I don't expect us to win but, if we can stick to playing good football and how we have been playing at times, then there is a chance of a good result. I don't agree with many who say that we played that well on Wednesday, I was there at Old Trafford and didn't think we played like we can, maybe I was being unrealistic but I thought we could play them off the park and dominate the game but I felt that we didn't show our full potential.

I'm not knocking the team because to get that result in being well organised, well balanced, keep a clean sheet and get a goal at the end was a fantastic achievement... but I still thought we didn't show what we're capable of and, because of that, I'm hoping it's a good omen for today, maybe a devastating performance is due?

Oh no, what have I just said, just in case that's some kind of Jinx I'll have to counter it ....

I don't expect us to win at the Emirates, it's going to be tough.

COYB

What's so good is that no only does the opposition have little idea what Everton's midfield will be like, but that Martinez can switch it about at any time.

If you are playing the RS all you have to do is keep Ratboy and Sturridge - incidentally, why do the TV stations think Skrtl's initials are "OG"? - and you are probably home and dry, with ManU shut up Rooney and RvP and the rest are demoralised over the hill rubbish. With Arsenal, I think it's pretty much the Ozil and Giraud show. Wilshire is another fast running player with no other notable skills.

But with Everton there are a dozen combinations each of which offers different threats.

Time to start stream hunting!

Let's start with 9 August 1969, the opening game of the season that that would get us the title. I was there at Highbury. Saw Howard Kendall stretchered of and the lovable cockney Charlie George make his debut.

We won 1-0 and were pelted by old style penny coins right through the match.

Secondly when the arse played the RS in the FA Cup Final in 1971, by which time terrace singing had become something of a cult, they were so lacking in original talent that they had to employ TV pundit Jimmy Hill to think up a song for them.

Sung (sic) to the tune of Rule Britannia it had stirring lyrics like - Good old Arsenal, we're proud to play the game - cue puke and more puke.

Horrible supporters. Ever noticed how they leave their seats early whenever they're not winning?

Second half a lost opportunity for me. We should have won this game I'm afraid. We could have done with a bit more confidence from Martinez.

Okay, I really really wanted a win today... I was hugely impressed with the first half, but I think Martinez allowed Wenger to outwit him in the second half, and that is a huge pity.

Hopefully a lesson learned. Great attitude from the team, though, and an exquisite goal from Deulofeu.

We are playing such brilliant football, the best I've ever seen as a Blue and its nice to take it to the big guns in the way we did against Manure and now Arsenal tonight.

In a true testament to our performance, Arsenal fans tweeting that they were happy with a draw because we were the best team they've faced all season.

Sensational strike by Del Boy. In Martinez we Trust. To get 56% possession at Arsenal is a true testament to Martinez and his methods.

The School of Science is officially open and its here to stay!

Roberto is in possession of more info than us, Del Boy might be under the weather with a cold etc, same applies to other players, carrying slight injuries, we don't know these things.

Mr. Kenwright - Please, please, please back Martinez and our Club in January!

Don't really see the need to nitpick. On the Osman sub Graeme Me Saux correctly identified in commentary that delaying the sub made sense to see how Arsenal rejigged with their triple sub. And, while Delboy is incredibly exciting, I have no problem with him coming off the bench at the point when Martinez feels the opposition is getting tired enough for him to really attack. Mirallas was playing pretty well, so it's not like it was the sub solved some huge gap.

Now is the time to invest big in this squad if we are serious about the CL - the talent is there, but the depth isn't. Really proud of that.

MK harsh on Bobby in the 2nd half I think.

Ross MOM - special shout for Barry/Macca

Arguably we shaded it but we are simply a joy to watch and I could not be happier.

RM was never outwitted at any part of this game. Remember Arsenal win possession in all games at the Emirates and they have a wonderful side. You have to put your comments in context.

For me RM showed his class; his belief; his ability and showed teams how sin miedo taken to the top teams, played with sensible tactics can work and he is building a REAL team in the EFC great teams of the distant past.

Sorry Michael, always respect what you say but you have got this one wrong.

I think we are all now convinced that we have arrived on the big stage with a brand of football we haven't seen from an Everton team for many years. Barklay has arrived and is proving what a great player he is even though he still has things to learn and Howard is just terrific.

Pity McCarthy will miss the next game.

Look what's coming up, lads and lasses:

Fulham - H
Swansea - A
Sunderland - H
Saints - H
Stoke - A
Norwich - H
Baggies - A
Shite - H - by which time we will be in FA Cup Rnd 5...

I can't help but find that maddening.

Two more points dropped!!!

I never forgave his awful display in the quarter final against Villa, he was a total shithouse in that game, pulling out of tackles that they scored both goals from.....

To a man we were magnificent. Tactically unreal in my mind. Something we have not seen in a long time.

Not worried a jot about Lukaku we just played two massive away games in 4 days. Give the boy a couple of days off. Next 7 games all look winnable - If we can keep that momentum against them the unthinkable is achievable.

Great to hear Jags also say we want to win it. When did you last hear our player say that...

Before the last two fixtures I was hoping for a point, maybe even thinking of two, but 4 is simply fantastic. Sylvain Distin and Phil Jagielka were superb today (amongst many others of course). That Roberto has got a lumper and a runner to play such sublime 'build from the back' football in such a short time is nothing short of incredible. Howard was awesome too, so quick off his line and made himself big to smother anything that came through.

Only slight criticism is the lack of service to Lukaku, he looked to be frustrated with the lack of the quick ball. Personally I think he was a little off colour today but I'd like to see us poke a through more balls through the back line for him to run on to.

But a very minor point in a superb week for the Toffees!

4 points from those 2 games! Great stuff, Roberto. But the jury is out - too early to pass judgement on him (as I keep saying!)!!!

I haven't seen the game so I can't comment on it, but if you're a goal down late in the match at the home of the would be champions then regardless, you should be happy with a point. Let's hope Arsenal - given that we don't have a realistic chance of becoming Champions - take points off all our rivals in the coming months.

Champions League is no longer a joke for this team. Let’s hope Bayern or Madrid come in for Ken Dodd in January window and the Shite fall away. We are miles ahead of Spurs as a football unit and if we can keep injuries at bay we can push for 4th or even 3rd spot....

I fucking love this new Everton and Roberto Martinez is officially an Everton legend.

High praise, Arsene says he was 'satisfied' with the point.

Anyway, no McCarthy against Fulham at Goodison but it's a decent time to lose him. Deulofeu should be unleashed from the start in his place with Barkley dropping a little deeper, ie, Martinez should not go for the safe option of Ossie in this fixture.

Pleased with 4 points from these 2 fixtures, storm weathered and 7 very favourable fixtures coming up. Pleased with 56% possession at the Emirates and very pleased with Roberto, jury still out my bollix.

Cheers Brent....

We took our 'arsenal' to the Champions in mid week and won the gun fight against our former manager. Today we took our arsenal of weapons to the Arsenal and made them realise that we are the best team they have faced this season ( Their own captain said that). It is so great to be an Evertonian today. The School Of science is reborn.

A goal scorer next month is a must. We have enough in midfield to make do until the summer but we need extra goals to complete what we have started this season.

Even when we scored, we were still going for it, and it was only in the dying minutes did RM settle for the draw, but he still put Naismith as opposed to a defender. Yes like everyone else I'm a touch pissed off but I would've took 4 pts from the 2 games, and I suspect so would every other Evertonain.

We would have had Jelavic marooned upfront on his own with the nearest player 30 yards away, with 10 men behind the ball at all times.

In fact, you know what? Even thinking like that is totally anathema to Evertonians who can open their eyes to what Roberto Martinez could be doing for us this season.

But we're clearly still fighting this subliminal "Everton OVER achieving" bullshit mentality that also drives me raging mad!!!

Like Roberto says, there's still more yet to come!

Forward, Onward, Upward... can we PLEASE stop looking back?!?!

McCarthy and Barry were immense, as were Jagielka and Distin. We fear no-one and who knows what we can achieve this season... It's gonna be interesting.

Amazing change in the way we play - with confidence, conviction and determination (Palace aside). Great display and result at the end of the day, especially added to the midweek adventure. Watched the game with a mate who's an arsenal fan and HE was screaming for the ref to blow the whistle at the end - was happy to get a point off us at home!

Fulham next and hopefully 3 points (despite the new manager). Onwards and upwards - also good to see we got a home draw in the FA cup.

Merci again Mr Roberto - its still a blue world out there.

With a bit more care in the last third in some of our matches we could quite easily have been sharing top-spot with Arsenal, but Everton have given themselves a good chance to make-up for those lost points, let's hope they do so in the coming months.

It's starting to get quite exciting and with the crowd right behind them at Goodison anything is possible.

It can't be any clearer than that.

Turn the clock back 7 days and EVERY single Evertonian would have bitten your arm off if you'd offered them 4 points from Manu and Arsenal away, back to back - immense week for the team and the manager, off the back of that 4-0 stuffing of Stoke. Simply great at the moment.

I'm just glad Roberto didn't get the manager of the month curse. Quite happy to stay under the radar for now. Win against Fulham and we're into top 4 with relatively easier games coming up compared to the week gone by.

How much can we dare to dream?

It's got nothing to do with it being against Arsenal, it's the fact we're playing breath-taking football and attacking all the time. It's amazing to be a blue right now.

The game itself could've gone either way, there were points in the game where we were hanging on for dear life but just when it looked like we were getting over run, we got a second wind and came back at them again. A draw was a fair result in my opinion.

The most pleasing thing is, we had a real go and never stopped trying to go about things in the right manner. The inferior mindset seems to have gone and Bobby in a short amount of time has taught the players not to embrace fear.

I've a lot a time for your views, mate, but don't run us down because we were special today. Stopping a passing side as good as that takes some nous and we showed it. Brilliant blues, absolutely brilliant.

The football has been nothing less than scintillating and the speed of the passing game has removed my major concern about 'Roberto's Way'. Lumpers and hoofers have learned new tricks in record time!

Of course, some people will never be satisfied, believing that our team has a God given right to WIN every game and mere draws at places like Arsenal should be viewed as failure and points lost.

Well, they are entitled to that opinion and whilst I retain reservations about our resources stretching to a Top Four finish, if we keep putting in performances like today, this season will, at least, go down as our return to the School of Science. Let's all enjoy.

We could have a genuine chance with this manager. Please, please Bill don't let us down this time and give him some cash in January!

The players are allowed to express themselves and show their ability, as today, but to seriously challenge for the top 4 we need the ruthless streak and that step 2. Step 1 gloriously achieved good, positive attractive football, the next 6/7 games need to show the next step. Not critical at all just wanting us to keep going forward and then who knows !!!

That was a better performance than Wednesday night, we outplayed them completely in the first half and matched them in the second. Away to the leaders who had win their last six home league games with ease.

Couldn’t be prouder!

Glad you're enjoying it. I also watched an Arsenal away game for the first time in a long time enjoying it.

Oh, and there was that amazing banner at OT midweek about the return of the School of Science... someone remind me, what did it say? Anyone got a photo?

COYB... EFC Forever!

We deserved a win today, Arsenal are in for a tough time now in winter time with the games coming fast, plus the CL.

Everyone is buzzing of the fact that we thought we could win today, and then we should of. Put that in to context of our OFM and our board. I work in Africa 90% and the South Africans have it spot on – you cannot eat eat an elephant in one bite.

I watched the game in Nigeria were 70% of the population think the world revolves around Arsenal, guess what mate the 100% sat with me in a bar in Lagos walked out like they had escaped.

Let's give credit were credit is due MK it's is a fuckin joy to go toe to toe with these big time gobshites and I am telling you now in my 45 years of watching Everton we are as good as anyone at the moment and I am not a defeatist look at my mails over the years.

I think you would have to go back to the 80s team that won the league, since Evertonians have felt this good about their team.

But clearly, it's an incredible start, way beyond my expectations. I'm honest enough to admit I wasn't as enthusiastic as some about RM, but I did expect to have to give him some time, since he was clearly wanting to change the way we play and that isn't an overnight accomplishment. It is quite extraordinary that so soon, we can actually play this type of football with some alacrity and match the so called big teams.

If my bucket is still half empty, it is just because I have been waiting several decades to see another great Everton team and you're only great if you win consistently over a sustained period. We all know the barriers that have been in our way in recent years stopping that. Hopefully the board will, for once in their collective life, take a risk and see if we can speculate to accumulate, in other words, give RM a cannon in the Jan window, not a peashooter.

Seven points from three games in eight games. Stoke (h), Utd (a) and Arsenal (a). A cause for celebration in any context.

However, there's a real feeling that something's happening here. In short it's totally refreshing. From the players he's brought in to the positive attitude and substitutions. When did we last go to Arsenal with confidence and belief like this?

Even neutrals on the 606 programme were singing our praises - even the totally dull and vacuous Ian Wright. Alan "where's my fifth pie?" Green was complimentary.(On that subject, who's Tim Hard?)

Steve #636 - totally agree re : investment - let's go large. (Mind you Kone still irritates a bit).

Albert # 620 - I can't stand Cockneys. Had a bad experience with 3 of them (Chelsea fans) while in Basingstoke on Wednesday night. Do they all listen to Talk Sport and drive white vans?

Hope we can keep this going. It's great.

According to Green it was a dull uneventful game without much from either side. Certainly there was no mention of our goal being anything out of the ordinary.Green was obviously unimpressed. I fear that Roberto still has much to do.

Jagielka has always been an outstanding defender but with a dreadful inability to play the ball creatively out of defence. It is terrific to see him fighting this tendency to want to hoof the ball (straining with the effort at times!) and to actually play it – one can almost hear Martinez speaking through an earpiece to him "Phil, remember, no more than ten yards or you are off!"

The manager so far has been a credit to himself, the club and indeed the profession. Where it ends up, no-one knows but the evidence so far suggests that here is a man who believes in the creative aspects of the game and actually allowing it to do what it is designed to do and that is to entertain. The fact that the entertainment, particularly in the last four matches, has been excellent is a credit to him and the response of his players. he deserves every credit and every support from a fan-base who have certainly been starved of the enthralling aspects of the game for a little too long. Let us wish him every success.

Next summer Ross Barkley could be become a superstar. Just like Gazza after Italia '90.

So, so similar.

Lukaku was at fault for not passing and may have cost us the extra 2 points in the end.

Avoiding a loss against Arsenal was a must, and we did that thankfully.

Thats not a criticism of Martinez in relation to Moyes or a defence of OFM. This guy has got the team playing a far more entertaining and often dazzling brand of football that if it is maintained will bring a greater chance of success (in many ways it already has) . I just think many are going over the top.

Another great overall performance. 8 points from the last 4 games is a great return. A few concerns though. Del Boy is an amazing talent, but you can see why he isn't in Spain at the moment. He gives the ball away very cheaply at times. A little more composure and he will be a fantastic player. Same goes for Barkley. The twists and turns are great when they come off, but I wish he would limit them to the oppositions half!! Giving the ball away to a team like Arsenal 40 yards from goal isn't clever, especially when your team is in the ascendancy. On the other hand, I suppose you have to try these things, when it comes off its great to watch. Only minor concerns though as their overall contribution speaks for itself, just hoping they can both make that move to true top level performers.

The only real issue I thought was Lukaku, I had the feeling he was getting a bit above himself. He looked very frustrated and made some very poor decisions in and around their area. Another player with fantastic potential, but I feel another striking option to not only put pressure on him but also to allow a different style upfront is essential in the transfer window. Looking at the bench and seeing Jelavic didnt inspire. The way Giroud held up the ball for them and made unselfish decisions was a good example for the lad.

Why do I sound so negative? Ha! Two great away results and just getting greedy. The Bobby Effect taking over, Nothing But The Best......

Fortunately Mr Martnez is also a perfectionist and I don't think he's the type to sit back and smoke a cigar before he and the team have achieved something tangible and I think that is the main reason most Evertonians are properly excited - even some of those fans from across the way have admiration for the way we are playing and that doesn't come easy for them.

Let's hope the players realise that the season is only just over a third gone and that they have to continue to produce the goods against the teams that they should have the better of, but it will still take hard-work and ability to achieve the desired results. COYB keep it going - it's been very enjoyable so far.

We have a run of 7 games now that all look eminently winnable (indeed we'll go in to all as favourites), the target has to be to win at least 5 of them and ideally not lose the other 2 (i.e. 17/21) to keep us ahead of the curve for RM's 70pt target and set us up for a genuine CL challenge.

If we can keep playing anywhere near the level we have in the last 3 games I think that's totally achievable, but we'll need to keep the intensity from the off and not start slow as we did at Palace.

Such a refreshing difference from the old regime.
I did not want Martinez.
Boy I have never been so glad I was WRONG.

I was a Moyes fan but Martinez has us playing some great football and Everton are back !

My only concern is 3 of our best players are on loan, where would we be with Lukaku, Barry and Deulofeu ? Jelavic, Osman and Naigood would be on the pitch.

I had the same thoughts about Lukaku and Drogba. He has so many natural attributes in common, but not yet there. His steam rollering of Vidic on Wednesday was a great example of his pace and strength, but still a bit rash or indecisive running into the area with the ball. That composure will most likely come with more experience, and its great to have a player with a goal scoring record like his when he isn't even playing at his best!! Perhaps if he was looking over his shoulder at the bench and worrying that he may get replaced he would focus a bit more. As it stands at the moment there is no real option with any substance other than sticking Kev up front and he isn't a out and out striker. Then again, Spain won the European Championship without playing strikers every match!!

On a separate note, Pienaar was great again last night. Covered so much ground and created some good chances. A different player to a few weeks back. since the Palace game there seems to be a lot more emphasis on getting the ball forwards (on the ground mind) and players going on more runs with the ball. That pretty much addressed what most people were moaning about with the PAATB and has brought about some great football.

BUT What excites me is that we are not grinding out results and then sitting back, we are playing an exciting brand of football, it has me on the edge of my seat, a part of my furniture that hasn't been used in far too long. We have confidence, style, teams fear us and we are not the finished article yet, nowhere near it. That's what excites me, we are going to get better.

I didn't expect anything this season, I hoped. I am starting to expect. I've been watching Everton since my first game at Goodison park in 1975 against Newcastle. I was lucky enough to have a season ticket in the eighties, my dad told me tales of the "School of Science" in the sixties.

RM, you weren't brought up with the Everton tradition, but, by god, you understand it. Thank you.

Yes, he is a vile creature, but what a player! Fantastic footballing ability – he is already the highest goal-scorer in spite of missing the first 5 games of the season. I hope he gets pulled in by Real Madrid in January – but I don't see that happening until the summer and the downside is that surely the RS will get mega bucks for him - almost Gareth Bale-esque.

But, what a great performance yesterday! As others have mentioned, can we translate the good performances to victories over the lower placed teams? That will be the acid test for Martinez over the coming 6-7 games.

That means we can be "disappointed" not to have pushed on that little bit further with two magnificent wins in five days. That means we can marvel at the progress, the delicious tantalising School of Science football and the sudden arrival of genuine enjoyment when going to the game, rather than dour "parking the bus" because we think we have to be inferior due to our "financial circumstances". That means it's okay to think that, if Roberto had brought on Deulofeu earlier, we could indeed have won this massive challenge.

However, it was a joy to watch us boss Arsenal for long periods, to see the style and swagger back in our players, with a confidence level that has much to do with attitude and sheer belief. Ross Barkley is now improving every week. He needs an injury-free run and lots more games but he's clearly on the way, no longer a question mark in terms of "if", just "when" and already a top player... if he can learn to release the ball earlier, to add a wee bit more poise and less excitement at vital moments, he surely is a Gazza at his best? But let's not forget that what is helping Ross to shine is the stunning acquisition of McCarthy for a bargain £13m and Barry for bugger all. They are making a huge difference and we will miss McCarthy next week.

Strangely games like this make me feel a bit less worried about life after Lukaku. His goals are brilliant of course and will help decide if we can make the top four this time around. But his overall play is surprisingly low-key at times, he barely wins headers and isn't that great at hold-up play, though his strength and sheer will makes him a massive handful for any defence. But I have some sense that the manager understands how he can replace him next season and that will start in January with an additional striker, probably at the expense of selling Jelavic but also another forward-looking midfielder who can augment our attacking options.

Now we have seven winnable games, seven chances to consolidate a massive improvement and frankly what happens during these games will decide the season just as much as this cracking week has delighted every Blue.

Point 1: Barkley. Had Moyes played him more at a younger age he could have turned out like Rodwell. It could be that keeping him back allowed his talent to peak and maybe Moyes would have played him this season as much as Roberto has. You just don't know.

Point 2: Roberto barks orders too, lots off them, and the amount of instructions given to Ossie when he came on...it is just a football manager thing, they all do it.

Point 3: David Moyes has gone. His only relevance is that he turned the club from perennial relegation fighters into a team capable of challenging for European places. Hit the proverbial glass ceiling. Then cheated on us with a richer club left us and said some nasty things.

Well I for one don't feel the need to sink to his level, we have a new manager, he is doing very well and I think we should all put our energy into supporting him and the players instead of all this small minded bitching about the past.

We are on a role and we may have some bad results going forward but on the evidence of this and the last two displays all I can say is Roberto you are a manager.

To get them to play so well so quickly makes a mockery of Moyes Tenure. I was a Moyes supporter.

We could win the league playing sublime football and that twat wouldn't acknowledge it. He's no longer on 606 but he still pollutes the commentary on 5live. I wish the BBC would pension him off altogether or relegate him back to Northern Ireland.

"Why is there even an Everton? These kind of teams are a pain in the neck. they never actually challenge for the top but they present a tiring trip out to pummel them back into their mediocrity. It was clear that the strategy was to deliberately foul every time they were getting beat. I agree that the referee has to impose himself early when the game is being deliberately played this way."

I hate the way the financial structure of the Premier League gives free rein to calling us a small club. At least in 1985 (those of you old enough will remember the picture of Everton with all the faces whited out to show our 'anonymity' which appeared in the southern press) we could stuff it back up them by cruising the Title. Now if we even get near to it, our players will be tapped, 'decisions' will go against us etc etc.

I think there's a different view. He's actually doing a hell of a lot of running and getting into some great positions - the ball just isn't being released to him quickly enough. Barks was immense yesterday but I suspect the reason Ossie was brought on was to see if we could get the quick ball to Lukaku - I noticed Ossie had a word with Lukaku as soon a she came on.

Sorry Mrs Osman (both of you).

Keep it up, lads... never as proud to be Blue.