Naismith header rescues a point

Howard and McCarthy both out injured and the only possible change I could see would be Oviedo on the left ahead of Baines with either Barkley or Naismith dropping out.

CanÂ’t say IÂ’m overwhelmed by our team. IÂ’d have Mirallas and Oviedo in the starting line up in place of Barry and Naismtih. Time to get myself comfortable behind the sofa.

BBC saying that a bit of the roof at GP is flapping around in the wind and is causing safety concerns... whereÂ’s that GP safety certificate BK?

The only justification is if he is carrying a slight knock and canÂ’t last the 90.

Go and boss Demichelis and Mangala Rom!

Hope springs eternal ...

Roberto, you idiot!

Everton:

01 Robles
23 Coleman
06 Jagielka
26 Stones
03 Baines
17 Besic
18 Barry
07 McGeady
14 Naismith
20 Barkley
10 Lukaku

Substitutes

05 EtoÂ’o
08 Oviedo
09 Koné
11 Mirallas
29 Garbutt
30 Alcaraz
45 Griffiths

He seems to work hard defensively but also seems to struggle on where to position himself when defending. He created nothing on the right but I also think that Coleman in his current form does not offer much support.

So, in conclusion, on the first half, McGeady does put a shift in, works hard defensively. Does not create anything and looses the ball far too easily for a player who is supposed to be technically gifted.

I guess he still needs to convince me that he is good enough. I still hope he proves me wrong.

What has happened to Jags ffs! Barkley and Besic playing tippy tap to each other until one decides to include a third player who didnÂ’t exist! Concentrate boys!!

But all not lost at the moment, weÂ’re matching them in most areas, and IÂ’ve widened the distance in my fingers when watching Robles so a bit of improvement there!

For the first time in weeks IÂ’m enjoying this. WeÂ’re playing the defending champions, currently the best team in the league, still some hairy moments, but some good stuff too from our boys.

In the main when we get the ball itÂ’s going forward much more rapidly than of late (and not just big lumps forward) and more importantly in their half rather than on the edge of our area. WeÂ’re pressing them well too.

Some players who have been poor for too long this season showing glimpses of their truer ability.

Encouraging.

Someone else needs to take the corners and itÂ’s been this way for a long time.

Lukaku and Besic were bloody good, Coleman much more like himself.

Barry still gifted the ball too many times, but that was an encouraging effort all around.

Look what happens when you put crosses into the box.

Season changer COYB!

Great Spirit throughout great to see.

If we can just get a positive result on Tuesday then I think the season might just be taking off again.

Get a couple of players in and you never know we might just get a cup or two.

Our captain was woeful but thankfully seemed to get back to his usual self in the last 15...

Now letÂ’s hope this is a turning point. The crowd where brilliant, hats off to you all.

With a decent referee, we could have had all three points today.

Augero needs to take his shirt back to Man CityÂ’s sewing room, theyÂ’ve missed a T off it!

Today was a bonus point, the main game is West Brom. Hopefully the draw today gives the team a bit more confidence although I still donÂ’t like the fact we had little width on the left and not sure what Mirallas was doing starting on the bench.

We need McCarthy back but I can see Martinez benching Besic and still keeping Barry in the team. (Does the guy have a clause in his contract saying he has to start every game?)

Defence played a lot better although Jagielka still looks very dodgy at the back.

Football is a very simple game, if you get the basics right.

A more balanced line-up, players holding their positions and shape, quicker tempo, better pressing when the opposition have the ball, play in their half rather than fanny about on the edge of our area.

Look at what a player we have in Lukaku when we play to his strengths – get him running at back pedalling defenders rather than ask him to play with his back to goal.

Give the fans something to cheer and Goodison is a bear pit, as it was today.

Oh! And Roman, your post@ 9 was explicit. You called LB "an overrated shithouse."

When was the last time he did anything with corners and free kicks you ask? TODAY! That now makes 10 assists from LB this season alone ... and with todayÂ’s contribution he is now the ALL TIME RECORD HOLDER for PL assists by a defender.

If any one is a shithouse, it certainly isnÂ’t Leighton.

LetÂ’s hope that the confidence continues to return to the team and we can push on from here.

What planet are you on!!

The players have taken the lead and told our feckless manager how we need to play.

That talk with the walking dead obviously did us some good.

Very impressed with Stones and Besic today. Good to see Coleman and Baines bombing up the wings again.

Disappointing result but pleasing performance.

West Ham and West Brom to continue the recovery now as long as RM doesnÂ’t revert to type.

Would like to see a top class goalie brought in ASAP and Aaron Lennon if possible.

If you are negative after that game you are not right in the head!

Excellent effort, determination, pace...

Great came and dare I say we are back.

I always feel a lump in my throat when Lampard comes on, a real boogie man for us.

Barkley looked electric, Baines giving great deliveries, Besic well up for it, Lukaku showed some class, and Stones a rock.

Urging their struggling team on; I heard them in Florida.

Brilliant!!

The quick equalizer was just the thing we all needed. Never mind the table, it is time for Roberto to prove most of us wrong and inspire the team for a run of performances and results.

Why not Tuesday for a starter?!

I canÂ’t understand why it took 76 minutes to remove McGeady. He has pace and can defend but unfortunately tries to do too much as a winger and is totally ineffective. Besic was immense and would like to see him with McCarthy. Lukaku looks a different player when they play a more direct game, it was a great save from Hart to stop him.

My only other beef is with free kicks as we managed to hit the wall. Was Bryan Oviedo injured as he brings so much energy when he plays. Oh well... bring on the Hammers and letÂ’s get a result.

And we played well enough to get a win today.

It wasnÂ’t a matter of we, the fans, or the players or management "accepting a draw because we are playing City at home." We were clearly looking for a winner right to the death.

But ... guess what? The opposition are not traffic cones! They too are playing to win, or not lose. We canÂ’t win every game.

IÂ’m not accepting the draw as good result or a surrender monkey you imply people are when you say "... accepting a draw because we are playing City at home, it just shows how far we have fallen. This is Goodison, not a place for us to be thankful of getting a draw."

IÂ’m accepting the performance as acceptable after 2 months of drudgery.

Continue playing with that intensity and commitment, and wins will DEFINITELY follow.

As for McGeady, too many times his first touch was poor, which turned over possession. Again that could have cost us. But thatÂ’s something that can and should be sorted out by RM.

Although he hasnÂ’t been up to his usual standards this season he has usually been head and shoulders above the rest and IMO has been carrying a knock which is why he has avoided taking free kicks and is hesitant to take corners.

Today is not the day to start nitpicking at the players – especially Barkley and Barry – it is a day to start the recovery process of getting us back where we belong and not down where we don’t belong.

Having said that, Roberto is missing a big trick by totally dismissing the value of set pieces where our delivery is getting past a joke. Just hoping to set up a passing phase from a rebound is prehistoric by any standards.

But, all in all, a good effort against a top team.

I hope youÂ’re right and the ship is starting to turn. More character shown today. And change was implemented with a defensive display.

I said before this game that RM needs 4 points from this and next weekÂ’s game. We need to beat WBA (wonÂ’t be easy) to turn this around and build momentum, something we need to do quickly rather than getting sucked into the dog fight.

That bottom half of the table is closing up and weÂ’re right in it. Well done today, though.

Better days ahead? COYB

Got to win against West Brom though or weÂ’re back to square one and in dire trouble.

Nobody had a perfect match – I think I grimaced at least once for every player at some point – but also nobody could come off thinking they didn’t put in a very good display.

McGeady isnÂ’t the perfect player but he is actually pretty intelligent with the ball, just lacks the finesse to pull it all off, which is similar to Naismith, who struggles to pass with much conviction. His heart is the size of Ayers Rock, though.

Get off my high horse?

Keep digging that hole for yourself Roman. Take a look at what others think about your BainesÂ’ comment. These are your words:

"31st minute, Baines takes a well won corner, failes to beat the first man for what must be a record breaking time and 8 seconds later City have a corner of their own. How many times is this overrated shithouse going to fail with the dead ball before heÂ’s finally relieved of his duties?"

You pick out a single incident in a decent 1st half, disparage possibly the best player on our books ... and YOU want to justify that and call ME reactionary...?

Yeah, right ...

DonÂ’t try and defend and justify your grossly false opinion. I will defend the very fine person LB is from moronic comments like yourÂ’s calling him an "overrated shithouse."

No surprise you wish to devalue the stats that fail to support your perverse condemnation of Leighton.

Besic again showed how much potential he has to become a vital clog in this team. Has to be him and Jimmy Mac in the middle of the park when both fit. Coleman looked more like his old self as well.

Only downer today IÂ’d say was McGeady. IÂ’ve defended him on here in the past, but now enough is enough. DoesnÂ’t beat a man and crossing is gash. Plus how many times today on our throw ins did he turn his back and just look to have no interest in receiving the ball.

Overall, IÂ’m very happy with the performance, and any talk of Roberto having lost the dressing room put to bed by the playersÂ’ efforts.

I really hope the rumours re Lennon are true. He could be just what we need on the right side.

Besic and Stones were excellent.

Martinez has pissed me off of late, like us at all, but some of the negativity on here is pathetic.

As has been referenced, despite a lack of form, Baines has 12 assists in all competitions this season – it is a startlingly statistic, which hasn’t appeared from nowhere. Aside from Fabregas, I do not think anyone in the Premier League has managed to match that. He has been less consistent with his delivery of late... but guess what, that happens in Football. It happens to Hazard, to Ronaldo, and it will happen to Baines. It’s amazing how fans bemoan player loyalty, but will jump on a player when his standard drops a little.

If we continue to play with a little more directness, and sort out the left hand side of midfield, we will have a good second half of the season. We have some very talented players, who have let themselves down a little this season, and have suffered because of poor tactics. But we are still in two cups, and need to concentrate on finishing as high as possible before the end of the season.

Roman, I think youÂ’ve got a valid point about Baines heÂ’s been a great player for us but looking at the bigger picture his deliveries have in the main this season been poor. That said, heÂ’s done it today so thatÂ’s what matters. I think most of us would have taken that before the game given our recent run. LetÂ’s just hope we can kick on.

There was none of the narrow one dimensional football today. Coleman looked back to his best. And we looked solid defensively with Stones back in the side. That defensive performance should make it clear to everyone that Distin/Alcaraz should never play in the blue shirt again, and another quality CB should be brought into to compliment Stones/Jags.

But well done lads, we might have finally turned the corner.

IÂ’m stoked with the performance from the whole team, and in the outfield, Baines has played himself back into a bit of form of late, but my comments were directed at his dead ball value to the team, which, despite todayÂ’s assist, has not been anywhere near his old standards.

Also, donÂ’t try to convince me that stats win all arguments, because I just wonÂ’t listen.

A few more performances like that are we allowed to start to dream again of that beautiful back door to CL football called the Europa League?

Like I said, way too premature. But...

In terms of organisation and attitude, this good performance has to be the standard for the rest of the season. Keep those levels and the rest will follow.

And as mentioned numerous times.... Everton really do need to step up their set-piece game. They are woeful at corners.

I canÂ’t slate the performance today. Some players need to step up. But a draw is okay. Now at least 7 points in our next 3 games. Maybe even 9 and a win also over West Ham. Now that would be positive and phenomenal.

ps: ItÂ’s saying everything about this season when we are praying and hoping that we can beat WBA and Crystal Palace. How our dreams and expectations have dipped.... FOREVER EVERTON.

Again, your original post was NOT specifically about his free kicks. You EXPLICITLY called Leighton "an overrated shithouse." THATÂ’s what I called you on.

I would respect you more if you owned up and say you called it wrong. You havenÂ’t. You have deflected and denied, which reveals more about you than your opinion about Baines.

In closing, nice attempt at obfuscation on your part in trying to say I claimed that stats win all arguments. I didnÂ’t. But then, you have clearly shown yourself a poor reader (and writer...), so why should I be surprised you are a poor listener too...?

I thought we were very poor in the first half and could easily have been behind at the break. The mistakes being made all over the pitch were horrendous and we could easily have gone in two or three but for some shockingly poor marksmanship by the usually lethal City goalscorers.

That no doubt put in me in a poor mood for the second half, and while we did play better, the jammy/offside goal really pissed me off, and I did not expect the brilliant equalizer. Better... but still fundamentally poor in too many places on the pitch.

Watching Barkley now just makes me weep... What the fuck has he been told to do on the field? He seems to fear the ball and wonÂ’t carry it forward unless there are no players anywhere near him. And that bullshit "no me, no you" session with Besic, was utterly abysmal nonsense.

Lukaku did a little better with balls to his feet... but oh, what feet!!! At times it looks like he has concrete in his boots, he simply cannot command the ball. He should have done far far better with the chances he got as well. I know it was a bit better than it’s been... but I’m with Tony Twist — still not good enough, I’m afraid. Two points lost — and I don’t give a shit who we were playing.

No complaints about the other lads. They all put in a shift against a strong team in very difficult conditions.

Adam, maybe Barkley thought "I donÂ’t want to play for these Mancs so IÂ’m going to keep me Â’ead down and be invisible today".

Barkley, Mirallas and Lukaku together make a world class combination for the counter-attacking football style, reminds me of Holland circa 2008.

I think itÂ’s West Ham who will be afraid...

"I knew when I was typing the words would come back to bite me. Haha. Still, I wasnÂ’t wrong as it was a very long time since heÂ’s done that."

If you need explicit words then here: I was frustrated at Baines’s dead ball contributions and reacted in a manner that showed that frustration. Then, when he assisted a goal – a lovely header from Naismith it was – I admitted my words had come back to bite me. I do think Baines is a good player and has value to the team, but I also think he is not as good at taking corners and free kicks as he used to be. Despite this, I am very happy with the performance from the WHOLE team today, and a point against the Champions is no disgrace from an Everton side low on confidence and in poor form.

Sorry that I write with more implication than description for your tastes, Jay. IÂ’ll try to be more obvious with my intent in the future. Enjoy the arvo and hereÂ’s hoping we get more of the same against the Irons and Baggies in the next week.

I also think playing more direct with a 3-5-2 system with Lukaku and Kone up top together would bear some fruits.

We are fortunate to have him, Oviedo and Garbutt who all have very good qualities.

TodayÂ’s set-up saw us not have as much possession as Man City but we tried to work the flanks and Coleman and Baines both looked dangerous.

What is encouraging as well were the energy levels in the closing stages. We remain fragile at the back so, whilst delighted with result, it will still be a nerve-racking set of games coming up to see if we can finally break the winless streak.

Please Roberto, please me.

Really hope Martinez can bring in one or two more players to boost the team. As I've said recently on many threads, Besic should be the example. There are players out there that are affordable, athletic, strong technically and filled with fire and brimstone. One or two more of those and performances like today and we might salvage something from this season.

I agree with you with that left sided trio, but somehow can't see Roberto ever being so cavalier in employing it. We seem to have a wealth of left sided players, but without Seamus, we really struggle on the right!

Other big pluses were the full backs, Baines had a strong defensive game as well as the assist and Coleman looked interested for the first time in ages. Also Rom of course.

Ross was poor until the last quarter and needs to clear his head but it looks to me like a matter of recovering confidence and playing his natural game, rather than any discontent on his part.

With the spirit back, we will be okay I am sure of it.

Pellegrini states the following during his post match chat:

"We knew before the game the most dangerous part of Everton was at set-pieces. They had a free-kick and scored."

What do we know hey......

I also would like to see Garbutt, Baines and Oviedo all start a game together. Garbutt at LB, Baines LMF and Oviedo LW. With McGeady booted into Row Z – never to be seen again. And Barry also dropped with Ross moved to centre-midfield... and yes, he as not been playing well.... but I'd give him a run of games playing in front of Besic and a fit McCarthy. To accommodate all this, I'd also drop Naismith. And use him as an impact sub. And yes, I am very grateful to Naismith for popping up with his goal today.

And of course the right side has to be balanced with (imo) Coleman and a fit Mirallas. Drop Jags... yes, I said "Drop Jags"..... play 3-4-3:

Robles Coleman Stones Garbutt Besic McCarthy Barkley BainesMirallas Lukaku Oveido

Three of the middle four would be dropping back to help the defence. And Barkley would be given a free role in the middle of the park... but with instructions to not be too loose.

Anyhow I digress... football is about opinions and I've seen plenty on this forum. I've always liked Oviedo since I saw him play for Costa Rica. Always thought he deserved a run of games for Everton (barring injury). Good point today . So onwards and upwards....

Most of the players gave their all and after a good shift like that I'm not going to have a go at one or two who didn't.

It is a good day, Spurs getting beat. Look up not down.

Then the ball was played upfield and they scored with what looked like an offside goal initially but Coleman was on the line so it was a correct call for the goal although bad decision not to see the hand ball.

On our disallowed goal I disagree with Mike imo that would have been allowed to stand for one of the so called big 4. Naismith jumped with Hart who fumbled the ball and was never in full control of the ball.

Look at Mangala against Jags in the box, it was a penalty just waiting to happen but Jags behaves like a sissy and goes down the minute he felt him. If he had stood tall like a man Mangala would have taken him to the floor.

Stones is then booked for a less than robust foul against Silva, add to this a foul in the penalty area against Jagielka is not given when repeatedly same sort of fouls are given to City. No Mike we are not getting fair treatment from most of the referee's.

The positive's that I hope Martinez will take notice of is even though we had lees possession than city we still managed to score and had more goal attempts than the last few games. Also I hope he takes notice of how many problems we created trying to pass it around the goal area where City's forewards were waiting like a pack of hungry wolves.

Good shout about Jags though, I had forgotten about that.

So let's hope this is turn the corner time rather than a dead man's bounce. Personally I think things are looking up and we're starting to turn things round. We're still not playing that well, but at least we're showing some fight, and that is so important given our position in the league.

Those people calling for wins are right in some ways. The truth is we're not playing well enough in either defence or attack to win at the minute. We do seem to be getting better, and the tactics are improving.

The big positives for me are Stones and Lukaku. Stones is a real leader, and will stand up and be counted. Lukaku is starting to look a real threat. I can't help a lot of the criticism of him is a bit like buying a ferrari but only using it to pop out to the local shops to buy fags now and again, and then moaning about its fuel economy. He's a good player he just needs quick through balls and decent crosses, plus he'll finish off loose balls in the area. Oh and good to see a decent dead ball from Baines, the commentator said he had the most assists in premier league history, so well done him.

Let's beat The Hammers now and get to Wembley!!

But Bobby, what have I told you about selecting McGeady? Stop it immediately. The window is open. Get shut.

The only issue I have with Atkinson is he is so quick to card players.

Dowd is the worst because he thinks he can do no wrong and is the reason people come to the games. Reffing at the World Cup in 2010 gave him a massive head.

Not to say "squeaky".

I honestly felt like getting up and leaving when Stones got booked. Bad fouls, leg breakers, cynical fouls and diving all should be eradicated from football, but why should a good strong tackle like that be given a yellow card?

Silva, best player on the pitch, finds space where there is none, great left foot, fantastic vision. How can you play against such talent? By getting fucking close and letting him know your there, surely. If you don't he will destroy you, and if you do you get a booking? I always thought a good strong tackle was a great leveller, but the game just doesn't allow it anymore. It's probably why you always feel more frustrated after playing the top teams, because you never feel like you get the rub of the green.

We deserved the draw, but it's now six games without a win. Hope it changes this Tuesday, where once again, Everton will have fantastic away support!

We still look disheveled, but at least we're attacking.

Kevin is a very good player, when he feels like playing.

For the first time this season, I feel as though I have seen a really good game.

Martinez will keep his job, we will be lucky to bring in anyone of great value this month.

The board will be hoping we can steady the sinking ship, win a cup (fat chance) have a good run in to the end of the season, then sell us the dream for next season.

I still think Bobby has a long way to go to win back the fansÂ’ trust. Yes there will always be his loyal dreamers who buy into his dream. However that old saying at the end of the season that the table doesnÂ’t lie, will be his true bench mark as a. manager.

There is a long way to go I just hope that we can start winning some points so we can enjoy being Evertonians again.