A second Calvert-Lewin hat-trick seals Blues win

Unless any more good links come in, it'll be that.

COYB

Pickford
Kenny Keane Digne Nkounkou
James Allan Delph Siggy
DCL Richarlison

Subs: Lossl, Mina, Coleman, Davies, Doucoure, Bernard, Iwobi

No Kean and Gordon on the bench!

I know i'd rather see Gordon to any of Bernard, Davies, or Iwobi.

Surprised to see James play.

Kean has clearly not impressed, and hopefully we can get a move for him and have time to get a 3rd striker in - Edouard from Celtic or Maxi from Valencia would be great.

Explaining their absence in the traditional ToffeeWeb way "It's probably something they said to Moyes and Round in training."

Maybe an indication that Kean is off soon.

Walcott is not in Carlo's plans , it couldn't be more clear, he will struggle to make the match day squad . If he wants to play football he will have to get his agent to engineer a move for himself.

It is a strong team selection, it will surprise West Ham and I like it that Carlo is showing some intent and that he is taking this very seriously. I am expecting a strong performance from us.

The talking point is who doesn't make the match day squad. Kean, Gordon and Walcott all absent.

Derek, wifi and tablet allowing, the VIP site typically only starts broadcasting very close to KO time.

Hope it comes through for you.

Stream now up and running a treat here:

Everton v WHU

Thanks for the tip. Looks much better than other sites on my phone

Otherwise, compact 2nd half if winning.

Wow. Messi kind of stuff there.

Not too shabby from Keane either.

We are so slick on the ball these days. If anyone has been wasteful on the ball, it's James! His radar just a wee bit off.

Who was about to give some grief to Michael Keane for his 360 degree turn on the ball, heavily under pressure, only to supremely turn away from his man and deliver a sumptious ball forward to DCL?

The #9 still had a bit to do, but his one touch to bring the ball down and second touch to finish was that of a man in form.

Nasty ankle turn for JJK. Hope he is OK.

One goal is never enough. Let's put this to bed early in the 2nd half.

A defender has become very much a priority now, I hope we go and get a top quality first team starter not a reserve backup player thar lowers the quality.

Not Sidibe, not good enough.

What was most pleasing was that the injuries didn't disrupt us mentally and indeed we maintained our crisp attacking system into which the subs slotted.

Let's carry on being different.

It's a big squad, we have plenty of options for Saturday.

This is why we get so annoyed at the ‘fans' who come on the internet slagging off our own young players.

Championship at best.

Delph, Siggy has good games and Keane is turning into a very impressive centre half.

Well done DCL. When was last everton striker to score successive hat tricks?

A lot of midfield sloppiness from us but it would be churlish to labour any complaints.

Hope the injuries arent too bad..bit of ice on that groin and ankle... be grand.

Next.

Feels weird watching an Everton side that don't crumble when the opposition score. If anything it seems to make us play better.

Jonjoe was playing well and Anderson didn't look like he fancied it against him, but it was an awkward twist, and I'd say 6-8 weeks.

It wouldn't surprise me if Richarlison was fit for Saturday, if not he won't have to go to Brazil, and should be fit and rested for the Liverpool game.

Delph, was very good, but even the hat-trick man can't get motm, after watching that tonight. I normally hate this shout because it's a team game, or even a squad game nowadays, the way Dacorue gave us so much more pace and power and really helped us when he came on, but how good was Rodriguez? I thought he was absolutely Incredible👏

Thing is, that's all he was for so long... Championship at Best.

Now, finally, after how many years, he's showing signs of being a real striker.

It's not "slagging off"... or "character assassination", as I saw on some other thread. I can't understand why some fans have this problem with other fans being honest and realistic.

The last 20 minutes proved we can still play and you can see the confidence in players who were absolutely shite last season..

A very good player now but more should come.

This team inspires confidence and belief and long may it continue.

The only downside is the injuries.," We shall not be moved" is back.

This team inspires confidence and belief and long may it continue.

The only downside is the injuries.,,,1,22:22:52,,73.5.194.39,ok,1597,09/30/2020 22:22:52,orchard25@bellsouth.net,reader,,,no 1097883,39971,toffeeweb,30/09/2020,Tom Dodds,t-dodds@sky.com,Well I hope people think this M Mouse cup was worth rhe price of 2 of our Best players and a shot at REAL silverware and a place in Europe's elite

F.all chance of the derby.
Fancy playin those two with a shot at winning a derby after all these years.

That was our priority.
Ie there would be more euphoria twettin them than lifting THAT 00 0,Well I hope people think this M Mouse cup was worth rhe price of 2 of our Best players and a shot at REAL silverware and a place in Europe's elite

F.all chance of the derby.
Fancy playin those two with a shot at winning a derby after all these years.

That was our priority.
Ie there would be more euphoria twettin them than lifting THAT 00 0,,,1,22:23:14,,31.50.28.97,ok,7839,09/30/2020 22:23:14,Doddsy,reader,,,no 1097884,39971,toffeeweb,30/09/2020,Mike Allison,mikeallison0026@hotmail.co.uk,"“Give it a rest”?

That's the first time I've mentioned it.

Slagging off a young player is such an easy, cowardly, negative way to approach being a ‘supporter'.

I bet you're ‘more than happy' now, but you don't deserve the success when your reaction to the tough times was so negative and unpleasant.

He was 21, learning his trade and doing a really decent job, but some people just wanted to focus on the negatives. And to then claim that you're the ‘honest and realistic' ones actually makes my blood boil.

That was good to watch, again.

We are so good on the ball, and for the first time in my time supporting this club, we are actually dictating games rather than passively responding to how the opposition set up.

And we constantly pass with intent. No aimless sideways stuff, there is always a plan. And the quality of passing is fantastic. Not just James, who's passing I could watch on a reel, but everyone's. What a transformation.

Let's hope the three injuries are not too bad for the three players involved.

The left back played well, Keane continues to get better and surprise (some of us!) and Digne was also very good.

I was cursing Iwobi, but his shot made the third goal, and it was great to see us taking the sting out the game, when West Ham were on top, whilst our last goal was simply beautiful football.

We have gone from a team who couldn't string six passes together, into one that can move the ball quickly, with simple five yard balls, which is only possible because of movement, and is hopefully something that is only going to get better.

I made up with Everton tonight, I thought the players were missing the crowd to help get them over the line, but they didn't need us, such was the quality at times!

I can't get too excited about the win because of the injuries to Allan, Richie and Kenny. I hope they are not too serious as Allan and Richarlison are key players for us and Kenny is essential backup for Coleman.

Shows the importance having some back up, there's 40+ games to,play and we will need a couple more signings to strengthen key positions.

If Godfrey can play DCM to a high standard as well as regular CB role he could be a perfect signing to cover for both positions, and push for a starting berth.

For the long season we will definitely need back up for the forward line too if Kean gets his move back to Juve.

Seamus with his renaissance, long may it continue. All the regular first 11 played well. Nooukou acquitted himself well against Yarmalenko; the lad can defend too.

The squad looks so much more composed and professional, it's hard to believe.

Hope the injuries aren't as bad as I'd feared watching the match.

Felt sorry for Bernard not getting on; he busted a gut against Fleetwood and can contribute.

Think Kean wants back home. Too bad. Think he lacks maturity tbh. We'll need to get in some cover up front in that case.

To win this game 4-1, was some feat and some superb finishing.

I salute Michael Keane and DCL, for their respective vision and sublime first touch and finish.

Richarlison, is becoming a warrior in every game for the EFC cause, and I hope JJK, recovers quick to fight for his place in the EFC squad.

Hopefully we can get a strong squad for Brighton. Beat Brighton, and then a week, to exercising Old Nick.

Show the same vision, belief and finishing each game, then, we have a chance of some great results.

4-1, win and some will say we didn't play well, well to hell, we won and won, well. You make and earn your luck in football, and for sure the team will have to, and will keep working hard to sustain this form.

The confidence barrel, is maturing nicely this season.

Long may it last, and now for Brighton.

All, Stay safe and well.

“ But Calvert-Lewin would very fortunately benefit when Iwobi's shot came back off the post and it fell nicely for him to convert his second of the night, 7th of the season.”

A bit grudging there Michael. He wasn't fortunate. He made it happen by following it up, like all good goalscorers do. He's a young man who has been learning his trade. It's not fortunate or a coincidence that he is scoring more tap in goals now under Ancelloti. He's working hard at staying in the middle of the pitch, evading defenders and following shots in. He's spending far less time out wide chasing dead balls.

The goals he has been scoring are exactly what has been lacking in his game previously. He was the difference tonight.

Like Prometheus or Frankenstein he hath created a monster, long may it continue. Hope the injuries don't come back to haunt us, win against Brighton, maintain our position at or near the top,then it's 2 weeks to get them all fit again.

A good tonic indeed tonight.

Just the other day on a thread Mike Gaynes and I were saying DCL can't shoot from outside the box. Others reckoned he can and does at FF. Maybe it's a confidence thing and obviously he felt brace enough to try tonight. Didn't end well but I was pleased to see him at least try and prove me wrong. He's got the tap ins down, if he can get the longer range shots he'll move to top level

We are playing with a confidence, and panache, I haven't seen for a long time. James and Allan have transformed the team and Carlo is weaving his magic.

It's early days but you can see the likes of Seamus, Delph, Sigurdsson, Keane etc... totally reinvigorated. Long may it continue.

Just hope Alan's injury isn't too bad, but I fear it'll be 3-4 weeks. Richi seemed not too bad, so hope he'll be right for RS. We've got a squad now though, we'll be right.

By the end though I was wishing Carlo took James off and played with 10, he's simply irreplaceable. What a player, galactico at Goodison!

Just read your other post telling me to lighten up Terry, and with my football head on, I find it a lot easier to make constructive criticism, when the team has won, and the player I was talking about scored three.

When he put one in the second half, his technique was very poor, and he ended up falling over, possibly even doing a forward role. He got up smiling, but he's playing with better players now, players who want to win, and the smile was replaced by a much more serious face, and this is what I want to see off Everton players mate.

It's good to see DCL around the the 6 yard box and scoring. It is a massive asset to be able to react fastest in the box to any loose ball or opportunity. DCL has been reacting fast regularly now and getting goals because of it.

There will always be an element of luck involved but I always believe that strikers make their own luck by being in the right place at the right time, having balance and alertness and banging them in before defenders react.

If we'd have got beat tonight cue the "another false dawn" shouts. To me Ancellotti has got it spot on. Go to win every game.

Much as I admire your loyalty, there are numerous ways to express your affection for the club, and critical analysis is one of them. I have been one of those who have doubted DCL's capacity to make it in the PL. I still do. A few goals in, what, less than a tenth of a season does not mean future stardom. He is not clinical, misses chances better strikers would bury. I recall Marcus Bent had one amazing season for us, then disappeared to the lower leagues. This is one very tough gig in the top division, even more so now.

When Everton contributed, what was it, 6 players to that England World Cup win, the guy who I thought would make it was Lookman. That hasn't worked out, shows you how hard it is to call future stars. Next up wasn't Dowell or Kenny but DCL because he has such strong physical attributes; pace, power. heading ability, stamina. I wasn't convinced by his technique. My hunch was Championship level. No shame in that, it's still a very good level. I'm, still not convinced by his technique but of all that group plus Davies, he clearly in in with the best shout now of making it at the very highest level. I really hope he does. maybe a modern Joe Royle if we really got lucky. But let's not set the expectation bar too high, as I say, PL is a seriously tough gig and it's hard to crack it for a sustained period.

Who was the last player to score a hat trick in successive home games? I am not 100% sure but I know Dixie Dean did so in November 1931 when he scored five against Chelsea and four against Leicester. So some room for improvement, Dominic!

Everton where on top for the first quarter but West Ham where able to spoil James play in the second quarter anf force Cal vert Lewin deep. They where probably happy to go in losing 1-0 and came out motivated in the second half half and caught Everton cold like West Brom. !!!!!

Thought Sigurdsson had a great game partnering James in midfield, with some great position play. Delph really good. Calvert Lewin took his chances cleaning and well, but balloned two shots over the bar. Richarlison was really good and Iowbi did well on substitution. As did Doucoure for Allan. Defence where solid and Keane passing was outstanding. Digne wasn't out of place and Colman added, on replacing Kenny. Nkounkou a real pro. Pickford confident without being cockie.

Really good team performance, but the injuries are worrying.

So by “real silverware” I assume you win the league? If so, you honestly think on one hand we are going to win it, but that on the other hand losing a couple of players for maybe a few weeks will be the difference between winning the league and missing out on “joining the Euro elite.”? Hate to break it you but realistically various players will miss games due to injuries or suspensions this year that have nothing to do with the “Mickey Mouse” cup.

I was told to lighten up, (only messing Terry!) but I thought it was significant how quickly his smile was replaced by a much sterner face, after James, gave him a little glare, and this is how he will get to the next level imo, because better players demand more, and make you realise how good you can be?

Being serious again, I thought Pickford, looked more confident, but he's got to sort his feet out, or was it his position, that he set himself to early for their goal!

What a load of crap.

Yet another mini-test passed. Won first 6 games for first time since 1938/39. 20 goals scored. DCL's two hat tricks in consecutive home games first time for an Everton player since John Willy Parker in the fifties. One for Dave Abrahams and John Mc Snr to enlighten us more about.

Only happened to one other player managed by Carlo: CR7. Good company! Each of Dom's goals tonight is exactly what you want from your striker.

The quality of the football, even from those who looked so hapless last season, is a delight to behold right now.

Delph was excellent and if it comes to it can cover for Allan v Brighton. Richy will be a bigger miss if injured. Nobody can substitute for the threat he carries going forward combined with his outstanding defensive work.

Looking at the bigger picture, it might even work in our favour that he isn't fit for Brighton and so has to drop out of travelling to South America for Brazil's WC qualifiers.

Such a feel-good factor at the moment. And the women comfortably saw off Birmingham 3-0 to reach their cup final.

Happy days!

Not meaning this as a slight on DCL in anyway but I'm never expected to read a comparison between Dixie and DCL. That's what 8 goals in 4 1/2 games?

The lad cannot strike a ball properly like a Lukaku, Rooney or a Kane but he can generate enough power with his side foot finish to bury a chance.

I don't think he is clinical enough or has enough all round ability to be the answer to bring us silverware but you can't deny he is improving every year and is on fire at the minute, long may it continue.

Up Carlo's toffees bringing the pride back to blues!

Everton need a cup run to give the squad match time, but there are risks which have to be overcome to do this.

Everton need a cup run to give the squad match time, but there are risks which have to be overcome to do this.

Everton need a cup run to give the squad match time, but there are risks which have to be overcome to do this.

Everton need a cup run to give the squad match time, but there are risks which have to be overcome to do this.

Everton need a cup run to give the squad match time, but there are risks which have to be overcome to do this.

Everton need a cup run to give the squad match time, but there are risks which have to be overcome to do this.

Honestly, that turn and ball to Dom was almost as good as anything we've seen from the man himself. It was unreal!

There's a football conspiracy novel in there.

any footballer can strike a ball cleanly and hard, to a point. DCL needs to nail doing it under pressure, whether from the opposition or himself. It's a mental thing, it will come, it's just coming late after the other improvements.

Brian, I thought that myself, if we had another centre half Digne could have reverted to left back and Nkounkou tried down the left. I think he'd excel there. He was clearly under orders not to attack so much tonight, probably due to our makeshift back line.

I have a wry smile when I read Messrs Kenrick and Wood above, and others, still trying to justify their vehement repeated criticism of DCL in the last couple of seasons, when he'd just turned 20.

He's always worked hard despite a paucity of service, until this season, that'd make a wimp cry. Now he's getting the service he and Richie need to flower. Many of us have repeatedly supported him on here, as fans tend to do.

The lad's a beast to even the best defences and may improve to the point where the world's his oyster. I hope he does it with us!

I've defended DCL both on here and in Gladys St, when many were screaming for his blood. My personal favourite Everton all time centre forward, Gary Lineker, would have been proud of his Dom's goal. A typical Lineker strike.

Does anyone know for sure which one is correct.

Even some of our own fans don't seem able to see this lad's trajectory. He's not great at striking the ball outside the box, but then that's not his game! James is a bit shit at scoring tap ins...he can't half strike a ball outside the box though!

For what he is good at - basically playing as a number 9 - this lad is as good a prospect as anyone his age in football currently. He's always had something, and it's great to see it coming together. His mentality seems to set him apart - he seems to be embracing the pressure of scoring 20 goals as Everton's number 9, rather than suffering from it.

People who wrote him off previously should acknowledge his upward curve. The way he took his first and third goals tonight was superb. The other West Ham fans I was with felt he was the main difference between the 2 teams.

DCL is going to be a 20 goal a season striker for us. Who cares if they are tap ins? Or headers? Or one on ones when he has run through on goal? He can score all types of goal except 25 yarders. He is England's 3rd best striker currently, behind Kane and Ings, and he is improving every day. I wouldn't bet against him becoming England's main man in the next year or two...

Danny Broderick

As for the Hammers fans, they probably go their intel on the “donkey” from Everton fans. I always rated DCL work rate, build up and intelligence. His scoring rate wasn't great. Now it is. But he was never a donkey or championship at best. Championship at best would be the other under 23 players who ironically are built up by DCL critics, Carlo critics and Keane critics.

On a side note, I really liked the way Siggy and James played together. They both have the ability to open up a packed defence and be a goal threat around the edge of the box.

Finally, big shout out for Delph. I've never been a real fan of his but was hopeful his experience would help when we signed him. Does the unspectacular well.

Being utterly wrong is fine. I have done it a million times on this site. Anyway, things look good.

Since Carlo came and put more emphasis on controlled possession and attack he is revelling in the support.

I don't see how anyone can criticise a lad with such a workrate and scoring record.

Delph might be one of those who not only appears to play better with better players around him but actually does.
As the 1970 Brazil manager said...'For all the maestros to play, somebody first has to shove the piano on stage.'

While the Doctor is writing sicknotes for A!!an and Richarlson he can write a few more, for Mina, Rodriguez and the others.

Job done, in the draw for the next round but with a cost. We should be able to see off Brighton, then 2 weeks off.

You don't have to have been right, you don't have to have been wrong. Who gives a stuff?

He's improved on so many facets of his game, plus been put in with better players. You can never be sure how a player will develop, just be thankful that he has.

That's said, there's one element of his game that I always thought was unfairly criticised. Lack of movement. I even saw people claim Moise Kean had better movement (anyone who has seen him live will understand that he has zero movement).

DCL's movement didn't used to be what it is now. But in close situations, it was always good. Call it natural striker sort of stuff.

The second goal today was a great example. Go back and watch it.

On the face of things the goal was exactly as Michael reported it - which isn't intended as a dig by me at all.

But Calvert-Lewin would very fortunately benefit when Iwobi's shot came back off the post and it fell nicely for him to convert his second of the night, 7th of the season.

There's one camera angle which actually captures what he did. He didn't just gamble on the far post. With his back to goal, he turned his defender in three directions in one second, before gambling on the far post.

When you see it, you'll agree it was a bit special. Much, much better than just being in the right place.

Pulls out onto the left back, runs him infield, twists outside, twists back inside again and goes from being marked by a goal side defender to being in metres of space.

It's awesome to watch. Still lucky that it gets to him, but the harder you work, the luckier you get!

He works his butt off, unlike Lukaku. His commitment and goals per game ratio will soon make Duncan Ferguson look like what he was, a shyster choosing to squander God-given talent in selfish pursuit of his personal interests, and fuck the fans.

To me he can go to the top. Sure he'll hit a barren spell, as every striker does, but his heart will prevail.

And when it comes to shooting outside the box I hope he keeps on trying. I'm old enough to remember the legendary Bobby Charlton for scoring fabulous long-distance goals but I also remember he put many more into the terraces.

And the scorers-supreme like Greaves, Muller and Law also missed sitters a-plenty on their way to legend. It's just that there was next to no coverage of them compared to today.

For younger players like him, it isn't a case of being right or wrong in the past when assessing their performance or potential. It is an evolution with young players and some will reach the level expected and others won't. But the context in which they perform is crucial.

If DCL, Davies, Kenny, Holgate, even Lookman, had joined the first team squad with good quality, motivated senior pros to guide them then fair enough. They didn't, in fact quite the opposite. When you add in managers who constantly misused them, then is was probably right to encourage them rather than write them off. The difference now is night and day.

Your ‘appeal to the referee' (especially when you know he's on your side!) might be a new level of pathetic. Congratulations!

As for Ernie, you have it spot on regards his movement for the tap in, Linekar was the master at being in the right place at the right time but I guarantee Linekar did not make such an effort to get his marker out of position and steal the extra yard like DCL did last night. It was amazing to watch, on the face of it his simplest goal but one which took the most effort.

Championship standard at best implies that he will never make it in the Premier League because even when he matures to his best, he will still be Championship standard.

So, to put it bluntly, those who were saying this were wrong.

(A lot of room for improvement would have been more accurate).

I know football fans, if Lewin puts them two shots over the bar in a very tight, or even big game, the way we are playing, then we won't be happy, and neither will the player or his team-mates.

Football is about improving, and this is something Dominic, has been doing every year, so why stop now?

John P, I saw the game like you, couldn't find enough great words to describe James Rodriguez last night, thought Delph, was everything I was hoping he would be when we signed him, but it was probably Luca Digne, who made as big a difference, simply because he really sped the play up from the back.

I disagree. When I look at a player, I'm looking at how is playing now. Not what he will be like in 2, 5, 10 years time. I don't know that. I venture that no-one truly knows that either. They may think they do... but they do not and they cannot.

When watching Calvert-Lewin for most of the previous 3½ season – yes, even including last season, when he scored 14 goals – he really didn't look convincing as a Premier League striker. Sorry, but that's what I felt when watching him – especially in those 10 dreadful (and goalless) performances under "Project Restart".

All his glaring limitations have been gone over a thousand times so I'm not going to repeat them. But the perfectly valid shorthand for that at the time was "Championship at best".

There appears to have been a amazing transformation in his play over the short summer break, as he himself has hinted in terms of training guidance from Ancelotti. Obviously, it seems to be working remarkably well.

But that will never change the established past: he really was only "Championship at best".

I also have to say again how good Allan and James are. They have to be the bargains of the window. Definitely up there with the best players to play in an Everton shirt the last 30 years.

This goes back to Silva's first season when originally Niasse and Tosun where thought to be contenders to lead the attack. I know that's hard to believe now. What did happen was that Calvert-Lewin put the work in over the Summer and the two contenders were reassigned to deadwood.

Last season, we all reluctantly admitted there was no other choice. This season, it is accepted he leads the attack, but needs a bit of fine-tuning on certain skills.

Steady progress and improvement for a 23-year-old, as per ToffeeWeb.

They couldn't cut the mustard in the early days – and it was being honest to say so at the time.

It was also legitimate to make an informed guess, a prediction, as to whether they would improve; but, rationally, that could be no more than that – a prediction, not knowledge about the future.

Later they could cut the mustard – and it was also honest to say so.

So it is with Calvert-Lewin. He couldn't. He now can. It's all going good for Calvert-Lewin and for Everton. I predict that will continue for him and us – but I can't know.

I totally agree about Michael Keane's recent contributions – he's taken flak in the past; I hope we can acknowledge his current contributions. Some of his incisive passes in the last few games – on the ground, in the air...

Absolutely not going to claim I predicted Calvert-Lewin would be playing this well but the lad clearly had the attributes to help him progress – physicality, engine, work-rate, determination, the ability to be coached, positive attitude. Compare and contrast with what we've seen from Kean so far. Dom's attitude made me root for him to succeed. Kean? Honestly could care less.

The new signings, for various reasons, have elevated most of those who look lost last season. Along with Ancelotti, obviously. Our play is now slick and composed. We handled what was, on paper, a strong West Ham team – full of players that have, at one time or another, played well in the Premier League and are trying to break into their first 11 – with ease. No panicky, hands-to-the-pump defending, rushed clearances. The one-touch passing was impressive and from many that did not show this last season, or even previously.

Some of them, who looked done are blossoming with the new signings. Delph, who I was skeptical about from the off, impressed. Sigurdsson was like a different man entirely, the slow, indecisive, reactive player suddenly replaced with a top-class footballing doppelganger! Seamus seems to have had 2 brand new legs grafted onto his body! Carlo rates him very highly and he's responded. Richarlison looks like a player on the fringes of world-class. Not only a direct, focused threat that terrifies defenders but his all-round effort is astonishing.

Best tackler in our team? Quite possibly. Michael Keane is improving and looking a top defender. Digne at CB? I doubted this, especially going up against a big striker like Haller but he dominated, winning 4 aerial duels which shows how much concentration, positioning and a winning mentality will do for you. Be happier seeing him back at left-back though!

James plays the game at his own speed and dictates play. One of the best pure footballers in the world today. If a guy like him cannot fit into a system then maybe Zidane (and certainly Kovac) aren't that smart after all?

Allan is a rock. Doucouré, slightly overshadowed by the other two, adds pace, physicality and running power and now has a chance to show his stuff, assuming Allan misses a few games.

Nkoukou is a gem. Carlo mentioned that his next step was to show he can do it against Premier League players. Well. one game only but he looked the part. Obviously Digne is undisputed #1 but we should be finding ways of getting him game-time. This cup run is ideal for his development.

People bemoaning our injuries and suggesting it's foolish to risk key players in a League Cup game, I disagree. Players can get injured in training. We've won nothing for 25 years. Winning this gets us silverware and a place in the Europa League next season. That should be our minimum objective.

With one or two additions before the window – centre-half and either a striker (if Kean goes) or a wide attacker (Lozano, the lad from Portugal) – then top 4 is a definite target. There's only Liverpool and Man City that are obviously too strong, the other "Big 6" are either in flux or rebuilding. No reason, with a manager like Ancelotti and what is shaping up to be a very well-balanced team, that we cannot pip the others for top 4.

Now our players are managed well by someone who a) knows what they're doing, b) can communicate what he want effectively and c) knows what the squad needs and can attract them.

That's why the players look better. That's why, I suspect, some players at other clubs may be talking to their agents about Everton in the next few days.