Gray Day

Like you I'm impressed at Iwobi so far under Rafa, if this carries on, what a bonus. However my biggest concern is DCL, his missed chances are nothing new, and at 24 is this going to improve? We all know he isn't the quality of Kane, but he does miss many sitters that any decent striker should gobble up, which of course cost us points. It's a pity we couldn't afford Abraham before his move. Either Kean needs to get stuck in to being at Everton or leave, he is just not commited to being at Everton, and his value is also dwindling.

Richie does need a rest but seems to be sulky a bit less, but Brighton away next will not be easy, they have had a good start.

I, too, had Allan as man of the match and was surprised some, on other threads, were lambasting him, one even saying he was 'out of his depth'.

Digne really needs to sort out his corners. It's so frustrating when they hit the first man. One such effort led to a Leeds breakaway from which they nearly scored.

Full marks to England in eventually giving the penalty (which looked nailed on from where I was) but why was he looking at the screen for so long?

In recent seasons we've often seemed sluggish and slow but this season we look surprisingly fit!

Have referees had a directive to let the game flow? Despite the whining from a certain manager it really is improving the game for the better.

A good mention for Iwobi there, Paul. Benitez is coaching him well so far it seems, looks like he has more confidence in himself and is a bit more controlled in his play. How far can he improve is the question now.

The last time such a word was used was in the 1980’s but I have to say that today it was very apt. Expansive indeed.

Sweeping forward with purpose, wonderful wing play and a desire to use the full width of the pitch. The last time I witnessed an Everton player pushing the ball past the full backs and speeding past them was when I worshipped at the feet of Trevor Steven.

Gray was that expansive player today, a delight to watch and constructive as well. Fantastic movement, great crosses, first putting DCL in with a good chance to score, then scoring himself with a well taken shot to the bottom right-hand corner. My MOTM.

I love the way Rafa has taken the initiative with his setting up of the team. He played 4-2-4 when it suited, with Iwobi and Gray complementing DCL and Richy up front. When Leeds had the ball, it was 4-4-2. It clearly worked and on another day, DCL would have had a hat-trick.

A word about Iwobi. Not the pin-up of TW contributors in recent months, but credit where its due; another excellent game, another assist. Keep it up Alex!

Alan and Doucoure were solid and inventive and vied with Gray for top billing. A relief to be able to say they looked on top of their game.

Mina was an unspectacular centre back but played a classy game. I like him. The least said about Keane the better. He’s having a ‘mare at the moment. A rest is needed. I hope Godfrey is back next week.

The full backs Coleman and Digne had their work cut-out coping with Leeds’s wide men and their forays forward were limited.

Everton had 17 shots on goal, 8 on target. I’m scratching my head to recall the last time we did that away from home.

There will be a lot of teams who will come away empty handed from Elland Road this season. We are not amongst them.

Always good to get a view of the game, especially when I didn't get to see it. Interesting to see a few shouts for Allan as MotM. The Reid comparisons, coined by myself are just that, comparisons of style, not necessarily like for like or ability. My 64 year old cousin mentioned it last week when we met after the match without me saying anything, so a few appear to see it. Style, similarities and comparisons; that's all they are. Sadly, we have bought him in the twilight of his career and we know how some of the Goodison faithful reacted to Reid in his. I remember QPR at home in particular when he turned on a section of the Paddock. Hopefully if we use Allan correctly and potentially sparingly, we get a tune from him.

I agree on Iwobi; he made an impact last week and must be impressing the manager. With him, I get the impression it's all about his confidence. Keep him confident and there's a player in there waiting to be released.

Without getting carried away early, with Gray, we now have supply for the forwards from both flanks. Last season, Dominic was too reliant on Digne. Yesterday in the first half is a good example. Gray's rapid run and excellent zipped cross that he missed connecting with by inches. Then it was Digne's cross for the incident that led to the penalty. He was the right side of the defender and would likely have scored has he not been fouled.

Dominic could have done better for the last chance, but ultimately, if he keeps getting into those positions, he'll score goals. 2 in 2; he's on track for 38!!

Your Liverpool fan stereotype still has me chuckling. Sad thing is, it's pretty accurate!!

If anyone can't make Huddersfield but has tickets and we can figure out logistics, please let me know!

Thanks again Paul.

I tought there should have been a card (red) for that Leeds player poking Mina in the face(or eye or whatever). Also tought Mina overplayed a tiny bit.. but our players did not get ane help from the referee when in 1st half Leeds was playing a bit nasty.
When or players reacted in 2nd the got booked.
So the ref, who did nothingwith a poke in the face - I hope he wakes up with a turnip up his..

I completely agree with your ratings (for a change!) and I remain impressed that the much-maligned Alex has been involved in three goals in two games. Could it be possible that Rafa is turning him into an effective player?

The Forum denizens unanimously and bizarrely criticized Mina for his tussles with the obnoxious Bamford (funny, I thought we were supposed to support OUR players, not the opposition), but I thought he got deeply into Bamford's head, reducing his effectiveness. And Mina's two heroic intercessions in the final seconds saved the point.

The positives is that he has been getting into positions, and developing more confidence in taking his chances. If he can keep that up, he'll ultimately still score goals, and likely to be a regular 20 goal scorer. If Rafa continues this style of player, DCL is likely to score more than previous season.

I agree with you: Allan was our Man of the Match. He overcomes his lack of pace with astute timing of his interventions in midfield plus a natural grit and determination. Yesterday, he and Doucouré set the tempo of our play when moving from defence to attack.

I also agree with you about Alex Iwobi. He impressed in a handful of games last season, for example at Fulham and Wolves, but in others he looked lost, lacking confidence and belief. Now that it appears he has been given a clear brief on what is required, he is following instructions to the letter. He played a part in creating the second goal with a quick pass into Doucouré, laid on the superb chance for Calvert-Lewin and delivered an excellent cross for a Calvert-Lewin header.

I have always thought he possesses the attributes to be an effective player at this level. The main thing now missing from his game is goals, something which I am sure the manager and staff will address in the coming weeks.

I had drinks in O'Neills by the station and had to walk to the ground with Leeds fans after no joy with buses or taxis. I have to say I found them absolutely fine, the Leeds fans I spoke to were extremely nice and helpful.

I thought it was a great game played in a great atmosphere. Just a shame we didn't get the 3 points…

Despite this, he delivers goals, shows for the ball, and generally retains possession, bullies entire defences, defends dead-ball attacks against us with aplomb, and is clearly trusted and popular with his team-mates.

Yes, he could become Drogba-like with his shooting but, if Lukaku and Kane are worth (totally, obscenely bonkers) nine-figure transfer fees, our lad is worth getting on for that already IMHO.

Keane though, he does what he does very well, but is limited. Nobody can fault his guts playing through and with a serious foot injury.

But it's like there's a transmitter buried under the penalty spot... if he gets too far away from it, the signal fades and his feet are all over the place like mad woman's shit.

It's only 2 games, so remember this time last season. One game at a time.

I have to give credit to Rafa for the improved application and energy throughout the team but especially the improvement of our central midfield of Allan and Doucouré. This has long been our Achilles Heel but these two guys are cooking with gas right now.

Comment re Leeds fans. From a distance, they look like Neanderthals but many years ago, when Leeds were back in the big time, first game of the season at Goodison, I sat beside two Leeds fans in the Bullens Road stand. I was expecting grief but found myself chatting with two of the most intelligent, knowledgeable footy fans I had ever met.

Of course the fact we were getting thrashed probably helped. Was it 0-3 at half-time? Think that was when Nev came and sat in the goalmouth at half-time?

Mike Gaynes mentions the stick some (me included) gave Mina. It is true that Bamford was put off his game, but I don't subscribe to this non-criticism of our players. As someone said on the Live Forum, the players are not reading it.

In my eyes, Mina's panto actions are ridiculous. He can be an excellent centre-back and his diving header near the end was incredible. However, Bamford is normally a sensible and honest player. The referees are well aware of the play-acting. Mina is one of the worst culprits of pretending to have been hurt at the slightest contact.

This will hurt us in the end, as the refs will ignore his protestations. The fact that he is so big and seemingly so delicate doesn't go in his favour. He's trying to con the ref and, in my book, that's cheating. I don't like it in any player and that includes ours.

I can't understand the plaudits for Allan. Although he reads the game well and seems to give his all, he is painfully slow and he hit a few inaccurate shortish passes. He looks like he's running in treacle. Peter Reid could pass and tackle and he wasn't anywhere near as slow as Allan.

Finally, Richarlison looked so tired. He also got his pocket picked a few times for taking an extra touch. A couple of promising attacks were ruined by his greed.

We are though playing more fluidly in attack, and Gray and Iwobi are helping to make us less predictable. I think that Leeds paid closer attention to Richarlison and the other lads benefitted. Rafa seems to have them all on point.

I'll see if I can find a link.

Link

Randomly found it on the San Diego Tribune website. Maybe we are making inroads to the US Market??!!

My wife is still disturbed by the framed picture of Grahame Sharpe I had on my bedside when she first met me!!

Put a man on the front post, and a bad corner can suddenly become a good corner, especially if they are hit with pace.

On the flip side, Dominic done it for the penalty. Lots of grabbing both ways and it was a blatant shirt pull, but Dominic provoked it and then made absolutely sure he got that penalty. He was penalised, but just over-egged the fall in my opinion. Some would say went down like he'd been shot!! And then ear-flicked the officials.