Blues put Champions to the sword

Enjoyable.

We need to score the next goal and then pick them off.

A word for Mirallas. Playing well and really fired up to show RK just how good he can be. He just might be the man today.

I make that three assists for Kevin Mirallas. His corners were excellent, especially for Jagielka's well-earned header! He's been unlucky not to score for nearly a month!

Barkley was orchestrating the attacks and did very well. Mirallas was superb, we look so much better when he's in the pitch. Lukaku, just keeps scoring. Jags was very solid.

Great to come back and win 4-2 after being sucker punched to go down 1-2. Solid all around, happy Sunday.

But, I have to say Pennington was a joke in the first half, to add to poor performances against Liverpool and Man Utd, and last years 3-0's v Leicester and Sunderland. It's early days I know, but I have seen enough to worry every time the ball goes anywhere near him.

How can we keep players like Lukaku when we have Pennington at the back? Two new centre-backs needed in the summer. If we had Spurs' two centre-backs, we would be top 4 in my opinion.

I thought Mirallas, Baines, Schneiderlin could have all been awarded it but for me Jags gave a perfect captain's performance today and deserves to be MotM.

I have to say the difference between Koeman's Everton and the Martinez experiment is now night and day.

Very optimistic about the future, I hope all Blues are.

Schneiderlin was well managed by Koeman, his presence just opens thing up for Gans to go hunting and Davies, who for me was Man of the Match. We played a tempo that suits us, quick.

A little but of noise for him to be rested but he superb, a 70-yard run with acceleration in the first 30 seconds, and the poise to slot home.

His first time passes are controlled, accurately played and rarely under-hit. Both Rom 'n' Ross take note. Always looking for the forward pass. Very good for an 18-year-old.

Overall, a performance which emphasises both our strengths and weaknesses.

Gana plays football exactly the same way my little Jack Russell chases the ball in the garden – an aggressive nuisance!

It looks as if Lukaku is going for sure and now I am not so sure about Barkley staying with us. I should be really optimistic about next season but, with two of our best players about to depart, I just don't know...

My picks for Men of the match were Mirallas (great game), Davies and Lukaku but only one for the Mars bar and that was the superb Ross Barkley.

Redknap and Neville were really extolling his virtues on Sky and I agree with them. We must do whatever it takes as club and fans to make sure that he signs his future to the club. My own feeling is that both he and Rom will go and it will be the worst thing I've seen happen at the club since we sold Bally.

We are a good side with great promise for the future if our youngsters come through and we can add some more quality down the spine of the side in the summer window.

Jags, solid and classy at the back and a great goal.

Tom Davies never stopped, always looking for the ball, deserved MotM.

Schneiderlin proved his importance to the team, very solid and opens up the game for the rest of the midfield.

Great game, Blues!

I thought Jags was brilliant he wound back the clock today and guided Pennington who really picked his game up after a jittery start.

Barkley is really looking like a quality midfielder he is really aggressive nowadays , his cross to set up the last goal was world class.

Davies's goal I thought was brilliantly taken. Well done lads, great game today.

Now whilst it was a fantastic cross from Ross for Rom's header, the rest of the game, I thought he was frustrating. How many times did he have the ball and just not know what to do with him? It's like the lad has no brain. And what a miss!!!

For me, and I've said it for a long time, he's not good enough: sell him. If we had bought him from a Russian team two years ago, he'd get slated far more. Cause he's one of our own, people refuse to see his poor side and make out he us much better than he is. I lost count of the amount of times he lost the ball against Liverpool, it was embarrassing (oh sorry, but he tried hard, eh!).

26 goals in total. 5 clean sheets. 5 goals conceded in total, the 2 today plus the 3 in the single match vs Bournemouth.

And that when not always playing very well.

Now, start to take just a wee bit of that form on the road, and we're on to something.

Many solid performances throughout the team today. Holgate, cool and durable. Pennington, at fault for being caught napping and dwelling on the ball to concede the free kick from which they scored from; didn't let it affect him and he grew into the game. Pleased for him.

Baines, crisper and more accurate in his passing than of late. Jags, outstanding in both penalty areas and he (for the 2nd match running) gets my MotM nomination. Really nicely taken goal for his header.

Two more goals from corners, 4 in 3 games. I'll have more of the same, any time, any game.

Schneiderlin replicated Gueye's and Davies's errors of last week and went to ground too early in the proceedings in the move that led to their equalising goal, but otherwise played well.

The awareness and stamina Davies displayed in going with Mirallas for the opening goal, and the tidy way he controlled and shifted the ball a tad before scoring was mightily impressive. Great 1st half, not so influential in the 2nd, but still good.

Mirallas, Barkley and Lukaku carried plenty of threat. The Barkley cross for Lukaku's 1st, too sublime for words. Great run by Kev in the opening 30 seconds. Nice to see him still on the pitch at 90 minutes and still going hard at it.

Good ref, too. Allowed good advantage and went back to sort out the offender once the ball went dead.

Another thoroughly enjoyable game.

We're doing just fine.

If you can compare the amount of times "Mr Dele Frustrating" loses the ball versus Ross, you may have some credibility – but do not talk one of our own down in the face of facts and stats.

Placing hyperbole and exaggerating observations are not credible on here any more. He was declared MotM today – so some professional disagrees with you even in the subjective side of your deranged concept .

Pennington was dodgy but he grew into the game while Jags was back to his reliable best. Baines kept it simple too.

Robles still showed that he is not the future Number 1. He made a couple of good saves from Leicester's corners but Albrighton's fluke free-kick goal should never have gone in and he seems to be poor at that side of the goal.

Apart from that, a great win; hopefully get some momentum and finish the season strongly.

Big plus today was Schneiderlin, he bossed and tidied up everywhere and allowed Gana support.

Lukaku put a shift in today, chased everything, I get frustrated when he downs tools in certain games but cannot fault the big guy today.

Good result and vast improvement from last week's game.

Keep Mirallas in the team and let's finish the season strong and hope we can get through these last remaining games without further injuries.

For what it's worth, Leighton has been a great servant but I don't see him as a long-term left-back any more. He doesn't have the pace, or sometimes more importantly the ability to close down crosses. Barkley will always flatter to deceive; he doesn't have the skills to be consistent. I think we would be better off without him.

Somebody on another thread said that he has always been labelled as "young" Ross Barkley, he's 23 and is light years behind the likes of Dele Alli (20) at Spurs. I don't care where the players from my team were born, I want them to be good enough to be able to take Everton to the next level. For me, Barkley doesn't cut it.

I'm looking forward to the next season without Barkley, Lukaku and others.... I know, I know, but it's all about opinions at the end of the day.

Holgate makes me very happy.

Cried when I walked into the place for the first time. And a few more times as the afternoon went on.

Waited 32 years to see a match at Goodison, and Tom scores in 32 seconds. If that isn't poetic...

What a miracle my TW mates hath wrought... two brilliant guides in Rob Halligan and Keith Harrison... a pre-game Guinness at the legendary Winslow with Patrick Murphy and David Greenwood and Kev Tully...

And, most remarkable of all, a few delirious steps on the actual Goodison pitch after the game, courtesy of Kev Johnson.

And what a cracking win.

I will write all this up into an article following the Burnley game... with photos... but every dream I ever had about this pilgrimage has already been surpassed.

Thanks one and all.

Day of days.

It would be typical, typical, typical Everton to sell Lukaku right when he's going big time. Needs to be kept for another season whether or not he extends, it's worth the hit to see what we can do next season with a big summer of additions.

Ross signing up would be great too of course, how have we not sorted that sooner, but you don't let goalscorers go and progress. Simple as that.

The 1987 title season is the exception to the rule & we all know how things went from there anyway!

Nice win, on to the next one.

http://ToffeeWeb.com/season/16-17/comment/general/34342.html

Presuming, by "not know what to do with him", you actually mean "not know what to do with it [the ball]", then not very often.

He retained possession well all day, constantly manoeuvred himself into space, spread it out wide whenever there was a willing runner, whipped in an absolutely fantastic first time cross, linked up well with Lukaku on the edge of the box on occasion and almost put another on a plate for the big fella with a fine through ball. 

As for the "miss", it's all very well accusing him of being a shimmying simpleton on par with that slack-jawed Scarecrow* who used to hang out with Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man and hirsute Emile Heskey with a tail, but I'm pretty sure Ross can at least recognise a fucking hand when it's stuck out in front of him. Unlike some, it seems. 
--------
*The Scarecrow was one of only three recipients ever to be awarded an honorary diploma from 'the Universita Committeeatum E Pluribus Unum' by the Wizard Of Oz himself:

Scarecrow diploma: Th.D (Doctor of Thinkology)

Barkley diploma: M.o.M (Man of the Match)

Damian diploma: Th.ck (Figure it out)

I hope the rest of your stay in England and Scotland is as enjoyable as today especially next Saturday when a repeat of today will go down well if we beat Burnley.

Best of luck with the weather while you are over here.

"We need to start the game quicker than past matches, Leicester will not want a high tempo game with next week's European game coming up, so let's hit them hard and fast and put the game to bed early doors."

I thought we'd done that with Tom's excellent piece of opportunism inside the first 30 seconds, but Robles had other ideas and took a while to get on script. Still... not quite what you'd imagined in terms of putting the game to bed early doors.

Although you could say in hindsight that, after Jags had scored, the game was indeed won.

Mike, tbh after they went into the lead a few of us on the live forum blamed you for jinxing us. Glad you enjoyed the Goodison experience. It's a bit special isn't it?

These are facts – and given MotM by Sky TV today.

What really do people want? Where could we get a player of his output – his stats are leading in every way? Could we prize away anyone anywhere near him without Champions League football?

I can't pick a MotM, so many contenders. As pleased as anything else that Pennington grew into the game after a shaky start and shaky game-time before today – well done, lad.

Mike Gaynes, bloody delighted for you! You really got Everton all summed up in a single game. They surprise, they delight, they confound, but THAT is why we adore. And then, they delight some more.

I'd like Schmeichel at Goodison between the sticks next season.

Really good post that. Barkley is head and shoulders better than this time last year. He really can change matches.

A measure of his danger was the number of times Leicester upended him. They were doing so deliberately.

Glad to hear the occasion surpassed the looooong build-up (and impressed to hell you can still type after supping with that lot). Hats off to those who took you under their wing and made you feel so at home.

This team looks capable of challenging for top 4 with 2-3 first team additions but losing our star striker may mean we take 2 steps back before we can move forward.

Diploma of thick, me? Doctor of Clinical Psychology, thanks.

Keep writing your weird drivel if you must.

Mike G, delighted you had a great day! 😊 What took you so long? 😃 Fantastic you saw four goals! COYB.

I would have rested him for this game which shows what I know. What a wonderful prospect he is at 18.

Also Pennington performed really well; yes, he gave the free-kick, but our goalkeeper's positional play and decision-making was very poor! All the young lad done was give a fecking free kick away!

Many good performances today but Ross was special.

Great game to watch as well – pure entertainment first half, and well contained in the second half.

They all tired as the game went on, which is always going to happen.

Colin (#44), appreciate the honor. I could feel the pressure from you lads on the forum... but honestly I never doubted the outcome, our domination was so obvious to my eyes even at 1-2.

And also Colin, I was telling Keith right before the game that Schmeichel was the most fundamentally solid keeper in the Premier League but never made the great saves because he lacked the athleticism... and then he pulled that blinder on Ross. Shows what I know.

Professional opinion: "it's like the lad has no brain".

Fat lot of fucking good you are.

I can't help but wonder what unconscious issues insight-oriented therapy might bring to the attention of an individual who spends every single post on ToffeeWeb mercilessly berating one particular player, irrespective of how that player has just performed, even going so far as to openly state "I actually can't stand him" on more than occasion?

Thought Everton, played as well as they have done all season, for most of today's game, and it was pleasing to see us play with much more purpose and energy, which can only bode well for the future? The fact that people are picking different MotM's, shows that we are gradually starting to improve. Also If Mirallas, can keep up this style of play then he would be like a new signing, because we definitely break quicker, when he's in the mood to play?

Barkley, is improving and Davies is inspiring, Gueye might not be the best player in possession, but he's the best at regaining it, and Morgan Schniedrlen, keeps everyone calm, and helps everyone else to get on with their jobs, and thanks to the close up on the telly, I'm sure he played a very big hand in helping Jagielka score his goal aswell! "Out team is definitely getting better."

That said, as one of Jagielka's bigger critics, I think the present captain has been superb over recent games and looks reborn. I'd still promote Morgan though.

Mike Gaynes, couldn't be happier for you mate!

All-round great effort from them today – loads of energetic performances which really paid off.

I can see were people are coming from with the slowing the play down comments but some of the stuff Ross does with the ball in tight positions is really top draw!

The way he receives a ball playing between the lines with a man on his back an swivels either way while assessing his option's is a real skill!

Very few player's have the ability and the strength to take a ball with their back to goal and be able to create triangles to create chances!

My only criticism of Ross of late he doesn't compete enough for second balls and that he overdoes it at times and tries too hard to do it by himself instead of just passing the ball and letting the ball do the work!

I'd give Barkley tapes of Lampard and tell him to simplify his game as use his range of passing to create the space!!

People want to see more of Mirallas, but this present manager would say, but only if he his working as hard as he has done in his last two games? Hopefully the penny is really starting to drop, and I was especially made-up for Jagielka today, because it's a long time since I've seen him so dominant, and committed to the cause?

Today he was excellent and for the most part has been all season, good team performance today from everyone. Special mention for Schneiderlin though, he is pure class, how the fuck he didn't get a proper chance at Man Utd I'll never know, anyway I'm very excited to see what the next several years brings for us.

The lad keeps the ball moving more often than not, creates chances and has started to put his foot in!

I take no notice from these TV pundits, who have never managed or been sacked from football clubs. I have said it on many threads... Jags for England!

Regarding Lukaku... don't get me started. Not an Everton Football club player by far.

Worth a day trip. Would be glad to show you round.

I thought we played as a team today, every player chasing and getting stuck in. Jags had a great game, big improvement with Schneiderlin back in the team along with Mirallas.

That is the Everton we all like to see. Yes, I get frustrated when players stroll round the pitch or don't close down... emotions get the better of me when I think someone is not pulling their weight or taking the piss out of our club.

Today, the players got stuck in, put in a performance. Like most others posters have said, a number could have won the Man of the Match award. Personally I think it was more of a team award today; more of the same please, Everton.

As for the game, was impressed with how all the younger lads played and how they didn't let their heads go down when we went 2-1 down.

Mirallas has looked very 'up for it' recently (which is good) and it was (for me anyway) very comforting to see Schneiderlin back.

We're still far too quiet and I would love us to either a) sign a fucking big mad loud bastard or b) have shouting MAN ON!!! practise last half hour of training on a Friday. Gana almost got robbed of a ball and none of his watching team-mates thought to inform him there was a large grock 'up his arse' (basic stuff).

Despite what our 'Doctor of Clinical Psychology' (and alehouse law) thinks, Barkley was terrific, he worked hard and was constantly looking to make openings and make things happen.

Davies did (understandably) tire and I felt it wouldn't have been a bad idea to have substituted him after 60/70 mins but not going to argue with big Ron.

Up the Toffees!

Robles - 6, could he have saved the 2nd goal? Distribution was not amazing, otherwise fine.

Baines - 7, was too high up the pitch for their first goal, and we were caught on the counter on his side of the pitch. Played well though.

Jagielka - 9, Incredible, class captains performance. A rock at the heart of the defence, and he guided young Pennington excellently. Great header to win the game. Distribution upfield great as well.

Pennington - 6.5. He lost the ball + gave away the free kick for their 2nd goal, but after the first 20 minutes he played great. He is 22 however, which is too old for him to make the grade.

Holgate 6.5 - Not at fault for conceding, seemed fine at the back. Not quite Seamus attacking though. Still only 20, so a great prospect.

Gueye - 7. Passing a bit sloppy at times but still did well.

Schneiderlin - 7, a tad quiet but returning from injury. Always calm and collected, always plays the right pass and never loses it.

Davies - 8. Fantastic to see him net another, it's such a relief to have a young midfielder driving forward always at opposition defences. Tell me how many other 18 year old's play week in week out in the Premier League! I can't think of any.

Barkley - 7.5, outrageously good cross for the Lukaku goal. Always a threat going forward.

Mirallas - 7.5. Made the 1st goal with his run. Good corner for the 4th.

Lukaku - 7. You can't argue with 2 goals, but a human pinball machine otherwise.

Barkley spoke very well with Lukaku on Sky after the game. He seems to have matured a bit, he spoke very well about criticism after the Derby. I just wish we could get him playing 2 touch football a bit more. I don't want him thinking too much on the pitch. When he gets the ball out of his feet and plays a through ball, we have a player there. When he twists and turns and then plays a 5 yard pass sideways, that just slows is down.

Today, he got better as the game wore on, he was brilliant from the 2nd goal onwards once his confidence was up. What an assist that was, by the way.

Our usual steady eddies did well for us today – Jags, Baines, Gana, Schneiderlin. Mirallas, Davies and Lukaku had their moments. I can't help thinking that we need a new keeper though. Robles does some things really well, but every now and again a goal goes in that just doesn't look right.

Their second goal – I'm sure a good goalkeeper would have tipped it over the bar. Maybe I'm being harsh, but following some previous blunders, I would love us to get a nice steady keeper that is a consistent 7/8 out of 10 every week, rather than Robles who has a good run with the occasional 5 out of 10.

Overall, that was a good win though.

As a side note, does anybody else think Leicester's second goal should not have stood? The free kick was obstruction, which should be an indirect free kick, yet the kick went straight in, and therefore should not have stood. Unless I'm mistaken.

Anyway, back to Mike. Enjoy your trip to Scotland, and your night next Friday being shown around the lakes with Keith, and will see you next Saturday morning.

Mike G, so pleased for you, a memory to carry with you for ever.

I have said loads of times on here that I do not see the player that others do in Ross Barkley.

Has Ross been inconsistent , has he made bad decisions , is he still making bad decisions , has he improved this season after the manager called him on his game management etc – the answer to all is of course yes.
Can he get better, I think the answer is also yes.

Ross Barkley played well today as did lots of the team.

I can't believe any Everton fan would want one of their own to have a bad game, so I don't get it with your comments.

As for the game today, very impressed with Jags, he is doing his best Lazarus impression at the moment, dead and buried and then comes back to roll back the years and give another commanding performance. Young Pennington settled down after a first shaky 20 mins and did okay for the rest of the game. Thought Mirallas was MotM for me, he was at the heart of most things good for us and showed real desire and hunger to play. The square off with Huth quite funny, if ever there was a mismatch .

Disappointed with the Barkley debate going on again. He did okay today, have to take him game by game really. He is neither brilliant as some would have us believe or rubbish as others would say. Let's see if he can mature into a player who can take important games by the scruff of the neck in the next season or two.

Glad Schneiderlin is back, he just makes everything tick. Doubt he could have done much with the debacle across the park but at least he would have made a difference. Just quality.

Good day all round, entertaining game against a decent Leicester side who were always a threat on the break.

When he first got significant playing time under Martinez, Ross would simply take the ball and charge into 2 or 3 defenders. He did this ALL the time. He was STILL doing this last season. No improvement.

Now, he does these twists and turns that sometimes DO slow down play, but he retains possession of the ball. That's the big difference in Ross's play I see. He's actually being coached in the right and wrong of being a professional.

I'd argue that if Koeman had taken the reins instead of OFM, Ross would be much further along in his development. And he IS developing.

This kid Holgate, though, really looks the business. Just turned 20-years old or not, I see an athletic, cool, calm professional.

As for Barkley, he is better doing things instinctively, just like that magnificent run and goal at Newcastle, and the whipped in cross today for Rom's 1st. When he looks around, holding up play, you just know he will be closed down and/or robbed of possession. A great player, but one who needs to get more confidence in his game.

I watched the 2nd Leicester goal and instinctively blamed Joel for stepping forward towards his near post, seconds before the free kick was taken. I now (after the heat of the game has subsided) realise how good (or lucky) that free kick was; it would have been difficult for any keeper to get to that.

But what I will say, is that Joel, or Jags, should have put someone on the near post so the keeper only had half the goal to protect. He made one decent reaction save later on and has been crucial in lots of games since he came back, so he can be forgiven in my eyes for the odd miscalculation.

You were "Born Blue" Mike. Chosen.

And your reaction to entering the worlds very first purpose built football ground, put a bloody big lump in my throat. Took me back to my own baptism. I'm almost jealous.

This, Mike Gaynes, is for you.
Link

Bagging goals is nice, of course, but it's his veteran awareness that most impresses. Pouncing on the ball and clearing it before Musa could put the rebound in following Joel's reaction save was a perfect example.

I feel a shade disappointed with myself and others who may have given up on him. Then, as dignified as can be, he pulls on "The Royal Blue Jersey" again and in his own understated style, he reminds us again.

Lest we forget, Jags scored THAT scorching Derby match equaliser ?

He's never been a clogger, his strategy has always been that playing involves not being suspended.

Dave (#86), I had the same reaction to the "Z-Cars" player entry that you and Rob do... definite electricity through the nervous system. Quite a feeling.

Brent (#74), I'm off to Scotland for a few days, but thanks mate for the invite.

It usually takes two teams to make a good game, but I cant give Leicester any credit at all. They are a horrible team to watch, long punts forward into the percentage areas, wasting time (in the first half !), long throw in's. nasty little bastards leaving their foot in. They are masters of the dark arts... All the affection I felt for them last season has gradually evaporated each time I have watched them.

Anyway back to us. We were a joy, The movement, The swagger, The belief... It was good overcoming evil and having held Koeman responsible for the two points lost on Tuesday, I feel its only right to give him all the credit for this performance. It would have been easy to let the players feel sorry for themselves after the beating at Anfield and what felt like a defeat at Old Trafford, but he somehow picked them up again.

Only one minor complaint; I do wish we hadn't took our foot off the pedal. That ugly percentage shite Leicester have perfected deserves to be battered into the ground.

Rob/ Keith,

Hope you passed the hat around. If this is the effect Mike's going to have, we need to make sure he can afford to get across for every game.

I haven't had the chance to see it on the telly yet, but I have to say, if my initial impression is proved accurate, The big fella will have gone up in my estimation. Not known for being violent, he was still prepared to defend a team mate.

Maybe that dressing room divide isn't as wide as it's been made out to be.

Today's match was thuroughly enjoyable and a great team effort all around. Loved watching us take it to the long ball merchants and seeing Vardy be completely useless even when up against a teenager.

Overall, one of the most entertaining games I have seen at Goodison in many a year. A great team performance and I can't believe that some of us are still looking for ways to knock some of our own players instead of being happy that we are beginning to rebuild 'fortress Goodison' again.

In my 65th year now, 58 of them as a supporter of Everton FC and after the last couple of soul destroying seasons under Martinez, I can at last see potential light at the end of the tunnel. Every time I see him, Tom Davies reminds me more and more of his uncle.

Those who remember Alan Whittle will know what I mean. I only hope we don't do anything stupid as we did all those years ago when we sold Whittle to Crystal Palace for 𧴜k.

Big money back then, but typical of Everton who sold a similarly swashbuckling entertaining crowd pleaser, who went on to become something of a cult figure with Palace. Glad we got Tom signed to a new contract. Hope he stays with us for many exciting years.

All in all a great day today. Well done, Everton, a superb Team performance!

Unfortunately some fans on TW choose to like or dislike a player and refuse to change their opinion whatever happens on the pitch.

I saw Ross in the Martinez era as an over rated lazy, inconsistent slacker with the potential to maybe unleash his skills when it suited him. It also annoyed me to see him first on Martinez's team sheet every game irrespective of how bad he had played the game prior.

The second half of this season, he is a much better player. He is busier, tackles a bit and generally a better team player. He still makes mistakes like any other player but he contributes a lot more at present.

He still makes mistakes

Martin Keown said on Match of the Day he thought Maguire was the best English centre-half in the Premier League.

Lukaku went straight for him, wrapped a big arm around his neck and yanked Huth out of there. Hard!

My mate wasn't sure if the referee indicated if it was an indirect free kick, but you seem to think he did, so it it possible the goal shouldn't have stood.

It made no difference in the end but could have done with a different score line.

Jags always plays much better on the right of the two. Too often he has had to play left but he never gives less than 100%.

The hotter potato is Barkley.

After recovering from a bad double break like Oviedo and now Coleman he has been around the first team for 4/5 years. Tom Davies currently is of a similar age and experience as when Ross first broke through.

Any honest assessment is that Davies is far and away more involved and influential in the game than Ross was from his debut and indeed up until this January the same would be true.

Since then, having lost a lot of weight and having been moved deeper from the number 10 role in behind Lukaku, Ross has improved greatly in terms of his impact on the game.

Even his strongest promoters point out that he is best when he plays quick ball the way he faces. Once he slows down, yes, even to make those wonderful turns, he hasn't much idea of where anyone else in a blue shirt is. Yes, he has quick, tricky feet but that's where he is looking. He rarely runs with his head up.

He has improved greatly this half-season; stats, as I'm often told, are not the whole picture though. Against Sunderland away he started more of their attacks whilst he was on the pitch than they did for themselves in the rest of the game.

For me, great midfield players have great industry, awareness and vision. You can encourage and improve the first of those, I have doubts about whether the last two can be improved.

If Davies improves as we might anticipate over the next 3 years, he has those three attributes in spades by the way, we will be privileged to see someone really special. Whisper it, Alan Ball rather than Alan Whittle perhaps?

Interesting still I've just seen on Twitter from BBC, showing that Lukaku has scored more goals against the top six than Kane, Sanchez, Costa and Ibrahimovic.

Funny why the Big Bellend Corporation (nothing to do with manhood) would post that stat, never big up our strikers unless they're vying for a move. Oh wait... shit!

I will have to go back and watch it again.

As for Jagielka he is head and shoulders better than any other centre back we have. Koeman has to decide who should partner him. It has to be Pennington or Holgate but not Williams.

What part of my assessment of him do you find ridiculous?

Since you ask, I have been a season ticket holder for over 50 years and I have attended a lot of our away games during that time, including the Sunderland game I referred to. Most of the rest I have watched on TV. I don't think that necessarily makes my judgement sounder but it has some foundation I'd argue.

Ross is by far one of our top players, I think the problem is (as with all good up and coming English players) he was overhyped and put it the national side too early.

Now he suffers from the opposite problem: unless he is scoring or setting up goals in every game he is critiscised and also finds himself unable to get on the pitch for England!

Keep going Ross, the majority of us love ya!!

Last season he described Leicester as playing relegation style football. On Sunday past they were again full of their horrible anti football chicanery again with the ref continually turning his blind eye.

Seeing Mr Punch the Sunday league diver who never got a sniff substituted was most warmly received. As for that pig Huth what a sad replacement for a footballer not fit to be on the same pitch as Jagielka.

Had the ref and those two dopey assistants shown any spine then I reckon we could have put eight past them.

On the indirect free kick issue I've never understood why any free kick can not be scored from. Although as I recollect the ref has to raise his arm as he blows the whistle to allow the free kick to be taken this indicates that the kick is indirect. If Baines or Mirallas had scored that I would have been delighted.

Watched it a few minutes ago. David's account is bang on.

Lukaku definitely alters Huth's attitude which was one of real aggression towards Mirallas.

I knew Mirallas had stood his ground, but I focused on him as he was dragged away to our bench. I thought I got a glimpse out of the corner of my eye of the big fella stepping in with force.

Don't mind that one little bit. We have allowed ourselves to be bullied for too long.

Imagine what a player you would have if you could get Lukaku angry and keep him angry ? Grrrrrrrrrrr

At his current rate of scoring he may end up with 26/27 goals. An unbelievable record for the season and the best since Lineker(?)

However, like you I just watched it again and Lukaku getting involved with Huth thus moving him I disagree.

Huth, in my opinion decided he would move away from the handbags himself, not at all because our man showed a little bit on camaraderie and all.

No, it's six of one as the saying goes. Actually reminded me of Ferguson all those years ago!

Oliver, Huth was still giving it the John Wayne when Lukaku grabbed him by the scruff, then he walked away.

The FA site shows the following re indirect free kicks
Link

It has to be said. The BBC put out the stats in response to their own experts saying Lukaku doesn't do it against big teams.

He's clearly not alone.

Never let the facts get in the way of a good story.