Everton shrug West Ham off at the London Stadium

Glad to see Anderson is out of their team.

Cracking half. Can we put 90 minutes together?

Just 3 words my Brazilian commentator has used to describe Everton's relentless attacking in that first half.

He also has a great name for Bernard: 'Alegria nas pernas' .

'Joy in the legs!'

Delighted the wee man got the second goal from a very slick move. I hope nobody overlooks Siggy's part in it, chasing down the 'keeper who shanks the ball to one of ours to set up the counter.

We have been blisteringly brilliant. Without question, the best 45 minutes of football we have played all season. How we aren't 4-5-even 6 to the good is a mystery.

We're pulling WHU out of position all over the park. It's as if they don't have full backs.

Now Blues, don't do a Newcastle on us and there's more goals in this for us.

Silva is starting to influence the team into how he wants them playing. Four clean sheets in last five games and a threat going forward.

Looking very solid at the back which is pleasing!

Where has this football been all season? The front 4 pressing high up the pitch and failing that Gana and Gomes winning possession deeper, then attacking en masse at a gallop.

Could have and perhaps should have been as many as 4 or 5 goals to the good but they played exactly as I want the side to do, none of the static dithering we've been accustomed to, but real purpose and cohesion.

West Ham had absolutely no answer.

Miles to go but that was joyous and we managed the second-half beautifully. Gomes, Gueye (who has been absolutely top notch all season), Bernard and all of them were great. But Gomes in particular, my word; that man has been transported from the realm of Everton forms.

No complaints though. Better team by miles!

Picks - 8 (launched a simple clearance into row Z)
Coleman - 10
Keano - 10
Zouma - 10
Digne - 10
Gomes - 10
Gana - 10
Rich - 10
Bernie - 10+
Siggy - 10
DCL - 10

So many slick moves I lost count. First class football today.

Well done Marco, you get the plaudits for sure. Nice one.

All players were good today and passing was a lot better, but not getting too carried away West Ham were poor today, not taking the polish off the performance, but let's see how we cope with the Arse next week.

There will be big bumps in the road but this is the manager we need. Credit to Steve Ferns for seeing it; I didn't.

Positive run to the end of the season and take 7th? This will help keep and attract the correct players.

Pleased Seamus had a good game again!

The players seem happy! Come on boys let's get 7th and push on!

I know w ham were poor but we were brilliant and if that is what he Is trying to do then I can't say anything negative.

Need to tie down Gomes on a permanent deal and get Guye to sign a new contract.

Dave, spoke to john McFarlane Snr yesterday on the phone yesterday he's up for this get-together. I am speaking with the Manager of Wetherspoons tomorrow about reserving a bit of space and seating on the 21st April, from 16.30 onwards, will keep you posted. My mobile is 07565140075 if you need to get in touch or give me your's or Tony's number.

Tremendous all round team performance the only slight criticism being we should have been out of sight at half time.

So much to enjoy. Slick, quick, close and tight one-two all over the park which constantly bamboozled the home team.

Every single one of them were on their game today. Richarlison was back to his very best, both in attack and in his defensive duties.

He played the same role for Brazil in their two games this week and I was pleased he was substituted in the 2nd game because he was chasing down everything like he did today.

I think Silva did himself, Richarlison and the team no favours in persisting with the lad as centre forward as long as he did in our barren spell. He is so much more effective facing the goal than playing with his back to goal.

I think the subs could have come a lot earlier too. DCL in particular was blowing for tugs long before Tosun came on.

But some truly sumptuous football on view today.

I doubt Silva has been telling them anything that different to what he's told them all season. The big, crucial difference is confidence. We had it after the Chelsea game and it transforms us.

So pleased Bernie got a goal. I said on the thread this morning that he should be getting 6-8 per season. And I think he could next season.

More please.

Seamus for that second goal, after all his struggles, was uplifting to watch.

I feel 20 years old after that game. Let's get properly behind Silva and this potentially exciting team. We still need Mr Brands to do his stuff in the summer, of course.

Last 5 games has seen us take 10 points, score 9 goals, concede 2 and keep 4 clean sheets against a mixture of relegation candidates top 6 teams and a mid-table dweller. We have definitely seen a gradual shift to a more confident team. Next Sunday will be tough but after that we're at Fulham. 4 points?

Loads to learn and improve, but taking stock, and for me possibly our best team performance this season. There was 14 Captains on the park today and all were professional and we played like a team.

The next match is another big game, massive, but potential for setting up good momentum for, a grand finish to this season.

Spike the Gunners, and keep this level going and GP will do the rest next week.

No delusion yet, but it's deffo winnable. Happy Celebrations tonight Evertonians, and for those staying over down the smoke, and for those on car and train, safe passage home.

Optimism, no more but genuine optimism, tonight, as the team looks like it has regained its belief.

NB Any one know why MS wasn't in today's squad?

My opinion is that the Everton I saw today was a joy to watch, the standout performers in an excellent team effort were, in my opinion, Gomes and Gana Gueye. We have played poor sides on many occasions; today, we did to West Ham, what we should've done to those other teams.

I see that Derek Knox has told you that he phoned me up regarding a 'ToffeeWeb' get together. I have informed him that I will give him my full support, and that includes publicising it as often as I can. Those who have attended the two previous gatherings – my 80th birthday celebration and Mike Gaynes's visit as part of his European tour – had a great time.

I had hoped that such meetings would become a regular occurrence, a chance to put faces to names and to exchange experiences as 'Blues'. So come on, 'ToffeeWebbers' – Derek is putting a lot of effort into this venture.

Their manager is one of the Best, and it will be good to see, such a good test, but with GP, in top vocal form, and passion, we could get the massive home win, to kick on for the rest of this season.

Now for the injury role call.

Nb I hope Zouma, asks to move, to EFC, but fate, and it's twists, could work out for EFC, for once.

I really hope so, as I see him and MK, showing good signs.

A good day and result, the Ides of March have been reasonable, for a change, for EFC.

Today, and for Richarlison - for the last few games, both wingers played as midfielders when we didn't have the ball. There were two banks of 4 consistently, which weren't there a while ago.

I think it will be difficult for Lookman to break into this team now until he learns his defensive responsibility, and I don't think Walcott will ever learn it.

The link up play between the wide players seems to be getting better and better on both flanks.

There have been many mistakes this year, but maybe Silva has started to learn from these and is tweaking his formation accordingly.

I read Dereks post and will be going to the afternoon/ evening gathering to greet Andy Crooks on his trip over from Belfast, I hope he gets a good turn out, remarkable how he made the effort to come to Liverpool to meet Mike Gaynes, even though he didn't have a ticket for the Derby game at Anfield, I hope to see you there.

This team is playing some fine football and did so in patches earlier in the season; football not seen from us for a very long time. Let's enjoy the fact instead of always worrying about what might be around the corner.

That sort of reflex timidity is a big part of Everton's longstanding problems.

Lets hope Steve Ferns prediction that the 17 day break would enable Silva to spend some proper time coaching the players comes home to roost..

As someone who has constantly criticised Silva and defended the players I agreeably eat humble pie tonight we were superb throughout the team and very well organized.

I have said in the past the players played like they were playing with strangers but today there were 3 or 4 players around the ball consistently whether we had it or they had it.

A great weekend for all Blues and long overdue.

And again, it's easy to spot a good coach when he's managing a side you follow. It doesn't make me all-knowledgable. My Portuguese friends told me how respected a coach he was. His early career (pre-premier league) was quite spectacular, so it wasn't really seeing something no one else could, it was just having seen something others hadn't had the opportunity to do so.

I did say the big question mark was whether silva could turn things around. He had never had a sticky patch before and come through it. Sure, he had one at Watford, but he was fired before he could show if he could turn it around.

What Silva has now done is show he can turn things around. That he is resilient. He's almost there in terms of earning himself another season in most fans eyes, but the reality was that moshiri was never going to sack him, not unless disaster struck. This manager was “his man” more than any other. He was being criticised for not sticking with a manager, and he now had a director of football who is calm and has a history of sticking by the manager. I always believed moshiri would stick by Silva and that if given time, then the old adage of form is temporary and class is permanent would shine through.

I hope everyone has a great evening and that we can keep this going. We've a patch of form now, but we need it to become consistent. Just think of the momentum we will have if we can win next Sunday! End of season momentum can mean a great season the following year.

Time will prove, but it's a good starting point.

Now by all means, to beat Arsenal.

I hope to be home from holiday to meet Andy, for a pint after the United game, and look forward to meeting everyone else who is going.

If Everton can keep this form up, then it should be a very happy gathering, hopefully being surrounded by positive toffees, although three weeks is a very long time in football, so let's just enjoy today!

To anyone who was asking for us to play 442 in 2019, have a look at how easy it was to carve West Ham open. 442 will have its day again in about 10 years or so but you cannot concede that much space every time you lose possession, If Everton were more clinical and Fabianski less mobile then the scoreline would have been more embarrassing for the Hammers.

The green shoots of recovery to the general malaise appear to be here, Gana seems transformed after PSG were sniffing about. DCL is equipping himself very well for the future, Gomes looks a cut above any player we have on a technical level except Bernard and Richarlison is busting his nuts again for the team.

A serious question, does Theo Walcott have a clause in his contract to play some part in a game if he is fit? Come on Marco, it's your blind spot!

Some how I sense, a Hell, will rise in a good way for EFC, and a very worthy old foe, whose done us more than we can imagine.

Next week and This Team, will do the business. Beat Arsenal in good style, and the Crowd at GP, the best and revered Home Crowd, will see this Day, just like when we done them with AJ, and RL. In recent times.

Hope Eternal, as Everton.

I hope and pray we manage to buy Zouma and Gomes this summer. If we can add a top striker we will have an excellent side.

Confidence and self belief are so important, if only we had played like this after the 1st Derby.

The combination of Siggy, Gomes, and Gueye was excellent. Each with defined roles, but none static. Siggy won the ball back on many an occasion, really pressed them hard every time they got the ball, while still being the creative fulcrum. Gomes battled, won the ball, charged forward, kept possession, for me it was an excellent all-round performance, a proper no-8 and he really showed his potential. And Gueye was Gueye, covered more grass than a lawnmower at Buckingham Palace, tackled like the tackling machine he is and joined in the attacking moves.

Bernard seems to be getting better and better.

Zouma was imperious, first his leap for the goal, followed by his composure on the ball when in defense, he must be our no1 transfer target.

Good for Pickford to get another clean sheet, but his kicking is a bit wayward.

and a shout out to both Richarilson and Coleman, who I thought put in a very decent performances. The Former has had his critics, but he is working hard, falling over less, and this is the 3rd different position he has played this season and he hasn't complained. While the latter really did struggle to get back to his very high standards, but seems to be on an upward trajectory.

The football was brilliant and the attitude exactly what we want to see in each and every game; the forwards were going for the jugular every couple of minutes it seemed. The team played triangles around West Ham or just split them straight open so often it was impossible to count. Something really seemed to click and everybody was on their A game.

I think it must have been when Gana (obviously) took the ball off Lazzini for West Ham's first meaningful threat, it fell to Pickford who got it downfield so quickly for a 4 on 4 break that the pundit quipped; "It looks like there are two game of football going on here".

And people think Moyes' teams were dour. I have to say I'm surprised at that even taking Martinez' first season into account.

Really hope we can land Gomes and Zouma, and Gaye stays.

Be nice to know where we would be in the table, with a centre forward putting our chances away, from the beginning of the season, right up to today's game.

Calvert is coming along but a top class striker is a must if we are to move onto the next level.

I've just watched the whole thing and I completely agree. We could easily have won 5-0. Magnificent performance all round. The first half was an absolute joy to behold. It's the best we've played in a long, long time.

Bernard was superb. Coleman was his marauding best. I've given Richarlison plenty of grief but he deserves a lot of credit today too. No diving or sulking. In fact he looked genuinely happy out there. Maybe that's when he plays his best footy.

And lastly, a huge well done to Silva. We played them off the park and a lot of that was down to his tactics.

One slight anomaly that bothers me is his reluctance to use his subs. Richarlison was on his arse after 65mins and we have players like Lookman who need minutes. It just seems strange to ignore that.

I shouldn't complain after a win like that. It's great to be an Everton fan!

Happy days. Looking forward to the Arsenal game. A long time since I was able to say that.

Only disappointment was that we didn't win by 4 or 5, though honestly? After the Newcastle debacle, I think seeing out a 2-0 road win with a minimum of fuss in the second half probably meant a lot more psychologically.

What a class performance, all of them were very good.

I would say that Bernard was MOM and was unplayable at times. Gomes back to his best, DCL continues to impress but a special mention for Michael Keane who was awesome and looked every part an England international.

Marco Silva seems to be figuring it out and learning from mistakes I.e Newcastle - never looked like a repeat of that today.

Feeling so positive about the remaining games and already looking forward to next season particularly if we keep Zouma and Gomes and bring in a forward.

Fantastic support again today and met a couple of great lads on the train home.

Well done Marco, well done blues!

Second half not so great but solid and never looked like losing the lead. Defensively better. Kept that shape. Makes me think we may have a chance against Arsenal. Did I mention weird ?

The first half made you think. What if DCL had a top notch ball playing striker alongside him? What if DCL Could finish ? MOTD later kept talking about DCL and his strong performance and about him “learning to finish” ? Can you really learn to finish at this level ? I'm not sure at 22 that the ever willing DCL has lots of learning time. We've needed a true finisher for several years and I guess it's true that DCL might improve his timing which seems to be the reason he snatches at chances and rushes his shots. But this inate ability to cool finish off chances is something that is hard to find and it's why the 25 goal,a season guys are worth £100m now. If only we had one at Everton .oh wait, we did, sold him with two years on his contract, cheaply, and without a clue how to replace those goals. Not DCL's fault of course but if the lad could deliver even close to 15 or so a year we'd be on the way with that attacking three or four.

If the club looks at today's performance, and the Chelsea win, there's a glimmer of hope from a dire season. It's a horribly tough gig in the summer window. Should we spend £70m trying to keep Gomes and Zouma ? If we do then we'd have to see £50m raised from sales and I can't see that happening else the other four new players we need, two forwards, one centre back, one Gana backup won't happen.

Still, what a nice Saturday. And at last a decent return for our amazing away fans.

The lad is 21/22 and is getting better and better every game he starts. Good hold up play, big and strong whilst quick - a defenders nightmare. But for a top save he would have scored today, and his flick from the rebound to set up Siggy was a sign of a player with skill and improving confidence.

Next season he'll be a 15-20 goal striker, and probably will be so for the next 10 years. He will almost certainly be an England international.

Most improved player of the season, and could well save us 40-50 million in transfer fees.

Too early to make any definite judgements but we actually looked like a very good team. People are too quick to pick a man of the match. We are a team, played like a team and the whole team were "Men of the Match". Every Everton player was more than a match for their West Ham counterpart. Except for Pickford who was outmatched by Fabianski who prevented us from putting in six. This is not a criticism of Pickford who literally had nothing to do but act as a very happy spectator.

Do the same to Arsenal next Sunday .Please.

The last one was really good but we had to stand in a very busy pub with pint in hand, for the most part, until eventually we all managed to be able to sit down as a group, relax and exchange stories etc.

It's an early kick-off too which should not present too many problems regarding time, obviously some won't be able to attend for whatever reason, I understand and appreciate that, but all are welcome, thanks for your interest.

That team is expensively assembled. We should expect some performances out of them.

Despite the fact that it's a good team, full of good players, in the formation that suits them best... we all know what would have happened if West Ham had scored.

If they'd scored the first goal we would have abandoned the shape to have more attackers.

If West Ham had pulled one back we would have abandoned the shape to have more defenders.

Enjoy the moment.

PS. That Seamus Coleman looks a good player. Where's he been?

By that I mean every 6 months or so, it is unfortunate that the date does fall in with Easter Sunday, but I thought with it being a home game and early kick-off, it would give a better opportunity to get more TW's to attend.

So this team can play!!!✔️

And don't be surprised if I come strolling in the door at some point. My wife wants to "move house", as you folks would say it, and by mid-April I'm gonna want to be 5000 miles away.

Nice to be the “whipper” instead of the “whipped”, for a change.

Everybody had an outstanding match...except for maybe Pickford...but then he didn't have to, did he. Naw, just kidding. He played well. He was just bored, that's all.

You are right it is pure emotion and wanting Everton to do well, simple as that!

That performance last night is what the fans want to see - I know it won't be every game as better teams will counteract it etc but the commitment from the players and manager has to be like last night every game, win lose or draw

You know you would be more than welcome to arrive unexpectedly, which would give the members who haven't met you, the chance to meet a really nice guy and a good Blue, plus it would save the Manager the price of a stamp for your bill. :-)

Might have to put the house move on hold!

Hope you enjoyed that performance yesterday Mike, I had to keep re-adjusting my set, thinking I had the wrong match, but that's what Evertonians want, 100% commitment throughout, more often than not it will result in victory. Ruing the points we have squandered this season, we could easily have been where Spurs are now or better. Still, I suppose better late than never.

The transitions that Marco loves were excellent, interchanges calm and effective and speed of counter-attacks impressive. That's the standard now lads. If we can improve the final ball we have the making of a good team with a summer clear out and 3-4 quality signings.

It would be ridiculously premature to say we have turned a corner, but the football we saw yesterday was better than any of the zombie stuff served up by previous managers. Its been a long time coming, but you don't play good football by accident.

DCL is making complete mugs of those who write off younger players so readily. He's been written off as "championship at best" but this guy has a little more about him. He aint never going to be an Aguero, but he is already a very fine line leader and will only get better. Dont be surprised to see a cheeky low bid from one of the big boys trying to get him on the cheap before he is fully developed.

Bernard is beginning to make a mug of me. I thought he was too lightweight and too inconsistent. If he keeps this up. I'll be eating my words too

I still wont be convinced we have turned any corners until I see our centre halves defend consistently against teams who will bombard us with ale house balls.

I'll take this at the moment. All-to-rare back to back victories playing very nice football already has me dreaming about three on the bounce . . I wouldnt have said that at Chrimbo

I can only put it down to mild delirium brought on by a fine performance, a day spent in the sun, and a few San Miguels.

We looked like a team for 90 mins with everyone contributing. The trick now is to try and keep the same level of performance up against Arsenal.

The home Derby performance seems to have given the whole team a bit of a boost. Let's hope we can carry on that momentum.

Echo what everyone who has mentioned the away fans has said, because it would have been easy to give yesterday's game a little swerve, but “the travelling blue army” are what Everton Football Club, should always be about, and it's probably why we've played more top flight football than any other club in England, so I'm made up for the them!

The annoying thing is how can the same team be so bad and so good in a matter of weeks?

Bernard looking like he is getting to grips with the prem, and a great performance all round.

Arsenal next, Lets see which Everton turn up on the day.

West Ham were dreadful to be fair, and the only grumble is that Everton didn't score more. The side looked balanced, and with genuine pace and movement up front bought space for a decent midfield.

Gueye and Gomes were outstanding, with loads of support from Coleman, Digne, Sigurdsson, Bernard and Richarlison.

Perhaps Brands could find a younger, raw version but whoever it is will likely be inconsistent, flawed in some way. A little like DCL perhaps. I think he already has a lot of the elements and that his finishing and composure will improve with more goals and more time. I don't know if he will make it to top class but he's one of the better young strikers out there currently.

We still need another striker as I'm not convinced Tosun will be good enough without a run of starts that we can't give him. The question may be what type of second striker should we have. A similar type to DCL? A more physical player? Better finisher? Young or more experienced? I'd be tempted by Giroud on a free, hes got a season or two left and always gets goals even off the bench.

You only really improve when you are playing though, and if Lewin can start adding a few more goals into his game, who knows? The kid might even end up being the complete centre-forward.

As Geoff said @112, we just need a 15 to 30 goal striker to stand any chance of competing with the top 6. DCL has worked tirelessly but is he a natural goalscorer ? Time will tell, but the priority must still be to buy an experienced striker in the summer.
Getting rid of all the deadwood players, out on loan, should easily free up the money to provide the funds

But his running, link up play and all round game is pleasing to see. He's without doubt benefitted from a good run of games.

Forwards run forward. Quick incisive passing. Make the opposition retreat. Allow us to push up and support. Stop all of this passing back to the keeper nonsense just to retain possession because that's when things go wrong.

Unfair to compare anyone to Kane who has proven to be a top class striker. He can shoot with power with either foot and 90% of shots are on target. That's great ability not many forwards have. But yes DCL needs much more practice to improve that aspect of his game. I believe he will improve along with his heading.

This system demands that a player fulfills a dual role. It is unlikely that a player can be bought in that can fulfill such a centre-forward role. I doubt an available Lukaku would be on M&M‘s shopping list! Calvert-Lewin can improve on his finishing. He is not the only player that needs too and can.

Silva's system is dependent on self-motivated, where the player evolves into his role within the system. Silva has quietly persisted with his system and, at last, the players are getting up to speed. Silva has made mistakes, but his objectives are being realised. There is no way he will not see out his contract.

West Ham are a good footballing side, but they were up against a relentless Everton playing at a different level. Pellegrini looked like a Manager who knew he was up against it.

All that I know is that performance was the best that I have seen since the 1980s and they look like a side that could improve.

Like yourself, I too hoped that we could make these meetings regular events and I don't see why we can't, my thoughts are that we could have a June gathering to discuss post-season achievements (or lack of), and pre-season hopes/expectations, and a mid-season meeting to discuss all things Everton. Perhaps you may give me a ring to tell me what your thoughts are on my suggestions.

Silva's not going to waste time on Calvert-Lewin, nor Brands. If they don't think he's good enough, why would they? They'll lose their jobs if they do. He'll come good. He's always just needed games, and as he's getting games, he's improving before your eyes. The goals have started to come, at a trickle, and that can turn into a flood soon enough. Don't forget he's likely to work hard over the summer and come back even better. We all know he's a worker.

Gomes also looking like the player he was. And little Bernie is class IMO.

Let's see what team turns up next week

But no team plays at the top of their game all the time, but you can still expect a better level of consistency than we have seen especially in December. So that now is the test can this team play with the same passion they showed yesterday, with the same work rate. I am sure Silva will be looking for that consistency in the remaining games.

Then there's the Onyekuru situation, will we get a work permit for the lad, does he want to come, (although technically he is still our player) or will another Club (Bayern Munich) make us an offer we can't refuse?

Whatever happens Frank, I don't envisage many incomings, unless we can offload some, (or Marcel Brands can work some magic) we hope.

We have 6 games still to play, 3 against the top 6 so there is plenty of opportunity to show that finally things are starting to go in the right direction.

Let's not get too carried away just yet but hopefully, in 6 games time we can say that the last 1/4 of the season showed an upward trend.

On yesterday's evidence West Ham should have stuck with Moyes as the fortunes spent by the current manager do not seem to be having the desired impact.

Me and John Raftery were talking to a couple of West ham fans with our pint of Amstel, and they are still not impressed with the London stadium, saying exactly what I've thought on our previous visits there, that the place does lack atmosphere and the pitch is too far from the stands.

Overall, a great day out. As most are saying it could easily have been 4 or 5. How Richarlison hit the bar with his header I don't know? for me, Gomes and Gueye were probably our best two players, but really everyone played really well. Made that tedious coach journey back home almost bearable.

Only joking about West ham getting relegated by the way. I've always enjoyed our games down there and the hammers fans are really great.

That's why I got so pissed off with calls for Silva's head; what would that achieve? yet more disruption, players in, players out. I know its difficult to be objective as a football fan, but bigger picture and all that.

Apart from that, great performance and looking forward to the Arse next week. to get our second top 6 scalp.

The charge of the light brigade approach a la City/Shite gave the player on the ball options and time to run with the ball and lay off simple passes in behind.

The well timed runs do take a long time to instill consistently in a group of players. The patterns of play are now obvious to break the lines of the opponents.

For me - always the optimist thought it would take time and we need to be patient.

However I am so looking forward to the pre-season with one season behind him and a group of players he has been working with for months now.

Whoever brands adds to this will have a clear picture of what is expected and how to fir in with Silva's style of play.

Loving it!!

I was talking to a fire steward at half time (Arsenal fan), and he said pretty much the same thing about the stadium. Shame because it would be expensive to try and bring the fans closer to the pitch now.

I have also heard like you mention the problems with that stadium, apart from the costs, it has parity with the Moon, in lacking an atmosphere. The West Ham fans like you say are diamond geezers.

If Silva gets it right then we will be very good indeed and we'll be lucky to keep hold of him. He's not done that consistently this season yet but still the possible upside with Silva was and is far greater.

I think yesterday could arguably rank as our best 90 minutes in 2 years. I hope and believe there will be more where that came from.

For sure he is an enigma so far, With some games looking like a sure way of him not being at Everton next season.

Now it looks like something has happened, that he has gotten a good hand on the steering wheel, and is in control. Perhaps we don't have to look for yet another manager. What a relief that would be!

Schneiderlin not on the bench was weird. I believe he has bettered himself somewhat so perhaps he is injured? He will be gone in the summer, for sure, and, as the limited player he is, he will not be missed much, or remembered in a couple of years.

Very pleased for Bernard's goal, and also for the fact he played for the full 90 min+, as it shows he's up to the Premier League's standards physically.

Beating West Ham away is not easy, and they have a good team and an experienced manager. So this was a positive one all over.

Let's hope they can keep it up for the remaining 6 (?) games.

It would be a very decent turnaround if they managed to nick 7th.

Credit to Keane, DCL, Coleman and Pickford for finding some steady form. Credit to Richarlison for rediscovering his.

We will be letting go of a lot of players in a few months (hopefully?) and I doubt Mr Moshiri willl want to spend another £250m and so I don't think we'll have the squad to cope.

One of the domestic cups and a decent prem placing would do the club much more good than a euro gamble.

THAT's the Everton I'm sure most Blues crave. You cannot fault a single player for their quality or application yesterday. Yes, you can nit-pick and say not every pass came off, that the wrong option was chosen in some situations, that we could and should have scored more goals with better finishing. But, to use a Koemanism, 'that's football'.

The way we played yesterday would be a match for any team in the league.

There have been glimpses of yesterday's performance for spells during games, particularly in the run of games before the Analfield derby.

What has been absent was maintaining such scintillating football and good game management over 90 minutes of a single game, never mind over a string of games.

In the last 5 games since Cardiff away, increasingly, the players and the manager are showing greater consistency. But even in those games, there have been wild oscillations.

Cardiff was a wee bit bumpy early on, but once ahead we took total control of the game. Scoring 3 goals away to any PL opposition is not to be sniffed at.

Home to 'them', we went toe-to-toe, joined City and United as the only teams to deny them a goal this season and by the end of the game we were the team looking most likely to score.

Away to Newcastle, another dominant first half and in total control for an hour before the manager got it all wrong with his subs and we had a dreadful brain fart, conceding 3 goals in 20 chaotic minutes - the only goals we've suffered in this 5 game run.

That collapse of form continued into the opening half of the home game vs Chelsea. We were lucky to go in 0-0. The transformation in the 2nd half was total.

To that we can add yesterday's game, our standout performance of the season.

Taking the above - and the season as a whole into consideration - I personally won't be totally exonerating either the manager or the players just yet.

I've always believed we have a lot of good quality players at Everton. It's puzzled me how too often they haven't demonstrated that on the pitch. I've questioned their application and stomach for the fight when the going gets tough.

I've never called for the manager's head, although I've held reservations about him, specifically on his defensive record in the PL and his ability to turn a side around when they hit a barren run.

I have at times been bewildered at his 'school yard substitutions' in some games when we went behind, sacrificing all balance and shape to the team and throwing on a mish-mash of attacking players. Not once did that strategy work out and salvage the game.

Nor could I understand his persistence with the Richarlison as #9 strategy, together with selecting virtually an unchanged starting XI every game during our most barren spell in the fixture congested months of December and January.

So as good as yesterday was, it's only two weeks and a game and a half ago the same players played like rabbits caught in headlights against Chelsea; that Gomes was so hapless it was a mercy for him to be substituted.

It's only two and a half games ago we witnessed the demoralising 20-minute capitulation against the barcodes.

The standard was set yesterday, for both manager and players.

It's their duty now to maintain that, not only to the end of this season, but also going into the next.

Finally, a bit of enjoyment.

Throw in a willing runner upfront, it gives Sigurdsson and Gomes the space to pick a pass. Add in Gueye to buzz around for the scraps and you've got a balanced team.

So what does that tell you. Stick with that sort of side, and sign players that fit the brief. Shrink the squad in numbers, and aim for class. I'd far rather see 16-17 real stronger first teamers, and supplement with hungry kids.

Agreed. And not only pairs, but triples at times as well.

It's what good coaches strive to do: create partnerships throughout the team, which in turn dovetail with other partnerships across the whole park.

When it all comes together...LIFT OFF!!!

Yes we have been shit at times but its getting better and we were far more shit last year .

One thing I did notice from the WHU game was DCL's lack of composure in front of goal. Obviously he is young but emerging talent should be on the bench until they improve. With Fulham likely to be relegated I would love to see Mitrovic fill that spot.

Well done boys, a great win.

I've spoke out about Sigurdsson not fitting into the 4-2-3-1 formation we were playing around Christmas time, however when we have 2 wide players who know their defensive responsibilities and drop back into a midfield 4, Sigurdsson suddenly becomes a very important player.

I can't see Walcott or Lookman getting a sniff until the defensive side of their game improves dramatically.

Not wanting to mention a negative but that does bring us back to the perennial striker question

Altogether a great performance though and nice to hear the fans in good voice. It was a really eerie atmosphere first 20 minutes or so of second half I thought. West Ham never made a peep for the whole game and we were quite quiet after half time too. You could sense a nervousness as we (blues) know all too well how fragile a lead can be despite our total dominance to that point. As the match wore on though we got more confident and the crowd piped up again with some great away support. West Ham fans started leaving as early as 70 minutes which I found quite bizarre. Will take that as a compliment I guess :-)

It's helped Pickford not having to think about playing out from the back and helped us as a team.

Hopefully Silva has identified this fact and really does know what he is doing after all.

That last match was by far our best performance under Silva and a very mature one by Richarlison who has been a lot better since playing on the right.

We don't want to be steam rollered by any of these three, not that I think we will, but three good performances, and hopefully results, will give the team confidence going into next season, knowing we can compete with these so called big six teams.

Having said that Silva needs the one complete season to lay the foundation of his plans and despite many disappointing performances and results it could well be he is starting to tick.

The last five games in particular has shown a better attitude and with some Spring cleaning and strengthening here and there next season could well be a lot more rewarding.

We all, certainly hope so.

Right. Looking at the run in we play 3 of the top six. We are four points back. I would be very surprised if we finished about either of Wolves or Watford. We will have our hands full trying to finish above West Ham, Leicester and Bournemouth. We just let too many games slip by in the middle section of the season.