Everton vs Crystal Palace

It will be a tough game, but one we need to win if we have any thoughts of attaining a top six finish.

We're due a result against Palace and on paper we should beat them, but we never seem to make it easy for ourselves when we play them.

Fingers crossed we give a performance without any of the lapses of concentration that has seen us drop points this season.

Crystal Palace can target Premier League title in the future, says Steve Parish

Interesting that he’s also managed to bring investment and stay in charge of football-related decisions, something that doesn’t seem to be possible at Everton.

If we’re a top 4 or top 6 side we beat upper mid table sides at home.

So a 6-0 drubbing would be fitting.

Will predict a 3-1 win!!

Personally I’d like to see more management fisticuffs: Ranieri v Pellegrini would be a dance with all pose, no punches. Hughes v Allardyce could be explosive.

2-1 to us tomorrow.

Palace are a decent team, Pardew is nobody’s fool and gets the best out of his team, and like us, they are capable of beating anybody on the day. I really like Cabaye, and we will have to keep a close eye on him pulling the strings.

I don’t think they will come to Goodison to sit back. They are one of the sides in and around us in the league table that we simply must beat in order to keep us going in the right direction.

Confidence is a big thing in any sport and we have a few players that have it in abundance at the moment; the more victories we get, the more this feelgood factor will spread throughout the team and squad, but this will be a good test for Everton.

I reckon there may be a few goals tomorrow night, let’s hope we score one or two or more than they do.

3-1 Everton; Lukaku (2), Kone.

This season’s results are all over the place in the Premier League so anything can happen, Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea and Liverpool couldn’t score a goal between them over the weekend... let’s change that tomorrow night.

I'm hoping for a win and if Deulofeu is given plenty of the ball, he’ll do the rest.

I hadn’t realised that. Shows how upside down the league is this season.

Aim for the moon, you may get the stars.

Palace are a good team who will look to catch us on the break and are good at set pieces too. We tend to slip up when we have the chance to take advantage of rival slips. Hope we change that trend.

It's usually painful when we play them. We've got Rom and Deulofeu on form this time round so there's no reason we can't beat them again if they get the ball.

Deulofeu and possibly Cleverley may possibly be in for a night when they have help the fullbacks a lot more with the likes of Bolasie's and Puncheon’s pace on either side.

We need to avoid giving away silly fouls in and around our box.

Newcastle have been pish for most of the season and were desperate for a result. Fortunately tonight they played Liverpool's clumsy cousins, the ones we haven’t met, played well and won without McClaren having to tear out any more hair.

I’ve heard of shock results but I don’t think luck comes into it. The fact is the big boys are all beatable. Especially when they think they’ve already won.

Our approach is often wrong. We could learn a lot from the likes of Bournemouth and Leicester but we think we are different. It doesn’t always seem obvious when though.

I’d blame Kone for the first Bournemouth goal for not closing Smith down. IMO

The results are all over the place this season, so I’m pretty apprehensive about this game! It's only one game, but a win would bounce us up to 6th and put us right in the mix and with it a feelgood factor.

We are definitely the most likely winners if there is one, but I wouldn’t stake my life on it!

Their left back Souare is dog shit. I’m expecting Gerry to tear him a new one. If we can get Lukaku in the middle and Kone arriving at the back post as Gerry whips some balls in, I think there are goals in this for us.

We are getting a few players back now as well, Baines will probably be on the bench. I expect us to win this one. If we do, we’ll be in 6th place, and this will have been a decent start to the season...

Someone’s doing something right down there.

We’ll win tomorrow and need to make the most of the rest of this month. January looks a nightmare waiting to happen.

That being said we should play this game with confidence and an attacking mindset because we are at home and should have too much for them.

Rom and Geri are on fire at the moment so I am hoping for a blue win to put us 6th with games like Norwich (A), Leicester (H), Newcastle (A) and Stoke (H) to follow.

If we get 9 from those 4 games as a minimum we will be well placed to push for top four in the New Year just when the European games return for our competition.

This is a massive game for us and one where I will be looking to see if Martinez has really got the minerals to take us into the top four!

On another point, I’m glad to see that Galloway will be starting up against Bolasie who tore Baines a new arse last year!

We need to get them on the back foot from the start, close them down early, and not give them opportunities to hit us from wide positions, as they like to do.

An early goal would be helpful as they would then have to risk exposing their defence to the likes of Geri and Rom, and Kone if he starts.

No slip ups this time please. This lot virtually killed our Champions League dream two years ago. It’s time for some payback.

I still think my thoughts on that day were true and that this, or next season we will achieve it. A few said he was a one-trick pony and made too many errors etc... Well I’m sure that they are eating their words now.

This game is probably our most important game thus far. It is imperative that we capitalise on the games over the weekend and push into 6th (imagine had we held on at Bournemouth too!)

We have a real real chance here... Grasp it, boys

All that said, we have to concentrate on our own game and go about our business. If we can't take this opportunity to climb the table, I fear we will fall off into mid-table obscurity.

Come on blue boys, let's kick on.

Support and patience will be crucial.

It’s imperative that we get our tactics spot on, meaning that although Deulofeu, Lukaku and Kone or Naismith will have the open space to work their magic up front. We will win this game by breaking their play up in midfield and being solid in the back (especially at set-pieces).

If we win this, Barry will probably be the MotM, as he is so good at breaking the play of opposing teams. If McCarthy isn’t fit, Besic would be my choice or Cleverley due to his physical play. Since counter-attacks and speed will most likely cause us to score, I would play Mirallas on the left.

Kone will probably start. He and Rom play well together, although I wouldn’t mind Mirallas on the left.

We are fairly evenly matched vs Palace. I think it will be a close one. 2-0 Everton win, with the second goal coming in the second-half stoppage time.

1 we can win this;
2 we would leapfrog the RS;
3 this is EFC;

So we will hit the bar and the post and miss a penalty, and they will get one on the break after 85 through Howard’s legs; 0-1 Palace. Don’t hope chaps, it just kills you. This is EFC.

You are obviously traumatised. I have been in that place but recent results and events have given me hope. Just hang in their and it will get better :)

You only need to know 3 things:

1 we can win this;
2 we would leapfrog the RS;
3 we can make the top 4

I also think that Mirallas should play instead in of Kone. Kone has been a bit below par the past few games and was awful against Bournemouth so to come straight back in the side isn’t the right call for me. He needs a bit of bench time and sub appearances as I think he’s starting to take his place for granted.

If not Mirallas then Cleverley out there to back Galloway up as teams have started to suss our left side out just as much as putting crosses under the bar for Howard to flap at.

And as I’m along those lines Joel would be in goal for me:

Robles, Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Galloway, Besic, Barry, Deulofeu, Barkley, Mirallas/Cleverley, Lukaku.

We’re at home, let's go out there and attack them right from off and get the crowd rocking.

That's impressive, just goes to show, Kim, if you have ambition, business acumen, do not expect things to happen overnight and be handed to you on a plate, then significant progress (in stages) is possible!

We need a win tonight, there's nothing in it points wise if we do, and there's nothing to fear with any team this season.

We need to watch for them hitting on the break and be compact and close them down, when we don't have the ball.

As others have said - need to pay special attention to Cabaye and Bolaise, and I agree with whoever said, that it may be a good idea to bring Besic in for this one on a man marking job.

A win today really sets us up nicely.

We must start strong, and attack them from the first whistle to the end. We cannot afford to sit back and wait for an opportunity as they can and will punish us.

I’d like to see Besic start alongside Barry (who is always a cert to start).

My team would be

Robles;
Coleman, Stones, Funes Mori, Baines;
Besic, Barry;
Deulofeu, Barkley, Mirallas;
Lukaku.

I know it won’t happen but I’d like to see Howard dropped for Robles, who played well in the cup game against Middlesbrough.

I’m not a fan of Mirallas (lack of effort, bad attitude) but he is a talented player who scores goals. I know he is hardly an unknown quantity but Palace will not be expecting to see him and his presence will give them more to worry about. So I would go with an attacking line up.

Results are all over the place this season with only Leicester and a dour Man Utd team showing any consistency. The league is wide open and there for the taking if we can put a run together.

If we play well, and don’t take 35 passes to past halfway everytime, then we will stuff them 4-1.

He was probably drafted in so they can spend the first hour drooling over RS victory at Newcastle, but it probably won't get a mention now.

Oh Kevin Mirallas...

Oh, and Besic in for McCarthy if he fails his fitness test.

Remember seeing him at traffic lights when he first signed for Liverpool. I was signalling for him to wind his window down, and he was looking at me as if to say, who the fuck are you. When he finally did, I said you have signed for the wrong team. He laughed and said I probably would have signed for Everton, if the manager would have stopped talking about himself, instead of the team.

He gave a totally different slant on it, when I read an interview, about him meeting David Moyes, but that's how they probably get the job. By reigning it in, and being very careful with the truth. In saying that he's done a lot of good things for charity.

I know it’s still early-ish in the season, but the league is starting to take shape. It’s absolutely crucial that we don’t give ourselves too much catching up to do in the second half of the season.

Way too much emphasis put on these fellas on the telly, anyway. I find it pathetic that people will go on about what such and such said, rather than the actual incident itself sometimes.

Cracking player on his day. Yes, he could be a nasty fucker, but we've had a few of them down the years. A player who'd have definitely improved us.

With these next six weeks being crucial, I would prefer to see us use our subs a bit earlier in games, and also rotate the odd player, rather than trying to continue conserving energy, when a game seems won.

A few good performances would really get the crowd onside, and once the crowd get behind the team at Goodison, then anything is possible.

COYB! This would be a huge win.

He probably played his best footy for Newcastle, so I’m sure they will still give yesterday’s game a mention!!

It’s mad, but if I didn’t have to take my godson, and give me dar a lift home, it wouldn't bother me staying in the house and watching this one on the telly. I used to love Goodison under the lights.

Didn’t he also make some disparaging remarks about Terry in a post-match interview?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdVlj1Qk6jc

Michael (#60).

So you’re telling us that you Americans actually KNOW where London is? ;-)

Have you put pipe and slippers on your letter to Santa?

I’ve missed the last two home games being abroad so quite excited to be going tonight.

I think the key will be cutting off supply to their wide players because I think we can definitely get after their back four. 15 goals in our last five games is pretty encouraging.

The next five games are key, all are winnable and 11 or 12 points would put us in a very tidy position at the half-way mark of the season.

I said he needed replacing after last season, and Martinez has let himself down badly. At least give Joel Robles a run, or buy a new ’keeper in January. Robles at least tries to quicken our play up, Howard is far too hesitant and erratic. Just not good enough for a top 4 side.

Martinez -– drop him, he’s making a fool out of everybody.

I also think that Palace will be looking at our side and thinking, "Ah, this is tricky." Everton have got the Big Belgian up front, scoring goals, hard to handle. Kone has started to come good and seems to be a good foil for Lukaku, and he bagged a hat-trick the other week.

Baines is back so, if he plays, the threat from set-pieces he offers, either direct or as delivery, can really hurt a team. (For me, he shouldn’t play as Bolasie vs a half fit Baines will cost us.) Barkley is looking good and has the capability to run that midfield, and then there is Geri.

If we can win our battles, and approach this game in the professional manner we did against Boro, who were another potential banana skin, then I think we can click against Palace. We are better man for man in every department.

Tonight is one of those games where we will all be worried but end up winning 3-1 or 4-1. I’m hoping for Rom to bag a brace as my bet on him winning the Golden Boot at 90/1 is looking quite promising!!!

I would look to be 2-0 up at half-time then let Mirallas at them and prove his worth. This will allow any momentum to continue into the second half which clearly against Bournemouth we struggled with. We have the ability and players to kill games such as this off but we seem to go into relaxed mode. We have done it a few times over the last two years or more and that aspect needs to change.

Granted, if you're 4-0 up with 20 minutes left, I'm all for showboating and passing it around. But 2-0 is a massively dangerous score because you relax, you get hit and the pressure is suddenly piled on you. At 1-0 you know you need to be switched on and the concentration levels seem to be higher.

Anyway, 4-1 with Lukaku (2), Coleman and Deulofeu.

Kone should and will start, as he links up well with Lukaku especially very well. Galloway will probably keep his place tonight over Baines. He’s shaped great saying his lack of experience, he looks destined to play for England in 2 or 3 years, don’t think it will at fullback though.

I doubt if RM will risk Besic; he seems like an accident waiting to happen too much, I like the lad but I don’t think he’ll get the nod over Cleverley if McCarthy’s not fit for this game.

Mirallas will be on the bench again, I fancy, but what do I know!

Tonight we have Referee Craig Pawson who, in 43 matches has issued 8 reds and 43 yellows..... don't know much about him so I don't think he's pissed us off too much. Or we'd remember him.

I don’t think the park-the-bus mentality will come into it. In fact that type of approach seems to be less common this season. The possibility of a dull 0-0 with the cancelling out effect of equal bundles of talent and caution may happen.

I would love to see Robles play but that is fantasy football logic. I dread to think what would be the reaction if we throw the game away with Howard at fault, flapping about in the back of the onion bag. I would love to know what exactly it is that goes on the dressing room?

Obviously Mirallas and Distin crossed Roberto but Howard has not. All the other players think the sun shines out of his proverbial? There must be something the rest of us mere mortals are missing... COYB!

Jesus what am I saying, more than one person getting a hat trick for Everton in the same season, is this fantasy football?

Seriously though, this is another of those have-to-wins when others around us slipped up!!!!

But we are Everton so.......

This is a game crying out for Mirallas but I’m not holding out any hope as RM’s favourites hit the road again.

I just hope Ossie doesn't get anywhere near the pitch as this game will really show his lack of pace.

We need to keep hold of the ball and give it away as little as possible as they are lethal on the break.

Thought Galloway has looked a little bit jaded the last few games so hopefully Bainesy is up to par.

If we are to seriously compete for the top half of the table, teams like Crystal Palace must be dispatched convincingly. We are plodding along thanks to some impressive individual displays, against the lower-order teams.

The worrying aspect of the side, is lack of teamspirit and lack of leadership – which has been echoed many times on this forum. I would say we have a better squad than Leicester, but look how they’ve been playing this season.

For me, it comes down to the motivational skills of the manager, and his team selection. I still believe he is not the right man to manage our club which is a great shame when you look at the players we have.

Tonight – a hard-fought draw.

Stopping Bolasie on the counter-attack is what McCarthy will be most needed and with Besic not really match fit I don’t think we have anyone else that will do that.

Still think we’ll win 3-1.

I fear an injury to one of Lukaku Deulofeu coming on in my bones.

Coincidentally, I think the first game of ours that he reffed was against Palace away in 2013-14 (a 0-0 draw). Since then, he took charge of our 3-2 defeat at Newcastle at the end of last year and the Asia Trophy game against Stoke which we won on pens.

He has officiated 11 matches so far this season, issuing 1 red card and 36 yellows which is fewer bookings than any of the officials who have reffed more than 10 games.

I am glad your excited, I felt like that last week going to Boro. I will be going though, just in case Scrooge forgets his buspass!

3 early goals and completely controlling the game. Oh how my bitten finger nails and sanity need it! COYB!!

We are better than them all over the park and I'm expecting to beat them.

However, with the form of key players such as Deulofeu and Lukaku and Palace missing the likes of Zaha and Sako, we ought to be confident, purposeful and do a form-based job on them.

If we aspire to top six and beyond, we need to start displaying the confidence that goes with it. Without such self-belief, we are destined to be also-rans again, while the likes of Spurs, West Ham, the Gobshites and tonight’s opponents, Palace, steal a march on us.

Time to impose ourselves and build on this momentum we’re beginning develop. But a hard task, as Palace have got the measure of us at Goodison twice in a row, in games we never looked like winning from start to finish.

Time to redress that tonight, especially in the light of several results in our favour over the weekend. So believe Blues. Show some cockiness and arrogance.

Let’s secure that 6th spot to push on from towards Christmas...

NO Mirallas again and Besic not even on the bench.

Some prefer to congratulate the assist man. The same four or five players leap on the scorer’s back. Some look like they would sooner be back home with the missus and a cup of tea.

The weekend results highlighted there is an opportunity for middle ranked teams to break up the top-of-table cartel this season, for those bold enough and energetic enough to go for it.

Once again, the manager and players in recent days have blagged the blag.

Time to walk the walk, gentlemen...

In last seasons game against Palace, he was directly responsible for all 3 of their goals. The second one where he completely missed his catch was poor at any level.

Continuing to pick him will cost us big time this season and I just can't understand Martinez on this one...

Palace are a good side under Pardew. Even though I will never forgive him for that 'different league' comment. Rom was unlucky not to get a hat-trick.

I’ve seen comments on Mirallas; I’ve got to say, every time I’ve seen him play, for 18 months, he is only interested in himself and doesn’t play for the team. That’s why he isn’t playing. I’m no Martinez fan but fair play to him for seeing that.

It is obvious that Mirallas needs to be sold. So we can spend the money on Yarmolenko, giving us the left winger we are desperately crying out for.