Martinez's alchemy produces another golden display

Consistency generally comes with experience. We are kinda in a race against time; can we find the consistency to get a Champions League spot, thus increasing the chances of the current crop of youngsters wanting to stay? Or will they be prized from our grasp, just as we are about to develop into a top team in our own right?

The more of a threat we become to the rich clubs, the greater their determination will be to stop us.
Martinez has put up fierce resistance so far. Let's hope the board will back him even when the offers get silly.

Three scintillating goals and one hard yakka goal today, 10 goals in the last 2 home games! Shit, it's hard to be 13,000 km away but thank god for modern technology.

We must keep Deulofeu because he ignites the flame.

COYB

Being able to keep hold of our players now the finances are so much healthier, I fully expect our young stars to be given enhanced contracts this summer, even if we don't make it into the top 4 this season.

A manager who has the backing of the board, hence we kept Stones. I think Stones should thank Martinez for keeping him out of the mess that is Chelsea at the moment.

A manager who likes to develop young players and accepts they will make mistakes. How must Old Big Head regret selling the Big Lad now?

Keep it going lads.

Was it just me who picked that up?

Add to that the woeful Villa side and we didn't so much hope to win as expect to win and it was only when we started to play some great football that people started to get excited.

Never heard Goodison so quiet and have been supporting and watching them since the 80s.

Just look at Deulofeu's reaction after the 4th goal, he was trying to work the crowd up after a quite an exhilarating goal.

Deulofeu will go back to Barca if they come calling because Goodison park has all the atmosphere of a morgue these days. Shame really because, if ya know your history, it was like that even in the 80s after our first title winning season. Until the we lost to the RedShite, got shut of Linker, and the crowd got behind the team again, and we claimed the title again.

I have more respect for the Everton fans who travel away; they are the real supporters and I'm not alone in saying I wish those same very fans had their own part of Goodison as a focal and vocal point

Saturday's performance from the team was an average of 7 to 8 or even more for some players. However, I would say that the crowd was no more than a 4.

We've improved. However, inconsistency and defensive issues are the norm. These need resolving long term.

Just looking at the BBC Tottenham vs West Ham game and some of the comments are pathetic! "Is it possible that we are seeing the evolution of a new order in the Premier League? Liverpool and Spurs"...deluded!

10 goals in 2 games and you say the style is killing passion... Maybe we should go back to Moyes's tactics to have passion.

Us overseas fans would "kill" to watch Everton at Goodison and watch this team play.

Suits me, though – let's keep under the radar.

Now this isn't new as most of the games last season were played in the same atmosphere. So the question is: Why is this the norm now at Goodison? It seems like the result doesn't significantly alter the atmosphere.

For me, I think because we inevitably start with passing around the back 4 then into midfield then back to the back 4, without making progress, it seems to dampen the fans passion.

I have to say I have been going to Goodison for over 60 years and can't remember it being so quiet on so many occasions. Now I can assure you that, in that time, as well as seeing some brilliant football teams, there has also been a lot of dross to watch.

If that happens to be above our neighbours, then so be it, but I'm not going to let what occurs across the park spoil what Everton do unless they are in direct opposition to Everton on the field of play.

The key to the future is keeping hold of Lukaku who is becoming a very good striker. I hope we can hold on to him for two or three seasons, but I'm worried.

I suppose you make a valid point, as there is little point in the crowd shouting "get rid" or "get it into the box" at the players as RM has made it abundantly clear how he wants his teams to play.

It is also taking the Old Trafford faithful a little while to get used to a new less-gung-ho style of play. If only we could get the crowd involved in another way to help the team along... Mind you, I wouldn't advocate a Leicester City or Crystal Palace type of manufactured atmosphere.

Perhaps, quieter crowds will be a feature of the Premier League as a whole during the next decade as the new breed of managers set up their teams in a more continental way of playing?

I've read all sorts of bollocks on here about players being too young to be criticised, about simple ball control being uncoachable, about lack of tackling being acceptable. The fact is these players are fabulously well paid and they have a duty to work their bollocks off every day to improve. Take a look at Jamie Vardy. He's been at Leicester for years and epitomises what sheer graft, day-in day-out on a training ground, can achieve.

I'm delighted that we've just stuffed the two worst teams in the league. I'll be more delighted when we consistently show we can beat those around and above us. Hard work and practice are the keys.

I believe that we'll hit a glass ceiling as we come up against the very best, especially away from home, where our weaknesses may be found. I hope not but I'm keeping my aspirations lowish rather than being disappointed when we can't reproduce football like we played yesterday.

Looking at it that way, at least we have the 20 points towards safety in the bag, are our neighbours so much better than us? I wouldn't know because I refuse to watch them but, according to all the media experts, they could have a tilt at the title... If they can be tipped to achieve such a thing, why shouldn't Everton?

Others are eliminating the "standing" sections and older crowds.

Here's a great article:
http://www.theguardian.com/football/2013/nov/16/premier-league-fans-atmosphere-concern

An interesting article, and from 2 years ago, which shows it isn't just a recent development or as you said, particular to Goodison Park.

The evolution of football has been very quick. It was far more exciting back then but we all longed for more joined-up football. Now we're getting it right across the league and it's just a bit dull. Technically superior, but dull.

To be honest, I pretty much only watch Everton these days where in the past I watched any game I could.

I like your attitude and why not?

We were technically superior and played some neat football but, with a bit more pressing and passion, we could have scored loads and the crowd would have been ecstatic.

However, a couple weeks ago the German coach from the team that shall not be mentioned was shocked that home fans left early even though his team was only trailing by one. That does not happen in Germany and other Euro nations and I don't think it's lack of tackling.

Goodison should have been rocking... although, being from the States, I temper my opinion.

Football must be different in England. By the time our team is up by four, our crowds are rocking. We are not looking for more than that to get excited. How many goals does your team have to be up to get going?

Perhaps the fan groups can organize something to get the cheering going? Is that something that is possible? American here so I ask gently.

Yes, okay, it was only Aston Villa and Sunderland we ABSOLUTELY WHOOPED(!!) but too often in recent times we haven't broken these kind of sides down at all, even at home. (I've actually been pissed off with RM's regular pre-game statements of how wary we should be of such visiting teams, and felt this has got through to the players, à la Moyes!).

As for the fans being 'too quiet' because of our sometimes 'boring, tippy-tappy' football, I've always thought we had a build-up in atmosphere that came from our supporters' deep and passionate understanding of the game. There are still loads of individuals calling for this or that, while many of us sway and groan edgily with every ball (the way Big Joe headed the FA Cup winning goal in at Wembley before Rideout did in '95!).

Then, of course, we cheer and go seriously nutty, as with any partisan supporters, given more definitive and blatant reasons to do so: goals etc... And, moreover, I'm pretty sure the players know when they've got the crowd fully behind them. What better way than great moves and goals, as has been happening despite some patient earlier probing, to sustain this back-forth crowd/players-on -the-pitch positivity?

As for how 'good' teams like Liverpool and Spurs are, are they really so much better than us? Liverpool are below us, and lost to Palace last time out!! We know they've both now stuffed Man City, but I'm damn sure had City been still playing like the apparent 'juggernaut' who rolled us over at Goodison early season, they'd quite possibly have dealt with these teams, similarly Liverpool, I feel, for sure, despite the arrival of their new grinning 'Messiah'!!

We have a lot to be happy about is all I'm saying... a very good squad, positivity, trying to play in a more progressive style...

Yeah, okay, always good we ALL stay grounded, but let's not just misguidedly pick things apart in this pursuit, (some) lads...

I think we are playing a Spanish game and were are getting a Spanish atmosphere. Many of the grounds in the Premier League are quieter these days. IMO it's down to the continental coaches gradually ditching the traditional crash bang wallop stuff

Go to the Britannia and it's still deafening.

The terraces of the old days created a collective will and a collective voice, those roars of "We Shall Not Be Moved" and "Attack, Attack, Attack" when Goodison seemed to shake, and there were often 60,000 plus in Goodison then.

Everton's new style is not geared towards exciting, and Everton are alone in the obsession with possession and pressing.

West and Southall, in far better teams than the present one, were far busier than Howard, because football then was far less precise, and accordingly more exciting, far more shots and crosses. On Saturday how often 30 passes went across and back, even back to Howard, rather than risk a 50/50 forward pass, or trying to go past a man. Even Deulofeu, doesn't actually go past a man in the way of Best or Matthews. It's the modern way and I'm sure it's right, but not so exciting.

Tippy-tappy crab... Christ. We play great football. It hasn't been better for ages. We're smashing our opponents! I think Martinez is doing absolutely fantastic.

COYB.

From a cursory glance at the results Everton scored 10 goals in two consecutive fixtures in November 2007 when they put seven past Sunderland and in the next game scored three against Birmingham City.

Prior to that occurrence, Everton scored 10 goals in the final two home fixtures of the 1998-99 season, putting six past West Ham and four past Charlton Athletic.

This season has shown that we can and will score a decent amount of goals, particularly with Deulofeu starting regularly and Lukaku getting some support.

Yes, it's true that better teams, with tighter defences, will limit our opportunities. I'm more worried about our wobbly defence – wholly untested by woeful Villa. That, I suspect, will be where our problems come against the better sides.

On the singing stuff, I never really associated singing with a great Goodison atmosphere. At our best we were just loud. Vocal, angry, elated, defiant. The singing kind of sprung out of those.

I read that article linked earlier on here and ideas like the Tottenham one just sound a bit Soccer AM to me.

Over the years, I've always admired how the top teams could control possession and probe for openings, while waiting for the more defensive team (used to be us!) to make that crucial mistake.

In the last two home games, we've used the first 10-15 mins to probe, assess, and drag the defensive line out of shape before we capitalise on a mistake and take the lead. Once this happens, space opens up and we start running riot.

It then comes down to how the other team reacts, and whether we can continue with our dominance. Sunderland reacted better than Villa, and we weren't focused enough to keep them out.

Against the 'better' teams, we tend to adopt a more counter attacking approach and allow them possession. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't and we get overwhelmed (Man City and Arsenal).

All this while, our young stars (Stones, Barkley, Lukaku, Deulofeu, etc) are learning how to do it better and better each time.

Not sure about you, but I'm FASCINATED! Keep it coming!

COYB

"Tippy-tappy shite" has been the general consensus. I have to agree, when you are behind, and you see the two full backs giving the old "me to you" routine, it can make you go wild with frustration. But, when it works, boy it it satisfying to watch. Like our 4th goal on Saturday, there is no finer sight as far as I'm concerned.

It's unbelievable that every goal we have scored so far this season has been from open play, especially when we hear the screams of many to practice set pieces more. Maybe Bobby has a point when he says you are relying on a bit of luck to score from corners and crosses?

I certainly don't want to keep bringing Moyes into the conversation about styles, as some fans clearly like to see us play "win the second ball & get rid when under pressure" type of football. It certainly has it's place when you are trailing with five minutes left. Do I want to see balls floated down the line hoping for possession in the opponent's half from the first minute? Definitely a no from me.

The style of any team has a huge effect on the crowd and their reactions. The Emirates is known as 'the library' for good reason: they are the kings of possession football, but I want to see that type of skill on offer from a team that costs £100s of millions. For me personally, a Phil Neville floater down the line for a lone striker to chase was my football hell. We all have our preferences.

I never again want to see the days where we rely on that kind of percentage football but, as a match experience, it was good.

It's the same kind of logic as asking someone if they'd swap a safe upper mid-table position for a relegation scrap. Of course you wouldn't... but no-one who was at the Wimbledon game will ever forget it.

Defend and relying on 'luck'. Well it seems EVERYBODY gets lucky Vs us.

Why not misquote the Golfer thing ( some say player some say palmer ) 'The more I practice ( defending crosses ) the luckier I seem to get.'

Tippy tappy Vs Intensity ( for want of a better word ). I did notice that from the start we passed it about in our half, but as the game went on we were passing it about in their half and then in front of their box. So from that point of view we're getting better at it.

Yes I know you can only beat what's put in front of you. But seeing off 19th and 20th...and next week 18th is all well and good. The confidence will do us no harm.

A few weeks ago the sky scribes were touting WHU, now they're saying, It's such a poor / open race Spurs can win the title, yet forgetting that we drew with both...Away.

Alchemy; turning dross into gold. We weren't exactly dross, but we're no gold yet.

Truly great teams are an Alloy, not pure one thing or another. Neither all tippy-tappy, nor all Intensity.

Mix that alloy Bobby, do what you did on Saturday, not to 19th and 20th...or 18th but to 3rd 2nd and 1st.

Then I will believe in magic...upto now you're just tinkerbelling about

Oh and keep winning how ever you do it.

Long may we continue to slip under the radar

The rest can then safely tuck into their prawn sarnies ...

Everton 2012-13 Season Goals + Highlights

Apart from some great individual goals, there is definitely a distinct playing style. That is, plenty of high and low crosses into the box. Even now, it looks a little dated to me.

The difference this season is that we are moving the ball A LOT quicker, hitting Lukaku a lot earlier, and not afraid to play the longer pass when it is on. Deulofeu has been very good at this in the last few games.

Also, RM has got McCarthy pushing a lot further forward when we are in possession. We now get a lot more more up the field quicker, as well as moving the ball quicker.

Yes, the tippy-tappy is still there, but it has to be. We need to strike a balance. At the beginning of a game, or when we are in the lead, keeping hold of the ball is the priority and we don't need to move it as quick or to take risks.

I for one am thoroughly enjoying watching the Everton of this season. I believe that RM has largely corrected the faults. On our day, we are up there with the best in this league. Our main problem going forward will be the same old same old: retaining all of our playing staff.

I was shocked in 1995 about how quiet the crowd was compared to the 80s – but the terraces had gone and that was the key difference. But it was even quieter in 2014 (a 3-0 win against Villa).

Having said that, the team and the style of play at the last two home games looks FANTASTIC on TV. Just a joy to watch.

ps: Great report, Lyndon

I'm not sure if both the Brentford and Derby games were away, but one of them was. Happy days.

Going back even further in time, to perhaps what was the Golden Age of Everton FC. Between September 1931 and January 1932, Everton scored 54 goals in ten consecutive league games at Goodison Park, the minimum Everton scored in a single match was 2 and the maximum was 9 which Everton managed to do twice during that run. The sequence was as follows: 2, 3, 9, 8, 7, 9, 5, 5, 4 & 2. What a fantastic time that must have been to be an Evertonian.

Mind you, on the Ye Olde ToffeeWebby there were concerns that the defence looked a little shaky as they had conceded 15 times in that period.

EFC 1931-32

He actually scored 10 in three consecutive games and everyone thought it was funny because he wasn't a great marksman. In fact, he had to wait 6 years for his next hat-trick. In those days many fans visited both grounds.

Harold (#64), I remember Jackie Balmer, with his baldy and moustache. When we played in the street, if you kicked the ball over the bar, the other kids would call you "Jackie Balmer". Did his brother play for Everton at one time?