Blues find extra gear to despatch Fulham

Have to say, remember those folks who warned us all that a Martinez team will always leak goals – look at Wigan last season they shouted with real gusto – and here we are not tong to go until Crimbo and guess who has the best defensive record in the Premier League, although, ironically, I was not the only one groaning about Jags/Distin looking leaky a couple of months back.

Martinez has done such a great job in such a short space of time. I don't think I've been happier than this since '87. I'm gonna go and paint Chicago blue tonight.

Anyone else loving the forward wing-back stuff – Coleman's position for the 2nd!

Much sloppier in possession today and the 3 behind Lukaku didn't properly click as we've seen in recent games but at the same time we did look dangerous when we went forward.

Deleufeu looked dangerous again but his final ball is still very hit and miss. Hope he isn't out for long as full backs must hate playing against him

All in all a good result, goal difference looking good, confidence high, winnable games coming up. The future certainly looks bright. Coybs

Shame about Deulofeu. This is where we lack a bit of depth as that means for the next month if not two that Mirallas will likely start and our livewire off the bench will be...Naismith?

Perhaps it will inspire Bill to reach down the sofa and find some pennies to back RM with in January. Tom ince on the cheap perhaps...

I'm afraid I slipped back to last season when I don't think we would have won this game. I was always a supporter of DM and am very grateful for what he did for us but Roberto is different class. Never plays not to lose and always ready to have a Plan B if things not going right and, I suspect a Plan C, D E etc.

Love you, Bobby!

Far more confident under RM that we will not show the fear of our opposition that DM instilled in the players back in 2005.

So no we will not win the league this season, would love to be proved wrong, but it wont happen.

Your sense of what disloyalty or stupidity on my part is based on what?

Everton 38 30 7 1 - 86 29 - 97
Man City 38 23 8 7 - 91 35 - 77
Chelsea 38 23 7 8 - 72 43 - 76
Arsenal 38 22 9 7 - 75 35 - 75
Spuds 38 19 11 8 - 66 40 - 68
Man-Utd 38 17 11 10 - 50 50 - 62
Shite 38 16 10 11 - 49 45 - 58

A bad day at the office, diabolical refereeing, downright spawniness, injuries, sendings off, the weather, an earthquake you name it. Anyone who thinks it will just come down to form hasn't seen many derbies.

As I mentioned in a previous thread from your comments I believe we are the same generation. I also listen to what yo have to say and I think you are maybe holding a bit back when it comes to predicting our season unlike a good friend of yours James Crawley. C'mon Paul, believe it might never happen if you don't.

That was when had our huge inferiority complex, we wallowed in the gingerness of hard luck stories.

The is the new, we will come and hurt you on your own ground Everton!

Get rid of all those memories of Clive Thomas, Poll, Clattenburg et al.

Forget about all those games we were changing our undies before a ball was kicked - Sin Miedo!

P.S. - Clarke bulleted from West Brom.

Aggghhhh, but Evertonians around our age, we're such a cagey bunch for good reason but maybe not any longer as there is a new wind blowing through The Old Lady.

Yep, you're right, no mention of disloyalty or stupidity, sorry about that .........

The soft fecker should have had his P45 for that bit of business alone!

Great credit must go to the players as the new manager implements changes to our play.

How many of us would have taken this in the summer? All of us!

I don't know how long it will last and I never make predictions so sit back and relax!

Seasons Greetings to all and a healthy New Year!

Ps 9 more points and we are safe!

Top 4 to stay!

Happy days!!!

Don't know if anybody else noticed but I was really taken by the sheer number of times the two changed positions. One minute it was Osman alongside Barry with Barks backing up Lukaku. The next Barks was deep alongside Barry and Osman very advanced. And that was changing literally by the minute.

This is now something else which Roberto has brought to the side. Flexibility par excellence.

Nice to see that Thiery Henri is impressed with us, but it just shows how little people expect of us, especially those from overseas who have plied their trade in the PL era and how far as a club, we had fallen off the radar, because it seems to have come as a complete surprise to him.

Mind you a certain Australian may have had a word in his ear - surely no Red Bull connection is there - BK's silence at the moment is abnormal - he wasn't even on that Bring Me Sunshine video.

Paul J you're a long way away from where I last saw you, hols or work??

I'd say that the cliche come good - a sign of a good team.

Paul J you say:

I also listen to what yo have to say and I think you are maybe holding a bit back when it comes to predicting our season unlike a good friend of yours James Crawley.

I think the only thing I've predicted is that I believe we'd finish 6th bc of squad depth. I'd still stand by that but obviously hope for better. If we remain healthy than Top 4 is a reality. But the injury to Delo today shows for me how fragile we are if 2–3 guys are out.

Is that what you are referring to?

I was impressed with Oviedo, although very advanced at times he always managed to track back and cover..

Well done Blues, it could have been a sticky one. To score four playing poorer than of late speaks volumes.

I say this because every time one bombed forward, the other seemed automatically to drop back and cover. Just superb, I thought, and another sign of the genius of Roberto (though too early to draw conclusions!).

Listening to Lloyd Cole's new CD; phew, he's still got it .......

Barry was not the same player without McCarthy. Barkley looked lost - perplexed – at time as if he didn't know what to do with the ball. Distin is enormous! And Ossie played well

MotM: Sylvain – by a mile. IMHO

The only thing that can stop our progress are injuries – Kone, Gibson, Baines, Deulofeu all out so we can't afford any more – so Everton Board get your bloody money out and back the manager and team in the transfer window. You didn't do it last season and we ran out of steam in February, so step up.

Gavin am in Nigeria working at the Guinness plant. There is great positive to working in Africa in that I have only missed about 4 games per season home and away. DSTV the African Sky is ace, on a Saturday they 4 or 5 games for the 3pm kick off and all the other games outside of this time.

What I have noticed is that we are pretty much a constant now. Plus I get to all the home games when I am back home. I have my tickets for the Sunderland and Southampton games. My brother is home as well so will be the first time ever me, our kid and our two boys will have been the game together and I can't wait.

Right now, life is sweet and I love Roberto Martinez the man just oozes positive intent and tactical awareness. Just hope Gerard's injury is not as bad as it looks.

The second goal was class - Oviedo's ball through to Pienaar - who had a strangely up and down night - who did well with Rom's 1-2. Credit to Mirallas who was in the right position had it not come off the defender, and Coleman's killer instinct was what we all want from our players.

Osman, oh Osman. Just not keeping up with it anymore, yet able to do what he did for that goal. Class. Great goal and great way to celebrate his 300th. I won't lie and say I'm a fan of his, but it would take a monster to not love that he scored in his 300th, and against Fulham, a fixture he's saved us in a few times.

Times are changing.

And as Graham Mockford observes, imagine the reaction if Osman had given away the pen that Barry gave away yesterday.

What "horrendous errors"? Compared to Delboy’s?

Observer has Osman as one of their team of the day.

etc etc

Times are changing.

But the main thing is that we will play better, McCarthy will be back, and we face a tough game down at Swansea, which hopefully will give us a good start leading up to the two home games on 26th & 29th.

However, options are limited as I don't think Jelavic is a good enough footballer to play in this system. So for me he needs selling, I think West Ham would bite our hands off and we need another striker if we are serious about maintaining our challenge.

Its an interesting point to say we missed McCarthy. Without doubt, it would have shored up the defense and midfield, but without Ossie on the pitch, there is no way we would have scored so many. He was involved in everything good going forward, and also chipped in with a sublime goal, and inch perfect assist. I personally think when we are playing at Goodison, we don't need to play two defensive midfielders, one should be dropped so we can have some creativity in the centre of the park.

Have to give a lot of credit to Martinez, for sorting out the back four as confidence has returned and they are playing like last season. Distin was immense yesterday, the guy has been an unbelievable signing. Very solid yesterday, even when under some Fulham pressure.

Really pissed off that Del Boy is injured, he was just starting to come good for us. But in reality it gives an opening to Mirallas, which I hope he takes as he is a better player than Del Boy when on form. And not to mention he is our player, I prefer to see Mirallas given time to develop instead of developing Barcelona's players. West Brom are a good example of what happens when you rely too much on loan players, they are back to being a very average side without someone up front to put the goals away.

Next three games are all winnable if we keep this form going. Being in the top four going into the new year would be an excellent end to what has been a fantastic year for our club. If we can make some changes in January and keep in the CL places through to the end of the season, then even our loan signings leaving won't be so painful as we can buy and attract new players. If it all fizzles out in the new year, then we are going to be in a right mess next season!!!

I trust Roberto to get his signings right in January providing that tight git Kenwright gives him the money.

Will we win the league? Probably not.

Huge difference between possibility and an actual occurrence.

I trust Roberto to buy well in January, and Lukaka has dropped off goal wise but he works hard for the team and has good link play

It would be a really nice Xmas present to get to the end of 2013 with the points required for safety and move on from there

From one of the usual suspects.

He never played in place of McCarthy, it's a job he can't do. He spent most of the game around the Fulham box and our CM was exposed time after time. The only place he can play is in the "10" spot, and I don't think he deserves to be ahead of Ross, so at 32, and never finding a fixed position, the best he can hope for is a fringe player and January should see additions to the squad.

So before creaming over our weakest link, give the players who are pulling us through difficult games EVERY week like Distin, Jags, Barry, Coleman, Ross etc a bit of credit – Osman's had a decade to prove himself but he has less ability, strength and vision than others such as McFadden who were vilified by some fans. Get used to it, Osman is on his way out; we need to improve, not live on sentiment.

But it's dishonest to say he had a bad game on Saturday (in fact he had one poor touch in the first half, Delboy had 9!) and not to point out the errors of others on Saturday. But that's what we get from some.

"He gave the ball away at least 4 times". I think you've just demonstrated my point! Others gave the ball away more than that!! Delboy 9 first half alone, Ross plenty, Lukaku, Peanuts etc etc.

Who said today "I thought Leon was sensational today. From scoring the goal and being influential in everything we did, understanding the game and his thinking – it was a clever performance" – Roberto. Roberto still likes him – get used to it.

Maybe he does lack tact. Drop him!

Quotes from Osman in Sports Mole, Scarborough News, Sporting Life etc.

Wow, he sure gets around those media outlets. Scarborough News! What's he doing in Scarborough FFS! And stop phoning them all, Ossie!

Where would Evertonians be if they didn't have a scapegoat for WINNING 4-1?

But if you look carefully 33 thousand Evertonians would seem to be pretty close to what you would expect for that particular fixture.at any given time. It is a pity that we can't attract that extra couple of thousand but if we continue to win games and keep up with the pace at the top we will see them return more often than not.

As far as Ossie's concerned, he did give ball away a few times, but so did all our players including Pienaar!

I note that Roberto Martinez has today expressed his surprise that the very same Leon Osman is not in the current England reckoning.

How do you account for it?

That is without a shadow of a doubt the most ridiculous comment I've ever read on this site.

Barkley was doing an in-house interview when Osman came out into the stadium singing the lad's name. FFS fella, can these guys not have a laugh together. I'd say team spirit is one thing that sets Everton apart from some of our closest rivals and seeing that sort of thing makes us fans aware of how close the players are.

Absolutely pathetic dig at Ossie.

I thought we started to stroll at the beginning of the second half and that let Fulham back into the game. I hope Martinez will knock that tendency out of them.

Lukaku made a quite good runs and was not seen. When Barkley, Mirallas and the rest gel properly with Lukaku, we should hand out a beating or two.

Will Howard ever come for a cross?

The penalty decision pissed Gareth Barry off, big-time. From that moment forward he was like a man possessed, all over the park.

The referee was a wanker.

Three midfielders and a full-back score... ace.

Within the confines of the rules, it would make sense wouldn't it? I did read several comments above about the McCarthy/ Barry combo being sorely missed but, on reflection, if a 1 match ban was inevitably coming, at home to Fulham was as good a bet as any for his absence not to backfire (even though it threatened to up to the 68th minute).

I've watched some shite at Everton like Wright, Darracott, Langley, McLaughlin and Osman is comparable to those. A lot of decent players have had their Everton careers fucked up because our previous dictator loved Osman for some unfathomable reason. Nil Satis etc?

This is too much. Osman compared to Darracott and McLaughlin? If Osman had played in the 1970s, he would have been a major star. In those days, players on the edge of the England squad were considered top players – Andy King and Mick Buckley never played for England, but mainstays for Everton in midfield in the 70s and Ossie was better than both. Darracott and McLaughlin would not get a game for ANY Premier League club nowadays.

'our previous dictator loved Osman for some unfathomable reason'

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2524308/Roberto-Martinez-claims-bright-Leon-Osman-England-squad.html?ico=sport%5Eheadlines

Looks like our new manager rates him also. Do you think Roberto doesn't know what he's talking about?

Do you not remember when Gazza played for us and was filmed leaning out of a window crying and pleading with Xavier not to leave? Really funny. Does that make him a hooligan too, to, or all the other players who enjoy a bit of fun? You must be a bundle of laughs to go on the lash with, or can't you find anyone to go with? Any excuse to have a go at Osman. Pathetic.

You have a right to an opinion, Mick, but the above statement invalidates anything you have ever posted. It is a pile of cack.

Osman is still useful against lesser sides at home because it's still only really him and Pienaar who can pick the lock of teams who come to defend. His touch and passing remain class. Good option to have in the squad and has already earned us points this season most notably at Villa.

I can just see Mick Bernard....Bernie Wright....Rod Belfitt...(fill in player of choice) taking that goal like Ossie did on Saturday. Yeah right......

Sometimes it is a case of any excuse to have a go; the lad scored on Saturday so let's give him some praise. And as has already been stated would he be part of RM's squad if he was as bad a player as you are suggesting?

I have just seen your comments "Every time Osman starts, we struggle. He gets dragged off and we Improve..." What a load of complete and utter garbage. Yes, you are entitled to an opinion, but before you make any comments try and give some thought to what you write. No wonder people have responded so harshly to your comments – I reckon that you deserve it. You remind me of a guy who had a season ticket in the seat next to my Dad in the late 1970s. He would always have a go at Latchford. This bloke went to QPR when Bob scored 4. My Dad couldn't resist saying to him, "Latchford must have done well to score 4?" Back came the reply, "Yes, but he should've scored 10!"

Some people are never satisfied are they ?! And Mick as you seem fond of putting people into a category – I think you should be in the category of fans who are "Never Pleased".

They have to have someone to hate!

"It is also a year since Everton last lost at Goodison and, until they face Arsenal in April, they will encounter the following teams at home – in brackets is the year their opponents last won at Goodison: Sunderland (1996), Southampton (1997), Norwich (1993), Aston Villa (2008), Crystal Palace (1997), West Ham (2005), Cardiff (1926) and Swansea (never)."

We really do have a chance to go for that top four, don't we? We don't ever look like losing and when it really clicks we are going to absolutely annihilate someone. (My money is on Sunderland.)

I must be one of your "never pleased" mob too. I just can’t have it when the pro-Osman Evertonians tell the doubters that we know nothing (or are somehow blinkered). I trust the opinions of my mates who I grew up with, and I always distinguish between those who I knew could play a bit of footy themselves, and those who couldn’t. What we are talking about here is whether he is (has been) good enough for Everton.

Phil Walling suggests that "the likes of us" need someone to hate, which is silly really as ultimately we all want the best for EFC. And therein lies the issue because, in my (our) humble opinion, he never was good enough.

I don’t hate the lad because I don’t know him but I’ll tell you what – I bet I could push him off the ball!

So you think Roberto is our current dictator, fucking up careers by playing Osman?!

You haven't even got the wit, pal, to think through what response you're obviously going to get to your posts.

Dumb fucker said it – Nil satis – nothing satisfies.

In my eyes Timmy is one of best keepers in the league & over the years has proven so with his record. Yet he still does seem to have a weakness for coming for crosses or just isn't that dominant inside his own box. We all have strengths and weaknesses.

Ossie likewise has strengths and weaknesses and whilst you might focus on the amount of times he loses possession or is to easily pushed off the ball, he does have a part to play in a team sport. His pass to Lukaku for a goal a few weeks back was so simple but was lacking from so many others who take too much out of the ball.

He scored a good goal on Saturday when we really needed it and so I too will believe in RM and trust his judgement rather than focus on Mr Moyes. The quicker we stop talking about him the better, I think.

I agree completely with your excellent post - except for one phrase.

It is not "the nature of sport"; it is the nature of the loons, goons and buffoons who lack the wit to appreciate a good player like Leon Osman. Anyone who thinks Osman is a bad player should have all voting rights taken away. Osman is very far from being perfect, but he was and remains a good player for Everton.

However, I feel moved to say something on two matters. First of all Osman has been a loyal servant to EFC and has played for his country. He might not be everybody's favourite footballer (he's not mine for example) but for some people to say make such derisory comments about somebody who has scored 50+ goals and made 300 appearances for our beloved EFC is unjust, uncalled for and shows a lack of respect for "one of us".

The lad still has a role to play – and if nothing else we should all respect the views of RM and if he feels Osman is a fit a proper player to pull on the blue shirt, then "so say all of us".

My other comment is that I look forward to the time when Mr Moyes is no longer subject matter on this site. He's gone; its boring and we have a new man in charge guys – RM – and he ain't doing bad.

It seems to me that anyone who doubts Osman’s ability is stupid / blind / a usual suspect, in your eyes.

Now the thing is, Brent, there are an awful lot of us Osman doubters out here (I for one never rated him – like most of my friends). Lots of us are happy to be witnessing the twilight of his GP career.

You obviously have a little crush but that doesn’t make us idiots.

There are an awful lot of fans out there, as you can see from the posts, who thought Osman played well Saturday (and that's all we do, call it match by match, rather than call WTF on Live Match Forum at his first mistake (but not anybody else's). It's called honesty, Gary.

I've never called you an idiot Gary (as far as I recall!). You have an opinion like the rest of us. I called MD a dumb fucker because his posts seemed, well, just a bit fucking dumb. If you don't rate Osman, that's a valid opinion and not the thoughts of a stupid person. And I didn't call the thoughts suspect. I used the term "the usual suspects" in half-ironic sense to refer to the way we can predict who is going to come out on Ossie's first mistake and lambast the guy.

But I'm also a usual suspect in that I'll be the first to defend him if I though he's played well but others have kicked the guy.

Mick, a little less serious, please, mate. A laughing the workplace is good for team spirit. Did you not play football Mick?

"Osman’s heavenly first touch"? Seriously... honestly? And you say I should have my voting rights taken away!

I’m reading an interesting book at the moment about psychologically entrenched thinking. The need to see things in a way that dismisses other views. Would make a nice Xmas pressie.