley seem to have hit it off very well. Coleman had a fine game and Distin was as consistent as ever, he is really fantastic for his age and completes 90 minutes every week. I am still out on McCarthy although he played well in the first half when we were well on top. I really want him to show himself worth the money spent on him. and take a bigger part in the team.

Altogether though a very classy and entertaining first half and Im sure that the feet were off the gas in the 2nd half..If Cabaye had not scored his wonder goal we would not have had to sweat out the last few minutes. We had enough chances of our own in the 2nd half to score a couple more ourselves.

We definitely were the better team and fully deserved victory !!!!

However 15 mins after the whistle I was VERY encouraged.

We HAVE to keep the following in mind.

We have (at the moment) a bunch of players trying to get used to 1) each other 2) a certain way of playing.

It could have been that these two things took MUCH longer to bring any rewards.

It could have been that the loans were lazy and going through the motions.

It could have been that players didn't get on and/or want to work for each other/the manager

It could have been MANY things that didn't work or come off and had the worst case scenario happened, we (as Evertonians under a new manager) would of course have been disappointed but would have HAD to have given the manager our backing.

But (fortunately) the worst case scenario HASN'T happened.

We are 4th and our manager has, in an amazingly short space of time, got them working so well that not only are we 4th after 6 games, he is still gutted about points lost in our first three games.

The 2nd half wasn't as good as the 1st?

Absolutely true, but the first half was fucking brilliant

People are of course entitled to criticise as they see fit, but imo, with all the changes in players and style of play, we (and our manager) have so far done very well.

Up the Toffees!.

Hopefully Peanuts is thinking "I will have to be on top of my game to keep getting into the starting eleven" because I do think he is still our best partner for Bainesy when he is.

Central midfield is the problem area for me. Presumably it will be Gibbo and McCarthy, but McCarthy is going to have to work like a Trojan to make up for potential lack of fitness and mobility.

MK - fair points. Hopefully some of it is just new players sorting out their own particular attributes / responsibilities.

I've said before, and I'll say it again, I'd rather win 3-2 than 1-0, even if I do have Coleman in my fantasy team.

Like others have said, sloppy seconds and Barkley seems to go missing at times but overall a mega performance. Lets see what TalkShite have to say about this Everton victory.

Moyes has always trying to get Everton to be above Man Utd; his wish has come true.

Love the post-match LuLu interview and Gareth too: class acquisitions Bobby pure class.

What an amazing first half performance - passion, style, commitment, drive and ambition in droves.

Second half was as if we had the yips bad to be honest it feels a bit Iike we got away with it tonight, which is a shame considering how great we were in the first 45 mins, almost perfect if you take out the bookings.

Massive test on Saturday, come away with something from that and the run runs on......

COYB!

Jags was always going to be the most vulnerable playing out from the back he's a great old fashioned "stopper" but you don't want him on the ball.

I suspect that 'shameful, sloppy, incompetent and complacent' are words that not too many of us would attach to tonight's Everton display but we all have different views and standards.

Suspect we'll wait a lifetime for 'perfection' to appear in any report here or anywhere else.

Footballers - know your limits!

Bit early to be calling a worrying trend.

His passing / poise on the ball has always been his achilles heel but that hasn't changed has it?

Now we are strong in all positions. A lot now comes to psycology we got to believe in big things, then it could happen. I have a feeling that Martinez can get these players to believe in themselves to go out on the pitch beating anyone.

Honestly I think we have a very good chance of getting top 4 this season.

COYB!

However, while I was watching Everton during the excellent first half, there were moments of perfection, as duly noted — read the report.... obviously you missed them. Let me guess: were you perhaps too busy watching how poor Newcastle were?

No different tonight and that's why we started conceding possession as he was a passenger. Even when having his best spell in first half, he kept leaving his side of the pitch exposed as he got sucked in to the middle of the park.

Osman was a semi-decent player under the DM regime but he is nowhere near good enough to play first choice in this side.

On the contrary in the second half for the first time I felt like I seen the tactics that Wigan played which seen so many goals conceded you could see the discipline from the middle had gone and allowing the opposition to have the ball meant there was a lot of pressure on the back four one mistake and they were in, it felt dodgy and very hit or miss.

I still haven't seen the confident keep ball and dominant passing since Fellaini left, and I'm yet to see the free flowing pass and move Barca football, hopefully it's just a case of early days as McCarthy looks like he's got a lot to offer and Barkley looks the real deal.

On on an optimistic point there looks some real talent with the younger players and Lukaku looks a force so hopefully he can fire us into the champions league so we can get the funds to buy him or someone of his quality, plus Deulofeu looks real class ghosts past players.

We are, however, a work in progress and I do believe that RM will learn from these two games, both the positives and negatives. The player pluses were obvious and I won't repeat - just a mention for the perennially excellent Distin who was an unfortunate contrast to the somewhat out of form Jags,

I wouldn't be arsed if we were in 10th or 11th to be honest at this very early stage of our season.

If you want to support what is happening post-Moyes, that is up to the individual, I realise some nuggets have an agenda beyond supporting the club- good for you I say.

I did want to call out half the Gwaldys St. though, after they started singing 'Are you watching Davey Moyes'

Same gobshites were booing a couple of weeks ago.

'Knowledgeable Evertonians?' Really?

Does anyone reckon they know anymore than an average Tranmere fan? Cos I fucking don't.

Second half was a different story, we still attacked well for most of the half but we stopped closing down their players and allowed them to play. I don't think Osman had a bad game but he should have been the first off the pitch for two reasons. First, while he wasn't playing bad he was the least effective and secondly his positioning was terrible. He was always in the middle leaving Baines with no options. I wasn't happy with the subs.

Well thank you - that's fate WELL and truly tempted.

Now, just to counter that hex, I'll have to rip up my top four bet and put a ton on us being relegated.

Please please PLEASE don't fuck about with fate and/or the football gods (they've obviously been angry with us for years as it is, no need to provoke them further).

I think that's a Haiku.

Anyway, nervous moments but some great players playing well. Keep going lads.

And as a Barkley pessimist, I'm becoming a believer. Great stuff from him tonight. Much more please.

Just a willingness to attack at every available opportunity, especially when we had easily broken up their poor attempts at penetration.

At half-time downstairs the lads could smell blood and we're looking at 5 or 6... but hey, it never happened. But so what? We're still unbeaten, and looking good, and I'm one happy man tonight. Yes it was a little bit nervous at the end but that was superb and long may it continue.

I actually thought after their second goal, here we go, we are going to have lost a three goal lead, and end up with either one point, or worse still none. Luckily, we ended up with the three.

I thought after West Ham, Roberto will start to make changes early enough to change games from now on. Mirallas was carrying an injury before the first half ended, Osman faded almost into obscurity. I thought McCarthy got better as the game went on and made a couple of deep clearances, that could have allowed them in again.

Hope this can be sorted before the Man City game, where we will not have Barry to boss the centre mid.

I think we may have to get used to it but that first half was pretty good, regardless of how poor the opponents may have been. Of course there is always room for improvement and there are a lot of things that do need improving, but so far the good points are outweighing the bad ones. Let's try and enjoy it while it lasts.

For people who watch who are not connected to any particular club, it must be very enjoyable that most Premier teams this season are having a go at playing the game the way it is meant to be played.

By the sound of it with all that experience you should know what your talking about.
Good luck.

How can we, again, from a first half like that to a second half like that (to those who said under the Scottish manager "it's all down to the manager", then I suppose...?).

Lukaku. A monster. Holds it it up well, (doesnt fall over like Jelli), strong in keeping it, a great eye for a pass, and cracking finisher). Sometimes over-egged it but what the hell.

Coleman, great going forward but had me worried tonight at times defending.

Del boy - exciting going forward but my oh my I've never seen anybody such a liability in (not) tracking back. Disgraceful. You can see why he doesnt start.

Again, Ossie in for criticism for some before and during / after a game. But played very well first half. As with the rest, a weaker second half. Does Roberto know what he's doing in starting this guy? Or not subbing him earlier, as some suggested? Or is Roberto the bees knees and knows what he's doing?

Ross you beauty. Still learning but you excite me.

Distin, take a bow.

Arsenal and Liverpool have started winning again because they've abandoned their ridiculous 4-3-3 philosophies of possession football and just gone back to the basics of having a good defense and some good forward players.

I've grown fed up of watching Everton dominating games only to be done by sucker punches on the break. Nice to see us breaking with a bit of purpose for once and actually having the space to play rather than facing the 11 man wall every time we attack.

If you watched Man City at the weekend it was the same, they battered their opponents then conceded three goals !! That's football.

I well remember Everton being four down at half time in a cup tie at Bolton years ago and lost four three after a rousing comeback in the 2nd half.

I would have loved it if we had got through the 2nd half without conceding but give Newcastle credit for not lying down.
Cabaye scored a great goal out of the blue and the 2nd goal was a scrambled one. We still should have won about six to three.

What exactly should we be doing? Strolling to an easy victory in every game?

Playing the likes of Chelsea off the park? Going away from home and scoring 5?

Where are the usual doom-mongers BTW?

He hardly ever gives fouls away, wins every header and his positional sense is superb.
The best buy we have made for years.

I think the player who deserves the most praise tonight and can be mentioned in the same breath as these extremely talented young players, all with big price tags to match, is Seamus Coleman who, for £60 000, is the buy of the century and deserves all the praise in the world. He not only did not look out of place but looked like he belonged with these Barcelona type youngsters and he gets better with every game; well done, Seamus.

Now I know two of these are on loan but is there a team in England if not in Europe with this type of such promising young talent? With a couple of more years to add to these players before they all come to fruition and the team spirit we have with some elder international players to guide them with Roberto at the helm (who is one of the most promising mangers in Europe), if all goes well then Everton could have a very, very bright future indeed. COYB IRWT

At last we have a centre forward who can not only terrorise defences, he regularly brought players into the game and his pass to Ross for his goal was superb. He also did a good job on occasions, helping out our defence.

Miralles and Coleman were superb at driving onto their defence and and I thought Barkley and McCarthy were linking up well in midfield and some of Barkley's running at their defence was stunning.

Barry and Dizzy were really excellent at the back, as was Coleman, as well as his superb runs forward.

I think some of us are being a bit over critical of the team's performance. My guess is the younger players thought they had the game won and thought they would find it just as easy in the second half. I think there is a lot they have to learn and I'm sure that Roberto will be the feller to help them do so.

Centre midfield looks like we have the beginnings of a really fine partnership between McCarthy and Barkley. Considering they are very young players and Barkley especially having very little first team experience, I think we have the makings of a great partnership developing here.

I agree with Trevor Lynes that Barry was looking shattered with about half an our to go but I think the problem there is that we had no one who could do what he does, on the bench.

I think a Paul Ferry mentioned the vulnerable side of Jagielka. He is a fine stopper but he cant pass wind let alone the ball and when he and Howard start faffing around it looks extremely nervy to me.

Mind you, Martinez can only work with what he has and there were so many positives tonight, it would be churlish to overcritical about our second half performance.

I also think some posters believing we will finish fourth and one even putting us as outsiders for Winners of the PL are expecting to much from what to me is a team that is showing a lot of progress but there's a long way to go yet.

Just as those who predicted we would be relegated with Martinez at the helm may just be a trifle pessimistic.

Great start to the season but I'm sure we'll get better over time.

Just one last thing, what a bloody brilliant piece of work for us to get Romelu, even if only for a season.

I love Jags, but never thought he'd be a good on-pitch captain. Not sure who else in the normal starting 11 would be the alternative though. Distin sticks out but I think the pressure might get to him too.

The good thing is after that Southampton game we went on a run of draws, so there is a possibility that we may improve our tally in the coming weeks.

We are 'drastically' (Naismith) changing the way we play the game, and he's a new man with new players.

Man U fans are saying they will be happy to finish in the top 4 after romping to a League title, but we want 6th as a minimum it seems?

We probably paid heavily for the amazing 1st half tempo. Half the team were knackered after 50 minutes and, as Callum stated earlier, Mirallis was legless 10 minutes before half-time.

To their credit, they kept going but it was a mighty struggle and the effects will not be easily shaken off.

For me, Coleman was quite easily MoM. While those around him were running on empty, he battled with great spirit and attitude right up till the final whistle.

What we have achieved so far has been done with a manager who has managed us for just six PL games, plus a bunch of new players playing a new system and trying to get used to each other.

"Win 3-2, we always win 3-2.
Win 3-2.
We always win 3-2"

Also,it seems to me that Seamus Coleman is one of the great signings of the premier league. Finally, I believe that Duffy is a better but less showy centre back than Stones.( it's Roberto's only obvious shortcoming as coach).

Duffy, Stones is the future of our defence. We can do well this season but there will be bad days. However, this is as good as it has been for a long time, We can beat anyone.

If we have averaged 7th over the last 11 years, why should we expect more in Martinez's first year?

Honestly don't get where you are coming from on this?

Still............. good start overall. Well done but can do better!
COYB

I'd settle for that mate, not too sure about the ' song ' though.

Phil #733

I think the phone celebration is him on the phone to Mourinho saying he is enjoying himself so much that he wants to stay with us permanently! (or is that my wishful thinking ?)

Now I’m certain that some of my fellow toffeewebbers (not naming NE names) will still be desperately searching for some negative aspects with which to nit pick and point score their way through the week; but I see your negative whingey pathetic posturing, and raise you with all the points above.

Congratulations to Roberto and the team, for what can now undoubtedly be considered a fine start to the campaign.

What a treat on a Monday! The fans were loud and the players looked like world beaters. I am so proud right now.

Phil #733

I think that the phone thing is for Marc Wilmots as he doesn't seem to rate Lukaku as good enough for a starting spot on the national team.

Lukaku is just a destroyer. What a man/child. And through ball to Barkley is all the proof I need that this player will become one of the worlds finest. Silk and steel!

Our second half was pedestrian. Where was Jags, Baines and Ossie to scream at the youngsters to pump up the pressure??

I give him a hard time but I really don't see what Ossie adds?? He was anonymous and I feel like 2/3 of the players in the premiership could knock about like he does. Can't shoot, can't lead and can't beat a man. I don't get it?? We have players that pass clean balls to nearby players (Barry, Gibson and McCarthy, ). We have midfielders that can beat a man (Mirallas, Barkley and Del Boy) Naismith can at least win headers and score scrappy goals. Osman is useless and redundant now.

COYB - we're really getting there.

Woo-hoo, where's my missus????? She's going to get it tonight!!

Better than a left handed wank.

We absolutely did not play better in the second half.

Its very difficult to dominate for the entire game against anybody in this league, but we're getting there. The score line flattered them

Pity not all posters on here could be there, we saw very clear evidence that David Moyes is now friendless at the old lady and this mythical group of "Moyes loving"Evertonians really does only exist in the minds of the people who prefer argument to debate. "Are you watching Davie Moyes"chanted the knowledgeable Goodison crowd. . .a dagger through his heart No mention of Man U (because they don't matter) just a clear message to Moyes . . . and not one of them needed to trawl Manc websites for ideas of how to deliver it

Look and learn

I thought that Barry, McCarthy, Barkley and Osman all had really good games. In fact this obsession that some have about Osman is just tiresome. I am sure that when he is fit he will be first choice for Martinez.

However where playing such an expansive game can be a problem is that there is more space around the central areas. We no longer have a bank of four and five condensing down the space ( and for that I am thankful) therefore a really clever player like Cabaye exploited this and caused us a fair bit of trouble. I could imagine the current Arsenal team giving us a lot of problems.

So Roberto might have to have a Plan B. Even though I'm loving Plan A

I thought that Barry, McCarthy, Barkley and Osman all had really good games. In fact this obsession that some have about Osman is just tiresome. I am sure that when he is fit he will be first choice for Martinez.

However where playing such an expansive game can be a problem is that there is more space around the central areas. We no longer have a bank of four and five condensing down the space ( and for that I am thankful) therefore a really clever player like Cabaye exploited this and caused us a fair bit of trouble. I could imagine the current Arsenal team giving us a lot of problems.

So Roberto might have to have a Plan B. Even though I'm loving Plan A

Sorry Graham, you may be a nice guy but last season you thought Neville was an integral player for us. I personally think your judgement is way off and I'm grateful you never went into coaching.

But I'm sure you think we are all wrong, no I really do!

Looks like Roberto did have a plan B to quell the Newcastle attack to retain the goal cushion when he put Stones on to lock the defence. All in all a good night of football and one we've been missing for far too long. My mate was gutted and jokingly threatened to slash the tyres of my bike.

Very impressed with McCarthy last night. That's the first real look we've had of him in an Everton shirt and I thought he was excellent.

But once Cabaye scored that wonder strike straight after half time the mentality changed. We actually did well and the players deserve credit for not allowing them into the game until they got a late goal. The second half performance wasn't terrible, don't be fooled.

Special praise for McCarthy who was excellent who seems to be under the radar for huge praise on here, and of course Coleman. Still more to come when Baines hits top form too.

I'm delighted with how we played for the whole match as we had opportunities in the second half to get the fourth. The coals we conceded were the only negative for me, but one of those was a bit of a freak (though very nice to watch for the neutral) and the other was a little unfortunate in how it broke for Remy.

We are still adapting to the new system, but I can see the progress every time we play and I'm excited about the direction we are heading in. Bring on Man City. We always seem to do the job against them!

What more could one ask for?

Well let me tell you.

When we are leading at HT, I would like to ask RM to tell the players: "It's 0-0 - go out in that second half and win it and play - sin miedo".

I would also like him to make the substitutions BEFORE we have lost control of the game and at the point where it is really needed and not after 91 mins when the player substituted should have gone after a maximum of 60 mins.

Otherwise loving the progress; loving seeing the blues play like they did in the first half - enjoying this new regime and long may it continue.

I don't think our second half was as poor as the article suggests, we still looked threatening, just that Newcastle improved (not difficult) and brought on a top class player in Cabaye to pull the strings. Plus I think both Ossie and Barry faded a bit second half- in fairness, Barry is probably not truly match fit, given he's hardly played this season and Ossie was not in his best position.

Credit to those who were pushing Barkley's case last year- it does now look like he is the real deal. I hope we don't overplay him though, and burn him out.

I wish Distin was 10 years younger...

Those who berate our players for the second half don't really understand how good Newcastle's midfield are.

I thought Osman had a good game - but we looked a bit cluttered in the centre of midfield at times - we didn't have any balance as Seamus was filling in for the missing right sided midfielder - however he did fill in admirably - my motm. Some great defending with last ditch tackles and his offensive drop of the shoulder was a joy..

I'm surprised McCarthy is getting much of a mention..was far better than Barry for me last night..Quietly goes about his business and keeps the midfield ticking over.

And that man Lukaku...what a player...two goals ruled offside, two scored and an assist on the other. Sublime.

Coming weekend will be a great test of where we are and whether we have any realistic chances of gate crashing the top 4.

Thought Barkley was immense last night. Jags needs to do better. Jury is out on McCarthy, he had some very good moments and some not so good ones.

It's easy to forget that this Newcastle side has no less than a half-dozen French international footballers, plus Coloccini, Krul, and Cisse. They are a very good team - they were always going to 'react' in the second half after being 3-0 down.

To me, performance-wise, this was overall at least on a par, if not better, than the way we played against Chelsea.

3 points.

Unbeaten.

Fantastic first half performance.

Concentration lapses and a bit of fight from the Geordies in the second half.

Osman and Naismith - give them a break - no one is 100% consistent - except for their knockers. Ossie did fine last night - and Naismith hardly had a chance to impress. Would they be in my starting eleven - no - but we should back them to the hilt when they are - and be fair in our assessments.

Pretty damn pleasing from my point of view - especially considering we are integrating a new manager, new players, a new style and pa new philosophy.

Shock! Horror! We don't have a perfect team. Sack 'em all!

I started the season saying I was full of optimism - that feeling has grown even more following last night and the fact that we showed a fighting spirit and determination in winning at West Ham.

And if we lose to Man City ... I'll be disappointed but I will hang on to a sense of realism that we were away at a vastly richer club.

But I still feel if anyone can do Citteh - then we can.

Now cheer up and go play outside.

"an absolutely shameful complacent sloppy second half verging on professional incompetence, Everton very lucky to secure three points and 4th place"

Really, that's too strong, they didn't play well enough in the second half and Newcastle upped their game but "professional incompetence.......? get a grip lad.

Admittedly the second half was poor - but the Geordies could never be as bad second half, we were a touch complacent it seems and they bagged the kind of wonder goal early on that you can do little about, giving them hope they wouldn't otherwise have had.

Nevertheless, it was a deserved victory overall rather than "very lucky" and doesn't warrant that kind of melodramatic reaction. Honestly, I sometimes think Everton could win 8-1 and some people's first reaction would be to moan about the '1'.

Newcastle scored a long ranger then spawned a second at the death to make it look close - really didn't look that way to me.

At long last we are playing our part in real football matches trying to win rather than KITAP1, we'll be the neutrals choice if this keeps up.

'I really enjoyed watching Everton's new style of play, until I realized where their old style went!!'

They are also not at all impressed by a certain curly-haired Belgian.

Cue the next half and we nearly did that... nuff said, I think.

I have got to agree with you both there, regarding McCarthy, I thought first half he was okay without being outstanding. As the second half saw Barry, Mirallas and Ossie's performances wilt he became more involved in all areas and quickly moved from zone to zone. I remember him making a couple of clearances from quite deep when Newcastle suddenly had that sniff of 'we might get something here' about them.

He will certainly have to step up to the plate on Saturday at City, with presumably Gibbo alongside him, so we will really see him earn his corn then. (hopefully)

I think a draw would be considered a good outcome, but one thing for sure, they will provide stiffer opposition than Newcastle.

1. With the new and improved style of play, has Tony Marsh's head exploded in confusion yet? We ain't heard from him in ages, shouldn't Michael K or Lyndon send him an email to check he's still alive.

2. Is Richard Dodd now literally six feet off the ground with positive thoughts and happiness Everton about? I hope so.

3. With the quality of our squad being so god right now, does this mean Kev Johnson has dropped completely off our list of transfer targets? I'm gutted for him if it's true, the guy was all lined up to be our saving grace last season. I was going to get his squad number tattooed on the 'lad'. (wife permitting of course)

4.What does Ged's dog Jess think of it all? Their potting shed on match day must be bedlum.

5. Should we even bother to sneer at Moyes anymore? In a weird perverse morbid kind of way, I'm actually starting to feel sorry for him.

5 - I don't, he made his bed so he has to lie in it. Always going to be onto a loser with taking over from old whisky nose.

Newcastle regrouped at second half and gave it a real go second half, but we kept on playing our game and could have got a fourth and put the game to bed. The goal by Cabaye was a moment of brilliance that is hard to prevent and it gave them something to chase. I thought we looked in control in the second half and did a very professional job, especially Coleman getting forward and defending extremely well. The Remy goal was a bit fortunate as Jagielka slipped over and the ball fell kindly for the striker.

It did get a little nervy after their second, mostly because you never know what can happen in a game and the thought of only getting a point would be so disappointing, but I felt we were as likely to get a fourth as they were to nick a draw. No professional incompetence on display last night!

How anyone could walk away from a pefrormance like that feeling pissed off is beyond my comprehension. Remember, we are still adapting to a new manager, new style of play and new players. It will take time to get to where we want to be, but if we can continue to develop whilst picking up points then the transition will be much smoother than some feared. We should be dreaming of the Champions League, not banging on about becoming Wigan!

Last night I thought Howard might have been a bit leaden-footed for their first goal. Now I know it would have been tough to save anyway, but he seemed to me to be stuck on his heels when the shot came in. Some vague memory tells me that keepers used to be taught to remain on their toes as much as possible when the opposition were close to the goal. That way they could move more quickly when a short came in.

Any TW keepers with a view on this?

Please, Bill, get out your cheque book and sign Barry and Lukaku, push the boat out and get them. I think it's worth getting in to a bit of debt.

Our goalkeeper had let in a goal and Roy chided him for standing there, with the words "we goalkeepers should always be on our toes and if we can't get to one, we throw ourselves at it even for the wife to take a photo"

Howard did seem to take an eternity in deciding what to do and by then it was too late. My only offer by way as an explanation is to state that in my opinion the phrase "shot stopper" is apt when describing Tim. By this I mean that he has good fast reactions, but most of his faux pas seem to come from distance when he has time to think about matters.

I will not however subscribe to the fairy story regards his apparent Tourettes and his lack of hand/eye co-ordination. Somebody else can though, if they wish.

Although Osman still looks too light weight in midfield. But Lukaku appears on last night's performance the finest centre forward Everton have had since Dixie Dean.

Lukaku is strong, tall, pacey and awesome for the opposing defenders to deal with. with an eye for goal. What was Chelsea thinking of, when they loaned him to Everton? At present, they don't have anyone who can score goals from upfront. Their loss, Everton's gain

Forget 'seventhish', we're well on course for 'toppish' and if we can plan ahead to cover January loss of Bainsey and Lukaku's likely 25 goals at end of season, 2013-14 will be recorded as the beginning of a new age of Everton excellence.

And ps: Ossie was splendid last night, throughout!

Yes, they had a few attempts but none of them were really clear-cut. Everton were the much better side and all we did was concede a sloppy 2nd goal as their 1st was an absolute pearler! We could have had 6 or 7 last night.

Also IMO Lukaku was gone after 70 mins; Kone on for a bit of pace may have threatened more. But fuck it, we won 3-2 — the first half was worth the money on it's own... and, if Lukaku had timed his runs a fraction earlier, it would have been 5-0 at half time.

Great performance 4th in the league and unbeaten. BRING ON CITY!

Good point you had there, regarding Lukaku (as well as a few others) dipping towards the end, and I would liked to have seen Kone on for a cameo of 20 minutes and at least pose a few different problems ( and show us what he is made of) anyway it all turned out well in the end.

I think the City game will be a much tougher challenge, and just hope we can continue our recent form against them, by that I mean, to remain their bogey side. Although, this season, they seem to be in full flow at home.

We will have to adjust too,without Barry, and can Gibbo play the full 90 with being out for so long ? I am not being pessimistic, but a little reserved on this one, and I think a draw could be considered a good outcome, after all we would still be unbeaten.

Thanks for your comments. I guess you are confirming my prejudices (confirmation bias, they call it).

Yet it seems obvious. It is easier to spring quickly if you are on your toes rather than your heels. I think Howard was also on his heels when the second goal went in. However, maybe it is better to be balanced on your heels if you have to save a hard shot hit directly at you.

If Tim had been on his toes and sitting on a space hopper on a particularly bouncy trampoline he would have done well to get near it.
Sometimes you just have to accept a great strike.
In the words of one former Evertonian " take a bow son, you don't save those"

Not to come out in a tutu or to learn to dance but to learn to get off their feet from a standing position.

Not that I've seen a lot of ballet either but what little I have seen, I've always been astonished at the height the guys can leap from the deck.

There I've said - honest I am going for a pint of real ale now!

Interesting Gav – you do the same playing table tennis, staying on the balls of your feet.

Ian – well the Shite fans did always ask Gordon West as to the whereabouts of his handbag. Regarding Howard, by the looks of him recently he is now wearing a tutu – on his chin.

Great game though. Should have been about 8-3. Can't wait till Saturdays shit early kick off.

My point was actually quite serious, they could take a lesson or two to learn to get off the ground quickly.

My daughter is a dance teacher (contemporary and ballet) and boy can she leap off the deck from a standing position.

No jokes now, it is my daughter here chaps!!

I'm also wondering how many of the people moaning are the same people who thought RM would relegate us? I think some just have something against him, no matter what he does.

All I wanted to say has been said above by various people. The time RM has been in charge, our current league position, being unbeaten, the fact 3 of our key first team players have been with the squad less than a month and how RM is trying to blood younger players, implement a new style of play and keep our results reasonable all at once. Not to mention having to endure the turmoil of the transfer window and trying to keep our players focused while OFM was doing his best to derail our season since June.

Honestly, I'd written this season off as one for transition. The fact we're currently competing with teams spending 100's of millions of pounds more than us is simply outstanding. People can moan that we didn't go on to score 4 or 5, but we weren't playing some pub side.

Newcastle have very good players and ambitions of top 6 of their own. We played impressively for most of the match, scored 3 goals and won the match. Be grateful, enjoy the wins and give the manager and players some breathing space before we start laying into them. No doubt there will be opportunity to rightly complain this season, but yesterday was not one of those days.

You are actually quite right. Ballet as part of sports conditioning has been around quite a while. It aids flexibility, balance and core strength. It is particularly prevalent in the NFL during close seasons.

That being said neither Nureyev or Nijinsky would have got a hand on Cabaye's effort

Your daughter sounds like every woman I've ever asked out.

I notice Osman taking the plaudits in a few posts above. He had a good game in some respects but I think his presence (or lack of) directly affected the amount Baines got into the game. Osman is a central midfielder and when he's played on the left he does have a tendency to wander inside. Pienaar does the same to some degree, but he will always make the effort to get back out there and offer Baines a route forward.

Not the time to be having a go at any of our players, that's most certainly not my intention, but I can't think of any Everton player who played worse than Osman on the night. Baines maybe? I don't know, they were both decent - I just don't think Osman deserves to be lauded after that performance.

On the night he was better than Baines, Jagielka, Barry and Mirallas in my view but not as good as Coleman, Barkley or Lukaku.

I don't think he deserves 'lauding'. I think some people just react against the over the top criticism he gets on here. You can set your watch on a Saturday on the forum by 'FFS Osman'. It means the teams have just been announced.

I do think I'm right as are most of us posters on here regarding Osman. 95% of his appearances were overseen by coaches who I don't rate (both are old school coaches who the game has passed them by; and they're proving me right each and every game) . The other 5% are from this year and I guarantee you he will be the first midfielder to be replaced.
If someone can tell me what he does so well that he's irreplaceable, if be happy to listen. Otherwise he just seems a run of the mill midfielder who got lucky playing for a coach who wouldn't drop his favorites.

Before you start to criticise, please do two things;

a) keep in mind that no team ever plays the perfect 90 mins and that the oppo normally has some period of dominance,

b) look a tthe league table!

c) if we play well and win, just enjoy it (even if Ossie/Naismith played!)

Early days, but boy do they taste sweet - if only Fergie had retired earlier!

Most posters here seem to think Ossie played well last night, not 95% against.

Roberto picking his favourites?!

Don't forget if Bainesy leaves, which I think he will, more fool him (sorry to bring that up now) we should have about £35m-£40m to spend if BK cooperates!

I thought McCarthy had a good solid game, goes about his job efficiently, not flashy, a similar player to what Alan Ball was in the best Everton side that its been my pleasure to watch.

Well done Roberto, he will have walked the Manager of the Month award for Sept. wont he? Great to be an Evertonian since this guy took over, long may it continue.

I understand Luka needs replacing as well but we will address that in the summer, same with Barry who will hopefully stay.

At some point we must discuss talent and what the player brings to the team. Not the "true blue effect."

Brent, sorry if my post wasn't clear, 95% of his appearances came under Moyes who as we know, would play his favorites if their legs were broken, cross-eyed and their dog just died (just ask Barkley and Coleman :)

You at again making completely unsubstantiated claims.

Firstly, you claim "I guarantee you he will be the first midfielder to be replaced". Then you follow that pearler by claiming you know what Roberto thinks about Osman as a player.

I would prefer to look at the evidence at hand. He has selected an Everton team on six occasions and he has picked Leon every time. Or you could just listen to what he publicly said about him two weeks ago.

“I want the strongest squad we can have and then it’s down to the performances of the players and Leon has been outstanding this season."

He added: “Nobody has a label of what their role is going to be at the club. I don’t sit down at my desk and pick the team – I allow football to make that decision.

“Leon has been fantastic so far and it’s someone else’s job to try and get him out of that position."

The boys in the Freshy (mostly Liverpudlians) say he's Brenda without the mean streak although I think he's very much his own man. He turned the RS down to wait for the Everton job so that makes him a man of great judgement.

We've got a good 'un here, we're aiming for the stars!

They definitely did come back into it though, when they hit the post early in the second half alarm bells should have been ringing. Howard had no chance with Cabaye's goal, but considering he tried to do the same thing only a few minutes earlier he definitely could have been closed down quicker. That said, if Del Boy would learn how to pass I think we would have been out of sight.

Praise certainly goes to Lukaku, who looked an absolute dream last night. Not just for his goals, but his overall forward play and ability to also pick out passes and bring others into the game. Whats more, is there seems to be the beginnings of understandings between him and Barkley, which is a joy to behold.

But my man of the match was Coleman, who showed his ability to not only put in one heck of a shift on the flank, but he absolutely embarrassed the Newcastle left back. Not only skinning him several times, but also not being beaten by him.

Looking at the teams we have played, I would have hoped to have taken 12 points up to now:

Beat Norwich
Beat West Brom
Draw Cardiff
Draw Chelsea
Draw West Ham
Beat Newcastle

So Martinez is doing a fantastic job in the league up to now. And I agree with Patrick above, I don't see any reason why we should let this slip now. Lukaku is clearly going to be here for a season only, so we have to capitalise while he is here and Europe has to be the target. Anything less, and I personally will be disappointed given the players we currently have, and our league performances up to now. The other teams in the league all look indifferent and shaky, nobody is in a regular rhythm which is going to give even more of a chance than before. We are not the only team going through transition, thats for sure. I think the other teams have bought too many players, and are going to struggle to bed them all in this season. But with that experience under their belt, next season is going to be a lot tougher.

Ossie will need replacing and I'm not his biggest admirer but he gives everything he has. Now who in our squad that's fit would you replace him with? As regards him being the only one that needs replacing, have a look at Jags: he is struggling. Nice lad but not a footballing CB and not captain material. Club captain maybe but not on the pitch — too quiet.

Over the years I've enjoyed watching him on occasion, but I think his time in the first team is about numbered. If we have a full strength squad I can see Barry, McCarthy and Gibson all ahead of him for the two central midfield berths.

Don't forget that Martinez has been easing McCarthy into the team, and I think if there is a wing spot up for grabs we're going to be more and more likely to see a Pienaar or Deulofeu as the season wears on.

Good player to have on the bench though as he can play right across the middle of the park.

He takes on and beats 3 guys for fun gets into really dangerous positions then people have a go because he has a shot or doesn't play the ideal pass? He was only on for 20 minutes, so its hardly surprising that he's out to impress. He's probably trying too hard like Barkley did last year when he was on the fringes and people were saying he wasn't ready. Deulofeu needs the same thing, some sustained game time in his best position.

In previous games he's fired ball after ball straight across the 6 yard area and no-one went to try to get on the end of it, so its not like he always shoots. His corners and shooting are generally quality, too.

Personally, I'm grateful we have someone at the club capable of taking on and beating 2 or 3 players and waltzing into the box on a regular basis. If it doesn't result in a goal 80% of the time, its still 20% better than what anyone else we have can do, so it seems petty to complain.

Having watched our team over the years pass it sideways with no-one willing to take on the responsibility of having a shot, or taking a player on, I'm actually glad we've got the likes of Deulofeu and Barkley who do want to shoot and do positive things, even when they don't come off.

I'm not saying he can't improve; as its clear he's a work in progress, but he brings something fairly unique to our team in terms of his dribbling ability, pace and directness from wide areas.

I do also agree that every team has to mathematically have a "worst player" and he is ours - even if he is NOT bad, just average.

I don't rate Moyes or Hodgson very highly. Hodgson is older than my Grandfather and Moyes is turning out to be the joke of the season.

I also can't remember RM calling out any of his players publicly throughout his tenure to his credit. Some coaches hang their players out to dry but he isn't one of them. He's always effusive in his praise.

Until Ossie stops giving the ball away too easily, expresses himself to be the 31 year old vice captain he should be, or takes a game by the scruff of the neck a' la Barkley, Barry, Del Boy or Luka, Baines, Mirallas, Coleman or even Pienaar can, then I'll just be waiting patiently for an upgrade in January when we can realize the full potential of this team.

An interesting idea: do the best footballers think or is it instinct?

Best? Bally? Moore? Charlton? Messi? John Bailey?

Definitely a Section B question that one.

He was our worst player last night?! A guy can have good game but you're still trying to have a pop by arguing he was "our worst"!

And I think you still don't give a reasonable response to the point that he has been one of Roberto's first picks. Tell us, why, if Ossie is so shit compared to others available in the squad, has Roberto been picking him? Do yu think Roberto is a poor judge?

Those who say he needs to learn how to pass a ball are right. But that is just what he will be doing, so give him time. You seenm to expect him to be the finished article when he is just a kid.He has such talent that he was waltzing through opposing teams for fun, in the junior level and would finish usually with a goal of high quality.

Don't expect him to just switch on to become a senior player in a couple of walk on parts Give him a bit of time. My guess is that after Christmas we will be seeing a version a lot nearer to the finished article and wishing that we could keep him.

Probably, with all hand/eye co-ordination practices, the more you do it, the better you get, whether it be football, playing the piano, painting or whatever. The geniuses are not only born with the desire and ability to master their craft at a very early age but they also have to be born in the right place at the right time. Let's face it. If George Best had been born in Rome during the Renaissance, he might have slept with the Mona Lisa but he certainly wouldn't have painted her.

Anyway, and I'm only guessing, these guys attain such a mastery of their craft that much of their action is totally instinctive. It has to be. When Lionel Messi beats three men inside the six yard area and nutmegs the goalie, there ain't no time to think.

Where this leaves us with Tim I wouldn't know. His instinctive actions can be truly amazing but, with time to think, he can sometimes do very strange things. Luckily, it hasn't cost us this season and long may his good form continue.

He may also have made her smile less enigmatic and she wouldn't have been chosen to pose for that famous painting by Da Vinci. Just think of the consequences Nat King Cole may not have had such a successful career and Alex Young may have been more revered by people outside of the Everton fraternity. The fickle finger of fate strikes again.

In a recent ESPN interview Martinez referred to the influence of maverick coach Marcelo Bielsa. " I learned from the way he opened games up and had players take on their opponents one-on-one."

Not a very safe way to play and we might be in for a few hairy scorelines. Roll on.

It takes courage to play good football, to accept the ball in tight situations, to hold it until the right pass is on, you have to take chances . .and if you take chances when your team mates don't/wont, you will get caught in possesion from time to time.

RM is picking Ossie for obvious reasons. He's a footballers footballer

more shite
On what basis do you claim Leon Osman gives the ball away too easily?

His ball retention is the strength of his game, his passing accuracy for the season is 89% which is the equal highest with Leighton Baines. And before we get the response that those passes are short and sideways, the average pass length is 18m.
And forgive me for preferring the opinion of three proven football managers over someone who calls a squad "a roster"

Once he starts to struggle it is because he is thinking too much about what he is trying to do and effectively switching off his learned actions, allowing unlearned instincts to dominate. In other words he literally forgets everything he has been taught as his lower brain takes over (fight, fright or freeze). Tiger Woods clearly took that to another level too but the principle is the same for footballers - as long as they learn the right actions and are physically capable of carrying them out they have to stop thinking and allow their learned actions to dominate unconsciously. Not easy!

The Newcastle game had many similarities to the Fulham one, both being a game of two contrasting halves. The biggest difference against Newcastle was the ruthlessness we showed with our finishing. If one of our second half chances had found the net it would have been a much more comfortable watch.

I though Osman had a good game against Newcastle, but I agree with those who have commented that he should not be a first choice starter. The only change I would make to the current starting eleven would be to put Pienaar out left in place of Osman. Pienaar is also past his best, but his partnership with Baines is fantastic. I'm not bashing Osman, I genuinely like the guy, but with two from Barry, McCarthy and Gibson to pick in the deep roles and three from Mirallas, Barkley, Pienaar and Deulofeu to pick in the attacking three I just can't see how he justifies his place in the team anymore. A very good member of a squad, but for me not a first choice starter.

Where you getting this info from?

Irrespective of the veracity of this number - the point being made was that he concedes easily...Normally while he has possession.

Where am I getting this info from? My eyes - and a series of nerve endings connecting them to my brain.

Are we in a false position or not? I honestly haven't a clue. We're certainly ahead of schedule, that's for sure. About four months to be exact. He keeps asking for time and three weeks ago he suggested that Jan into Feb would be the period when " We will become stubborn and win points." I guess that means we'll be hard to beat.

Till then , he says he is learning about players and partnerships and praying for good luck with injuries. The eventual return of Pienaar, Kone and Alcaraz will bolster his options and I imagine he might be swopping Heitinga for another experienced defender in the window, along with a McGeady type winger for the long term. As for a possible Baines move. I don't even want to think about it.

You can talk shit, but your opinion means absolutely nothing having defended Neville so stubbornly for so long. end of. If I was the chairman and you the manager I'd have you sacked within 2 weeks. Maybe 1. Neville in midfield??LOL you're a joke.

Most of what you say makes sense but your reluctancy to change and try something new holds you back as it did DM. I rate the young managers, the ones who see the game for what it is and what it will become. That's why I always backed RM while others moaned and groaned.

Osman is fine. We all get it. Good pro. nice guy, catholic, never goes partying, doesn't cheat on his wife, whatever.

HE'S NOT GOOD ENOUGH. Same as last season, and the season before and the season before that. we just haven't replaced him yet.. He'll be out soon and we can have this same conversation in january...

Same as with Neville, try reaching beyond the minimum. It's good for you to expand your mind and horizons. Nil Satis Optimum. If we keep the same dead ass horses, we will get the same dead as results. Simple right?? He's good, he's safe you say. I say he's our worst starting player

young>old

If football was played by what fans see with their own eyes then any muppet could be a manager, just look at the diversity of opinions on here. I thought Fellaini was holding us back for years but then someone buys him for 27. 5 million. Some people think Moyes is useless yet he's the manager of Man United. Clearly eyes lie and see what we want them to see. This is why we have a manager who as well as relying on his own instincts also uses shed loads of data.

2) I don't know what "rejig" means but I'm sure he was the least of their concerns.

3) Have you watched Man U this season?? He's a joke. Lets have a beer and watch together how far they've fallen. I promise you we'll have a good laugh :)

Martinez picks Osman every time because he likes his technical ability. He appears to rely on this despite the player's obvious drop off in form at the halfway point during a match.

Just because Martinez does this, doesn't mean it's the only, or the best thing to do. All we can do is analyse what he does. In my opinion we now have better options.

Osman put in a decent performance the other night until he tired badly.. but was kept on... was this the best thing for the team? That, is simply a matter of debate.

Christopher because we odn't have a full squad is hardly an excuse as to why Osman gets picked by Martinez. Perhaps that might wash for the first three games but he played against Chelsea and against Newcastle with only injury keeping him out against West Ham. Martinez could have started Deulofeu Naismith Oviedo or even Gibson rather than Osman against Newcastle but he formulated his team to fit Osman in coming off the wing into a central role. His in game intelligence is very good as is his passing range and close control. He's not going to win many 50 50s or sprint races but then again he's not playing defensive mid so why should that be his game? My eyes, Martinez and Moyes all rate Osman, that's good enough for me.

Del Boy is 19 and is in a new league and is publicly taking it "slow", Oviedo is better off the bench, Naismith to me is better fitted for a Sunderland and Gibson to my knowledge was still out injured.

And yet again, Moyes has a recurring problem playing favorites and RM doesn't have any other options yet.

And let me just add as a whole, tiring is not an excuse. I'm sorry, whether you're 21 (Lukaku) or 31 (Osman) tiring during a once a week game is not acceptable. You are paid millions to be a professional and train 8 hours a day. Fatigue is the Cardinal sin when your only job is to play football as best as possible. Not save lives or fight in a war etc.

As far as some of our players tiring is concerned, they started off at a 100mph and consequently paid the price later in the game.
Bit like an athlete who runs the first part of a race too fast!

It is amazing though, how we can all have totally different opinions after watching the same thing, of course we all think our viewpoint is correct!

Reading the Echo, who are lauding the RS shite about their "next generation" or the BBC who continue the theme and therefore have an article on how brave our neighbours are because they play "the kids". No mention at all about RM playing our youngsters, like Barkley or Coleman, no mention for McCarthy - all players who are going set this season alight.

Goodison park was a joy, it was like a fucking lottery win (I'm guessing), how can any team continue to play like we did in the first half. Impossible - no team can do that. City have been turned over twice this season when they should have had their games rapped up by half time.

We are definitely going places and with the pace and passing that we are currently playing - lets enjoy it.

The Newcastle game was improved, but still nervy. But if this is the apparent transition and things are going to get better, I think we will have a great season.

Osman has not got the physical capability to play high tempo football for 90 minutes.Fact.

On another note I don't like the title of this article it doesn't sound right at all. Overall we were the far superior team and anything else but a victory would have been a travesty.

Look at Villa. They got slated last season for taking an outragous gamble on playing a team full of kids. They got away with it, are paying dividends to some degree with a decent enough start to this season and yet aren't getting a mention. How much of a shout will Southampton get this season for playing their teenagers?

All we can do is get on with it and let the overall team performance speak for itself.

With Ossie, it's a funny one. He's not doing anything wrong apart from getting on in years. We have more options than ever now in his position. Squad rotation may well suit him in that his age is going to start going against him. He may have to accept either or both starting fewer or finishing fewer games.

For me the MoM in the first half was Lukaku, with Barkley just behind. In the second I thought Coleman was immense. He won nearly every battle and kept driving us forward. Its great that we now have two attacking fullbacks who can also defend solidly. If, god forbid, Baines does depart in January I would advocate bringing in Luke Shaw from Southampton. He would come at a premium price, but he has the same kind of qualities as Coleman and would retain that good balance we have at the moment. The remainder of money can then be added to the Fellaini money to get in a top quality striker.

I know we have Lukaku, but he will be gone next season and we want to have someone who is up to speed to take over next year. We look strong in every other area. Also if Lukaku were to get injured I would be a little nervous about our current reserve strikers getting the goals we need. The only flaw with this plan is the current formation were employing. It does seem to work very well and if we had two top strikers one would be relegated to the bench. On the other hand a bit of competition for the number nine jersey might not be a bad thing.

But met a mate who is a blue for a pint last night.

Despite 2nd half ................we just purred.

Watch 2nd half of season - could be fun

Of course it's about opinions, and statistics are not the holy grail but the facts don't support him giving possession away. Sometimes just using your eyes leaves you open to seeing things through your own prejudices.

I would say his biggest weakness is his physical strength and he doesn't win as many tackles as others but even his stat on that is better than you might imagine.
The site is squawka.com, it's worth a visit. It also shows how poor in possession Naismith is and all our eyes tell us that and the stats support it.
Christopher Kelly, I would struggle to get on one page all the older managers who have been successful but try starting with SAF.

Weird that. Ossie has played every game and we're a top 4 side.

I keep promising myself I won't reply to his nonsense, but I just can't help it.

Instead of moaning about RM's signings, our fans should be jumping for joy we have such a positive manager who has swept away 11 years of turgid stale shite in a matter of weeks. There is no way Moyes would'VE attracted Lukaku or Del-Boy to Goodison Park. McCarthy is a fine player who will improve under RM, I mean just look at our former Moyes bench warmer, Barkley, since Roberto weaved his magic.

This is the best Everton side I have seen for what seems like a million years, we are 4th in the table, unbeaten, play great stuff, have pacey skillful exciting players, and have rid our selves of Moyes — the most anti-football negative vibe merchant on the planet... and yet some still moan...

his market value is 4,000,000. Less than Anichebe. It kills me to say it, but not too many others rate him either.

So on that basis Distin (1m!) is so much worse than Ossie, Gibson as good as, Coleman not that much better, Kone even less so. And so on

Surely a big factor in market values, Chris, is a player's age. And time left on contract (I don't know what's left on Ossies).

On that basis Distin is about our worst player!

Again I'll ask you - what stats don't support the suggestion that Osman concedes?

You've provided a pass completion stat (and I've had a look at Squawka - and frankly I think it's made up by some kid in his bedroom) - a pass completion stat IS NOT a possession conceded stat...There's a subtle but all so relevant difference.

P.S according to Squawka Stones has a 0% pass completion record..

Stats EH!

Get your money on Lukaku to score his first hat-trick against Hull. On Osman, I think he is a fine player with great skill. He may lack a bit of pace but he has great feet and a good brain.

We have most of the ingredients to take Everton forward. I would like a big competitive midfielder – Fer would have fitted the bill or that guy we were chasing, Ferdinand. I just think with all the ball players we need a muscle man to protect them.

Don't see why it is hard to understand that when you complete a pass you retain possession and when you don't complete a pass you concede possession. You may also concede possession in a tackle or when in possession of the ball. That's the average duels won statistic which without looking Leon was at 58%.

I see you don't like statistics in an old school sort of way but although they don't tell the whole story they are useful which is why clubs use them.

Bit harsh on Squawka, I'd like to meet the schoolboy in his bedroom who can compile statistics for every minute of every game in every major league in Europe. But I know your arguing style is attack is the best form of defense.

People have views on him that are unshakeable, you will never change their minds, Graham, he could score a hattrick and they'd only notice the one shot he mis-hit. Don't waste your time Graham, I've wasted enough of it on here defending him. At the match people still chant his name and know the value of him and so do successive managers.

And you're right - debating the issue is like banging your head against the proverbial brick wall. You'll feel better when you stop.

A, it wasn't shameful, B, we switched off, obviously it was 3-0, and C, the Barcodes had a good go.

I don't know what part of that half was shameful to be honest.

I don't think we look like a team that had no penetration whatsoever, as one contributor said after one performance, despite 22 shots on goal that day.

We had 18 shots on Monday, but we had a clinical finisher like Lukaku to take our chances, whereas against WBA, we had Jelavic.

Bit of a difference there isn't there?

I have thought the same for quite a while and just not put it in to words. Good observation and succinctly stated.