Jagielka stunner rescues a point

It just doesnÂ’t ever seem to hit home with Martinez that sometimes you have to play a game with tempo, bite and hunger.

Mirallas off injured already, hamstring, another fuckin injury probably knowing us three months sidelined, so predictable.

Michael Owen says it has been pretty even, which I would agree with. Radio Merseyside say itÂ’s all Liverpool!

Slow, old Hibbert getting skinned all day by very fast, young RS Sterling, replaced for fast, young Browning on, 75-minutes. Besic - just not the right mindset yet. McGeady...APPALLING - bring back Pienaar.

Not good enough. Not good enough by half. Furious.

COYB!!!!

We need a confidence boosting win against Krasnodar and then a massive effort against Man Utd. We can still pull things around!

Martinez has to sort this out. McGeady needs pulling. Hibbert, I love you, but time is up, sorry. Lukaku playing were he should play; Naismith recognised as NOT being the next Messi and that he’s merely doing a good fill in job while Ross is injured; Besic returned to the rezzies; Pienaar back in the team ASAP. Use Eto’o as much as possible, and stop, stop, stop messing about with Europa League – prioritise the Premier League.

Gutted for Mirallas - a key player lost for maybe 3 months.

Gold, just fucking gold!!!!!!

Get in there, you Â’orrible fuckers!

Browning! Where have they been hiding him? Why didn’t we bring on Eto’o when Mirallas did his hamstring? He looks quality. Howard was in his Wolfsburg frame of mind, Hibbo worked so hard bless him. We cry for Mirallas – probably wont see him until after Christmas.

Why RM has Lukaku out on the right wing all the time I just don’t know? He should be just outside the box. He was unlucky not to have a penalty in the first half, but then so were they thanks to Barry – but he did play well all the game.

I can hardly fault anyone except to say when we lost Mirallas we had a lot of our talent still on the bench. This feels like a win.

This is not ’a turning point’ because the problems aren’t covered by a Jags wonder goal. This is not ’I’ll take a point’, because we didn’t deserve a point. We got very, very lucky. And the person who nearly buggered it up – again – was Martinez. Can’t-dribble Lukaku out right, tiny Naismith in the middle, immature Besic as our play-maker, slow Hibbo against Sterling, and McGeady replacing Mirallas when he’s plainly awful. (I’d honestly sooner have seen Atsu or someone from the youth team!)

Liverpool are not a great side, but we made them look like one today. Our passing, decision making, taking responsibility, lamentable. Fantastic goal from Jags. A very honest player, who like Distin, has done us proud over the years but are now losing a bit.

Besic looked poor today. Stones not yet good enough. I am a big critic of Lukaku, but he played well in the position he was in today.

Some negatives: MirallasÂ’s injury, Hibbert and Barry look old and slow. Lukaku looked clumsy but did enough to trouble their defence.

Some positives: Browning looks the real deal. Stones looked comfortable, the defence on the whole performed a lot better. Howard put in a good shift.

But one thing stands out for me. We didnÂ’t look like scoring before EtoÂ’o came on. After he did, we created chances. I think he and Lukaku should start with Naismith dropping behind them.

Scoring late like that and a screamer always gives you pleasure but much sweeter against the RS.

Feels more like a win for us and a loss for them when you equalise late.

Barry shocking, the midfield.... IÂ’ve been saying it and saying it is just too pedestrian.

Its one of things thatÂ’s really surprised me about Martinez as I thought he would be bringing in too many skilful, pacy players and our team wouldnÂ’t have balance as we would not have players that were not solid enough.

If anything its the opposite, how many times did we have the opportunity to break and we just checked back nonchalantly and passed it sideways.

Postives - Stones was absolutely outstanding, that boy could have played anywhere on the park. Besic started well first half, our whole midfield disappeared second half and werenÂ’t able to get a grip on the game.

IÂ’m annoyed with our tactics of standing off and not pressurising - the teams that have beaten Liverpool, Villa, West Ham pressed with intenstity, high up the park.

What do we do - stand of give them all the time in the world.

We were lucky to get a point, which in itself is disappointing as Liverpool are a shell of the team they were last season without Suarez & Sturridge.

Martinez needs to realise we need more dynamism in the midfield and tactically you canÂ’t go to Anfield and expect to win by just letting them play.

Browing was also a big plus point and with Galloway coming through we should 3 pacy, athletic young, composed CBÂ’s.

He also showed that he can cover at RB if Coleman is out.

To see the RS fans daunted at the end like that was brilliant and am going to enjoy that but performance wise - that strike was papering over the cracks.

Without Mirallas now we donÂ’t have enough out wide. McGeady is more frustrating than he is creative. Atsu is more impact player with his pace in second half.

I wouldÂ’ve taken 1 point at the start. Not a great performance but maybe just what we needed. A morale boosting late goal when the game looked dead and buried.

Stones though? What a player he is! Absolute class act!

I canÂ’t believe we wasted 㿈 mill on Lukaku – he looks like a donkey at times, his touch is terrible!

Stones played a blinder and was standing toe to toe with the Bully Ballerina Ballotelli, he was a diving joke today.

Hibbert was Hibbert, tough in the tackle but is too old to be marking someone of SterlingÂ’s pace. Browning looked good.

Overall, I would rather get a point like that than twatting teams and losing the lead or battering teams in possession stats and losing.

Also losing Mirallas is a big blow - hopefully BarkleyÂ’s return is not too far away.

Browning had a great debut I thought - a big plus point.

Overall a much improved performance from last week - hope we can at least get another point against Manure next week COYB !!!!!

As for Jags scoring a lucky goal, we worked hard for that as we did all game.

So happy with a point... I honestly thought we would get tonked. Much better defending. COYB

I thought Besic was very composed as well bar the odd moment. Second half the whole team lost shape but it bodes well for the future with Besic, especially when you consider the moments of class he showed were in a derby match at Anfield in only his second start.

DidnÂ’t think we did ourselves justice there today, but whatÂ’s new? Stones was superb, Besic will come good once he gets used to Premier League pace, I also thought Howard should have done better with the free-kick.

Made up for Jagielka, I thought he was back to looking like his old self in defence. We will come good, IÂ’ve no doubt, but we need to have a little patience.

It was typical that KevinÂ’s hamstring went when he was running into the box, and now we must manage without him as well as Ross and Peanuts.

IÂ’d have taken a draw at the start of the game. Howard seems to have got over his jitters and, to be fair, deserved MotM for keeping us in the game. Liverpool ought to have had 3 or 4 today.

Onwards and upwards from here. COYBB

Pacy, strong and composed, v impressed!

Did Balotelli dive for their free kick as well? DidnÂ’t quite catch the replay clear enough but it looked like he did.

Negatives: Why do we always turn and look to pass backwards when we are on the break and why do we not create more chances rather than just pass the ball around with no purpose?

Browning and Stones the future for sure; both were excellent as was Howard.

Lukaku tried hard all afternoon; really canÂ’t understand why he gets so much stick on here. HeÂ’s still young and he didnÂ’t set the price; so stop going on about it ffs.

ItÂ’s gonna be difficult now for creativity going forwards. LetÂ’s hope the rest step up or we get some bodies back soon.

But the overriding issue to me – why buy a 㿈m striker and stick him out wide right to play for hoofs from the back? Shite use of a player.

As for us, it was another bottling derby display that was almost Moyes-esque in ineptitude. They really were no good but we gave them too much respect as usual. And, for the second week running, Tim Howard cost us a clean sheet. CreaseheadÂ’s free kick was very saveable.

But amongst all the negativity, the game was definitely worth watching for JagielkaÂ’s injury time rocket into the kop. That is every EvertonianÂ’s dream.

My thoughts... We were crap, but Liverpool were not much better. That Sterling kid is one very good player... he wonÂ’t stay there with that load of shite for long, ha ha. I just knew that gobshite Gerrard would score from that free kick...

IÂ’ve never seen such a timid laid back Everton team in 45 years of watching. I am just hoping this fluke result can give them a bit of confidence... God they need it.

Make sure you watch that Jags goal on the box or on YouTube. COYB.

Stones was outstanding. His confidence must be high.

Tim Howard made a saving play on 67 minutes when he got a touch on BalotelliÂ’s close range shot.

Jags is the hero with a cracker of a late shot.

After conceding late to Arsenal the lads came through with a late goal that stunned the home crowd. Liverpool supporters are going to feel they dropped points after leading lat in the game (and that feels really good).

A point does feels pretty good right now.

I do wonder why EtoÂ’o didnÂ’t come on sooner. Having to use a 1st half sub for Mirrallas and yanking a too slow Hibbert and only having one sub available is my best guess why the change wasnÂ’t made sooner.

I thought EvertonÂ’s tactics were pretty good. Everything considered, a good result and one the team hopefully can build from.

Now the downside. We are far too predictable and easy to defend against. We are missing Ross big time. Corners again today were rubbish. And why oh why are we playing our 㿈 million striker wide. He needs to be through the middle.

Besic also looked decent and had the confidence to get on the ball.

Stones was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch. Class player who was let down by static team mates when looking to bring it out.

Jags also shut a lot of the Â’fansÂ’ up with a solid performance.

Barry, Lukaku, McGeady, Baines all very very poor.

Thought a draw was a fair result, and weÂ’ve come away with a Jagielka strike for the scrapbook, which IÂ’ll take given the all round performance.

But ...... 91st minute sickener for the RS. ThatÂ’ll ding-dang-do for me today.

What a goal that was (just saw it on YouTube).

Ian (#47), I was looking at our team thinking how slow and ponderous we looked. Every time they had the ball, they motored towards our goal, whereas we just seemed to ponderously move it forward.

Agree with all those regarding Lukaku out wide. Protecting Hibbo was the only reason I can see for that.

Lukaku cannot dribble and has poor first touch. We paid 㿈 million for him, and we play him out on the right. Bizarre.

Tiny Naismith is played as centre-forward while Rom is out wide... Unbelievable. Niasmith is a decent player that is covering well for Ross, no more, no less. He is not the new Â’false tenÂ’ Messi. He should not be playing centre-forward.

Hibbert. Slow Hibbert, against fast as feck Sterling. Right, yeah, that was going to work. Obviously the lessons of the last trip to Anfield not learnt. And he was only subbed after the goal...for a young, fast defender. Hibbo should not have been on the pitch. If Browning was good enough at 1-0 down, he was good enough at 0-0.

McGeady: Just not good enough, even as a sub. He is wasteful, runs down blind alleys, poor in defence, and has no end product.

EtoÂ’o: after the summer, he had a point to prove with Liverpool. Should have played from the start, with Rom.

System: Can we PLEASE stop playing 4-2-3-1 when it is BLATANT that we do not have the players to be able to do it? Today we could have played 4-4-2. EtÂ’o up front with Rom, dropped combative Naismith into an advanced midfield role next to McCarthy, had Barry play defensive midfield, with Atsu (if Pienaar was absolutely not available... something I doubt) and Super Kev on wings. Same back four, except for Browning. McGeady cutting oranges for half-time while talking to his agent about leaving.

A Jags wonder goal is a lottery ticket. LetÂ’s not let it cover the cracks. We need to drop the incapable, play players where they ought to play, and find a Plan-B system.

I see the Redshite have got themselves another cheat to replace the other rat. IÂ’m talking about Balotelli. Disgraceful behaviour diving all over the place. They probably shaded it but youÂ’d expect that at home. Oh and we should have had a penalty when Lukaku went down early. Mind you, itÂ’s been 27 years since we had one there... so what do you expect?

Just a final word on Sterling. Someone said the other day heÂ’s streets ahead of Barkley. I bet heÂ’s eating humble pie now because heÂ’s quite ordinary. Bit like the rest of them actually. Ho ho ho.

Bit concerned with Rom, he looked lazy today, but another sound performance from McCarthy. IÂ’m happy. LetÂ’s get behind the team.

Why do you think LukakuÂ’s touch will improve if we play him through the middle?

You either have a good first touch or you donÂ’t. That Jose Mourinho is a good judge of a player and we have been robbed.

I think the solid midfield trio probably is the way forward against the bigger teams at least. I just wish Barry would get back to last season’s form and protect the back four more – he looks a bit tired and leggy already this season.

Besic was very good — best player behind Stones.

You need a stiff drink... Jesus, man.

In terms of how we set up, I thought Bobby picked a decent team, 4-3-3 with McCarthy, Besic and Barry in midfield offering a bit of extra protection to the back four. It worked, we looked more solid and Besic showed promise, he needs to get used to the pace of the game though as he gets caught on the ball in some dangerous positions, it will come.

With Mirallas left and Lukaku right we tried to hit them on the counter attack, a tactic that has worked well for us previously against some of the top teams. IÂ’m really not sure why some are directing such outrage at Bobby for his selection.

Possibly the only thing I would fault him on was choosing to stick with Hibbert after his horror show against Swansea. However Browning was impressive and I donÂ’t think weÂ’ll see much more of Hibbo, please God.

The fact of the matter is there wasnÂ’t much in the game until Mirallas got injured, McGeady is nowhere near the player and it showed. Bottom line is 2nd half we didnÂ’t look a threat as a result and never quite got going.

In the circumstances a draw was a good result. If Mirallas is out for months we really need McGeady, Atsu, Pienaar to step up, they havenÂ’t done enough so far. We also desperately need to get Ross Barkley back.

IÂ’m still convinced weÂ’ll get better and go on to have a good season, some of the comments being directed at Martinez at the moment are unfair at best and beyond embarrassing at worst.

COYB

Mourinho was probably snapping our hand off at 㿈 mill!!!

He was, as in the previous game, woeful. I know heÂ’s new, but it all comes back to his immaturity in the division... He needs to realise heÂ’s stepped up several levels, and that he needs better decision-making, faster decision-making, and that his ability to do the Roy of the Rovers moves that he could do in Hungary is severely curtailed in the Premier League.

Three months in the rezzies... maybe a loan would do him wonders.

Will he sit with his kids and wear blue?

Based on the comments, good to hear a few of the players are doing well. We played poor but got a point at a tough place? Great result then!

The free-kick leading to their goal should never have been given, it was too soft, and any case, Barry was fouled before that.

And although Howard should really have stopped that goal (it was about 3 yards inside the upright), the Balotelli miss from point blank range might actually have been a brilliant save by Howard.

Lukaku had a great chance to equalise, but blew it. Other than that, he did play well, but he doesn't seem made out to last 90 minutes.

I thought we had 2-3 good opportunities in the 1st half, but so did they.

On the subs, Barry and Hibbert should have been pulled out around the 60 minute mark for Gibson and Browning. It was really too much to ask Hibbo to defend against one of the fastest wingers of the league. Anyway. Roberto's hand was forced by Mirallas injury, and he had to retain Barry and Hibbert longer than he would have liked.

And those praising Browning, yes he did well on his derby debut, but most of the Liverpool players were dead on their feet by then. So, you can't really slate Hibbert who mostly coped well but did concede a fair bit of corners. Remember, their goal did not come from Hibbert's side.

All-in-all, two very poor teams played each other, and a draw is a fair result. I think Roberto played for a draw and was lucky to get it in the end.

Glad to hear Tyias Browning didnÂ’t disappoint. I never thought heÂ’d make the cut as he often looks under-confident but you donÂ’t get much tougher debuts than that. Fair play to him.

Mirallas is a huge loss if this is serious. One of maybe a couple of genuine big-game players for us and on a good run of goals too.

McGeady – utterly hopeless player. Osman is regularly lambasted for surrendering possession cheaply but Christ, McGeady is the absolute maestro.

Lukaku, one lazy bastard, did nothing and why was he on wing? No touch, no control. Jose, must have laughed his tits off when we handed him 㿈mil.

McGeady shite once more. another probably long lay-off for Mirallas.

The corners disgusting. What do they do at that Finch Farm?

That Barry should have been off, all he is at moment is a liability.

Eto’o, brought on too late.

The only brightness I could see was Browning, when he came on for Hibbert. Looked solid and reliable.

Two bad teams, but the Redshite edged it. I wish I could say we can push on from here but I just can’t see it.

The faces on the Liverpool fans at the end, stunned! FANTASTIC! YouÂ’d think theyÂ’d just been beaten 10-0!

The commentator said opinion is divided over Balotelli... I can probably speak for all of us that our divide think heÂ’s a total cunt? Give him his due, he never stopped trying to get our boys booked!

Still a lot of work to do though, but a much happier Saturday night!

Also many of lukaku's goals have come from him cutting in from wide taking a shot.

I'm glad RM has learned you can't approach every game the same way, we have been good going forward all season but poor at the back today that changed

IÂ’m sorry, but Â’did okayÂ’ (which he did not) is not good enough against RS. He should never, ever have played. His performance was immature.

I donÂ’t blame him because heÂ’s not ready. I blame Martinez for not reading the (plentiful) signs from before this game, e.g. that back pass against Chelsea, that heÂ’s a bit Â’Roy of the Hungarian RoversÂ’. He may come good, in time, but handing him a start against RS is not the place to start... an opinion that I know is backed by the sub-standard, risky performance he put it today.

"...and we definitely should have had a penalty in the first half. The ball was shot into the box by Sterling and Barry grabbed it with both hands. That was nearly a save."

I kid you not.

Performance can be forgotten about but can take some comfort in Besic looking like he could come good and Browning seems to have a future. Stones need to stay at CB - no more fannying about at RB. He also needs to be given a long run.

Barry really had a poor game and was lucky not to have seen red, should have been booked 3 times. Last season he was playing in the shop window looking for a new club as well as the WC - just wondering if he's got the same motivation now with a three year contract under his belt and England duty 100% over - he's also a year older.

Still scratching my head as to why neither Atsu nor Oviedo were on the bench.

Baines did not touch fireworks man-he threw himself to the floor after he tripped himself up.

The players deserve credit for coming back from a dodgy free kick.

It is a major shame though about Kevin-torn hamstring is usually months as opposed to weeks. Enter baby Bryan and Gibson. Barkley you are probably looking at end of October at best.

The table is very tight at the moment and with the exception of Chelsea all teams are looking dodgy at times.

Win at M.U you'll see providing the team don't get lost in Russia!

Big blow to lose Mirallas, so hope Oviedo, Pienaar, and Barkley are back soon.

I’m all for Roberto changing play, but it was powder-puff to me.

As for Barry, that should have been pen in my opinion. Just like Lukaku, should have had a pen. If the ref was unsighted, the linesman wasn’t.

Why do you reckon Oviedo didn’t get on as even sub?

Even after they scored, they looked more like scoring a second other than us getting back on terms. There just doesn’t seem any urgency, no matter what is happening.

Big blow to lose Mirallas, so hope Coleman, Oviedo, Pienaar, and Barkley are back soon.

Sure we have a few good/very good players like Coleman and Baines, with Stones, Barkley and Lukaku developing, but the rest are below top 4 class. Lukaku, although I was one who was very keen we signed him, is looking far from a 㿈m player at the moment; he's a monster in physique but is he mobile enough, defence nil.

My take on the game is that we hardly deserved a draw, we gave the far too much room to develop their attacks, while there were no real links from the back to the attackers. I'll take a draw sure, but I think we can forget a great season!

Everton have some real talent in their ranks but to my mind are both badly trained and directed.

In short, the ex Wigan mob in charge are not up to the task. I'd give them NINE more games to learn their trade.

Followed by a trip to nowhere in Russia and then a lunchtime kick-off on Sunday..

Jesus wept......

Howard – 8. Could possibly have done better with the goal but very solid otherwise considering the week he's had. Communication remains an issue.

Baines – 6 Some blood and guts from Leighton despite giving away the crucial free kick. Set piece delivery was poor and didn't get forward as much as usual.

Jagielka – 8. Pretty solid at the back and then of course...that goal. Stunning stuff.

Stones – 9. My MotM. Hugely mature display. Read the game well and brought the ball out beautifully. First choice CB from now on surely?

Hibbert – 6. Did much better than I expected. Got roasted a few times and offered nothing going forward but was expecting worse.

McCarthy – 6. Typical of him this season, some brilliant defensive work followed by some very uninspiring passing. Too often the ball slows with him in midfield when there are potential breaks on. Always puts in a shift but is that enough for teams with top 4 aspirations? Has it in his locker to do more.

Barry – 5. A bad day for Gareth. Should have given away a pen and been sent off as it was he didn't a lot with his reprieve. Will be an important player for us this season and do better than today.

Besic – 7. Thought there were some hugely promising signs from the Bosnian. Energy, some incisive passing and some real pace in the middle of the park. It lagged off a bit and he is prone to errors but I feel confident there is more to come.

Mirallas – n/a. What a crying shame. Our one explosive player who was on form.

McGeady – 4. His worst game so far that I've seen. Really struggled against his full back and gave the ball away more often than getting a cross in. With Mirallas out he will be playing more and must improve his passing and decision making.

Lukaku – 6. At times I thought he looked better today. Some better touches and using his strength to good effect. At times he looked lumbering and tried to do too much. He's not a winger though and beating a man is not necessarily his thing. Like some others I have questioned whether the lad is worth 㿈M but, let's remember, the boy's only 21. Very young for a striker.

Naismith – 6. Toiled honestly but to little effect. Was not able to hold the ball or link play quite as well as usual and had little impact on the game. Is probably better behind or alongside another striker rather than playing the lone role.

Browning – 8. An impressive showing for the youngster. Outstripped Sterling for pace in his first involvement and looks to have great athletic qualities if nothing else. His future is more likely to be at CB than RB but today's cameo suggests he may be better cover there than Hibbert especially if playing a quick winger. Also put in the cross that eventually led to the equaliser.

Eto'o – 7. Could have had a higher rating if on the pitch longer. Like all top class players just seems to have a moment longer on the ball than everyone else. Probably due to superior touch which is sadly something i'm not sure you can teach. Hopefully stays fit as will definitely offer something this season.

We were much better defensively today. I think people still forget, yes, some players today are getting on but against Wolfsburg we looked fantastic going forward. A derby is always going to be a different type of game.

Barkley still to return Oviedo plus a few others I am certainly not worried and very confident things will turn round but start getting behind the team instead of slagging them of at every opportunity. #COYB

Foul throw? When was the last time you've seen one given? I've seen hundreds that could have been, but with a minute to go? Anyway, the ref did OK and we need to do better.

My thoughts are that Stones must now be the first choice central defender, I thought he was terrific. Distin has looked past it this season and now surely drops down the pecking order.

Hibbo should never start again, other than Europa League games if/when we've qualified. I know Sterling is quick but it looked like TH had concrete boots on... young Tylas Browning looked very composed in his brief cameo and now looks to be the understudy to Seamus. Howard played better (thank God) than he has been recently.

Nais worked hard, Besic/Barry/McGeady didn't do enough for me but hey ho, a point's a point and the look on Gerrard's ugly mug when we scored was priceless.

We must have been watching a different Besic.

Man City are a perfect example of how big money can make you a winner. We gate-crashed the party last season, all credit to us; we're the only ones of the rest who put in a serious challenge to them most seasons.

Hope springs eternal for all of us, but the brutal truth is we need to spend a lot more money to stand a chance of being a top 4 club.

The downside was we had little or no threat going forward. Once Mirallas went off, we had no pace on the left and without Coleman no attacking impetus on the right. Oh, and can someone please learn how to take a corner?

[Sorry... back in 1983 there.]

Lots of problems in our team. This feels good but we need to improve.

I only watched on TV, but I also thought Barry should have been brought off today. He's there to make us play, but I thought the pace was too quick for him at times.

Besic and McCarthy, will make a great pairing in the middle of the park. I think they will compliment each other with there energy, and look forward to Ross Barkley coming back to join them.

I thought second half was awful until they scored, a bit like the Leicester game in the sense that we wasn't even trying to score a goal. But what a goal it was, and one thing I've learnt down the years is, YOU CAN NEVER BE LUCKY AGAINST THOSE RED BASTARDS!!!!

To see the joy and hysterics after Everton scored, was worth all the pain and frustration, that had gone on before. Not saying we're out of it just yet, but hopefully that goal has diverted a crisis.

Midfield, Barry needs dropping for Gibson or Besic, maybe only for a game or two as I feel he's lost energy and needs a bit of a kick. Gibson is the better passer and Besic is quicker both qualities we need atm. Atsu needs game time from the bench.

Attack, Lukaku to be played up top bullying defenders and creating space for others. Eto should be the one playing just behind, that means dropping Naismith who's energy would be better used as an impact sub.

We really need to start faster in games and press from the off, from results this season [ except Chelsea ] anyone can beat anyone or be beaten by anyone. The best form of defence is attack so the best way to protect our defence is to attack.

If Barry had dummied instead of trying the impossible, he had Lukaku behind him in plenty of space unmarked just waiting for a tap-in.

We wait on the news about Mirallas's injury and can only keep our fingers crossed, because we need him big time.

Don't like some of those songs, lads, we are better than that.

Sadly like the derby at Goodison last season, Mirallas got crocked again. There is always something, right?

As it was, they didn’t play well but deserved a point given that they were arguably robbed of taking the lead by garbage officiating which may have altered what happened thereafter.

Defensively they were much better than they have been and with the Manure game coming up (without Rooney), let’s hope they have turned the corner.

Even if he thinks this why, would he come out and say it. The whole point of Everton spending big on him and giving him an opportunity at such a young age is so he can build together with the club and do it with us. If anyone has the prematch interview please review it for me.

I think Robbie has let the positivity go to his head a bit too much lately so I think today he went more for a 0-0. I watched final 20 mins in a pub in Cork. A lad went out for a smoke with 15 mins to go hoping they’d score in his absence. So at 87 mins I left and said, "Watch now, they’ll score." — I couldn’t believe it worked. Again.

And for no other reason I want us to win something just to shut Phil Walling up because he is pure tedious. Moyes had many horrific starts to seasons during his tenure so his nine more games suggestion is a joke.

In terms of individual performances I could see why Lukaku was played wide. First half him against Moreno looked like a mismatch we could get something from. Second half, Lukaku started touching his toes again and decided he couldn't drive at them anymore. Why was he swinging crosses in?

Naismith did alright. Was always our out ball and did his job. Just lacks what we deep down know he lacks. Pace and creativity.

Stones was immense and Jags next to him had a good game.

Hibbo was on for a hiding against Sterling but gave all he had. That challenge on Balotelli was a beauty... almost as if he thought "OK, I may not be good at some things but THIS is what I can do". Browning's sub performance probably just ended his Everton career which is both sad and great.

The most frustrating thing is that Liverpool are shit.

What a goal, as for fans' reactions, every game needs to improve but I feel it's going to be a long hard season. At least it will make for some interesting debates. Now to watch the whole match sober.

Their goal shouldn't have stood as Barry was definitely fouled. I agree we never created enough clear cut chances but that's partly down to the tactics employed by Roberto.

The 4-3-3 he used today - with Barry, McCarthy and Besic in midfield ensured we had solid protection for the back four. I thought Besic was excellent today, going forward and defending, anybody saying otherwise wasn't watching the same game I did.

Roberto's plan was perfect in my opinion. Let them have the ball until they reach the box, and hit them on the break, hence why we never pressed them much in their own half. Admittedly it never quite came off but this was far more effective than last years gung-ho approach.

Stones, Jags and Howard were all excellent today. Lukaku also did well, used his strength and also held the ball up well. The reason RM puts him on the right sometimes is because he loves to come inside and get a shot away with his favoured left foot.

I don't think any players deserved criticism today, they all battled and showed fantastic spirit.

In conclusion, a draw that felt like a win and ruined Creasehead's weekend :-)

We should be happy with a point as we were outplayed overall and there were frustrating moments to be sure but the positives:

Howard overall was better. Should have stopped that FK but did make a fantastic save in the first half and whereas the FK was poor, it wasn't a howler by any means.

Stones was just fucking gold

Besic looks a player. He did very well early in the game.

Browning looks a player - I was extremely impressed with him.

Jags ripped the shot of a lifetime to steal a point and leave all those rs fans disappointed.

We didn't concede a goal from open play. And THAT is the brightest positive of all.

Money completely wasted. What a joke. He's a 5 mil player tops.

Compare to some of the stuff he let go, I was really shaking my head over that decision. Most bias referring job I have ever seen by him – he usually favors no-one and has both teams angry at him. Happiest I have ever been with a point instead of three.

I'll admit he's frustrating to watch at times but the kid can shoot and has a natural goal scoring instinct you can't coach.

Do you folks at ToffeeWeb realize (that's the Yank spelling for the word) that only one other player scored 15 or more goals both of the past two Premier League seasons? (The correct answer to who the other player is is that biting guy who left Liverpool for sunny Spain).

That's right: Only Lukaku and Suarez scored 15 or more goals in both of the last two seasons (injuries to certain player do factor in why there were only these two).

I think he'll wind up scoring 15+ again this season if he stays reasonably healthy (which he seems to do).

I've read online that Everton have pretty much a wage cap of around 㿲k a week.

Please respond to my post and tell me what other 㿲k per week player you'd rather have playing the #9 role at Everton (and Lukaku is OK with playing out wide where he might not score as much).

2 goals and an assist through 6 Premier League games carrying a toe injury (which I've had an it really makes it hard to keep your fitness level up) is a bit below his form the past 2 years, but not by that much.

OK, You'd maybe like Diego Costa to lead the line for Everton, but that's fairy tale stuff.

Everton as a club of modest means by Premier League standards have to take a chance on somebody that's willing to make wages Everton can afford and not play regularly in the Champions League.

Please tell me what other player you'd like to play the #9 role at Everton (given the fact the player you name is willing to play for a non Champions League team and will take 70,000 a week or less).

Moaning about the 28 million transfer fee doesn't cut muster in my book (it's what you pay for a big time goal scorer).

Everton have gotten a proven goal scorer who is naturally left footed, 21 years old and counts as a home grown player by Premier League rules.

As far as I'm concerned my own mourning over Lukaku will occur when his 1st touch does get better and he's off to a Champions League team (and the fact that he counts as a home grown player makes him more marketable).

Enjoy him while you can because players that have a good chance of scoring 100 Premier League goals before they turn 25 are a real rarity (name me 3 other players you think have a better chance of scoring 100 Premier League goals before they turn 25 and tell me what wages they are on).

Cheers (I think that's a good way for this Yank to sign off to a British audience!)

Shamus Coleman a target for Chelsea in January.

But oh what a goal, I had just deleted the recorded game up til injury time off my sky box because I was drunk and pissed off, then Big Phil scores goal of the fricking millennium!

It didn't work today! But fair play to a manager who isn't rigid with his game plan and isn't scared to mix it up and try something different.

I get very frustrated with him but likewise I tell myself I don't care if he keeps getting 15+ goals every season. If he gets badly injured I'd be happy with 10-12.

I thought we did OK, if only to see the smug faces wiped clean and see Brenda moaning and looking for any excuse. With Stones & Browning looking so good, that screamer may just give Jags his confidence back...

I'd be game for going two up-front with Eto'o, replace Barry with Besic, cement McGeady to the bench and give Atsu another go.

Was Atsu injured yesterday? Or did Martinez respond to his shocking performance at Swansea by dropping him?

Despite what Henry Winter writes in the Telegraph today, they are, IMO, going to struggle this season. Give me Lukaku any day over super Mario.

Such shite like....

"Marti­nez's attack was partly designed with Liverpool's No 8 in mind yet he was still influential."

And this is the best, a description of Gerrard's free kick....

"Balotelli and Henderson moved to one side. Gerrard ran in. Everton sensed the danger. Seven blue shirts attempted to block the way, those of Naismith, Lukaku, Leighton Baines, McGeady, Gareth Barry, Muhamed Besic and James McCarthy. Gerrard struck the ball, going as much for accuracy as power. The ball cleared the wall and curled towards Tim Howard's goal. One of the best keepers at the World Cup, the American stretched out a hand, got some contact, but the ball was too well-placed and carried on into the net."

Oh by the way, someone mentioned Winter ghost wrote Gerrard's book and is lined up to write the next installment.

As for who I would have liked to see instead of Lukaku as our striker, Bonny. He scored 16 goals last year with Swansea. Check his goal record up and you won’t be disappointed. And without a shadow of a doubt he is a better all round player, 3 years older. Age don’t make a difference. In my opinion. I don’t no what wage Bonny is on at Swansea, but I would be surprised if he was on 㿲k.

Also I would have liked Shane Long. And Assomolonga at Nottingham Forrest. A good young strong, knows were the net is striker, who we could have made in to something special. It’s all about risks at the end of the day and taking that chance.

Can anyone just remind me who we had to fight off to land Lukaku?

I don’t know if Atsu was injured... but I thought with him on the right wing and Browning covering right back, that would have left Lukaku in the middle, with Naismith just behind. And I think we could have beat the Redshite with their dodgy defence. I mean they were there for the taking.

Lukaku's stats: age 21, Prem games 74, goals 34. Lukaku is not even at his peak yet as well.

I think Stones looks a very gifted footballer and could well play in the middle but I think he has the potential to be one of the best CBs we have had in a very long time so I would keep him there and start him every game unless injured or in need of rest.

Made up for Jagielka, I hope that is the kick-start his form badly needed. We need him on top of his game, leading by example.

And people are complaining?!

Perhaps it's not his fault but so much of our play inevitably goes through him and Barry in the middle and so often I can see forward passes or men in space (particularly on the counter) that he either does not see or chooses not to attempt. Perhaps it is the frustration of playing essentially two defensive midfielders in the middle but I feel we really lack some precision and attacking dynamism in the middle of the park.

It may be that McCarthy would be better as the defensive foil for a more capable attacking holding midfielder if you know what I mean; a deep lying play maker in the mold of Toure or Cabaye.

In short, McCarthy is a hugely industrious and capable defensive player but i'm just not sure he does enough on the ball for me considering how often he is given possession of it. Maybe it is because Barkley is missing but I feel the Barry/McCarthy partnership is not working as well as last season.