Everton can't lay a glove on a Chelsea side in full control

To be honest, whatever our team at the moment, it never looks all that strong, with the likes of Iwobi, Gomes, Holgate and even Siggi in it. But somehow we're up there challenging for the top four. It's beyond me.

Doucoure is a big miss however!

If we win this we can really start believing!

Chelsea have so much depth that their starting XI is a very strong one, but I'm happy to see the likes of Rudiger, Silva, Kante, Mount and Chilwell not starting, but on their bench.

Let battle commence!

Only 3 viable options on the bench, so hopefully the first 11 can do it.

Watch the pace of Werner and get Allan to do a job on Havertz. Watch the pace of James and Odoi out wide, so Digne will need support.

We can win this.

COYB

Its so frustrating as its Koemans ridiculous spending thats costing Carlo possibly 3rd place, as he can't shift em, oh and the Brands gem Delph. Anyway you never know, Newcastle got 6 points off us, let's take 6 off the Chavs!

A deckchair in place of Besic would be a better option. The only difference being Besic collapses and folds better than a deckchair.

Male Pundits are generally egotistical and give analysis nothing better than the average Joe bloggs could.

But women must double down on their research, cause if they 'talk shite', they generally get hounded, mocked and worse.

When it comes to analysing less talked of teams, I always found the women generally have more to say, because they actually research. And the other male pundits, apart from one or two, just come out with the general cliches and offer nothing of interest.

I'm still struggling to buy into the 'we don't want the ball' model. I get that we've actually had as many shots on target as them but it just feels like a matter of time before the game is over. And it's not particularly watchable.

But we've been here before and dragged something out of the game. Let's hope.

First time resulted in a goal.

Second time resulted in one-on-one with Pickford.

We're a goal down and we win 2 free-kicks near the half-way line. What do we do? Back-pass, back-pass, then back to the goalie... twice!

Our forwards are starved of possession – hump the ball up the field. It's wasting rare opportunities to attack.

Holgate, I'm sorry to say, being poor again. Just not switched on. Pulled out of position for the goal allowing them a huge area of space to run into. Iwobi equally culpable for not tracking Alonso who runs in front of him to receive the ball. The one and only time they got into a threatening position in our penalty area. Unfortunate for Godfrey because the shot was going nowhere.

Iwobi doing OK otherwise. Gomes so frustrating. He gets in positions to win or receive the ball but seemingly always finds a way to cough it up. We are going to get very few opportunities going forward, so Richy needs to be better in his hold up play, his running and his passing. None of which have been good enough.

Scoring first is key for this Everton team. Recovering from a losing position more challenging. It mostly has to come from those already on the pitch, because there isn't a lot on the bench to turn things around.

Well done, Pickford. Looking confident and difficult to criticise for the penalty.

Desperate for a right-back.

Gomes, Iwobi, Digne and Holgate were very poor tonight.

At least it's a difficult game out of the way. Chelsea were better than us all round tonight. Bad day at the office. I'd like to see King given some game time. At least he looks like he tries.

Yet again, when last year's midfield plays – Gomes, Bernard, Iwobi, Sigurdsson – we look a million miles from where we need to be. So no suprise we didn't get a result with the team we put out. Without Doucoure, Rodriguez and even Coleman, we are severely lacking...

On a positive note, they appear to have the tools to twat Liverpool if their paths cross in the Champions League.

If we're to win a game against the odds, then I'd take the quarter-final over tonight.

I'm sure people will blame defensive mistakes – Sky and Match of the Day's 'analysis' has conditioned us to think that way.

But that loss was part of a broader issue with our approach. We didn't have a go. No-one took a forward touch and tried to do something with the ball. We were happy to just be competitive. In that mode, eventually something goes wrong. Deflection, own goal, penalty. It's not bad luck, it's the percentages playing out.

A little way to go before we can match the quality of the Chelsea squad.

MotM: Pickford

We did get better in the second half, but both full-backs were well off it today in their defensive work, passing and crossing. Gomes was another one poor in almost everything he did. Iwobi similar.

I'm sure some will get into Pickford, but other than conceding the pen he had another fine game.

Splitting Dom and Richy has possibly helped the Brazilian more, but not tonight. Again, another whose first touch, passing and protecting the ball was 'off'. Dom I think has been blunted by not ploughing a furrow straight down the middle from which he got so many rewards earlier in the season.

Tom and Allan worked well together when Tom joined the fraywhich is good news, presuming Doucoure is potentially out for the rest of the season. King OK. Bernard the usual mixed bag. Glides beautifully past players in midfield then hits an awful pass.

The bench well and truly exposed tonight and how much work there is still to do to have a truly competitive squad.

Learn. Reset. Go again at the weekend v Burnley.

We did well to limit them. Pickford was excellent and unfortunate with the penalty.

When we did get forward, our final ball just wasn't good enough. Digne I felt may have been rushed back, as he isn't quite at the standards he has set. Midfield missed Doucouré's energy. And without James, we're devoid of that magic necessary in games against teams like this.

Our squad is absolutely stretched to bare bones, as evidenced by the bench. Chelsea had about £200+ million in players on the bench alone.

Tuchel is an excellent manager and will get Chelsea challenging for the title next season, they are in magnificent form and 2-0 is not a great shame.

Still much to play for, but we need James back. We were better with Davies on the pitch too, so hopefully he'll be fit for the run-in.

Chelsea are a good side – and, unlike us, have great squad depth to select from. I expect them to finish top 3.

Good to see that the team kept going until the end. Didn't see any heads going down. Godfrey looked totally pissed off at the end – which was also good to see.

Tried to contain them but fell on our arse, away run was bound to come to an end sooner or later.

Could be worse though... we could be Liverpool.

Maybe a bit of perspective is needed???

Iwobi is useful as a sub. His should play central-midfield in a midfield of 3. Our current system and players don't allow for that.

We're picking up points at a decent rate. Onwards and upwards.

I didn't think we played that badly but luck was not with us, and they had better class in many areas. Just got to put it behind us now, and prepare for Burnley hoping to get another 3 points.

Holgate needs dropping along with Gomes, but do we have an alternative if Seamus is not fit?

I still think Chelsea, have a very soft centre but today Everton were absent and didn't get stuck in. No complaints from me.

No support and belief from the flanks, tonight, but it's showing the gulf in world class descision making players.

Too many side and back passes, and too slow going forward, tonight, no dynamic to stretch Chelsea.

Gutted... but now for Burnley, a must-win, and Dyche will be up for it.

Carlo's recruitment has been good so far but the next buys need to be a fast strong right-back/ right-wingback and an upgrade for Gomes in midfield.

I like the way we no longer just collapse but keep grinding it out.

That said, we lost to a very lucky deflection and a rather unnecessary penalty, though Pickford otherwise had a blindingly good game. Allan was excellent and we were much better when Davies came on. Gomes was okay but we were never going to match Chelsea with him and Sigurdsson starting the match. Doucouré was a big miss, as was James, who might just have created something.

Richarlison was hopeless with his touch and control and should have scored. Everyone tried hard but we all know that we need three class players especially a midfield creator who can retain possession and move opponents around to create space.

Three points out of six against Chelsea: it's not this game that will prevent us from qualifying for Europe. Win the next three very winnable games and let's see where we stand.

One thing that this outing showed us all is the midfield is woeful and that's being kind. Iwobi, Bernard, Sigurdsson and Gomes need shipping out in the summer, they just ain't good enough.

If Moshiri wants to push us on and get us sitting at the top table of the Premier League and Europe, he will have to take a huge hit on them players and splash out a shitload of cash to improve our midfield because we all know it is absolute shite.

The previous games have only papered over the cracks. To the extent of us convincing ourselves that we should have beaten Newcastle, Leeds and Fulham.

Chelsea have just shown us what an ordinary team we are. Too many back and sideways passes is a sign of players unwilling to go past a player. This is due to no pace in the team.

10th is probably where we will finish. I'd discount the cup if the last games are anything to go on. Big money needed next season.

When you play the teams near the top you can't carry under-performing players and we're having to.

Having said that they go ahead with a stuffy own goal (the shot was going wide) and a penalty. Disappointed but expected it to be honest.

Chelsea are good, but they still had to work for it imo, even though Everton never done enough, and are definitely a few players down when it comes to speed, desire and quality, but this just shows you how good a job the pragmatic Ancelotti has done so far, although I do hope he starts with the team that finished tonight, on Saturday.

Everton don't employ wingers. Iwobi is not a winger but another midfield player forced out wide on the right because there is no-one else to play there. Josh King trots out to replace Iwobi but is also not a winger.

Everton are at their best when defending in strength and hitting the opposition on a counter-attack or scoring from a corner or free-kick.

All our other games are winnable, even Man City last day of the season, the day before summer holidays for the City players.

All to play for as long as the Vardy miracle at Leicester maintains his beginnings of a marginal decline as a goal machine and we keep our best 5 or 6 players fit.

Next season if Sigurdsson or Gomes are swapped out, I'd like someone like Ruben Neves as he's a good midfielder and can score from 25 yards out so another threat when we can't get in the box in games like these.

Playing a form team this evening but we made it a lot easier than it should have been. Had a good run but we have not played that well. Let's go again Sunday.

Who is going to finish above us that put us in 10th, please tell?

None of the trio you mention (add Bernard) are up to the task although Carlo is obsessed with them. Possibly because he believes we shall never get the money back for them!

Seventh is all we can hope for and Moyes, Martinez and Koeman got us that, the first two on about a tenth of the money in transfer fees!

It's games like this were our lack of quality in certain positions is glaring. Holgate hardly played the ball forwards, Gomes is too lightweight and offers little, Iwobi just isn't good enough and we are crying out for a mobile clinical center-forward.

That's probably top 4 gone now unless Leicester capitulate. We'd of all settled for Europa League before a ball was kicked. We are definitely moving in the right direction.

Godfrey my man again. Captain-in-Waiting. Not perfect but who is?

Chelsea are really good now. They have an outstanding squad and a proper manager now. Pretty much everyone on their bench would get in our first 11 (or be about as good). Our bench was pretty hopeless.

4th place is probably not up for grabs (and never really was). But no reason to get downhearted about our chance of 6th. We're generally hard to beat and often find a way to win.

This burst mode finish is key now, as all the clubs in competition with Everton, are in the same boat.

Spurs at home, they are getting their mojo back, is another massive game, soon, as they are breathing down Everton's necks.

But despatch Burnley, and beat them well will help the healing process from tonight's game, and the to the next game.

As for us I didn't think we were bad but my god we were so slow. Andre Gomes for me stunk the place out. Not good enough at all. Slow and a incapable player. However Holgate, Iwobi and Digne were poor also tonight. Sigurdsson, Richarlison and Calvert Lewin chasing shadows. Pickford our best player.

By any means this is not an overreaction but my god tonight was a reality check in a way. We need a better squad. Can't progress when you have players like Gomes, Bernard, Holgate and Iwobi in the squad. Their bench would all make our starting eleven and would be in top 4 right now. We were always gonna get beat tonight.

In the meantime we have to win on Saturday. No excuses whatsoever. We're all going on about this game in hand but it has to be one game at a time. Not focusing on that extra game we have. We're still in a strong position and we can't afford to piss about against these teams now. Don't fuck it up blues.

Slow steps,m I'm afraid; however, in the summer, we need a quality right back, and somehow a lot more goals from midfield and strikers. For fuck's sake, even a David Moyes team has a better goal difference.

I'd say that, out of the three managers you mentioned coming 7th, that only Moyes overachieved, the one year he got us to 4th. If Ancellotti keeps us 5th, I'd say he will have also overachieved, even if it hasn't been pretty.

Once a week, Pat... when was the last time we played once a week? Once a week starts now, so don't write Everton off just yet!

Richarlison lacked any kind of composure and was frustrating almost every time he went near the ball.

The game was always going to be a tough one but even tougher with players not up to scratch on the pitch. We can still improve this season.

There is still many points to play for and I don't see Leicester as a cert for 4th.

We have made great strides under Carlo. The next step isn't as far away as it was last time we played Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.

Finish the season as strongly as we can, then a really important summer in the transfer window. Carlo and Brands know what needs doing. I'm more optimistic about the future than ever!

I'll be disappointed if we don't make it.

Spurs, West Ham, Aston Villa, Liverpool are the teams above us now. Looking at it again... 9th place.

We are going through trying to rebuild, cannot fault Carlo for what he has been left with, and holding him back with ffp close to meltdown at our club.

After saying that some have commented on a penalty and an own goal, there are fine margins, from our own corner the ball just would not fall kindly, around three times it pinged in their area, as in previous games, we just do not seem to get a favourable bounce. In our opponents penalty area, either the ball will not come down quick enough, or it falls just behind a player, straight from that, they go down our end and get some fortune, with the deflection, poor tracking back and marking did not help, but that is the fine margin, from getting some luck to go a goal up, to going a goal down within a minute.

On the positive side, Pickford has really stepped up to the mark, since getting back in the team, Godfrey is looking a shrewd signing, along with Allan and Doucouré.

Be interesting to see what happens in the summer, but we need strength in depth, weed out the weak links and bring in better quality.

With better players all over the pitch and even much better players on the bench, then when you weigh the actual match up and see the very poor performances from Holgate, Digne, Gomes, Iwobi and Richarlison, half the team nearly, then it was amazing we only lost by two goals. In fact, it was due, a lot, to Pickford that the score wasn't at least doubled.

We can play better than this, and we will when our better players are fit, but we have hardly ever had a fully fit eleven since the start of the season and it's obvious there isn't a lot of strength in reserve. We have eleven games left, we haven't got the strength to finish in 4th, maybe we should concentrate on getting a fit eleven players plus two more for the remaining FA Cup games and give us something to shout about.

I certainly won't be shouting about the Europa League, you can keep it for me, it will do more damage to the team, next season, than any good it will do.

I said it before, but for games like Burnley, I'd definitely start the team that finished tonight. Maybe that might be too attack-minded for Ancelotti at the minute, although I'm pretty sure it might just suit us. Who knows?

Players only rarely play significantly above their ability level. We just don't have enough players on the team that can get anywhere near the talents of the Chelsea team. We may by next season but not now. We did not lose because of lack of effort. With a bit of luck, we may have got a draw.

Having said that I think there are some changes that can be made with the players we have. Holgate at his best is an average centre-back and a poor right-back. Surely someone can take his place. We have to find a place for King. Preferably he can actually start a game. Davies is improving and will need to play. Bernard, Gomes and Sigurdsson cannot all be on the field at the same time. I just hope our injured players can soon return.

I still think we have a very capable manager who has to deal with who he has on the roster. We are generally doing well and he needs fans backing. Beating the RS at Anfield keeps me happy for at least the rest of the season. We MUST finish above them.

West Ham are already above us. Why are Liverpool and Aston Villa going to leapfrog us they are no better than us. Spurs yes with that strike force they should be above us come end of season. Let's see, eh...

We're doing well this season but even Chelsea's bench players would walk into our first eleven. We expect too much from players who are half-decent but, because they wear blue shirts, we think they are better than they actually are.

We all know who isn't good enough and some of these will be good squad players and others moved on. Richarlison is an interesting figure. He's decent and enjoys quality players like those who wear the yellow of Brazil. I believe that, with quality midfield arrivals we will see a more potent attacking force in him.

It will be an interesting summer with less money around. I think this will suit us. If we snatch a European spot whatever the league, it will be a successful season and good launchpad.

Sevilla have made a nice little niche winning the Europa League every year. It seems they can't quite compete with the top Spanish clubs so they'll finish 6th - 11th but put all their eggs into the Europa League with a trophy, and (brief) participation in the Champions League each season (before they get knocked out, drop down and win the Europa League again). It's not a bad gig really if you can get it.

Exactly my thoughts.

To play any game and not shoot on goal is criminal and today I think Everton gave too much respect and twigged too late that Chelsea weren't fantastic, but Everton made them look good.

But to beat Burnley now is the objective. Massive game, and feck the rest, Everton is what counts.

We need to put this game behind us and move on.

Against Burnley we will need to be better than this though. I would like to see Doucouré, Allan and Davies start in midfield to give us a chance of getting a grip on a game. I am hoping that Doucouré not too badly injured.

I hope Liverpool pip us to a Europa League spot.

How will we compete with the likes of Chelsea? It won't take just one or two transfer windows, let's be sensible. Our squad is so thin it's astonishing we're even contemplating European football of some sort.

Well, let's try and get three points against Burnley and Palace and hang around 4th, 5th, 6th place but let's not kid ourselves; it'll take a multi-year effort to build a team that can thrill us with quality, fast, comfortable-in-possession football.

Actually, I thought the midfield played well and the defence was good except for the first goa, which on looking at it again was more a breakdown in organisation, rather than a Holgate error.

Pickford was good throughout the game. Davies and King were good as subs, Bernard was poor.

I can take this defeat though as long as we go and beat Burnley, Palace and Brighton. Games we should be winning.

Old Moyes is doing just that over at West Ham. They're bringing out results against teams with inferior squads to theirs. And it's working. He won't go and win knife to gunfight games though because ultimately he'll lack the ambition and belief to do so.

But as long as they keep getting results and teams around them slip up, he may well stumble his way into a top 4 spot. Much like we did in 2005 with a minus goal difference.

The Chelsea lad cleverly nicked the ball – he didn't dive in – and remained on his feet in control of the ball to provide a killer pass for his striker. I think Pickford made a great save to stop a certain goal.

They had moments of superior craft like this throughout the game and sometimes you just have to salute a better side.

I thought Richarlison had a bad game and just couldn't get his first touch right, but he worked hard and you can't knock him as sometimes it just isn't your night.

We just didn't trouble them or get the bounce of the ball. Onwards and upwards.

As for Iwobi and Gomes, the former is just an empty shirt and the latter is too slow in mind and body. Gomes might do well in a slower European league. Iwobi, well the least said the better.

They are a good team, and no complaints, tonight, from me, but to stand a chance of winning a game, a team must compete.

High energy and nous and aggression.

The blend, I'm sure Everton will find with, Carlo and Marcel, scout network.

Hasn't anyone told you, Carlo? Didn't you ask? At least you know it is a foot injury, well that's a start anyway, was it the left or right foot? Or don't you know? Detective Cloussou has got nothing on you, Carlo.

Davies was a vast improvement when he came on but Bernard failed to make any impact, whatsoever. Pickford is starting to look quite solid.

Much work to do in the next transfer window.

Tonight all fourteen of our available experienced players were deployed at some stage. Whereas Tuchel was able to freshen up his team with five changes and still have a bench replete with quality Ancelotti was faced with filling out the substitutes list with two keepers and four novices.

Our front two have been required to play every game. Unlike their counterparts with the top teams they don't get the chance to rest up for the final half-hour or twenty minutes. Little wonder they are beginning to look jaded. We have few goals from elsewhere in the team other than at set plays.

If Doucouré is out for a lengthy spell and James continues to be as prone to calf strains as he has been so far we face an awkward run-in. In the circumstances a Europa League place would be a major achievement.

We needed to be faultless to get something from tonight's game. We weren't so we didn't.

Someone posted on Live forum something like £1 billion spent well versus £300 mill spent poorly. Of course it is possible to squander even a billion but realistically that extra spending power means you don't have to gamble so much on unproven youngsters, old pros or players whose careers stalled amongst the Galacticos.

I think the first step should be getting to that 60-point mark. That's progress in itself compared to the previous five seasons. That maybe will be enough to get 7th.

Summer is key. 3 or 4 players to excel us to that next level and challenge for Champions League. All-in-all, we're heading in the right direction.

The backup players just don't cut it, obviously Carlo knows that and it will take time to get a group of players that can go toe to toe with the usual suspects.

Chelsea have some great players and now have a manager who has organised them in a way their previous one couldn't. Apparent to me tonight that they are probably the second best team in the league behind City.

We have a great manager who doesn't have as good players at his disposal right now, certainly ones that collectively are not at top 2 or 3 level.

The effort was there tonight, we were simply outplayed by a better team in my opinion. I will slate for lack of effort, I can't tonight.

Still a lot to play for, still in the mix.

I would hope that Carlo has pencilled in the names of those he doesn't want to be bothered with next season. We have a few of those who are just not good enough to help separate us from the also-rans.

We have had some great results this season without really being impressive and that can't be a bad thing but sometimes they have played like dogs and got what they deserved.

Would have been nice to have had James and Doucouré to call upon today but it wasn't to be and as soon as I saw Iwobi's name in the starting eleven, I had a sinking feeling.

Bring on Burnley!

From relegation dogfight, to flirting with the Champions League is significant progress. I for one, think we can bridge the Championships League 'gap', but it will take time, effort and Carlo Ancelotti.

Disappointed tonight but with the players we were missing in a small squad, and playing Iwobi, Gomes and Sigurdsson together, we were going to be completely overrun in midfield.

Let's be honest, looking at Chelsea's bench and our bench, that tells the massive difference in the gulf, class and quality of the two squads. If Gbamin doesn't make it back before the end of the season, we have to cut our losses, as for Delph, bye-bye.

But, if there is a player I would gladly never see play for us again, it is Delph.

I'm actually quite excited by the next transfer window if we can get in the likes of Aarons, Rabiot and Vasquez. These players would give us better balance and more ability in midfield.

For me it's a miracle well. What comes, through the academies, and the scouting systems at Finch Farm, is to be proven.

But Everton FC, is improving and is on the right path, and in we have a good management team, and good foundations are being built to progress, to regular Champions League.

At the end look at the body language? So many were smiling and slapping the backs of the Chelsea players, few seemed angry at watching a chance to make that leap into a top four place go by almost without a care.

Apparently, it's okay because they are Chelsea you know. For fuck's sake, what's the bloody point? I'd rather we went down six but at least kicked off with a setup that said we may lose but, boy, we are going to come at you. Instead it was more of this let's hold 0-0 and you never know we might get one, which is much what we did against some relegation fighters and a team in crisis.

I know all about the rational arguments, about the fact they could bring Kante on etc etc. I appreciate Carlo has little to work with squad wise. And yes I still understand he's a world class manager but do you really think that's the best we could do?

Why not play an inform Davies alongside Allan? Neither may be totally match-fit but they would get stuck in and offer so much more than Gomes who I'm afraid is a shadow of the player he was before that git Son had his say. Why not start with King in the Iwobi position wide right? It surely offered more chance of pace and some service to Calvert-Lewin and, a sliver of a goal threat?

We wouldn't have been quite so compact or diamond-shaped but, instead of barely two shots at goal, maybe we could have offered us helpless watchers a bit of hope that we really didn't turn up beaten before a ball was kicked.

I know I'm angry and frustrated but this is about mindset and I do think that Carlo, great guy that he is, can sometimes get it wrong, as I think he did vs Fulham and Newcastle. And yes, I know he's got it right a lot this season. But tonight is just part of our DNA and I'd hoped that Carlo, Duncan and Davide might be able to work it out of us.

We aren't as good as Chelsea, deserved to be beaten and realistically we are back in the bottom of the rollercoaster in terms of Europe but, even without the quality of others, please don't tell me we have to be so bloody fearful of every team in the league bar Liverpool and frankly everyone beats them.

And you are right, Pickford, who many of us have rightfully slated on here, kept us respectful. He spared Tom Davies blushes at the end with that double save.

In general we are much improved with a thin squad.

My one disagreement with you. I'll take Europa for next season. I do love a European tour. We didn't know we were going to win the league in 1985 but we enjoyed Europe and Rotterdam en-route!!

Look at Rugby for other sports. The losing side routinely gives a wall of honour to the victors.

I really don't know where this "must sulk and not shake hands" mentality has come from. At the end of 90 minutes, you acknowledge your opponent, be that in victory, defeat, or in a draw.

The team looked like it was waiting for the inevitable even before we went a goal down. Fortunately, although Chelsea may have moved the ball around well, they lacked invention and incision so thankfully the final scoreline looked creditable.

Football in 1985 was a lot different, there is so much more competition for top places now than there was 10 years ago, nevermind 36 years ago.

This squad cannot cope with additional Europa League games, even with 3 extra players. Also, many teams will be getting stronger in the summer.

Carlo is improving our position no doubt, but if you look at our goal difference compared to the teams we realistically want to take on, it shows we are nowhere near ready.

The poor quality of our passing frustrates me. The ease with which we cough up possession to any team that properly presses, unlike us most of the time, frustrates me more but the regularity we display in squandering a chance to get a free-kick into the opposition's box, 2-0 down at the time as we were tonight, in favour of playing it back to Jordan to optimistically punt just over the halfway line really does my head in.

We usually have Calvert-Lewin, Keane, Mina, Godfrey and Holgate as tall powerful players in their area, with Richarlison too. But we ignore them, preferring them to have to scurry back to defensive duties as our ineptitude in retaining the ball regularly leads to Jordan having to launch it. It's pathetic.

Do they practice this at Finch Farm? And, if so, why?

Testicle injury it is then.

But (there's always a 'but', right?!) why can we not be one of those teams that gets stronger in the summer as well? And wouldn't European football help with that and make that squad stronger?

I just look at how clubs have built / rebuilt their brand over the past decades. Without referring back to the 80s, Chelsea in the 90s, Even Liverpool in the 2000s; win Europa / UEFA to put or keep yourself on the map and it doesn't always start with Champions League.

I personally would rather Europa than nothing. And with the attraction of any form of European football we attract a better calibre of player in the summer?

The paradox is though that, if you don't get Europe, you lose your better players as they want Europe. It happened during the Heysel ban, it happened under Moyes, it happened under Koeman. You try and add 3 or 4 players but it's like sticking your finger in a dyke 'cause, next thing you know, James, Godfrey and Richarlison will be off – just like players of old.

For me it's a miracle well. What comes, through the academies, and the scouting systems at Finch Farm, is to be proven.

But Everton FC is improving and is on the right path and in we have a good management team, and good foundations are being built to progress to regular Champions League.

In context, Everton tonight were out played in every position, except goalkeeper.

The facts are what the game states this night, but the next game, v Burnley, now is the must-win game for Everton.

The good news is that Carlo knows where we are as a team, he is under no illusions, he knows he needs 2/3 players in the summer to help Everton's "problem" areas, his quote not mine, so with that stated, I am very happy to see what transpires in the summer transfer window.

We are venturing into exciting times, we just need a little more patience.

The Champions League might be a step too far for next season, though only because we'd have to be playing our best XI every fixture whereas the lesser standing of the Europa League gives some scope for trying out other squad members, providing breathers for the more established players.

Nevertheless, Champions League qualification must be the target, not least because we're probably witnessing the final years of the supremacy of the Premier League given the now virtually accepted expansion of the Champions League from 2024, a process that will only gather strength from there on in. We will need to raise profile and performance levels beyond anything we've witnessed over the last 34 years if we are to maximise our chances of being a participant from the outset.

Ancellotti is very likeable but not sure he's a good fit for where we are. We've been unusually lucky in lots of games this season and our league position is flattering. The football is turgid and we never hammer any team, from any league, in any situation.

A lot more squad pruning is needed, with pace, power and skill required when spending our next tranche of multi millions.

Never hear Carlo using it as an excuse, he just gets on with the job.

This thread is full of the pragmatic, the carefully set out balanced argument of squad strength and the inevitable “Burnley is a must win game”. None of its really wrong. I get it. But all these bits of eminently sensible analysis just boil down to one thing for me. We setup negatively to avoid a shellacking apparently and I think that's crazy when a top four place is the prize that might be available and when all said and fine Chelsea are not Barca or even Man City. They are beatable as we know ourselves so whatever the injury situation tonight was a night to at least have a go and we didn't, not even close, no “gloves” in sight. Meanwhile West Ham move above us in the hunt for CL qualification. Think on that for a min, WHU for pity's sake,

If we're honest about it, we're struggling for a bit of form. We maybe good enough to play poorly...or even play well - on a 1 off and beat a poor rs team...and we can play poorly and beat some teams, but, at the moment we haven't got the depth to play poorly and beat top, on form teams.

One game at a time, with Burnley next up...sufficient unto the day etc etc.

Off Topic Alert; If Pep doesn't win it, Ancelotti must be up there for manager of the Season...along with Moyes and Parker, they've all done well in the silk purse / pigs ear category.

First half there was 2 shots on Everton"s goal. 1 an own goal by Godfrey that was going wide in the31st min, the second shot on goal was at 40min that Pickford saved. So that was 2 shots in 45min on goal.

The second half there were 4 shots on goal. The first was the 2nd goal from the penalty in the 65th min.The next 2 shots were in the 85 min when Davies lost the ball in a tackle and Pickford made a double save. The last shot was in the 93min that Pickford saved.

The point is although Chelsea have the better priced players, it would have only taken a couple of better midfielders than we had and more help on the right side at full back and wide player for future games to get to this level.There were also a couple of our own players today that played below their own standards, but overall it was definitely not as poor a performance from the Everton team that a number of people made it out to be.

We seem to be on the right track with the management team we have and 4th place may be taken by the usual suspects, but I think we may see improvement over the next few weeks.

An awful performance, or complete lack of one.
Digne was awful; Holgate, a waste of space; Midfield, non -existent until a substitution was made; Richarlison, a Brazilian with no idea in a one-on-one with a defender; Calvert-Lewin, no service but nowhere to be found and why do we persist on Iwobi hugging the right touchline? If we are going to play Richarlison wide on one side then bring Iwobi in to play off Calvert-Lewin.

MotM, for us? Just a joke of an idea but until substitutions and the penalty it was probably Pickford on the basis that he seemed to have touched the ball as much if not more than anyone else.

Tom Davies was the only player to come out of this debacle with any credit.

Top 8 again this season, if we are lucky!

Thursday Sunday games and the sunday game is usually depressing. The squad needs to be massive and have a good deal of quality that remains fit for most of the season.

We have to hope Leicester slip up because Chelsea won't now.

Season ends in May.

I do get your point and no lecture meant. I too was hurting from defeat, but it is normal to shake hands and exchange at the end of match always has been. We just see it more now. I would also add that there is more of this now as these elite players increasingly live in their own media enforced bubble.

You're right though No-one; player or supporter alike, enjoys losing. But, as long as you come off the pitch knowing you tried and the other team were simply better on the night / day, then sometimes that's just football. Chelsea were the better team last night but Everton were not awful.

Another big transfer window needed in summer to add more dynamic attacking players.

Squad is small and pretty much made up of players with no real future here or young players with no experience.
When you think we were pinning our hopes on Anthony Gordon before Christmas, fella has gone to Preston and done absolutely nothing, it's shows us what we are going to be needing in summer.

Pickford some very good saves but erratic kicking and needless penalty which made the game comfortable for Chelsea. I'm still more comfortable with Olsen in net. I'm not saying it would have changed this result but he's just more consistent. Could do nothing about the unlucky deflection.

Our midfield failed to create much and failed to close Chelsea down. It was as poor as against West Brom but without a goal. When they played keep ball it was embarrassing, we played like school kids, individuals chasing a ball and not man on man.

We had very few players willing to play a quick forward ball into space and the few times we attempted too the passing was poor. Gomes, the passer became Gomes the passenger. We need a top class midfield creater to link play with James and forwards.

We move on and hope we improve before spurs and liverpool find a run of form and pass us for a top 6 finish. Whilst I understand the moaning about getting embarrassed in Europe, whats the point of playing if our own fans don't want to finish top 6.. silly comments, its how we grow as a club, earn more money and attract better players.

I said on the LF we were beaten by a lucky (for Chelsea) own goal and a penalty. No Chelsea player managed to score from open play, and I saw a defence which pretty much did it's job again. That shot/cross which deflected on to Godfreys knee could easily have gone behind for a corner or missed him altogether and gone beyond the far post for a goal kick. I have not rerun the penalty incident so I'm unsure if the ball and attacking player were heading away from goal, or if he was on his way around Pickford but again - one of those 50-50 situations that could easily have gone either way.

We were outplayed and indeed some of our players seemed below par but Chelsea simply stifled them. I do not think that as a collective they just happened to be off form on the night. You can only play as well as you are allowed to play and in this context Chelsea did their job. So despite the fact that we were, as we all saw, soundly outplayed this was not a performance to be ashamed of.

What it did emphasise for me is the lack of depth in the squad but we all know about that. We continue in the right direction and Burnley on Saturday will be a more accurate litmus test. I, for one will be hoping for an emphatic bounce back and well deserved win. Lose or draw and all the old mental fragility chestnuts will be back in the fire.

That sort of mindset just leads to more years of Moyes style plucky Everton might just break through that glass ceiling with a little bit of luck. Meanwhile Leicester and West Ham attack the top four looking like proper teams.

There's been a lot of spot on analysis in this thread and frankly a lot of it is repetitive from much of the season apart from that gold star start to the season.

But I remain convinced that we are in danger of being overwhelmed by fear of the opposition which is in part the product of Carlo's pragmatism. Here's the thing, I can see the players starting to react the same way ? So much about our new “style” is based on soaking up pressure and counter attack we've forgotten what it's like to add pressure ourselves. I accept some of this is about the lack of depth in the squad. But everyone knows how we are going to play now. We concede not just ground but confidence and positive feeling about our ability to win games and opposing teams all get that and it's showing.

We need to win the next three but tbh I can't see it unless we have a change of approach for these so called”winnable” matches? I'm hoping for King on the right with DCL centre and Richarlison left with a hopefully fit Rodriguez behind the front 3 in a ten position, Allan and Davies in front of a back four of Digne Godfrey Keane and hopefully a fit again Coleman. Pickford as he's looking much more confident. It's an attacking line up when one is needed most but somehow sometime we do just have to go at a team and accept that we have to try and score more than they do ! Simplistic yes, but we have to stop looking scared and beaten before we get off the bloody bus.

I do not think Europa would be a disaster. We will not be going into next season, Europa or not, with this squad as is. We will not compete a Premier League campaign or Europa League / Champions League with this set of players.

The squad will be invested in. However, whether we qualify for Europe or not (either version) will dictate the types of investment and the calibre of player we attract.

In my opinion of course.

2 sweaty goals cost us, I felt Everton battled hard. I would definitely like to see a 433 next match with king DCL and Richie up top. Just a pity the Duke is missing

This is highlighted with free kicks. Every free kick should be played forward. If they have a player blocking the forward route do the following.
Shout and complain at the referee, pace out 10 yards, shout and complain at the referee again. Push the player to the ground or blast the ball as hard as possible at his head or balls.

Childish yes, time wasting yes, winds up the opposition yes! If we have this mentality of doing it to disrupt the opposition then we start to win a few small battles. It's all about fine margins and the detail.

More importantly we are in the right, we get to play a ball forwards to our attacking players who just so happen to be very good in the air.

Paying it backwards defeats the purpose of gaining an advantage from a free kick. It's our ball, we decide what and where to play it.
Playing backwards to our own defender or keeper who get closed down and then.. you guessed it, pump the ball upfield under pressure. Surely we can plan a better forward ball from a free kick.

If chasing the game in the 90th minute.. that's the mentality needed. Take advantage of the situation.

Sorry.. rant over.

I just hope there is some club somewhere that's daft enough to take on Iwobi. There's no aspect of his game that is even competent. Some second/third tier outfit in Europe will maybe take on Bernard and possibly Gomez.

Hopefully, Carlo and Brands will be able to use the money we get for Kean to get two more players with the hunger, speed and commitment of Godfrey; one at right back and one in midfield. A genuine wide player who can cross the ball is essential; otherwise DCL and Richarlison are wasted and left to feed on scaps.

If a few of the youngsters also make progress, we should then have a squad capable of competing over the whole season and carrying a luxury player like James who will only ever be available for half of it at best.

Anyway Kieran that's just my take on the Europa league, I respect your take on it and of course the many who love to travel to these games, what will be will be.

4th is well up for grabs. We will know at final whistle of the last game when Leicester have got through their final few games.

The Doucoure one is the only big long-term injury really for us currently, so we've got enough of our top 5 or 6 players to keep going.

Spurs still got Europa, League Cup and Premier League so fragile Kane and Bale won't be playing every game at 31 years old. Plus Spurs vs Leicester is last game of the season.

We have Man City on the final day, so hopefully they're wanting to stay injury free for their summer holidays swimming in the sea in Ibiza etc.

We set up tactically in the same way as the Liverpool game, however conceding an own goal put paid to that. Given the substitutes, there wasn't really a plan B this time and we look really thin at the moment without Doucoure, James, Coleman and Davies only fit for bench.

Game done, move on.

Holgate after a good start cannot be trusted, much like Stones before he left.

I do hope Carlo has some good names pencilled in for next season as this squad just isn't good enough yet.

I'm beginning to think we've bought a dud here, yes a quality dud, but one who'll only play in 12 matches a year. His record at Bayern was awful, 80% of which was down to his fragile calves !

Other good point is Tuchel declaration he sort to put pressure on Everton midfield by playing quick midfielders, both in pace and in speed of passing. Something we've seen all season, teams which pressurise us and move the ball quickly have controlled the matches. We've been fortunate to win quite a few games, relying on deep defence and grabbing a goal on counter attack or set piece.

We were certainly put in our place last night.

Top six for Everton is still possible and our next four games league and FA Cup will have a big say

James is becoming a bit like Whiteside or Eto'o. A novelty item who has moments of magic but you can't build momentum if it's stop start. Given his age I doubt his injuries will lessen. It's frustrating but as of now he's the only creative player we have.

Could the Ancelotti pulling power attract either Kingsley Coman or Leon Bailey to Everton?

Stay on your feet and stay goal side!
Digne, Holgate, Gomes, Iwobi, Allan all guilty of this on more than one occasion. Digne and Holgate as defenders need to do much better defending.

As for the midfield tactics it's obvious. We struggle to get near or contain half the Premier league in terms of midfield passing and moving. City and Leicester granted are good teams. But we have lost the midfield battle against Fulham, Newcastle, West Brom etc.

Carlo knows we can't compete so we need to be more defensive. That's how average many of our players are. Luckily we have been fairly solid or scored in several games to pick up points.

Doucoure is a big loss to how we have been playing, (his strength and energy), but he's also a poor passer of the ball with an often suspect first touch. He brings a few thing's to the table but for everyone that vents against some players for a few poor passes or lack of ability I'm pleasently surprised how positively Doucoure is talked about. He's not good enough for a top team either but a player that's somehow vital for us.

For all those who say Coleman is finished, we seem to do better when he is in the team, he will run and more often than not take the ball, compose himself, then look for a ball into the area on the ground, for someone to get a shot in.

Iwobi and Holgate get into a good crossing area, then just hit it first time, no control or looking for a target, just a hopeful hit and hope.

We have seen first hand the difference to Davies play, why not get someone to work on our crossing, when you have someone like Calvert- Lewin and Richarlison in the box, both great headers of the ball, a bit of work on our crossing from the right side of midfield is a must.

We have no option of Iwobi playing on the right, either starting, or coming on as a sub, he cannot tackle a player, but he can get into good positions, then blows it with a weak pass or cross, if he can at least get his crosses and passes worked on, he could be the difference to us creating more chances this season.

Teams know our strength is the left side for attacking,until we can get a right sided player in, then we need to work on that right side, cannot rely on James, in one week out the next 4, so either work on Iwobi, or play King on the right.

JJK is a good crosser of the ball from open play but at best he's on a par with them. IMO defence isn't a positional priority.

Holgate and Godfrey provide a more solid defence but as we lack pace and creativity going forward an attacking midfielder and winger are priority. King needs to be given an opportunity but I don't think he work's hard enough defensively for Carlo. Until we get the attacking players we should be crossing more often with Dom and Ric in attack.

Like others have said, we don't have players with the ability to go around or through teams. We need to mix play up and give forwards a chance to put pressure on opposition more often.

Our defence defend a lot. Play it simple, give the ball quickly to a man in space and if in a good position whip a cross in to the penalty spot.

Stop playing backwards!

It would have to be one brilliant piece of skill or shot to beat a defender and keeper from that angle at that speed.

Split second decisions I know but it was keeper error and he didn't get anything on the ball. Not his worst mistake this season but still a mistake.

I'm not blaming Pickford for the defeat but this is where he needs to learn. In the same situation would he stay or rush?

I'd predict he'd rush and make the same mistake ie not learning from his first mistake.

He made some great saves too. That's Pickford. Take the good and bad together or take someone else.

Obviously as a DFH I'm taking the latter on that but it is an open question. For the squad we have we've done very well to be in position to compete for CL but it looks unlikely we've got the moves left to get a chance down the stretch. Don't get me wrong, we're in it but well it's gonna take a bit of luck.

Confirmed my opinion that we are still four to five top players away from a side like Chelsea. A right back, a ball playing midfielder, and a couple who can play across the front three as a minimum.

Some sympathy for Holgate as he is not a right back but that being said the way others are playing he's only going to be a back up CB. Pickford has been excellent since his return and was clearly he was our best player last night. Sure he made a mistake for the penalty but those type of things happen when a keeper is trying to be decisive and go for the ball.

Chelsea will finish second, I have no doubt so last nights result is not a complete disaster. But 24 points from 11 games which I think is a minimum is a big ask.

Four or possibly five of last nights players inc subs will not be in the starting line up for the first game of next season.

I owe you an apology Graham.
I jumped in two footed last week in a reply to you.
Nothing naughty intended but nonetheless it was a silly post from me.

Realistically I know that there are many Toffees who show total frustration at each losing result. Actually this is fully understandable for the many supporters who have never seen us win anything. I have been lucky enough to have witnessed The Everton teams of the sixties and the late eighties. Success does help fans to accept leaner times BUT on a general and historical level Evertonians have had it pretty good.

Since 1888 Everton have scored more top level points than any team in the Football league. Also we have only spent four years below the highest level. That is a record that supporters of any team would love to have.
Success is always fleeting but on a general level we are TOPS. Yes TOPS. and we can do it again.

Whatever Carlo and his backroom boys have done to Michael Keane, Tom Davies and Pickford is working well. Maybe there is still hope for Gomes, Holgate and Iwobi. I have criticised, as we all have, the first three, but recently they haven't put a foot wrong.

On a personal note Derek, nice to see you back on Toffeeeweb and I hope you a clean bill of health soon, I think you have had a hard time with that in the last twelve months and this virus has done nobody much good, best wishes Derek.

I recently saw a report that Everton are after Rabiot from Juve, and there seems to be some legitimacy to this report as the player wants to reunite with Carlo?

Is this kid the creative, "Mikel-esque" midfielder we need to round the proverbial corner?

I know very little about the other leagues in Europe, and just don't know about this guy. I see he's 6'2" (nice) and is supposedly fairly creative? Anyone have any reports on this dude?

After watching our midfield last night, I was happy to read this rumor and hoped there might be some legitimacy to this rumor. Anyone?

We need a pacy, unlocking, creative midfielder worse than anything else right now - far worse than a RB in my opinion.

Mike Gaynes will be DELIGHTED to hear this news. He has spoken about this link several times.

Iwobi - I just don't get it. He can't cross. He doesn't slip balls through. He meanders and his shooting is woeful. I don't dislike him I just think he's awful.

That's good! Mike and I usually see eye-to-eye with players.

Sans Tom Davies, but Mike was clearly wrong about him. 😜

I really hope this guy is the key to the midfield we need, and we get him. I keep thinking to myself - can you imagine a 25 year old Mikel Arteta surrounded with Allen and Doucoure? It would be like watching a symphony and practically bring tears to your eyes.

Well not too hard really, Rashford would obviously get the nod, but if he wasn't performing, I would bring Richarlison on for the second half. :-)

Love that Rashford, both as a player and a person, but he does seem committed to Man Utd, having grown up in and around Manchester. Like having one of of ours home-grown although I don't think we have any that fit that category at the moment, close, but no cigar. We did do once! Now where did he go?

I think we had the Holgate debate a few games ago. He's not a full back so harsh to judge him on playing there when he's covering.

I made the point Thomas with regards to the do / don't want Europa discussion. We wouldn't be facing a Europa campaign with the same squad. We won't be facing next year's Premier League campaign with the same squad.

Regardless of what we do or don't qualify for, in the summer we hit the next phase of rebuilding.

This will take time but, with the huge strides we have made with Carlo, I'm seeing light at the end of a very long tunnel. The red side of the city are beginning to see what Everton have planned since the new owners came in. I for one am excited to be an Evertonian for the first time in decades.

COYB – another 3 points today and we're bang on course.