Everton's under-performers rediscover their mojo in exciting win over Wolves

Siggy and Delph were great through the centre, Iwobi and Richalison were electric in the wide positions, and Kean looked lively up top, but for me Gomes was immense.

I'd imagine Delph will get a lot of plaudits, rightly so too, and Richalison was brilliant, but Gomes won everything, every 50/50, every 60/40 and 70/30 also, but for me he just run the game doing all the dirty work.

It's a shame we have the international break now, but always better to enter one of these periods after a win than a loss.

Let's hope the real Everton have shown themselves today! 👊

Silva changed players and tactics more than I expected. He first of all changed the forward line with Iowbi, Kean and Richarlison. Iowbi on the right, coming into the centre at every opportunity. Kean a holding centre-forward role and Richarlison on the right wing. . . not his best wing. Iowbi took full advantage on the wing and centrally engaged the defence. Kean did struggle in his role as did Calvert-Lewin and Tosun. But Kean managed to get turned and face his marker. What's more, he did try to get past them, though was unsuccessful.

The goal that Richarlison got midweek did him the world of good, as the goals he got today will also. He worked very hard tracking back, something that wasn't in Lookman's game. Both Kean and Richarlison showed their youth, getting caught out on occasions with their decisions.

The big change in my opinion was in midfield. At last, Everton have a pivotal player in midfield in Delph; I hope he stays fit. He managed in play to be in a pivotal position going forward and defending with the players he was supporting, aiding movement and dictating the tempo of the game.

When Wolves attacked, he positioned himself in front of the central defenders, so that Everton appeared to have two lines of defence. This had the advantage of allowing the centre-backs to move up in support, not fearing being caught out of position. Reply also offered cover. Mina took full advantage.

Delph was constantly linking play and in the right position going forward. This freed up Gomes, who still needs to find a higher gear, and more importantly Sigurdsson, to be more creative in attack and the main playmaker in the final third. There is still work to do in the final third as players get up to speed and improve in link play through the centre. There was very little wrong with the link play going forward on the wings.

Today Everton didn't miss Gueye's tackling, which I thought at times was too deep, and brought the team shape too deep. A byproduct was pressurised possession, resulting in defending too deep and not enough pushing up, which did not happen today. Reply allows defenders to do their job.

Silva had the right tactics and the right players on the field today. What's more, Schneiderlin and Davies are options that would play well with Delph in this privotal role. No wonder Schneiderlin was in the opposition penalty area midweek. A lot of work will have to go into keeping Delph fit, the best signing of the Summer and none of us realised so at the time.

Not just for his overall play, but having a proper leader there in the centre of the park is something we have sorely lacked for a long time. I think the knock-on effect of that throughout the team could prove quite significant.

Jerome #2, good analysis, especially of Delph's contribution. I do believe we continue to miss Gueye, but Delph adds something crucial defensively by controlling the ball so well that he prevents turnovers and counter-attacks.

Team, and individual confidence, is so important.

However this won't be easy as the main culprit, our Captain, will be away on International Duty. I'm so glad that Richarlison was on form for scoring today otherwise those 3 lovely points could have been 1.

However, there are vast signs of improvement taking place, and luckily our South American and African contingency will not be away for the International Break.

You are right: Everton miss Gueye, but I felt at times the defence and particularly the right flank were too dependent on him.

Delph does not do defenders jobs for them but does offer cover. Scherneiderlin tried to do the same job as Gueye and got sent off and was lucky not to injure himself or someone else. Gueye could tackle 20 times a game and not even get a warning.

There will be games when Everton will have to be more defensive and break up play, Gueye was made for games like that. Hopefully a fit Gbamin will go some way to fill that void, but it will be impossible to fill it completely.

I think that Brands and Silva realise that and have changed the midfield accordingly. Maybe they let Gueye go because they wanted to change it.

Special praise for Richarlison. What a player he is when on-song. He put in a real shift, was a constant handful, and showed he knows how to finish. No reason he can't hit 20 goals this season, even operating from a wide position.

One point that I haven't seen mentioned elsewhere... Today marks the first league game in 23 years that an Everton matchday squad hasn't included an Academy graduate.

Yes, it's the modern game. Yes, plenty won't care. And yes, many will feel Tom Davies et al aren't showing enough to justify a spot in the squad. But I still can't help but feel it's a shame that this run has come to an end.

It's early days and players are starting to get used to it, but at last we seem to be more attack-minded with quicker build-up play. Mind you, we have some new attackers on board as well.

In Iwobi and Kean, who I believe have added a new dimension, okay Moise Kean hasn't managed a goal yet, but has only been played from the bench until Wednesday and today, so it is only fair to not expect too much from the 19-year-old.

In my opinion, it was too easy to set up against Everton. Today it wasn't as easy. To some extent we can be thankful to the match midweek and layoffs for red cards and injuries, which forced Silva to change the team and allow new players to be tried. It could also be Silva was forced to change tactics. Delph just did the job he learnt over the years. Something that are midfield players weren't capable off.

If this all had not have happened, we would be making the same progress as last year and heading into the international break hoping that a rest and more training would change things. It wouldn't have had, as we all have found out in many occasions.

Delph in this pivotal role will bring out the best in the players around him and hopefully others will take note, learn and mimic him. Davies, Bernard, Schneiderlin, Calvert-Lewin, even Tosun will all benefit.

I agree with Alex#8 that young players from within Everton have to be introduced to the squad as well. It is a concern that they are not being introduced and loaned out young players are brought back, having got more experience. I hope the loaning out of young players is not just to reduce wages, but to develop players. Is Brand thinking the Academy is not good enough. What is he doing about it then?

Even Holgate needs to play, his distribution during the Lincoln game was as good as Minas, if not better with 10 completed long passes.

Kean will score, but he has to be part of an Everton team that can vary its challenges all over the field. It is only by doing this that Everton can achieve the relentless intensity necessary to challenge in all competitions.

Great displays by Jordan, Charlie, Alex, Fabian and Siggy.

Plenty of room for improvement but a great boost for confidence and going to a bogey ground time to rest the Bournemouth bogey this weekend.

Another day last season and the year before, I'd say Everton would have capitulated.

Great teamwork and crossing, long may it last.

Wolves are a good side, but they're not a great footballing side that plays the ball out from the back, they rely on a lot of long balls and directness, plus they use black arts. They seem a bit overrated by the media. But we broke them down repeatedly.

Similar with Lincoln, who look like a pub team, readily broken down.

So, on the face of it, it looks like we're developing some fight, less fragility, and more options going forward, to add to the obvious footballing qualities we have. The latter enabled some great performances against top sides last season, and hopefully the former will enable us to deal with the lesser teams including those who park the bus.

I think we have found our new Gareth Barry in Fabian Delph, he is the optimum professional who goes about his work without any fuss. His ball retention and passing ability are there for all to see, but what impressed me the most was his ability to be in the right place at the right time. I think Gomes and Sigurdsson benefited from having Fabian in there as he offers so much more going forward than Schneiderlin but also gets about the park quicker as well.

Great to see Richarlison back on the goal trail, and Iwobi looks to be a great addition to the team, 2 goals in 2 games — what a start. I posted on Saturday that I think this could be a season when the top 6 arent the usual suspects, and I think ourselves and Leicester and Wolves will challenge for those places.

My only concern is should we have bought an experienced striker as I think its a massive ask to rely on 2 young men to play in that position and deliver the goals that will be needed to secure a top 6 or even better place.

Young Kean looks very exciting and I am sure he will be a success given time, and Calvert-Lewin, while putting in a shift every game, is still struggling to score.

What defending would you recommend our captain practice.

Coleman was directly involved with the first and indirectly for the 2nd but he is a defender so he should be involved.

Unless we concede via a glaring mistake, I'm not sure why we need a scapegoat.

I felt Silva could have made the substitutions a little earlier. We were running out of steam and ideas, you felt that their equaliser was imminent.

Delph was outstanding. The captain's armband should be his. No disrespect to Seamus, but Delph looks a natural commander by example. He misplaced only one pass all afternoon. I thought that Richarlison worked hard and took his goals brilliantly.

Moise Kean is not ready. I believe the boy will be something special, but he is having difficulty finding space as yet.

Unlike many on here, I am still a fan of Calvert-Lewin, his selfless contribution to the team often goes unnoticed by his critics, seemingly because of his obvious poor goal return. However, he gives us options as does Tosun. But I would still like us to sign an experienced proven goalscorer in the January window, to complete what is becoming an extremely competitive squad.

I like Iwobi too, he brings something different, seems always to want to be involved and committed. He looks like a team player, a good player to have in the dressing room a good positive character. He has been popping up at at the right time and scoring important goals. he is cementing his place.

Richarlison has taken a few games to get back to form, midweek he was looking sharper, yesterday sharper again. He is a top-class player.

Kean is showing glimpses of what he can do, he is desperate to perform well. He needs to keep on giving his all and be focused, the goals will come I have no doubt about it. It will be difficult for him being so young in a new country in the best league in the world. But with support from the fans and belief from the manager he will become a fantastic player for us.

Pickford made some good saves. I thought Gomes was superb... And what a player Delph is, keeping him fit is paramount.

The best thing about the game was the character we showed after losing a lead, twice. Last season, and for many seasons before that, our heads would have dropped and would quite possibly have gone on to lose, never mind regaining the lead again!

Delph is our new Gareth Barry in many ways – an old head, well coached, steady, keeps the ball moving and provides cover/makes himself available at all times. He's a class act.

We looked suspect on crosses – it was mayhem on our box a lot of the time, and Pickford did really well catching a few. He looks as though he's worked on that over the summer. A good win against a very physical Wolves, but we do look a bit too open for my liking.

Bringing on Calvert-Lewin and Bernard changed our focus, Pickford started banging a few long balls up and Calvert-Lewin won most of them, with Bernard feeding off him. I doubt if we'd have scored the winner any other way and it was Bernard who fed Digne to stick the cross in for Richarlison to score.

Gomes was pretty dreadful first half but in the second half, particularly after Wolves scored their second, he was absolutely superb. It was like watching an episode of the Incredible Hulk, he seemed to turn into a different player and the Wolves lads were just bouncing off him. Brilliant.

Delph MotM for me, but special mention for Sigurdsson in what was his most effective game in a long time. Great game, great atmosphere at the end.

Having said that, I prefer to have the emphasis on attack, when you do that you invariably make yourself more prone to concede goals though, its swings and roundabouts, al la my mate Roberto.

I think our defence at the back is decent they haven't conceded many goals. If we can keep our key players fit we will be right up there at the season's end, I think we have the best squad now than for a long time.

That's where we will miss Gueye, breaking up attacking play. Silva is trying to dominate possession in the middle of the field, rather than curtail opposition play. Everton players do a lot of tracking back. But there will be games where Everton will have to set up shop and stifle play.

Everton in these last two games have conceded two goals on each occasion. Against better sides, they may struggle if they don't tighten up more. Players can get in on Pickford too much for my liking if challenged, since the start of the season.

Eight goals, five scorers, we are going to be difficult to stop scoring. Who needs a centre forward?

Always amusing when those players that were 'disappointing signings lacking ambition' 2 weeks ago turn out to be big contributors to a step up in quality of the team play. Perhaps Brands & Silva actually know what they are doing?

For the older heads amongst us, a transformative central midfield player who is aggressive, a leader and can pass but has a suspect injury record reminds me more of a captain we had in the 1980's than Gareth Barry. Let's see what we think of him by Xmas.

Without doubt, the technical staff will study the goals we concede to the n-th degree, but I fancy that will be to unveil systemic errors rather than focus on individual player errors (important as the latter can be).

For example, I have no doubts that Everton would have prepared for the threat of Traore down our left flank. Digne would have been briefed on that.

The 'failing' on Wolves first goal for me was primarily caused by Digne's inability to first get to the ball quicker ahead of Traore to clear his lines. Having failed to do that, he was then too easily bullied and turned allowing Traore to get in behind the defence with ample time to play in the centre he did. THAT sequence was the primary cause that we were exposed on their first equalising goal.

Seamus for me was unfortunate. If you watch the play, his body shape was correct. He attempts to turn away from the goal (facing his own goal, back to attackers) with attackers looming. As it was, he could have let the ball continue its trajectory and then followed the ball with no Wolves player threatening behind him, but Seamus wasn't to know that.

Derek's description of Seamus 'juggling the ball in front of goal' is not a fair or accurate one. The ball hits his planted left foot and falls invitingly for the forward to knock in. It wasn't a poor or deliberate error by Seamus. It was more unfortunate than that.

The team and Digne quickly learnt from that in-game and Traore, thankfully, didn't threaten to repeat the play for the remaining 80 minutes of the game.

Their second goal was again, for me, a systemic failing. Again, the team would have been briefed and set up to defend from long throw-ins close to our penalty area.

Now all game at set-pieces I was concerned that Delph seemed to be detailed to mark some of their biggest units. It was he and Gomes who were on 'Boly watch' for their second goal and neither competed strongly enough to defend against the Wolves' man's knock-on. Digne again was culpable in letting the goalscorer run off him to knock it in.

Whilst it is imperative on all players to follow the Bobby Robson mantra when defending – "Don't be the dozy bugger that doesn't do his job" – of greater importance is the system and team strategy to defend against expected attacking lines from the opposition. On that measure, we didn't do very well on the two Wolves goals, but I hope we will have learnt from it.

Traore should have been flattened rather than allowed to just brush past Digne.

The cross should not have been allowed to go across our goal by Pickford, Kean or MIna and Seamus should have followed the first rule of football and simply put the ball out for a corner.

Having said all that, I thought we played very well overall and dominated a very good game of football.

It also shows you how important confidence is because, after his Lincoln contribution, Richarlison looks alive and motivated again and, once Gomes started to realise he isn't a bad player, he wasn't (if that makes sense).

Just read that and you could see that attitude in the last two games. Previously we've greeted adversity with a shrug of the shoulders and said “It's one those days.” I think Delph and Iwobi will help change that.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/graeme-souness-leap-imagination-over-16851235

Now that seems a step forward from previous decade.

Promise I hadn't seen it first!

I'm not at all having a pop at Gana, whom I was sorry to see go, just so pleased that on early showing we seem to have a more than adequate replacement. And an added bonus seems to be his winning mentality which we sorely need. I'd better not judge any more players, my arse-seeing has put me off me tea.

For our winning goal, do we blame their right-back for not stopping the cross, Boly for not heading it clear, or do we say it was a fantastic cross and a great header?

1st rule of football. what does that even mean.

Score more than you concede? Always keep a clean sheet.

Out of these two supposed first rules people say sometimes, first one for me everytime.

The second rule about football is: Nobody talks about football.

Here on ToffeeWeb we break these rules far too often, so to balance things, I talk a lot of bollocks.

Would hate to see all my posts over the years.

Also, my experience in the proverbial bar is that it is usually very funny with that self-effacement that means we all accept each other's views and admit our episodes of nonsense.

Long may it continue!

Stan #32, Traore went past Digne because Traore is one of the fastest and most powerful footballers on the planet. He's not very good, but his physical gifts are extraordinary, and he caught Digne off-balance. I don't think Digne was tired -- on the contrary, I don't think a fatigued footballer bursts past two defenders and delivers a perfect far-post cross for an 80th-minute gamewinner.

Dermot #42, you'll be happy to know I've saved all your posts for posterity. Also for blackmail purposes. Old guy like me needs an extra income stream in retirement.

It's the same in attacking play. Once Kean gets a goal, it will do him a world of good and he has been close. Richarlison's goal midweek really helped him. Kean has shown his potential, but a goal would do a lot for him and it will come.

Everton need to develop this aspect of play.

Agree about Traore, a beast, I think though we will counter that threat differently next time round. I thought Lucas was a bit too friendly with him and needed to do what Wolves were doing all day long, ie fouling him to within an inch of the law, and a bit more if necessary.

Like the blackmail idea. There is enough material been spouted on here to pay for the the new stadium and a free round of drinks on the opening day.

Everton for whatever reason never look to utilise the early yellow to expose other teams. Surely if you have a player on an early booking, you look to run him ragged. This either gives you a chance to score or you're playing 10 men which increases your chances to WIN. It's like it's some 19th bad form to expose the opposition.

Against Villa, we got the right back on an early booking, then did fuck all down that side for the next 85 minutes.

Two bad goals given away by us, but we deserved the win. Their keeper kept them in it, and Wolves looked flat without Mourtinho or Matt Doherty. I thought Delph was excellent.

Also, he's away from his home country, probably for the first time in his life. He's also got the weight of expectation, and a big(ish) price tag.
He's going to make mistakes, and he's going to try too hard (that's how teenagers respond, when they're trying to please).
But, at the end of the day, is there an exciting footballer in there, waiting to get out? ….. you bet there is!

Fabian Delph is exactly what we need. He doesn't do anything flash. I remember a distinguished cricket coach, saying that Sachin Tendulkar doesn't do anything wonderful, he has simply perfected the basics. Delph does the simple things to perfection. That means, that Gomes is then released, to do the thrilling stuff!

Jordan Pickford has, somewhere, had a 'Road to Damascus' moment. He is now mature, dependable …. and catches EVERYTHING! I wonder, if, like Ben Stokes, he realised, that drunken nights out, leading to brushes with the Police, were the path to nowhere!

Clearly as an attacking unit there's a decent team in there, but defensively I have my doubts. We're too open in midfield for one, and if we play like we did against Wolves all season, we'll win a few and get murdered by some teams.

Nicholas@50 makes a good point about Kean – he's essentially a child in a foreign country, playing a mans game. Give him time, cut him plenty of slack, the kids talented and needs close nurturing, as per Marcel Brands when we signed him.

I always thought Delph was a decent player. Glad he's still got 'it'!

Nice to see Moise Kean playing, I really want him to score, for his age and experience is great, what a signing and completely transformed the attack but was clearly tired later.

DCL?, what can I say, a genuine and extremely hard working player and with Dunc's help might go places, one of which would be picking the ball out of the opposition net a la Sigurdsson. Until then, you cannot repeat you CANNOT have a no. 9 who doesn't score.

I wouldn't have given him the no. 9 because it's too much on young shoulders and he is not the best player in that position although after he came on he was vastly improved compared to Villa (which isn't saying much).

He is a possible impact player to come on and rough up the opposition defence but should not be our first choice. By the way, Silva's idea of relying on last year's players came badly unstuck at Aston Villa, yes we had injuries and yes, players need time to settle in but a half fit Gomes and a midfield lacking Gueye simply won't work, we were punished. Difference between the 2 games? The middle of the park, the spine played much better.

Get our central defence pairing over their teething troubles in time for the top teams and we might get some much needed decent form and look like a side that can challenge for Europe.

One last thing, I don't know about anybody else and perhaps, this was almost inevitable but the irritating, petty and vindictive booing by a minority of supporters of Lyon and Siddle was extremely embarrassing.

They were here as guests presumably of Tim Cahill, so it was a kick in the teeth for him, one of our greatest players and besides which, apart from playing for Australia, what harm have they done? Decent hardworking cricketers wearing Everton scarves, I hadn't realised that we had suddenly morphed into Headingley or suddenly all been overcome with patriotism, Everton fans have more in common with the down to earth Aussies than with the stuck up MCC, come on you Aussies.

Don't think it was embarrassing as such. Perhaps some are just too sensitive. You can bet the Aussies aren't and if I'm not mistaken, I saw them both have a bit of a laugh at the reception.

Everton should have been prepared for this. The defensive lapses need to be addressed if Everton are to stay up with the top guns.

Richarlison, Keane, Coleman, Digne, Pickford and a few others seem to genuinely care if we win!! Long may it continue!

I should know better but I'm optimistic again!!

I was mildly surprised that most people were basically sympathetic to my opinions on our Aussie cousins but two points:

1. John, thank you, fine until your barbed remark, “maybe you witnessed it from television”. No actually, I was there and am a season ticket holder in the Gwladys Street where most people actually applauded apart from one idiot behind me who booed very loudly.

2. No, of course neither Lyon or Siddle would have been embarrassed because they are tough but I was because of their treatment. Of course, perhaps at another time/another place they should have expected “nowt” else but NOT at Goodison, they took the trouble to wear scarves and were there as guests of Tim Cahill. If England cricketers, by some fluke, appeared as guests of a former English player at an Aussie football ground, I would not expect them to be booed. Also, it appears that their “crimes” appear to be that of wanting to win, oh dear, not cricket.

Neville, Brent, John Sr...., apologies but who was being booed and why? Who are Lyon and Siddle?

I'd liken the mild booing to that of an audience booing the pantomine villain, which the two Aussies WERE bearing in mind we're in the midst of the Ashes.

I could imagine Tim telling 'em "You'll probably get a bit of stick."

I could also imagine them replying "Wouldn't have it any other way mate."

Kean is a bit raw but it was his first game and he will almost certainly play a major part this season. Team spirit also seems to be on the rise and finally, this team is gaining an identity.

You usually play games (and sport) with your friends and win, lose or draw, you want to beat the buggers as much as anything, but at the end of the day, we all remain friends.

I am losing a long Scrabble championship against my wife, but today clawed two games back, so I am 19-11 down in a championship up to 20. It's our 31st wedding anniversary – but it didn't stop the competitive edge! We remain though, the best of friends!

One England player had to score all 20 of his penalties, and the England goalie had to save 5. And the England goalie was wearing spectacles.

Against their great rivals who, as Brian #67 says, play the role of fantastic rivals, fearsome opponents and pantomime villains.

That's kind of what happened.

Just missed out that the goalie's glasses kept steaming up and he stopped each time between penalties to wipe them clean!

Did the Sheffield branch of t'family get across to see any of it live?

Can't wait for tomorrow's test at Old Trafford to start. It's gonna be a cracker! Hope the weather is set fair for five days.

(PS: Let's hope our posts go under the editor's radar...).

And Eddie, warmest congratulations on 31 years of a marriage so strong that it can survive extended competition on the Scrabble board. However, I must ask... are you 100% certain you clawed two games back today? I have a suspicion they might have been your anniversary gift from your wife. She might not have wanted to taint your special day by consigning you to final oblivion with victory #20. Just asking.

T'Blades side of the family are too engaged with their footie at present, Zouma having been put forward for beatification over the weekend.

I watched the Blades live a few times last season. They always impressed. Clearly well-disciplined and well-organized with everyone knowing - and doing - their jobs.

Chris Wilder is a rariety in football these days. Born and bred fan and ex-player of the club he now manages with an obvious affinity with supporters that 'gets' what the club is about.

I liked his quote after Saturday's draw at Chelsea: "We are not day trippers getting autographs and collecting shirts."

I genuinely hope they do well and stay up (apart from two games, of course!).

Another PS: the above was written as a pretence to disguise the real intent of my post - Warner out for another duck!

'ave at 'em, England!

It's currently lunchtime, but Smith is moving ominously.

Early days yet but I think he will prove to be an excellent signing for the Blues and taking over the captain's job, which he already does anyway.