When a Draw Feels Like a Win

From several picks for MotM, I could not go past the determination and wholehearted performance of Tom Davies.

What a great comeback and superb fighting spirit shown by the Blues. Although we were 2nd best in almost every department for long stretches of the game, Everton had as many genuine chances as ManUtd did, probably more, if you count the horrendous miss by Calvert-Lewin in the 1st half and Richarlison not being able to capitalise on his opportunity in the 2nd half.

In fact, Man Utd's goals were the result of 2 fantastic strikes in the 1st half and a very poor goalkeeping error by Olsen.

Davies and Gomes had good games, Doucouré showed his ability in patches, but overall, Everton's composure on the ball needs to ratchet up big time.

Richarlison needs dropping, and Iwobi tries hard but is not athletic enough and scrappy enough to win the balls back for the team.

Holgate had a poor 1st half – I would hold him partially culpable for the 1st goal – but then he showed his fighting qualities in the 2nd half and won a lot of free-kicks for the team.

Godfrey tried valiantly, but did not show enough composure on the ball and kept giving the ball away. But probably that is an overall team confidence issue.

Calvert-Lewin – what can you say? He frustrates and delights in equal measure, but boy, am I glad that he plays for Everton!

Digne and James were repeatedly out-fought, out-run and out-muscled all through the game, but then they have those moments of sheer quality that gets you those all-important goals (and points!).

On the whole, it was totally worth it for me to stay away from the internet and watch the game 'live', albeit 12 hours late.

And then, clicking on YouTube, as I do for such late games, to watch the highlights, I was instantly touched with a 'gutted' feeling, to read Man Utd 3... but then... wow!! ... Everton also 3!!! Even, or especially, as I'd actually thought that we could beat them, considering our away form, and their own hardly world-beating home form at times.

Yeah, okay, so many in the media are claiming United are back to SAF days cos they've had a decent run – and they absolutely stuffed (ten-man, 9 out) Saints at home last time out. But let's be totally honest here: I think Ole's been very lucky that this current bunch of stop-start players have been putting in a shift, more often than not of late (he could easily have ended up where Frank Lampard is now, down the Jobcentre, just a few weeks back!).

Also 0-1 at home to Sheffield Utd shows how far they are from anywhere 'great' again, still! So, yeah, I reckon we coulda done em... but sod it, we didn't. So from 2-0 down I'll absolutely take 3-3!!! Anyway, sod United (just saying, is all, lol!).

Regardless, going by the highlights and reports, we should have had Mina in there, for sure, but great to see Doucouré and James grab excellent goals, plus Dom hopefully getting sharper again!!.. 'A draw that feels like a win' – Absolutely!! COYTs!!!

I think you are too forgiving to Olsen – he didn't inspire confidence in me at all. All through the game, his kicking was poor, his judgement of where his goal was was also poor, he needlessly gave away 2 corners. And okay, he might have lost his footing for the goal, but he should have at least tried to palm the ball away instead of trying to catch it.

We do seem to be weak in the goal-keeping department. I look at Emiliano Martinez at Aston Villa and wonder what might have been if we had landed him.

I can't for the life of me understand why managers make needless substitutions during stoppage time. It doesn't run the clock down and brings a cold player into a tense game. Just thankful that this time it worked in our favour. Was it their sub who fouled King?

COYB – No more shite performances for the rest of the season. Consistency, Consistency, Consistency.

More and more players are digging out good performances. It's possible Carlo has been playing a sub-par Gomes to get him fit. He's had two high-intensity games this week and unexpectedly done well.

Right back is a problem whenever Allan is missing (most of the season) and Rodriguez is playing. That is our most exposed position (ie without a covering player) and Coleman, Godfrey and Mason have all been targeted as a result.

I do think we need a new right-back, but we also need better covering from midfield.

I don't think our goalkeeping was worse than Man Utd's. Henderson and De Gea have been iffy all season and De Gea dropped a big clanger last night for our opener. Pickford would have been crucified for that.

Olsen slipped which is not a mistake of judgement. The worse sin was our packed defence allowing McTominay to win the header.

Lots of encouraging signs ahead of Spurs.

The only concern for me was Holgate and Calvert-Lewin not taking the chance in the first half. Like the Leeds chance, this surely has to be worked on in training.

What a shame that such a moment should be tinged with a shadow of doubt around the possible intervention of VAR. Also, that no Blues were in the quadrant in the corner, it would have been up there with the Oviedo night.

My point is if that DCL goal hadn't gone in this site would be full of people screaming the house down about how shit we are, Carlo is a dinosaur etc. etc. As I've said before, we need some balance, we're not a great team but we're certainly not a shit team. Let's support what Carlo's doing and realise it's not an overnight transformation.

Special mention for Davies who gets bundles of stick but is a true, honest and as shown last night, a good player when he's given a job to do.

As for Olsen, I'm sure the rabid Pickford haters will be keeping their heads down today. He made a mistake, they all do, it doesn't make him a shit keeper. Pickford saves that last goal all day long, but that doesn't mean he has his flaws either. That's our fine margins and we just need to accept them at the moment.

Davies for me was motm, with good performances from Doucoure and Gomes. Holgate was weak in the first half, but did improve. Calvert Lewin is a six yard specialist and not great outside that. Richarlison was poor both in his attacking role and helping out in defence. Godfrey was ok.

Thought the defence was ok, but the amount of space explains Mina's rushing about in the previous game. Both James and Digne quality got them through.

The Commentator( Hes goal) did say that the everton goalkeeping role is to be rotational from now on , Pickford not number one , according to reports. I had not heard this before ???? Olsen was Ok. Jim Beglin is a prat and a Man U supporter, who was silenced which helped make it feel more like a win.

The team is increasingly believing in Ancelotti.

We mustn't let the season slide, though, having got to where we are. Realistic expectations, but maximum concentration and effort are required.

Conceding the lion's share of possession and relying on being "efficient" with chance conversion isn't really a long-term strategy.

Looking forward to Spurs on Wednesday.

What is the situation there re covid?
When are the authorities saying tourism will kick back in mate.

I agree in the first half we lacked a bit of belief and confidence, at the same time Man Utd had an abundance of it. The second half we shook off the insecurities and looked like real competitors.

As usual the pundits were more interested in Man Utd and were gushing about Bruno Fernandes's goal. James Rodriguez's goal was just as good. The ball came to him high and at pace, to get meaningful control on that was real skill, the instant shot he got in was perfectly timed and accurate.

Tom Davies deserves a lot of credit for his performance yesterday. I think the lad is improving and maturing as a player. He is a bit calmer a bit more assured, the mistakes are becoming much less frequent. He seems to be finding a higher level of consistency and that bodes well for his and Everton's future. Gomes is playing much better too and Doucoure is undroppable so Ancellotti will have a welcome dilemma with Allan's imminent return.

This improvement in the central midfield is huge for the club, it has been the weakest link of the team , but the fringe players are stepping up and staking their claim . It makes me feel optimistic that we are live contenders for maybe 3rd or 4th and certainly top 6.

Against Tottenham on Wednesday we need to be confident and show belief from the off. There's no need to be reticent, they are no better than us.

A few difficult games coming up but, with a positive attitude and fit players, we have every chance of getting some results.

We are work in progress and there will at the moment be the odd relapse to old ways and frustrating set backs such as Newcastle.

But in the main, we are improved from just over 12 months ago. Keeping ourselves in the fight to stand a chance of getting something out of the game. The game that isn't over until the ref blows the final whistle. Everton of recent seasons capitulate in games like this.

Pleased with the performances of Davies and Gomes. I'm starting to expect it from Doucouré, so no singling out of him; that was the standard he has set.

Also agree that maybe folks should cut Pickford just a teensy bit of slack. He certainly has his issues, but too often people act like he's the only keeper who has a clanger in him... especially when you consider that United is coughing up, what - 400k a week for De Gea to make mistakes like that?

Digne; well he was hung out to dry really by having a diamond midfield and James and Richy floating about so too exposed.

We also missed Mina, and l think the solution could be that before long Carlo could give a back 3 a go.

Big game on Wednesday l know but the league is bigger for me this season. I have to wonder how many players our manager thinks we are short of before we are allowed to take the game more to our opponents. A right back yes, a creative midfielder? A winger? I hope our summer shopping includes Isco, Bailey... and l don't know who at RB.

And I do watch Villa with the wife and large percentage of the in-laws being Villains.

Nicolas, the form of Gomes hasn't gone unnoticed. He is more complete at the moment and confidence seems good again. Last night he was a bit mixed, playing some good balls and other times turning back to play it safe. Although he has a tendancy to grow into each game.

On the whole all the squad have improved this season... with the exception of Richarlison, though can't fault his effort.

But, he grew up in a village not far from where I now live and started at Wycombe. He is a converted winger, so I would imagine he's got the attacking instinct in him too.

Time to rest a few for Wednesday and give others some game time? Coleman, Allan, King and even Bernard could do with a game to get the rust out. Sig can come in for James so he can be ready for City and the lot across the park and Gomes probably needs a breather!

Lastly, really nice not to be hoping just to reach 40 points and avoid relegation. Getting anything out of the big six used to be beyond us. Just wish we didn't keep losing our way against the bottom half teams.

Yes, he's caught my eye a few times (not deliberately you understand!). I can't see Holgate making it as a permanent fixture but you never know.

Saying that though I agree with Jay above, I've been impressed with and would prefer Lamptey. He would be a great signing for us and make us very strong down the right for years to come. Wonder if he has a release clause in his new contract ? Either way he won't be 14m, more like 40. He's still only 20 though and would be an investment.

Must admit having that warm, fuzzy feeling when we scored with the last touch of the game at the very home of the team that possibly has the record of such (maybe barring the RS, of course).

And well done, John Moss and Andre Mariner, for deciding our way!!