Premier League — Week 9

Arsenal up against Villa; a win will put them level with us.

The next 8 games, which are very tough will have a big impact on this season for Everton.

Let's hope that Rafa can resurrect Rondon, and the team spirit and attitude shown at United is shown in every game.

But every team will also get injuries, so let's worry about Everton, and forget the rest.

Referees trying to get Arsenal up to the Top 6. Never a penalty.

Penalty all day Bill. Arsenal worth that so far. Niggly game though. I see a sending off at some point.

Danny

Are your wife's fellow Villains putting Smith under scrutiny? I know early last year he was given a hard time but after his summer spend (albeit with Grealish having gone) I have been a bit underwhelmed by them so far -- except when we played them of course. Ings and Watkins don't seem to have built up an understanding, Bailey can't get off the bench. Personally, I think has earned more time but knowing how fans can be, I wouldn't be surprised if there's some angst.

Can someone explain to me how Tyrone Mings is a professional footballer, because for me, he is absolute trash!

Utter rubbish, like so many Premier League games these days, played at such a speed that passes are all over the place and no skillful play on show. Poor spectacle IMO – and don't even get me started on that penalty decision.

Rob Halligan I agree about Mings. He is totally over-rated especially by Southgate. He is just a clogger.

The Gunners have played very well and have run Villa ragged.
The penalty was a bit harsh but Arsenal deserved the win.

As far as our beloved Blues are concerned I think I speak for most of us when I say things are going to be tough until January without some key players.

We are an average team without the depth necessary to keep pace with the top echelon.

The bad new this week about DCL's setback and the Doucoure injury is hard to take.

I still think Rafa can do something but only if he get's all his players fit and is given some cash in January to strengthen the team.

The game tomorrow will be just as tough with Watford smarting from a shellacking by RS and probably buoyed by Everton's injuries.

I don't know why I keep saying it but now would be a good time for Rondon to start scoring.

I think Rondon will only start scoring if he takes up darts and I'm unsure if he's fit enough to endure 3 sets of that.

That penalty for Arsenal was dubious, to say the least, and it wouldn't be given against them at the other end.

@ Various, given the recent lively debate about the merits of being at the match or not and what view you get, my instinct told me it was a penalty. I then watched an angle that I thought may see the decision go the other way. But ultimately, when you watch the angle the referee makes his decision on, it's a penalty. No doubt in my mind. The Villa player hits the back of the Arsenal player's left foot before the ball. It's a foul in the box = penalty. My question would be did he need to go to ground in the box and make that tackle when the striker's back was to goal?

Which summed up that match. Niggly encounter between 2 average teams and lots of referee harassing, Mings seems particularly fond of that. So I would say Colin, football can be played at pace. But there has to be quality and pace can be in the mind as well as in the jet=powered boots.

One final note, and I know some fans likes it, but Arteta? Is he trying to promote himself as some sort of Pep / Klopp mutation? Sometimes you need a manager to motivate the team. To me he was over-coaching from the side and over-doing it. Even Klopp and Pep occasionally sit down and fold their arms and watch what's going on before knowing when to step in and instruct. Benitez is similar.

Kieran, not hearing that just yet, but 2nd season syndrome for Watkins? Silly and lucky boy in the first minute. Retaliation used to be a straight red, so I don't know if the rule has changed? Maybe the loss of Grealish is affecting them? They'v'e replaced with a very good player who I would have liked, but Bailey is a very different player to the style they got accustomed to.

Five Englishmen score for Chelsea today. When's the last time that happened?

Yep, a rare occurrence.

Not so rare sadly, are manager sackings - and I feel we may be close to the next.

Long season ahead for Norwich.

Lawrenson & Dublin earlier declaring City & Liverpool streets ahead of the rest. Watch out for Chelsea.

Great save by Krul just then. Equally good one by the Norwich defender!!

Shearer saying on NBC he is going to educate himself on human rights issues in South Africa in relation to Newcastle takeover.. . He's got a long way to go. A map would be a good start

Please tell me he was being stupidly arrogant or sarcastic Kieran and not just stupid and ignorant.

He's stupid Danny. Rebecca Lowe was cringing

Fuck it. C'mon Hammers, suck it, Spurs.

We have recently debated the keeper's position influenced by the desire line on other threads.

In the last 5 minutes alone, Tottenham's goalie has done the "keeper sweeper" thing twice.

Jordan can't or doesn't because our defence is so deep anyway.

A fair point. Keane's situation is a combination of no long-term partnership, no covering central defensive midfielder, and a lack of confidence. We don't have the players to run the setup most effective for his qualities.

At least we avoided Nuno NoGawdNo...

Great save from Fabianski to deny Kane. Although not obvious, good defending by Cresswell. He knows he's not beating Kane, but does enough to get in his way and put pressure on him to stop him putting the header down.

I know scouts and coaches see different things in players at different stages, particularly youth players, but what a shame a talent who grew up a mile or so from Finch Farm is plying his trade in the East End.

For someone who looked hurt and about to roll over several times after that challenge, Fornals didn't half jump up quickly just then.

If ever a game needed a goal. West Ham 1-0 Spurs.

That almost felt like a carbon copy of last week. Tight uneventful game won by a corner in the 70-something minute.

Keep it tight and knick one!

Man Utd defence actually worse than ours. Didn't think that was possible. Liverpool are going to have a field day here, could be double figures I reckon.

I think Man Utd have been studying our defence!

3-0. Could OGS be sacked at half-time?

Watching Man Utd v Liverpool with real envy, they are everything we are not!

Goooole'. Man Utd could be worse football value on the pitch than us.

Pete, that's been the situation for decades. 6 European cups says it all. Annoying isn't it.

Caps off this bad weekend in terms of Everton.

It just makes it worse seeing how quick and well Liverpool play football. 100% the goods from them every game. Our lot are like little puppy dogs in comparison. Bloody hell.

Wonder why the two most successful teams in the Premier League in goal scoring don't need a big lumbering #9 – yet Benitez wants one, even though he is not even fit.

Hee Hee. Now boys…

Disgrace, Ole. Disgrace.

If Liverpool beat Man Utd by a 6-goal margin, we move up a place on goal difference! So still a chance of something positive to come out of this weekend of embarrassment.

A weekend to forget.

4-0 at half-time. Should Liverpool score two more without reply, then we will move up a place!!!

Superb, Mike, that would be a welcome positive.

This could get worse for United.

Beat me to it, Mike!!

We're light-years behind them, on and off the pitch, but eh – shiny new stadium coming in a few years... we can watch our completely crap football in some quality surroundings.

Fucking joke club, Everton.

Joe,

It's bloody heartbreaking.

Liverpool are absolutely ruthless!

That's what Tom Davies should have done at Old Trafford two weeks ago, typical of one of our players to not take responsibility though.

Redshite must be in absolute Dreamland watching this side they've produced now, the best side in their history and in Salah arguably the best most effective player on the planet right now.

Rob will be pleased to know that, although I watched yesterday's game on my laptop, at the end – and summoning up the spirit of Goodison in the 1970s – I threw several small balls of cotton wool at the screen.

I couldn't risk throwing cushions at my new laptop screen. But it's the thought that counts!

Interesting that so far, not one of the goals has been a result of individual brilliance, exceptional player ability. Just work rate, movement, teamwork and application. Plus the kind of full-team fitness we haven't seen here since I-don't-know-when.

It's not always about the hugely expensive players.

Agree, Will, none or our players actually seem to look like sportsman and athletes.

This plan to concede possession and play on the counter leaves our players chasing the ball too much.

Can anyone explain why Ronaldo, having taken three deliberate swipes at Curtis Jones, only received a yellow card? Kicks number two and three each deserved a yellow card, so he should have seen red.

Liverpool have ripped United apart.

Was it the 2nd when Maguire and Shaw had a complete communication breakdown?

I don't hold much hope for Ole lasting into early next week.

Jim #42,

Where I live and work, I'm surrounded by Chelsea supporters – most of whom are still asking why the Mo Salah who has been brilliant for Liverpool was bang average – “a squad filler at best” – when he played for them.

Most of his time at Chelsea, he was a sub – a bit like, er... Josh King!

Ole could be available soon...

And we think we've got problems.

I'm almost past caring because the Premier League has turned into something close to other European leagues now, with two or three sides so far ahead of the rest that it's like two leagues in one division.

Chelsea, Man City and Liverpool are going to sweep aside anyone that isn't 100% on it by three to eight goals every week.

The battle is for 4th place, and that's probably as open as it's ever been. Shame we're in another of our "transition" periods and can't make a tilt at it. Moyes might fancy his chances with the 'Ammers though.

I think we have a handful, Anthony but they struggle in the scheme of it, they're a minority. I agree about the possession, it's gone too far and cedes too much control.

Ah well, here's to two more goals – not something I really like to wish for when you-know-who are involved, but...

Rob - you already know the answer to that...

There's the first!

5-0. Only one more to get. Knowing them bastards, they will score 6 then concede 1 in the last minute just to stop us moving up a place!!

What's the biggest ever top flight away victory?

Right now, it wouldn't shock me if Liverpool win this 10-0.

Shit. Need two now.

There's yer prawn sandwich fans — leaving!!!

First away player to score a hat-trick at Old Trafford since 1936.

Damn!

No, still one. Goal ruled offside.

But Liverpool isn't pass pass pass: get the ball knock it forward.

Haha! Lovely.

The colour draining from Sir Alex Ferguson but at least they are conceding 5 to a top side. Our lot have no excuse.

Disallowed... so only one more and we go above the Mancs.

How over-rated is that Salah though? Best player in the world my arse, he's decent but he's no Rondon.

Will, I can't believe we're saying all this. 😬😬😬

I'm actually enjoying the Old Trafford Massacre.

May the football gods forgive me for wanting another Liverpool goal.

Rob - what happens in Vegas. No mention after tonight, eh?

That's going to be a red card.

Do it man, red!

Pogba sent off. Was an horrendous challenge. Only been on 15 minutes. Man Utd could easily be down to nine men.

If the prawn sandwich brigade need a waiter to serve them, I know one.

Jesus, half an our to go 0-5 and down to 10 men. I was in the Paddock when we got done by Liverpool in the Glen Keeley derby, and this is probably worse.

Ole is sooooo sacked.

This is GOLD.

Yesterday was bad enough but Jesus Christ our neighbours are not just rubbing it in today, they are putting the boot in big time in Manchester.

Okay posters will say don't give a shite about them, but after a downer from yesterday, last thing you need to top your weekend off is them taking the piss.

That's shut up the Mancs' "Sign On" song.

Just hope the lads at the Bridge or Kippax have enough to stop The Nightmare on Gwladys Street, Part Two, and win the league. Covid stopped the trophy parade last time.

You're right, Michael.

Salah can't be that good, I mean Rondon has got a boot sponsorship with fuckin Lyle's Black Treacle... beat that, Mo lad!

Fans that live in Manchester heading home earlier than the fans that live in Norway.

Just left church hoping for divine intervention to improve my mood... but nope: 0-5.

At least we capitulated in the last 12 minutes – not from the first!

There's nothing between the top three really. Liverpool are probably the most consistently ruthless, Man City the most brilliant, Chelsea the young pretenders to the crown.

Kieran. Kenwright has us by the tabernacles.

Michael,

“He's no Rondon” — absolutely spot on, unfortunately.

I'd like one more for Liverpool so we can go up a place, then Salah to do his cruciate.

Yes, I am bitter.

Here we go... Mane is always hungry for a goal.

I can't believe I want Liverpool to score more goals. How sad is that?

Problem is, the devil's spawn thrive on such results, going from strength to strength, like no-one else. The only hope is Chelsea put a spanner in the works as chokers Man City will fall at the first semblance of real competition.

What a marvellous season this is turning into...

It's okay, Colin, if you can't keep your sense of humour being an Everton fan, and understand irony, what else is there?!

Ole now at 1/6 with Paddy Power to be next Premier League manager to be sacked. I might put a million quid on that one.

Michael. Amen to that brother ha ha. Very rarely happens to them though. Hope they have peaked too early.

Referee was born in Wythenshawe, Manchester – didn't think that was allowed – but obviously he is definitely not biased!!!!

Just to underline the gap between the top three and the rest, have a look at the goal difference. +20, +21 +16.

Only four other teams have positive goal difference, with West Ham the next best on +6.

Have to turn off now cos the knobheads have started singing their dirge. At least I think that's what they're singing. It might be a traditional Norwegian folk song though.

Unless he's a Man City fan, Gerry!

Yes, Michael, I noticed that too. The Super League already exists.

This Man Utd side is everything that is wrong with an attacking 4-2-3-1 with a slow laborious defence that sits too deep. Too much space in midfield, too easy for overlaps on the flanks, too susceptible to breaks.

The amount of times they effectively had 4 up front and two midfielders unable to get anywhere near the ball was ridiculous. No cover for the full-backs meant that the centre-backs were dragged out wide and massive overlaps appeared on the other side.

Compare with Everton. Gordon, Townsend and Richarlison do well in the wide areas in getting back and defending so the full backs aren't regularly overrun. However, Gray and Iwobi do not offer the same protection (hence the success Watford had after the ridiculous sub yesterday). Keane sits too deep, like Maguire does, thus leaving too much space for 2 midfielders to cover.

Benitez needs to work this out quickly, or he'll be in Marco “well it worked in the last game” Silva territory.

Liverpool couldn't even do us the favour of getting a 6th goal to move us above the Mancs on Goal Difference. I suppose we don't deserve anything anyway.

Bloody hell! This weekend keeps getting worse!!!!!

Didn't help them having the first choice England left back panic then run inside leaving his side wide open on the left. For nearly every goal.

I imagine there will be a greater demand for derby tickets this year as some Evertonians will want to witness in the flesh what they so admire from afar?

Liverpool are definitely back on the inhalers and caffeine, the horrible cheating bastards. But pick out the relevant points from Swinestiger's tweet:

”A devastating day for all Man Utd supporters and the club but it didn't come out of nowhere. It was not a surprise. Liverpool showed them the difference, which is huge – having a philosophy and vision. Congrats, Liverpool.

Hopefully Manchester United will get back very soon.”

Exactly what we're lacking!

Barry, the trip to Anfield is scaring me poo-less already. That game when their U23s did us was bad enough. Van Dijk versus Rondon – a close call, that one.

It doesn't make me feel any better and do I have the advantage of being 300 miles away (with more Mancs around here tbh) but they are on a different level right now sadly.

Brent @98,

I was thinking of our first encounter with the old foe at Goodison in December, that's concerning enough without dreading our trip to their place next year.

Good chance of paying top dollar for some Man Utd rejects now...

Barry, the trip to Goodison Park for the derby is scaring me poo-less as well!

What a dire squad we have.

100%. If you thought it was bad Saturday. 6:0+ and it will be absolute carnage.

Our games against the top three are a foregone conclusion this season. I might well save myself the misery of even going to them, since it's a 400-mile round-trip, Euston to Lime Street and back each time, and Sky seem to have decided that every game we play should be midweek. The thought of dragging my arse up to Goodison on a cold Wednesday night to watch a Salah hat-trick really doesn't fill me with enthusiasm.

The games that count for us are against the teams around us, whether that's Spurs and Wolves right now or Newcastle and Leeds later in the season, when we're bottom half. Without Calvert-Lewin and Doucouré, we're weak as fuck, and we don't even have Sigurdsson to call on anymore. I'm hoping the latter part of the season might be better for us but, with the lack of depth to the squad, I doubt it.

So fuck the derby, bring on Spurs! Two shit teams, should be a cracker.

There's still time before the next derby. Maybe an asteroid will hit us or there'll be a general strike.

Colin #104

Aye... the Mo Salasteroid unfortunately!

Well, that puts the Premier League in perspective.

A dam shame Liverpool didn't get the sixth goal.

Next game is Wolves, this might get the cells charging in the Everton squad for Wolves.

I hate to say it but that's a good benchmark, shown by Liverpool. Professionalism and every player doing his best and working for the team, and ruthless in taking their goal chances.

Due to Leicester City's progress to the Quarter Finals of the Carabao Cup, they will now visit Goodison Park on Sunday 19th December, with a noon kick-off. Unsure if Sky is still covering the game or not.