An indescribable night of utter madness sees Everton finally win

Everton ended a dismal four-match losing streak in dramatic style after they had been reduced to 10 men with Allan harshly dismissed after a protestor had delayed the game for 8 minutes, securing himself to the gaolpost against Newcastle United under the lights at Goodison Park.

Michael Kenrick 17/03/2022 252comments  |  Jump to last

Dominic Calvert-Lewin came on late in the game and played a crucial part in Iwobi's goal

Everton ended a dismal four-match losing streak in dramatic style after they had been reduced to 10 men with Allan harshly dismissed after a protestor had delayed the game for 8 minutes, securing himself to the gaolpost against Newcastle United under the lights at Goodison Park.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin was on the bench for this one but there was no Pickford in goal and Van de Beek was also missing from the squad, both absent through illness.

Allan returned to a three-man central midfield, Michael Keane is back in to counter the height of Chris Wood, Ben Godfrey, Mason Holgate, and Seamus Coleman all started.

Yerry Mina was still absent through injury, while Jonjoe Kenny was suspended after getting two yellow cards in the space of 3 minutes last time out.

Article continues below video content


Nathan Patterson and Vitaliy Mykolenko are on the bench but Jarrad Branthwaite is still out.

Everton kicked off but there was no real pattern to the early play, Everton failing to keep possession, although Krath's push on Gordon looked worthy of an early card. But the free-kick was played backwards. However, Everton moved forward down the left and Godfrey crossed well... but nobody there!

Down the other flank, and Iwobi won an early corner that Gray put in well, to Godfrey heading well at the far post but too close to Dubravka.

Everton tried to play some high pressing but they were still taking far too long to move the ball forward. Burn was called for wiping out Gordon. Holgate at least played a forward ball but lazily overhit. Alan tried a clever ball to release Gordon but that too was overhit.

But Guimares got behind the Everton defence and crossed dangerously close to the Everton goal. In the next attack, Wood got a clean header, straight at Begovic.

A free-kick in the middle of the park was again overhit by Keane this time, but at least it was forward. However, Newcastle won their own free-kick and another heart-in-mouth moment as the ball bobbled in the Everton area and needed clearing.

Another Newcastle free-kick conceded by Gordon was cleared to Fraser whose first-time volley bounced well wide. The pressing and tackling was a lot better that recent games, especially seeing Coleman across with Frasse the last man, and worrying him well off course

Some far better football saw a great Everton move down the left, Richarlison crossing in for Doucouré and Iwobi but neither could finish.

Newcastle did well to build an attack into the Everton area but Iwobi cleared to Ricarlison who was being held — nothing given. The visitors came back, won a corner that Begovic punched put firmly, Holgate conceding a second corner deflecting Almieron's strike.

A dangerous ball in was only just defended by Everton for a third corner and finally a partial respite, but Everton had not conceded. But Gordin was being just a little too physical in his challenges and the referee was getting closer to booking him.

Anoher Newcastle corner was worryingly headed over by Wood. But Everton were not winning many of the competitive decisions in midfield from Craig Pawson. Begovic was alert to prevent an optimistic lob from the half-way line scoring on the next Newcastle free-kick.

Everton finally got forward but it was an easy ball in for Dubrovka to take. Doucoure lost the ball when trying play forward and Holgate had to rescue things at the expense of another corner, on which Burn and Keane clashed heads.

Everton were having to defend with increasing desperation, and just not getting the ball forward effectively; when the chances came, Gray turning and losing the ball. When they won it again, it went backwards.

Allan showed great determination to win the ball and beat off two men but the solid Newcastle defence had reformed quickly. Gordon tried to produce a wondergoal and completely missed the ball.

Everton tried to build again but the attack stalled outside the Newcastle area, and no cross came in for them to defend. In advanced forward play, Coleman was ripped apart by the crowd when he played the ball backwards.

Everton did well to stall a Newcastle free-kick and Gordon won the ball well in midfield. launching an ambitious ball wide to Gray... too wide in the end but great intent.

It was very competitive in midfield with all the desire and intent that had been missing against Wolves. But the similar barrier of an efficient well-disciplined defence kept Everton from getting into decent attacking positions in the Newcastle penalty area.

Gordon did well to win a late corner in added time after Gray had stumbled. But Gray's corner did not beat the first man.

No changes for the restart, Iwobi failing to cross in early and losing the ball, Richarlison then far too easily pushed off the ball. Willock had a weak shot at Begovic. Coleman had to clear a free-kick before some stupid twat ran on the field and attached himself to the Gwladys Street goal with a strong neck-tie, requiring a massive pair of bolt-cutters!

The pillock was eventually released and carted off after a delay of 8 minutes to the game, which finally restarted with a Newcastle throw-in. the flow of the game was eventually restored but it saw Everton playing backwards again from advanced positions until it was lost.

Allan played a great ball to Richarlison but he overplayed the ball and then overplayed the attention and collapsed in a heap. But Everton finally built an attack and actually turned with the ball and took a shot sort of in the vague direction of goal.

Doucoure won a free-kick but Everton were offside when it was taken. Still no changes from Frank Lampard; something was now separately needed. Finally, a yellow card was shown to Ricjharlsion for a silly body barge.

From the free-kick, KJraft had a decent whack at goal that Begovic gathered. Doucoure, Iwobi and Gordon played the ball sideways until a ball out to Godfrey was allowed to bounce through him and out of play.

Everton won a free-kick and Richarlison was barged over off the ball. Allan was next to be given a free-kick. Coleman and then Gray saw shots blocked and Newcastle broke at pace, Almiron almost creating something before he was withdrawn for Saint-Maximin, Howe making a move while Lampard continued to ponder.

Richarlison was awarded a rather soft free-kick, that won a corner at the far post. Gray's next delivery was reworked to Gordon who overhit his cross and Gray couldn't control it beyond the far post.

Krafth was very strong in turning Gordon, who went flying, but Everton failed to get forward from the free-kick and more horribly scrappy play ensued as Calvert-Lewin finally came on for Gray.

Krafth bundled over Richarlison on the edge of the Newcastle area and saw yellow, Gordon also for stupidly getting involved,. Gordon's free-kick deflected behind through the wall, for a corner that Joelinton headed away.

Gordon cut in from the recycle and powered a splendid shot in that Dubrovka had to save. A much better move saw Gordon feed Richarlison who crossed first time but Calvert-Lewin was too far behind to convert. Coleman did well to work the wall back in but went down too easily.

Allan barely tapped Saint-Maximin's ankle, but very late and he was in full flight and VAR pondered the possible red card; he was a long way behind the ball, and Pawson was asked to look at it, which only means one thing: red card for Allan. Always looks bad in slo-mo.

Everton were livid seeing it on the big screen but protestations were for nought. Could the 10 men survive now for a point? 14 minutes of added time for Newcastle shooting practice.

Willock was first in line, Begovoc down well to save. From the corner, a Newcastle shot is blocked by Keane. Gordon got free and galloped into the Newcastle area but then stepped across the defender, blatantly trying to buy a penalty; Pawson was not fooled.

Newcastle surged forward again and again. Calvert-Lewin was fouled but Pawson let it go and the crowd gave him another round of abuse as the minutes ticked away.

Then a moment of more sublime madness — Gomes battled for the ball and Coleman did a brilliant captain's job to retrieve a lost cause in his tackle, fedding Iwobi who drove forward, played a great ball off Calvert-Lewin with a brilliant reverse flick back into Iwobi's path and he finished superbly to give Everton the lead.

Still minutes to play, however, and the Everton defence needing to stay firm giving up a late corner that was headed behind off Coleman, but no corner given. A great cheer from the Everon crowd, with Gordon finally going off for Townsend.

Begovic took a long time over his goalkick and finally, after 17 minutes of added time, Pawson blew the final whistle and Everton had won this absolutely crazy game of Premier League football.

Kick-off: 7:45pm, Thursday 17 March 2022 on Amazon Prime Video in the UK

Everton: Begovic, Coleman, Keane, Holgate, Godfrey, Allan [R:84'], Doucoure, Iwobi, Gray (76' Calvert-Lewin), Gordon [Y:76'] (90+15' Townsend), Richarlison [Y:64'] (87' Gomes) .
Subs not Used: Lonergan, Tyrer, Patterson, Mykolenko,Rondon, Dele.

Newcastle United: Dàºbravka, Krafth, Schà¤r, Burn, Targett, Willock, Guimarà£es, Joelinton, Almirà³n, Wood, Fraser (85' Murphy).
Subs: Dummett, Lascelles, ( Saint-Maximin) Ritchie, Manquillo, Darlow, Gayle, Longstaff.

Referee: Craig Pawson
VAR: Stuart Attwell

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Reader Comments (252)

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Dave Williams
1 Posted 17/03/2022 at 18:51:50
Narrative says no Coleman but team list has him in!
No Pickford- sensible- no Donny
Go boys!!
Jerome Shields
2 Posted 17/03/2022 at 18:52:28
Back to open attack football at Goodison. I would have prefered Van de Beek to play rather than Iwobi.
Frank Sheppard
4 Posted 17/03/2022 at 18:54:23
Narrative does say that Coleman starts
Tom Bowers
5 Posted 17/03/2022 at 18:58:11
Why can't we play a left-back at left-back? Godfrey should play at right-back instead of Coleman if Patterson is being held back for the future.

Sure we need height but Holgate is awful on the ground these days.

However, no matter what the starting eleven is, they need to have confidence and play tightly as a unit, particularly in midfield, where we have been vulnerable in many games this season and not getting a grip when it matters.

Many of us may argue that with the current squad to pick from; we just don't have the quality to compete with other teams in midfield.

Chris Williams
6 Posted 17/03/2022 at 18:58:18
2 keepers on the bench?
Dave Williams
7 Posted 17/03/2022 at 18:58:21
Frank, it does now but it didn't!

Or maybe delirium has set in with extreme nerves.

Saint-Maximin is on their bench.

Danny Baily
8 Posted 17/03/2022 at 18:58:29
Looks good to me, let's smash these.
Dale Self
9 Posted 17/03/2022 at 19:12:04
Good luck everyone! We are all in this !@()P#$(%^()@&#$%&! together! UTFT!!!!!
Matthew Williams
10 Posted 17/03/2022 at 19:14:58
Team is set for a draw to me...FFS be braver and take the game to these Barcodes!
Ernie Baywood
11 Posted 17/03/2022 at 19:17:51
Agree with Keane coming in. He's not great but he's the best we have. He's needed for the high ball.

Assuming Pickford is an injury/illness rather than a Newcastle/Sunderland thing.

Enough attackers on the pitch. But if we play as we have, with Richarlison ploughing a lone furrow then its business as usual. Which typically results in one shot a game.

We have to score goals to get out of trouble.

Tony Twist
12 Posted 17/03/2022 at 19:25:15
Oh my god, this manager is scared to death. I was nervous before seeing this team news now I am seriously questioning our managers thought processes. Get on those prayer mats blues boys.
Kieran Kinsella
13 Posted 17/03/2022 at 19:31:26
Tyrer is an anagram of tryer so he should have been first pick based on that surely? Chuckle brothers both start so we will need at least two goals to counter them unless Begovic suddenly turns into superman. Glad to see Iwobi as he might have one of his occasional good games as opposed to Gomes and Deli who have been crap in every game.
Annika Herbert
14 Posted 17/03/2022 at 19:33:47
Dave @1, no Pickford sensible? A large dose of whatever you are currently on please.
Andrew Keatley
15 Posted 17/03/2022 at 19:33:48
Keane simply had to play; Godfrey or Holgate are both just unable to provide any sort of aerial opposition for Chris Wood.

Need bravery and ambition on and off the ball. Failure to stand up and be counted tonight will ultimately be unforgivable.

Ciarán McGlone
16 Posted 17/03/2022 at 19:37:47
A proper existential crisis.

Reasonable team. Certainly more sensible than last outting.. subject to omissions.

This rampant atheist will be praying to anyone who'll listen.. even satan.

Oliver Molloy
17 Posted 17/03/2022 at 19:46:05
Right now, relegation or not is in the hands of the players but they need to start fucking getting us points.

I was convinced, if we lost to Wolves we were fucked, forever the Evertonian in me has me thinking if we can win tonight, it just might give the players a lift.

Newcastle will try and bully us all over the park – they will be up for it, make no mistake, we simply have got to match them.

Lampard looks a nervous wreck.
COYB for fuck sake.

Ernie Baywood
18 Posted 17/03/2022 at 20:22:20
There just has to be a change. Tactically and in personnel.

Loads of effort. No bravery. Newcastle repeatedly have players in our box - something will fall for them eventually. It's inevitable.

Whereas we are playing in our own half. Nothing forward. Doucoure just another defender doing his best impersonation of a rebound net.

We're completely reliant on Holgate and Keane creating something for our wide players because our midfield never carry the ball forward.

One shot on target, so we've doubled our recent output. But nothing for 35 minutes is completely business as usual.

Tony Twist
19 Posted 17/03/2022 at 20:38:46
Wolves all over again. Walking the tightrope in the second half. Draw is not enough.
Ciarán McGlone
20 Posted 17/03/2022 at 20:40:02
This has an inevitability about it. Satan's not interested.

Nothing in the final third. Iwobi fannying about then just passing it across the pitch and out sums our forward play up. Godfrey running the length of the pitch and giving it away also indicative.

Fair play to the crowd.

Michael Kenrick
21 Posted 17/03/2022 at 20:46:11
I think we're playing a lot better, both in defence and midfield, compared with the Wolves game, but it's still garbage in the final third. Just not happening.

And Gordon looks like he wants a yellow card. But Pawson seems keen to let the game flow. All to play for, put Calvert-Lewin on now.

Ernie Baywood
22 Posted 17/03/2022 at 20:47:33
No changes.

Sums us up quite nicely.

Enjoy watching our most talented attacker bumping into two big centre halves again.

Ernie Baywood
23 Posted 17/03/2022 at 20:50:29
7 hours without a goal now.

During which time we have had 5 attempts.

And we're still doing exactly the same things. This is madness.

Ernie Baywood
24 Posted 17/03/2022 at 21:24:36
Why do we need VAR for this? The referee saw it clearly.
Ernie Baywood
25 Posted 17/03/2022 at 21:26:13
That's an absolute disgrace. Fucking sick of it.

Referee was right next to it. Then judges it in slow motion.

Dale Self
26 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:12:12
I watched Steve Coogan clips until I could get in here. Fucking Everton that eh?

Ok, I'll leave and come back so someone else can get it. I could use a change of underpants.

Jack Convery
27 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:26:27
Hibbo rioting in France !

So that's what we bought Iwobi for !!

10 beat 12 not 11. Maybe 13 if you include the tosser on VAR.

I would still question the VAR /REF decisions in this game. Something wasn't right. We are on the wrong end of far too many dodgy decisions these days for my liking.

Neil Lawson
28 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:26:55
Fantastic 3 points and terrific fighting performances from the 4 at the back but such a dreadful lack of quality elsewhere. Difficult to understand the tactics and persisting in them for so long. However, let's all just revel in the 3 points and hope for another confidence builder on Sunday.

Some difficult, painful and emotional games to come and I still fear for our chances. Tonight though, just brilliant.

And VAR. Red Nose Day tomorrow. It should be upfront and central. What a joke. Ref 10 feet away. Clearest of clear views. Total bottler and knobhead to change what was a correct decision.

Ernie Baywood
29 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:28:04
For now, just YES!

For later... see what happens when you have a striker on the pitch who plays as a striker. In the striker position. So midfielders can play into and join up with the striker. Even an unfit one.

Eddie Howe says the crowd swung it. He's dead right.

Mike Gaynes
30 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:32:00
NBC reporting that Frank broke his hand in the celebration.

If that doesn't reflect the passion of the effort, nothing does.

It was ugly, uncoordinated, sometimes downright incompetent... but the effort was sheer magnificence.

Holgate and Keane were magnificent in front of Bego (whom I will never call "Bungles" again). And the goal came through three of the most scorned here... Seamus with the fierce tackle, Iwobi with the dribble, Dom with the backheel (after being roundly insulted by the Forum folk for his fashion adventures), and then the calm finish.

So proud of these guys today.

Oliver Molloy
32 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:35:37
Over the fucking moon is all I can say!!
Christy Ring
33 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:36:55
Massive huge, Iwobi!! Paddy's day
Johan Elmgren
34 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:37:11
Blue heroes tonight. What fight. It wasn't easy on the eye, but they gave their all. Well done lads!!
Raymond Fox
35 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:37:25
Hail Iwobi, pleased for the kid he just might have saved us from going down.
Ben King
36 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:38:00
We really really really needed that

Thank you Everton

Andrew Keatley
37 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:38:00
So much to comment on - from the dour first hour, to the inept officials, to the ridiculous red card, to the defiance of the crowd and eventually the players, and the glory of Alex Iwobi.

Allan was our best player. Losing him could have easily led to defeat, yet somehow the players found the guts and legs and ambition to put a marker down. Hopefully this can be the moment that makes next season look like it might be something to look forward to.

Special mention for Michael Keane and Mason Holgate; while the players in front of them flattered to deceive they made key blocks and challenges and clearances that kept us in the game. Begovic too.

I got the proper adrenaline shakes when Iwobi scored - and I hope you lot did too!

Dave Williams
39 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:39:57
Keane had an absolute stormer of a game. The whole back four was excellent and they shackled Saint-Maximin when he came on.

Fine goal by Iwobi but what a display of guts and fighting spirit by the whole team. If we can keep it going, we will be safe.

Well done, Frank, the players looked very well prepared.

Danny O’Neill
40 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:43:47
It's not the end of the fight.

I was at Wolves last week. It was awful.

Unfortunately I couldn't be there tonight. I would be at every Everton match if I could. But I was following like a rabid dog and talking to a very good Newcastle mate continuously throughout, which made me nervous but at the same time confident. They're an equally paranoid bunch.

I can't comment too much on the match or the football tonight as I didn't see it.

But what I can say, is that I love you more than life Everton. This support base loves you more than you know, no matter what you do to them. Continue to perform for them in this manner.

If you want to understand what it means to play for Everton, come and speak to me or the many people on here. You will understand.

I hope you understand that and take it into the next match. Because this result doesn't make the fight over. The fight is never over. You don't win unless you fight for it all of the time.

Sorry. Feeling happy, emotional and conscious that there is still a lot of work to do.

Nil Satis Nisi Optimum. God bless everyone blue.

Paul Hewitt
41 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:43:50
I'm glad of the 3 points. But I'm not celebrating. We shouldn't even be in this position if the players had put this much effort in all season. Fucking frauds.
Tony Hill
42 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:43:52
Fabulous. What was most pleasing was to see what it meant to everyone, the players very much included.

Iwobi's finish in that context was superb and his fitness throughout the game was very impressive.

Significantly, DCL looks right back at it, he made a very big difference.

A great occasion but this is still an exceedingly tough battle ahead. We must not make our usual mistake of revelling in one victory and then flopping again.

What a fucking night though.

Lee Courtliff
44 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:45:50
The best shit game I've ever seen!! Well done Alex Iwobi, you deserved that moment of glory.
Christine Foster
45 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:46:18
Massive..just massive.. I lifted the roof of this wooden hut I call home in NZ, sure the neighbours think I am demented.. just a battling display, but I agree with Jack Convery, too many VAR and other decisions selectively against us. When you think of the Shelvy tackle, not even a booking.. Man City handball, poor refereeing decisions collectively makes you wonder whats going on as it seems consistent theme when it comes to Everton. Must be my paranoia
Ok.. the game..
The shape was tactically wrong, we let them play all night, we were nowhere near the second ball anywhere on the pitch and struggled to pass, but we did defend. We should have played a centre forward from the off, Gray was poor tonight, Allan turns like the Titanic but was so unlucky and will be so missed, it was a deliberate foul and a yellow card but never a red. What about the deliberate shoulder into the back of Richarlison ? Nothing.. what a joke.
The difference with Calvert Lewin on the pitch saw balls won and laid off, Richarlison will be disappointed but he is not a centre forward and the team had a better shape with him wide.
The crowd.. what a fabulous sight to behold, Goodison in full cry.. they played every ball, every challenge, it was pure encouragement. Fabulous.. its why we love Everton.
Next stop Palace.. probably some changes for that one but going in to it on a high..COYB!
All in all.. 3 points..
Mal van Schaick
46 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:46:43
True grit, and a good old fashioned set to, no prisoners taken, apart from oil man on the goalpost.

Can't see the red card being over turned. Even Eddie Howe said that the crowd swung the game for us.

FA cup as a diversion on Sunday, but let's re-group and get more league points on the board. Great win.

Mike Price
47 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:48:54
I'm trying to not care but I've got tears in my eyes.
Tony Everan
48 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:48:55
Well battled and deserved win, well done to all the team. Alex Iwobi generally played well throughout and great to see that cool finish. The confidence that goes with this will be good for Alex and Everton.

Red card was extremely harsh, he took the player out and it was a cast iron yellow. It wasn't dangerous play just a bad foul. Can't see them overturning it as the slow motion doesn't really capture the context and flow of the tackle. They need to look at it in real time, and then they would se that it's just a fully justifiable yellow.

We have, out of the blue, been given something to build on, and best of all some hope.

Ernie Baywood
49 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:50:05
That win alone doesn't keep us up. But I'm fairly sure any other result would have ultimately seen us down.

As a grown man it's embarrassing to say that I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed now. Oh how we needed that.

It wasn't great. The Passion from the crowd was exceptional. The effort from the players was clearly there. But we can't continue to ignore the lack of quality, bravery or ambition. We have to score goals. It's how every relegation threatened team gets out of trouble. It's why Kevin Campbell is revered - he scored the goals that kept us up.

I don't want to see Richarlison there again. I've said it forever. It might work for Brazil, but we're not Brazil. I'm so desperate to see him running at teams. Play a striker! Let Richie win second balls and go at teams.

The 99th minute was the one moment of quality we'd put together in nearly 8 hours of football. And it involved a striker and and a willing runner.

Nick Page
50 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:52:43
Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.
Colin Glassar
51 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:54:20
I needed that. The players needed that. The entire Everton community needed that. I've been in a massive (football) depression for the last couple of weeks so this has come as a great relief.

Thank you Everton, you cruel bastards!!

John Raftery
52 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:55:08
A huge win, obviously. One that had little to do with formation and tactics and everything to do with grit, determination and one moment of real quality. Delighted for Iwobi who always looks a better player when playing off the cuff than he does when he has time to procrastinate.

Alan Shearer did not think the Allan foul was a red card. Nobody other than Attwell on VAR thought it worth more than a yellow. I remember the foul by Shelvey on Gordon at St James's Park was not similarly punished. Another VAR farce.

Brian Murray
53 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:55:18
Well done Alex, that moshiri fella knows a player when he sees one ha ha coyb
Derek Taylor
54 Posted 17/03/2022 at 22:58:02
Tonight showed that too many of these guys had been 'wagging it'. They gave everything and eventually got the decider. Perhaps they will deign to do it again. Several times in matches remaining.

But don't bet on it ! And well done you crowdsters - you were magnificent.

Kev Dooley
55 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:00:22
Iwobi, Archie Gemmill style...
What a moment,
Fantastic
Pete Clarke
56 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:01:15
I'm glad we were playing a very average Newcastle because that was very worrying to watch. The fight was there in part but the sheer lack of quality in passing and dribbling was unbelievable. Frank Lampard will be relieved after that because the early signs were that he's not improved anything except for maybe the effort. Hopefully this is a turning point.
Looks like the officials have ignored the fact that they owe us a favour. Bastards ! They have even less ability than our team.
Anyway, that is a massive win to put some much needed points on the board and hopefully give everyone at the club a lift. Take care of the teams around us and we should be fine.
Go flat out in the cup against Palace and maybe give Some youngsters a game.
Andrew Keatley
57 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:01:37
Colin (51) - At least mention Iwobi when he comes up with a much-needed match-winning goal! You mention him in every other post for crying out loud!
Tony Abrahams
58 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:02:11
Jack@27, I thought it was only me, but it is happening way to often and it doesn't matter who the officials are. I'm that paranoid I thought the ref added an extra five minutes on tonight because we were down to ten men, but it backfired on the cheating fucker once Iwobi scored, and the famous old lady was genuinely shaking to its foundations🙏
Tony Hill
59 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:02:41
Iwobi was on the move right from the very start of that move for the goal, he was harrying before Coleman's excellent challenge, and he kept at it. Top class play from him, it really was.
Nick Page
60 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:04:23
I can't believe we've won that. My youngest thinks I'm nuts. I think I agree. They are trying everything to manage us out of this league, I'm convinced. That oil prick was chained to the goal for 8 mins. They added another six. Then another three. You compare that tackle - which was a pro foul no doubt (a proper red shite special) to the Shelvey shocker and you can see there is something going on. Then their CB donkey charges Richie in the back. Nothing. I'd lay into these bastards if I was Everton and go public with it. We need everything we can grab hold of to stay in this league. More than anything though that will help confidence and bond the team…I hope. UTFT
Kieran Kinsella
61 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:07:50
Danny

First half was solid old school defending and useless wayward passes. Newcastle dominated but not so much weathering a storm as a rain shower. Second half was better all around. Dodgy ref wound the crowd up, red card icing on the cake. Even at 10 men you could see Everton were edging it then classy move slick finish. It was not quite dogs of war but closer to that than we've seen in a while

Colin Glassar
62 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:08:20
Andrew, Iwobi suffered a rush of blood to the head and mis-kicked his beautiful goal.

I salute thee, Alex Iwobi. You fucking, useless beaut.

Anthony Murphy
63 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:12:03
That oil prick - brilliant
Steavey Buckley
64 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:12:07
Everton fans can now breathe a sigh of relief and savour the moment of winning again, to again ride the Helta Skelta premier league in 17 days time when Everton play West Ham away on the 3rd of April and then away again on the 6th of April when Everton play Burnley.
Danny O’Neill
65 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:13:12
The FA Cup is never a distraction.

It's an incentive.

We have a lot to do bit we can win on two fronts.

Rob Hooton
66 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:13:24
When Iwobi scored that was the best feeling I've had so far this year, the odds were stacked against us at this point and it was a cracking goal.
Fingers crossed the clean sheet and win in adversity sets the team for the run in.
Will Mabon
67 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:15:46
Tony, you just described Iwobi's abilities there. Movement and natural ability to find space, and be in motion at the right time. He is lacking in many areas for sure but he can't half see opportunity unfolding.

Whatever his failings and future, he sure saved us tonight.

Dave Lynch
68 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:16:25
Fact... We have never lost a game when someone has tied themselves to the goalpost.🤣

Well done blues, not pretty but I'll take it

Colin Glassar
69 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:19:47
Dave, that guy was my motm. If it wasn't for him we'd never would've won in the 99th minute. I hope Lampard picks him against Palace.
Will Mabon
70 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:20:59
Dave, we've also never been relegated after any sort of on-field protest in a season for 70 years.
Rob Hooton
71 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:21:46
With the international break coming up we surely have to go for a full team in the FA Cup? Winning that and surviving would be a fun and dramatic season.
Mike Hughes
72 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:22:13
I spoke to a bloke wearing an Everton shirt in Asda early evening. Didn't know him from Adam. Shared concerns. He said he knew I was a Blue from the look about me.
There has defo been a weight / anxiety / depression about me for a few weeks.
Total release when that goal went in - and at the final whistle.
Not to be melodramatic - but there has been damage done this season and before.
Sort it out Everton.
We're not a ****ing charity or community action group. And if we are inclined that way, can the charity begin at home please?
This is football, competition, sport.
Get the priorities right.
I know there are more important matters in the world. But sport is important because it is not life and death.
Every game matters.
Shove the “we've had some good times” attitude as far I as it will go.
It's all about NOW.
Just survive this season then onwards and upwards.
COYB.
Will Mabon
73 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:22:40
Colin, I might send a memo of thanks to George Soros tomorrow.
Neil Copeland
74 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:22:59
Just got home from the game. Wow! What a fantastic shit game that was. The effort from the players and crowd was immense. The way the players celebrated the goal and victory said a lot about how much they want to stay up.

I thought we actually played better with 10 men despite the fact that Allan had a good game.

For me tonight was a victory over corruption, thoroughly deserved because we simply refused to lie down. The officials were appalling, surely there has to be some sort investigation or review, the consistency of poor performance from them this season is truly alarming.

Anyway fuck them, we won and hopefully gained a little confidence in the process.


Jerome Shields
75 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:26:29
Lyndon, a accurate description.

Both teams shit and the ref even worse, with VAR out doing itself.

10 men Everton saved by Iowbi in the 109 minute with five minutes left to play, which turned out to be 8 minutes.

Not to mention Bill's long lost son in a red shirt , , trying to be a goal post , getting kicked by a Everton Supporter who looked like the guy who kissed the centre point after beating Wimbledon for Relegation survival.

Keane was motm.

Soren Moyer
76 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:28:14
TAKE THAT SHEARER! Well done boys. MoTM IWOBI. For real. Nigerians gone wild tonite ha ha.
Brian Wilkinson
77 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:28:35
What is missing, and I am suprised it has not been picked up was moments after Coleman had an appeal turned down for a penalty, no mention of var asking the ref to check the Monitor, var made their mind up in a matter of seconds, play carried and and was only broken up by the tackle by Allan.

The ref gave a yellow, he was close enough to warrant a yellow, yet var tell the ref to go over to the Monitor to have a look.

why was the same not done by var in the City game the other week, for the ref to go and take a look

It is getting ridiculous now, call me paranoid, but it is happening to us more and more this season, thankfully did not cost us three points, but it has cost us Allan missing the next three games.

Overall, before being swayed by var and changing his mind, I thought the ref had a decent game, let the game flow and ignored players trying to cheat by throwing themselves to the floor, from both sides.

Will Mabon
78 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:29:01
Neil, I wouldn't ever hold your breath for the provision of balance and fairness. The best revenge it's said, is living well. We can continue to live well by staying in the Premier League - and sod them.
Mike Galley
79 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:29:34
Nick @ 60
I'm with you.
I'd go big with this. It's been going on to long. I don't want some mealy mouthed apology like we got after the Man City non penalty farce.
I accept I'm biased but I thought the incident on Coleman in the second half was a pen. No VAR review I believe.
Apparently, the commentator said Coleman looked tired when trying to keep the ball going!
Really!
If I got pushed/bumped over on a football pitch every time I looked tired, I'd have never been on my feet!
Jack Convery
80 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:30:45
Stuart Attwell on VAR - he's been getting things wrong for a long time !!

https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/302457/Referee-Stuart-Attwell-is-demoted


David Graves
81 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:31:37
All together now:
Going down are we fuck…
We stay up and win the cup.
Barry Hesketh
82 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:32:13
As somebody sat near me said tonight, nobody will remember the performance only the result and that's the way it will be in the remainder of the season, thankfully we managed to gain 3 valuable points when following the sending-off of Allan it looked as if a point was the best we could hope for. A classic Goodison Park occasion, but not a classic match, however, the goal was worthy of the three points and Iwobi's calmness in finishing the move was as unexpected as it was most welcome. I too believe that there is an agenda from the officials and it cannot be allowed to be contnued without questions being asked. One minute of added time in the first-half, when Newcastle players were on the ground for much longer than that, yet 14 minutes of stoppage time in the second-half. I thought that Allan was sailing close to the wind with his tackle but having seen it back, it was not worthy of a red, why did Pawson change his mind, and it begs the question who is officiating, the man in the middle or the guy in the VAR studio, or even worse the broadcasters?

A great victory, but we need a few more between now and the end of the campaign, the last two games could have ended in draws, so from that perspecive 3 points is better than two in the current circumstances, let's hope that Frank and his team can encourage the players to believe that only hard work will suffice, if the quality isn't there.

Dave Abrahams
83 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:32:29
The match wasn't up to much, Everton played the same way we've played for the last few matches but I was more than proud to be part of the team that definitely won the game for Everton, we were absolutely brilliant, never a chord out of place, got better as the game stopped and started, upped it again with the unfair, to me, sending off then we went outstandingly berserk with the goal with me an old man twenty one again out of my seat screaming like a fuckin' loon with dozens of other loons screaming back and laughing with me then we recovered and continued the roars and backing the team on to a victory and three vital points, got to give a bit of credit to some of those boys in Blue shirts they did help us at certain times during the game, Keane, Allan, Gordon and the ‘ keeper then Iwobi got the goal that means so much that at the end of the game produced a sensational symphony of sound by us brilliant performers, no MOTM just 37,000 superb sound singers and you are all getting selected for the next few home games, proud to be one of yis.
John Raftery
84 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:34:26
Injuries to key players have undermined us this season. It was interesting to note the team tonight included none of the January signings. We were almost back to the line-up which started the season. A fit DCL and Richarlison playing together could be huge. A great shame Allan will now miss three matches. His absence and that of Doucouré always weakens the team. A fully fit Gray can make a big difference to our attack.
Jim Lloyd
85 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:35:54
Well!!! Oh what a night! to quote the song. I thought we were second best for most of the match, with Newcastle doing another wolves on us. As the game wore on though, more and more, the referee was doing a brilliant impression of a very corrupt bastard.
Funnily enough, that despicable red card he gave to my man of the Match, just blew the lid off Goodison Park. Every man, woman and child just went bonkers and roaring our heads off at that bent twat. It seemed to galvanise the team, and us and we didn't stop roaring and the team didn't stop fighting for every ball.

It turned out to be one of the best atmospheres that I've been lucky enough to take part in...even though it was for twenty od minutes. And when that goal went in! The Roof went off!

I've been going for sixty odd years and as long as I keep going. That match...well we won in spite of that bastard ref. It will live long in the memory that. Team and supporters together. It was brilliant.

Yes, we've still got a mountain to climb, but that Geordie team were rolling round and trying to put our lads off their rhythm (and they suucceeded for long periods of the match; but in the end we won against all odds.

A proper Brilliant Everton Night!
I'll have to get some throat lozenges tomorrow mind!

Dave,well said! a smashing post.

Jerome Shields
86 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:40:10
Frank has finally found Iowbi's best position- everywhere. The Wandering Angus Role.
Dale Self
87 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:40:23
All together now, all together now!
All together now, all together now!

Get some honey and lemon on those pipes Gramps, we need you for every verse. Keep it going, stay up win the cup like David Graves sings.

David Currie
88 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:43:05
Once again we got fucking cheated by the corrupt officials who hate Everton Football club, that was never a red card and now Allan will miss 3 games.
What a challenge by Coleman for our goal and great quality from Alex and DCL to finish it.
Well done the players and fans, we have to fight like dogs in every game in order to survive.
Trust me we will get more decisions against us from these cheating officials.
Will Mabon
89 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:48:15
I'm right up there with those speaking against the overt bias but I think the Allan incident tonight highlighted again where the real problem and opportunity for corruption lies: VAR.

Call the ref, but he first showed a yellow card - the right decision. VAR intervened, and look what happened.

We could have had a penalty against City and not lost a player against Newcastle. Marked difference - and yet no investigation for validity will take place. That is huge potential for influence.

Martin Reppion
90 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:48:43
Alan Shearer of all people was saying during the interminable VAR replays that there was no way it was a red card.
For once he was right.
Was there a clear and obvious error? No. therefore why send the ref to look at it?
In real time it was a clear yellow. In super slow motion it looked more dangerous. But, the player was not endangered, and Allan was not out of control. In fact he knew exactly what he was doing.
I make it so far this season, Penalty v Spurs. compare and contrast with Holgate's sending off later same game.
Shelvey. Nothing to see here? Really?
Citeh Penalty appeal. Just wait while the VAR checks the badge on his shirt.
Now this double.
Is it so difficult to get one set of rules and stick to them?
John Keating
91 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:50:03
The performance from the team, unlike the support, was poor
The result fantastic, however, I still think the Wolves defeat was a killer blow

I think the last time I kicked up about a ref's performance was Clattenburg after the derby but this season there's been a catalogue. Tonights miserable exhibition was another disgrace
The PL really has to look into the abysmal standard of refereeing and the nonsense that is VAR.

If only these players were as good at their jobs as the supporters we'd be top of the league.

Dave Abrahams
92 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:50:59
Dale (87), No gramps when that goal went in, I was a young lad about town again for five minutes along with everyone else trying to roar the roof off The Old Lady who stood her ground and laughingly remembered dozens of nights like this and no doubt looking forward to a few more before we quit and go posh in The Brambly Moor.
Ben King
93 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:51:12
It was a ridiculous decision to give a red card for the foul by Allan

Struggling to understand the upside of VAR. It really doesn't seem to ever favour us

Tony Abrahams
94 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:52:42
I read a headline today with Juergen Klopp saying he was sick of it, with regards to people calling Mane a cheat. Everton have got to come out stronger on these referees, who definitely appear to have an agenda and also an ulterior motive. Mike Riley's having to apologize has definitely not helped Everton's cause. Goodnight everyone anyway- SINGING “WE SHALL NOT BE MOVED!”
Jerome Shields
95 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:55:13
Actually the goal build up play would have tore any defence apart. Gomes battling to square the ball into midfield. Colemen with a perfect momentum tackle directing the ball onto Iowbi well timed run. Iowbi immediately changing direction and directing the ball at pace to Calvert Lewin, who controlled the ball and timed a exquisite back heal lay off into Iowbi's path who was moving at pace, directing the ball first time, giving the goalkeeper no chance, into the far corner.

Correction from earlier Michael , not Lyndon 's description.

I was totally wrong at the start prefering Van de Beek to Iowbi. Humble pie all round.

Nick Page
96 Posted 17/03/2022 at 23:57:13
Ok so everyone seems to agree pretty much that something is going on with the officials (has been for fucking years tbh)….so…1. Why do they hate us so much? And bear in mind the RS have had more penalties in the PL than anyone and won 1 (and more injury time goals too). 2. What do we do about it? Kenwright and the sycophants have done NOTHING ever about this but Frank - a real winner and an intelligent man - can see it's not normal. And I think he's confused.
Sean Kelly
97 Posted 17/03/2022 at 00:00:53
I'm delighted for all on the live forum and here. Let's use this as a turning point. The frustration comes from the fact that we know this fighting spirit is in this squad but we need to see it on a weekly basis.
A happy aul fart tonight
Joe McMahon
98 Posted 17/03/2022 at 00:01:51
I was out tonight and made a decision not to check my phone until I left (Manchester Appollo, and yes still a terrible dump of an area). Well I certainly wasn't expecting an injury time winner. What a result, I've forgotten what winning is like!
Jack Convery
99 Posted 17/03/2022 at 00:02:39
Teams with fewest yellow cards - 5 teams have fewer than 40 yellow cards - can you guess who 3 of them are ? The RS, City and Arsenal.

Pawson has ditched out 88 in 20 games !! Yet he can't tell that he was right with his first decision after all those cards - amazing. He gets plenty of practice after all. He has produced 2 red cards, including Allans tonight. Only Paul Tierney matches him.

Paul Birmingham
100 Posted 17/03/2022 at 00:02:42
The best result, and night, in context, this Century.

The 10, whom won the Toon game.

🍀🍺🍺⚽️🙏🏼👌🍻☘️

Will Mabon
101 Posted 17/03/2022 at 00:03:10
Nick, I'm quite sure Frank is onto it, and over the culture shock. Might choose to keep his head down to get us through the present battle, but may bring some "Big Six" attitude to bear for next season. Let's hope so.
Bill Gall
102 Posted 17/03/2022 at 00:05:21
The game was not that good, but the referee made the game better by ignoring Newcastle players fouling, and booking Everton players for the same ones. This got Everton players riled up and the crowd as well, but the turning point to me was the sending off. It seemed after that the players realized that down to ten men they were playing against 12 and so did the crowd who seemed determined to help to get a point. But when the goal went in the noise could have been heard in Southport.
I just hope that it doesn't mean we have to go a player down to show the extra effort that the players gave, but shows them what has been missing recently.
This is 1rung higher on the ladder but that ladder is rather high, but now they have learnt how to climb keep climbing.
Brent Stephens
103 Posted 17/03/2022 at 00:12:31
Dave #83 - superb post. I can't top that. A night of high passion (no, not you dear, I'll make your cocoa in a minute).
Michael Lynch
104 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:23:44
I agree with everyone - terrible performance, fantastic win, bent ref, and one of the great goodison nights. Incredible scenes. I've lost my voice. What a fantastic atmosphere at the end, uncontained joy.
Steve Brown
105 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:24:11
It was the crowd wot won it, as Dave A says!

I actually had palpitations watching that. Everton are seriously bad for your health at time.

Brendan Fox
106 Posted 17/03/2022 at 00:26:38
What a crucial result that was, the supporters were amazing throughout and the team somehow despite playing poorly for most of the match managed to get a much needed win.

Iwobi worked hard all night and created that goal himself and hopefully a lasting legacy as a cult hero.

Pawson is a corrupt shithouse and so is Atwell running VAR when they come to the decision to upgrade Allan's yellow to a red, these c**ts need calling out by the club.

Frank has to give up on the idea of playing Richie up top as a lone striker, he is not a Centre Forward as he isn't strong enough and goes down far too easily, he plays his best footie wide left cutting into the box. DCL if he can stay fit or Rondon are the only two CF's we have and they are the only ones who should be played there.

Onwards and hopefully upwards for both the League and FA Cup! COYB!

Denis Richardson
107 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:30:44
We were crap going into the match and it's importance meant this was always unlikely to be a classic. I'm still shocked however by how shit we are at just being a normal joined up team.

The passing between players is so bad compared to other teams. So many passes misplaced, under hit, sideways or worse backwards. When we don't have the ball we're too slow to press and put the opposition under pressure. Etc. etc.

On paper we have supposedly top internationals but on the pitch they look like a league 1 team. Just amazes me how these players struggle with the basics.

Anyway, that aside, all that mattered today was 3 points. We're not out of the woods yet but it's in our hands and the likes of Watford, Burnley and Leeds will probably all lose on the weekend so we'll have more games in hand. I'm not expecting anything from West Ham and hope we can get a draw away to Burnley, if only to stop them gaining 3 points on us.

For now though, well played to the players for the win and hopefully we can play better football against palace without the league pressure.

Thank god we won tonight - anything but and I think that would have been it.

Kieran Kinsella
108 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:32:43
Dave

“Outstandingly berserk” is a Pulitzer Prize level and very apt description. For my part in a business meeting in the US surreptitiously watching on my phone I'm pretty sure everyone thought I'd gone berserk for no apparent reason when I jumped up after the goal. Awkwardly cell phones are banned in the office lol

Derek Thomas
109 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:33:01
After numerous games plus another 99 mins of huffing and puffing we score a goal of elegant simplicity - not before 'kin time, we were in last chance saloon.
Now build on it.
Kieran Byrne
110 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:34:29
THe result was all that mattered & will be til we're safe.
While enjoying the St. Paddy's that twat of a ref and the var crew almost ruined it ffs.
Still can't quite figure out why we're not scoring, I think there's tons of talent but it's not really coming off yet.
The ref was a disgrace if anyone deserves a 3 game ban it's him.
A win is a win is a win let's enjoy it but let's see if we can do it 4-5 more times at least & give this new mgmt team a decent chance to rebuild (again lol)in the off season.
Bill Fairfield
111 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:38:49
3 points was all that mattered. Man of the match either captain Seamus or the fantastic support of our fans. The atmosphere was like ‘85 v Bayern Munich.
Peter Carpenter
112 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:49:13
Very pleased for Alex Iwobi. He's had a lot of criticism on here, lots of it over the top. He was doing a good defensive job too before the goal.
Crazy game, not great football but what drama. Still trying to calm down.
Hopefully this is a turning point for us.
Just one question having just seen a picture of the protester, why did they send for a massive pair of bolt cutters when it looks like they needed a pair of scissors?
James Fletcher
113 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:54:51
Yeah I'll second the comment about Iwobi's defensive performance - Seamus looks much better with the help he gives on that side of the pitch.
Don Alexander
114 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:57:39
Denis (#107) I'm ecstatic at the result but like you appalled at the never-ending failure to do the basics professionally in a match. It's a worry for next season if we survive.

That said Frank post-match said VAR ineptitude (he was being polite!) has cost us the excellent chance of a point against City and now Allan for three games - seriously impacting our fate.

Agreeing with him Shearer said it was never a red and I agree with Shearer's opinion that on-pitch referees also being VAR adjudicators is ridiculous. They're always going to protect their own in their stupid TV referrals whereas if VAR was employing ex-players of integrity (and some exist!) they would have no such allegiance and thereby be way more reliable.

Ian Pilkington
116 Posted 18/03/2022 at 00:58:01
The atmosphere at the end was comparable to the Bayern Munich semi final in 1985.

A truly dreadful refereeing performance again. There must be an appeal against Allan's red card. How they got only one yellow card is beyond belief.

Colin Malone
117 Posted 18/03/2022 at 01:00:03
Phew ! What just happened? We couldn't string two passes together all game.
Gray and Iwobi where never a threat going down the flanks, which put pressure on the whole team. Damarai Gray should have been off at half time or swapped positions with Gordon. Good decision to play Begovic.
Well done Blue Boys.
Brent Stephens
118 Posted 18/03/2022 at 01:05:45
Perhaps the lads were a bit more defensively effective than we're giving credit for. Newcastle are on a high. I think they actually have better players than their lowly position had previously suggested. And they've been strengthened recently.

John Reynolds
119 Posted 18/03/2022 at 01:08:22
A simple question for all you Seamie haters. Who broke up the Newcastle attack in the middle of the field in the dying seconds of the game to force that victory- those 3 points??!! Happy Paddy's Day.

Brent Stephens
120 Posted 18/03/2022 at 01:10:47
John, I doubt there's anybody, anybody, who hates Seamus. Opinions differ about how much he's lost what he once had. But nobody hates Seamus - that I'm aware of.
Graham Hammond
121 Posted 18/03/2022 at 01:15:17
Pawson and Attwell were an absolute fucking disgrace tonight. More bent and corrupt referees are 'refereeing' our games. Sick of it, sick of the corruption, do not believe in coincidence, it is about agendas and it is about loyalties and it is about money.

We were robbed of a win at Newcastle, that Shelvey tackle was a fucking disgrace, disgraceful refereeing that night, the Manchester City game, this tonight, it is one rule for Liverpool and one rule for us, the stats do not lie!

Alex Iwobi showed tonight he can play, not best suited to a wide role but can do damage more centrally particularly with a pacy player ahead of him. Well done Alex, we needed that tonight so very badly.

Lester Yip
122 Posted 18/03/2022 at 01:15:28
Wow! I can't believe I'm watching EPL. In terms of football, it's absolutely rubbish. But fight and grit gave us the result much needed and that's the most important thing for now.

When we can start scoring goals from crosses?

Shaun Lyon
123 Posted 18/03/2022 at 01:17:59
Wasn't there but watched down south. Shocking reffing and VAR yet AGAIN. But 3 points, and that is all that counts. Heading for 55 years old and I swear EFC will be the death of me.
Mike Gaynes
124 Posted 18/03/2022 at 01:21:25
Dave #83, loved your post. I can just picture it.

Martin #90, even the Skunks fans on their version of the Forum were saying it wasn't a red. It was really hilarious watching them sneer at us for 90 minutes -- they really grew a hate for Anthony Gordon -- and then find 125 ways to say "Fuck" when we scored.

Best comment at the final whistle: A reminder that we're still Newcastle United.

And speaking of disgrace, a hearty fuck off to some of the knobheads on our Forum today who were sneering at Dom's alleged femininity because of the clothing issue. Targeting one of our own players with sexist insults really sucked. And I'm glad he served some of you guys a plate of crow at the end.

Bob Parrington
125 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:00:09
Graham @121 - Couldn't agree more about the refereeing and VAR. Throughout the game, the ref was possibly the most biased against us that I have witnessed, tried to give them (a bunch of thugs in blackened white) the game along with VAR . But, we won it. What a great goal with a silky flick from DCL and really well taken by Alex Iwobi.
John Boon
126 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:03:47
We are all delighted with today's result. BUT some fans just cannot just give credit when it is due. When posting they have to attempt to add their feeble attempt at humour.

EG (62).. Colin Glasser re Iwobi's goal Compliment followed by "You fucking useless beaut'

As a poster who often supports your comments I would like to say "I salute you Colin Glasser, You fucking useless Dick

NB. I have never used an expletive in any of my own posts. Not because I am a prude but I just don't need to. Colin today you forced me into it

Iwobi gets lots of stick, but when he has a useful and productive game let him KNOW it. No time to try to prove you are Liverpool's newest comedian.

Danny Broderick
127 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:22:38
What a roller coaster!

I was pulling my hair out for a lot of it. We must pass the ball backwards more than any team in the Prem! We weren't crossing the ball either. It's like we don't know how to attack.

That said, the defending and work rate were brilliant. Coleman, Keane and Holgate were outstanding, as was Begovic.

The whole midfield put in a shift. I would have liked to have seen more forward passing and crossing - it wasn't until Gordon got pushed out to the left that we put any crosses in. And someone must have a word with Richarlison - I'm sick of him rolling around. He's the worst in the league for it. Others do it to win penalties. He does it in useless positions all over the pitch, like the halfway line, to suddenly rise again like Lazarus every time. He's not winning us anything, we just lose him for 10 minutes every game, and this particularly pissed me off tonight in a must win game. Even when we subbed him he stayed on the floor!

That aside, a much needed win despite a terrible ref. I'll take that any day. And Gordon has to play out wide. It's great watching him run at players and whip crosses in at the moment! Long may it continue.

Ed Prytherch
128 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:24:15
I was nervous when we were conceding one corner after another but Frank's crew have the boys defending so much better than with Benitez.

It was lifting to see the whole team giving 100%. Danny Higinbotham said after the game that they need to bottle that feeling and save it for the next game.

Our immediate future looks brighter now.

Jamie Crowley
129 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:43:59
There's been a lot of screams belted out in the Crowley Compound over the years. This one took the cake.

I had 2 cousins, 2 aunties, 2 uncles, 3 second cousins, my wife, and two of my sons over for St. Paddy's today. Basically, only myself and my 2 sons even knew what the hell was going on - the rest are typical Americans who just don't know anything about 'soccer'.

When that goal went in and the Crowley boys blew the roof off the backyard pub, it was a three man deafening.

My extended family - love them dearly - looked at us wide-eyed and suspected possession.

I don't think I've seen a more important goal in my 15 years Blue.

The scream and elation that belted out of my body was some strange mixture of anger release, unbridled joy, and some weird warrior thingy screaming at the heavens, "you will not kill my Club".

I am so, so fucking happy right now it's surreal.

Down to 10 men, every single chip stacked against us, and mofo Iwobe scores to possibly save us from the unthinkable.

I honestly think I could have taken on a hoard of Vikings and won when that goal went in.

Kieran Kinsella
131 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:48:47
So is Allan suspended for the cup game or just the league games?

Iwobi is a funny one. Like John Boon, I generally agree with Colin. But I feel Iwobi is judged by his inflated transfer fee. I mean Tom Davies has his defenders and he's a much poorer player but he was “free” so he gets a pass.

Yes, chances are Iwobi will be shit next week but he does have these occasional really good games versus others (Gomes, Tom) who are consistently poor.

Also Calvert-Lewin, I was a big supporter of his but have been frustrated with him this year and given him stick. But his deft touch to Iwobi was class. Hopefully he can become once again the unselfish creator of the Koeman days or the tap-in king of the Carlo era.

Jamie Crowley
132 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:50:39
And about the "anger release" emotion:

Can somebody please, please explain to me how in the actual fuck that tackle by Allan was a red card???

Holy shit. This game, this league, I swear it's rigged. That was the most ridiculous call I have ever seen! Absolute steaming pile of soft-serve ice cream style shit! I'm still pissed off about it.

There's is absolutely no way, no way at all, that's a red card! How many "professional fouls" do you see every single week that are applauded - rightly so as well! Speedy, dangerous player breaking away? Bring him down! It's part of the damn game!

And that's exactly what Allan did. A professional, intelligent foul to stop the opposition getting forward and a dangerous predicament.

Hot steaming pile of absolute shit that call!!! Worst "review" I've ever seen. So devoid of any rational "second look" that it defies logic and you can only come to one single conclusion after this and previous "VAR" decisions against us.

They want us relegated.

Fuck them.

Si Cooper
133 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:51:23
We looked like a team short on belief for the first half but with such great support the players were able to keep battling. Mind you, I was very relieved Saint-Maximin started on the bench.

Second half I thought we were slowly getting to grips with them although ref gave us sod all. How did Burn get away with nothing for his off the ball petty retaliation against Richarlison?

A charge into the back (even if half-strength) is cowardice and more of a foul when the ball is ten / twenty yards away, not less. Free-kick minimum, but nothing from VAR even though it was clearly shown on TV replay.

So what if Gordon swayed across the defender's line in the box; the defender still ran into the back of him? A commonly given free-kick anywhere else on the pitch (and plenty given in the same game).

Glad everyone has ridiculed Allan's red but suspect we won't get an apology this time because they'll argue it was reckless / out of control.

Talking of reckless, very early on in the Wolves game Conor Coady got away with a lunge that was well after the ball was passed that was clearly designed to send our player flying down the steep incline we have at the sides of our pitch and with a very real chance of crashing into the hoarding. No comment from the commentator, no card from ref and no forensic analysis by VAR.

I can't say I'm wholly convinced there is an out and out plot to get us, but the level of reffing is simply atrocious at times and the inconsistency is appalling.

Jay Harris
134 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:52:04
Jamie,
It must be the Florida air. I screamed so loud I think my neighbours half a mile away heard me.

It wasn't our best performance but the crowd and the team's determination got us more than 3 points despite the efforts of the officials.

Something has to be done with this obvious bias against the Blues.

Having said that, it feels like we just won the cup.

Jonathan Oppenheimer
135 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:53:00
That kind of feeling today is what makes sport so beautiful, and together with Burnley, Arsenal and Leeds, the feeling of Goodison rocking and lifting up the team somehow manages to mask the rest of this horrendous season.

Good thing I scheduled my March Madness vasectomy over here in the States to get out of work and watch basketball — and instead screamed like a maniac at my beloved Everton and the one and only Alex Iwobi and his moment of magic. Who cares that we can't string passes together or do a whole lot of other basic things on the pitch — and that VAR is shockingly trying to keep us down seemingly every match.

We will will this team away from relegation and I'm coming to Goodison next year to revel in the passion of the fans who are responsible for it.

Alan J Thompson
136 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:56:36
Just finished watching the game for the first time and not read any comments and after that late goal all other comments almost go out of the window.

The first half was a lot of effort with little guile or even what looked like a plan. Newcastle were reminiscent of their '60s team, a couple of yard dog centre halves playing every sly body check and push in the back. However, they seemed to have a plan while we just seemed to run around a lot. Gray still seems a bit off full fitness and Gordon, again, seemed targeted by their defence for some rough treatment which he might have to get used to if he continues to improve.

VAR still seems to be totally ill used and while Allan had to be shown yellow it was not a red and the Ref had allowed Newcastle to get away with similar all through the game even though they stayed on their feet while doing it. Also, I thought Gordon was not given a penalty late on as he stepped across a pace but the Newcastle man was two to three paces away and he still hit Gordon in the back. What was Gordon supposed to do, wait for him to get past? And why on earth do we bother with linesmen or assistants when they overlook fouls under their noses and don't flag for offside until told to by VAR, I presume.

Anyhow, the understanding between Iwobi and Calvert-Lewin for the goal was brilliant and shows what can be done if we have more than a lone attacker. Let's hope this is the momentum we need to go on a run of good results.

Kieran Kinsella
137 Posted 18/03/2022 at 02:58:26
Si

Not convinced about a conspiracy either but I think some of these pantomime villain egotistical refs like to go against the crowd just to show they're tough. That said, despite being obviously biased, the ref took an age to watch the video, suggesting he wasn't convinced, but of course eventually gave it.

Why even do the review as, every time, the refs do what VAR say. Save us 5 minutes and just have VAR call it instead of the pretence of the ref reconsidering.

Jonathan Oppenheimer
138 Posted 18/03/2022 at 03:01:17
Regarding the Allan red, I try to be objective as a referee about the decisions these guys make, see it the way we're taught to view reckless tackles and such when refs are sitting in a classroom being taught by experts who've been in the game for 40 years.

I think if you took 50 above-average referees in a room, you'd be hard-pressed to get a single one who would call that red.

Forget the Shelvey tackle, which was pretty bad, that shoulder in the back to Richarlison merited a VAR review today more than the Allan tackle. I'm not inclined to claim corruption, just complete bewilderment and incompetence.

Jamie Crowley
139 Posted 18/03/2022 at 03:03:03
Jay -

I could have been on the North Pole and some neighbor would have heard me / us.

We yelled so loud I'm surprised no one called the cops. I mean we went utterly wild. That goal was simply immense.

I've never experienced an Everton goal where we were looking into the abyss. And make no mistake, we're peering into the abyss. I honestly don't want to be in this situation, but man your soul explodes when those goals to get such precious points goes in. The sense of joy mingled with relief and throw in some "they're fucking us" anger and Lord above I didn't know that level of emotion even existed inside me!

Christine Foster
140 Posted 18/03/2022 at 03:31:18
You can come down to earth now, Jamie, the drink will wear off but the smile won't! My GP said to me the last time I saw him (he is a red fan moved here from Liverpool) that he would increase my heart medication as I am an Evertonian, he said with a smile. Bastard!

If I was ever going to drop dead during a match, it was this one, my mental state is shot, as testified by my next-door neighbour who asked me an hour ago if everything was okay as she heard lots of shouting (and the occasional bad word) earlier on. She said she was really worried.. (not as much as I was)

I told her it was okay, just watching my favourite team playing, she had never heard of Everton. I swear I will leave this heathen country and return to the land of the righteous and all things blue once more, god willing!

Dave A. Oh god I wish I was there... the roar on the TV was loud so god knows what it sounded like in Kirkby, Vauxhall or New Brighton. Takes me back to the days of sitting on the steps of Portland Gardens on a winters night and listening to the roar, such nights do memories make!

Phil Smith
141 Posted 18/03/2022 at 03:33:23
Can't get to sleep. Still buzzin' from that performance of grit and determination. We could have easily folded after yet another shocking VAR decision against us but we stayed strong and got stuck in, none more than our captain. I've given him a lot of stick recently but he gave everything he had today.

If we're gonna stay up we need to pick up some points away from the Old Lady. I can dream… if I can get to sleep.

Ernie Baywood
142 Posted 18/03/2022 at 03:36:21
Jonathan 138 - I think the problem is exactly that the rules are being taught in a classroom.

50 amateur and lower league refs would get that right. Anyone who has played gets that right.

A VAR official and professional referee see nonsense phrases they don't understand like "studs up" and "out of control because he's in the air".

I understand what "studs up" is. It's a cowardly front on challenge designed to endanger the opponent while protecting your cowardly self. I know what out of control is.

These refs don't. Every time a foot comes off the ground they're claiming it's high and showing studs. How else can you tackle? How can you even run without being high and studs up on a slow motion replay?

The refs and VAR officials are so far from fit for purpose it's incredible. They're literally trying to codify the game to the point where you can judge a challenge by a still image of it. You can't and you never could.

Tonight was the yellowest of yellow cards. Everyone knows that's a yellow. Yet the ref managed to find something else in it.

And that's before you get to the fact that he was sent to the screen to review an incident he clearly saw and punished. Error? No, he had the best view in the house.

And then he changed it! It's honestly astonishing how inept they can be.

Could it actually be corruption? Because the level of incompetence required in our last two VAR controversies is really hard to believe.

Jonathan Oppenheimer
143 Posted 18/03/2022 at 04:31:57
Ernie @142, I hear what you're saying but you just have to know the laws of the game — which is taught in the classroom — which requires that you deem that foul to have used “excessive force” or “endanger the safety of the opponent” neither of which apply here.

You're taught to look for speed of a tackle and intent and the height of the boot and all that, but it still requires some sort of endangering of an opponent.

Or you could just ask a person who has ever played the game and that's never a red. Abysmal on all counts.

Sean Roe
144 Posted 18/03/2022 at 04:33:56
Three points to paper over the cracks of another extremely concerning performance.

The game was won on pure effort. That kind of effort in the vast majority of the games already played and we'd be at least nine points better off.

Which team will turn up next week.

Rob Rothwell
145 Posted 18/03/2022 at 04:42:33
My thoughts from tonight:-

Lampard needs nothing but our support. He has our passion. It will improve and get better, keep the faith.

If a club wants to pay £40M or more for Pickford in the summer, sell him. Begovic is solid. Pickford is a liability.

Allan was unlucky, but we have to accept we get nothing from the league and its "officials". I have been following the Blues for more than 40 years. Have we ever? I've given up expecting decisions. We don't play in red.

Who would have thought, back in August, Anthony Gordon would be our most committed player? Fair play to him.

Next time some dick wants to stick a zip-tie between his neck and the goal post, ring to. Some poor season ticket holder lost his rights tonight because of a nutter. (Reminded me of the Ashley Williams Euro fiasco.)

Again, Keep the faith Blues. Courage!

Rob Rothwell
146 Posted 18/03/2022 at 04:57:55
R.E Protestor...That should have read "Ring it" not "Ring to".

After all this COVID Crap. I have no time for these idiots.

Mike Gaynes
147 Posted 18/03/2022 at 05:47:29
Regarding the idiotic, despicable Allan red card... just ask yourself if we would have won without it.

The 10 men elevated themselves, the Goodison crowd got even louder... and Coleman probably would not have been in that particular spot to make that particular tackle to set Iwobi loose for the gamewinner.

I truly believe that if not for that shitty injustice, we would now be murmuring about a 0-0 tie instead of roaring about these three blessed points.

Jonathan #135, your use of the phrase "my March Madness vasectomy" had me helpless with laughter. Our English friends cannot possibly understand this particular behavioral phenomenon among American men.

Jonathan Oppenheimer
148 Posted 18/03/2022 at 06:38:20
Mike 147, I figured if only you, Kieran, Jamie and a few others this side of the pond got a chuckle it would be worth it — and maybe leave all our English friends googling this strange behavioral phenomenon. When scheduling on the phone I could barely refrain from laughing out loud, knowing I had to do it months in advance to beat dozens of other men in the Twin Cities looking for a coveted time slot.
Jeff Spiers
149 Posted 18/03/2022 at 06:40:31
I hope that knob head does not cost us any points deduction.
Ron Marr
150 Posted 18/03/2022 at 06:57:02
What a well taken goal, with his wrong foot too. Great victory today. Great day we were able to get tickets for Paul McCartney in Oakland in May. Great tackle by Seamus to start the winning drive. Win the home games against Leicester, Brentford and one other, and get draws or better at Watford and Burnley and I think we'll be safe.

Happy St Patrick's Day ☘️ COYB!

Jerome Shields
151 Posted 18/03/2022 at 07:10:56
For some reason I thought the match was on during the day.I had prebooked a cinema ticket for Belfat the film at 8.40 since my wife was away.Start watching the match thinking if Everton are shit I will just go to the cinema.

Decided to bring the Amazon Fire and two phones with me.- one for Internet, one for ToffeeWeb, just in case signal was shit.Arrived to find someone was in myself.Given another seat. Still watching the match, decided I had better change the seat to a far corner.Arrived in set up treats, phones and Amazon Fire -no sound.Used ToffeeWeb as commentary.The Commenter and Shearer had already giving me the pips anyway.

Film starts keep watching both.Sort of glad because both sides where shit.Seem to miss the Film jokes which the audience laughed at.Iowbi scored.Said out loud 'Fuck.... Iowbi' silenced the auditorium and realised everyone was watching me and not the film..

Good film though.Will never forget.What a St Patrick's day.Had played my ukulele on a float during a parade . Had to bring my daughter big dog with me onto the float and then hiked up a mountain 600m.

Happy St Patrick's Day.

Brian Murray
152 Posted 18/03/2022 at 07:17:02
Jeff post 149. Did that knobhead as you call him brick and destroy a team coach ( twice ) endangering life or sight. No ! It's all good 👍
Peter Neilson
153 Posted 18/03/2022 at 07:21:26
Still hoarse this morning. Pawson was shocking, as poor a ref as I've seen, but the sense of injustice fed the crowd. Well done to Iwobi for a cracking finish, more of that please.

Calvert-Lewin made all the difference but showed Richarlison can't play up front on his own. Seamus proved he's still our best right back and Gordon excellent again.

No resting on laurels, we now need at least the same commitment but with higher quality for the rest of the season.

Steve Shave
154 Posted 18/03/2022 at 07:35:12
Well what a rollercoaster of an experience. I watched the first half with my 9 year old son, he trudged off to bed implying my grumpiness was intolerable, I couldn't disagree. We were so poor for much of the game, why are we unable to string passes together and keep the ball, even at home?

2nd half my nerves were jangling, cortisol running through my body, volume up full so I could feel like I was there. I was slowly able to find crumbs of admiration for the fighters ala Coleman, Gordon, Keane (had a good game) & Godfrey. Begovic seemed composed. I kept thinking we are still in it despite looking shockingly bad at times, this somehow felt like a good omen before the goal.

Then there were a few passages of play for us, it felt like the crowd could suck the ball in, again, despite our pathetic interplay in the final 3rd. I was incensed by the red card, appalling decision, the ref had a shit game throughout in what was a niggly, cagey affair. Enter the recently maligned DCL and something changed, belief grew and suddenly we had a focal point. When the goal went in I went absolutely ape-shit.

3 points capped off a good day for me, I texted a fellow blue just minutes before the goal and said we need an unlikely hero and we got one. I'm pleased for Iwobi. I won't get carried away (Everton have stamped that cynicism and lack of trust into a largely positive and trusting chap) but maybe that could be the turning point, maybe. Today seems much brighter than yesterday with 3 in the bag. COYB.

Kunal Desai
155 Posted 18/03/2022 at 07:45:20
Just maybe taking into account circumstances how we ground out a win is the turning point.

Underservedly down to 10 men and still managing grind a win out. The manner of this win has to instill huge confidence and belief in the players to get us over the line for the remaining eleven league games.

Jason Li
156 Posted 18/03/2022 at 07:54:45
Well done, Iwobi, on your Lionel Iwobi-Messi moment.

I always think you are better in a fluid position, not quite Number 10 or a winger, a bit like Rodriguez.

The team was outstanding today, playing Carlo's low-block style suits us against fast aggressive teams, as our fastest set of players are our attacking players who can exploit space. I'd also include Godfrey and Doucoure, and before Digne, who love to have a little gallop into space from back to front.

DCL - absolutely dominated their back four when he came on, they couldn't get near the ball when it went near their back line as DCL kept beating each man to the ball - brilliant stuff.

Eddie Dunn
157 Posted 18/03/2022 at 08:02:35
I actually have Amazon Prime and watched it on our new(ish) big TV instead of my usual squinting at my old lap top.

It will be remambered as one of those pivotal moments, a real Kevin Brook occasion. Defeat (or even a draw) could have drained what little hope was left in the team and the fans.

The strange demonstration, the joke red card, the goal (let's not forget that it was Seamus who won the tackle) and the backs-to-the-wall defending. So much to be proud of on an incredible Goodison night.

I watched it with my recuperating dog (spayed) lying next to me moaning occasionally. I think it was her internal stitches and not our inability to put a ball into the box!

On reflection, it does seem that the refs have little time for us. Our Tom Daleys don't help our cause, but Newcastle had theirs too.

As for Allan, he is his own worst enemy. He harrangues refs every week with his fiery Latin gestures and has been fortunate not to be booked for dissent on many occasions.

The VAR is disfunctional, open to too much interpretation and thus bias.Mind you, I think the cynical trip, taking "one for the team" should be more than a Yellow. It is very poor sportsmanship, destroying good play and a Yellow is not enough of a punishment. 10 minutes in the bin, perhaps?

Now we need to build on this and Frank needs to get a settled first eleven. We simply have to play with a traditional centre-forward. If Dom isn't fullt fit, then have Rondon on a job-share with him.

Rob Hooton
158 Posted 18/03/2022 at 08:08:20
Dom made a big difference when he came on and he looked a lot more match ready than his last appearance. Richarlison is awful at centre-forward and offers nothing of note so I really hope Dom remains fit for the rest of the season as it could transform the way we play.

Still very happy, we could have wilted after the sending off but it spurred us on. Allan will be a big miss for 3 games. As our next 2 are away, I'm not expecting much from them given our shocking away form all season.

I'm feeling a little more confident that we will stay up now, let's beat Palace at the weekend and go into the international break on a high.

Michael Connelly
159 Posted 18/03/2022 at 08:11:09
What a fuckin goal.

Good job it was DCL who received that ball, as Richarlison would have held it for himself and ended up on his backside rolling around.

The Allan challenge would barely have been a yellow in the ‘70s, but in 2022, it was a red all day long. Goes in horizontally a foot off the ground, cuts Saint-Maximin down, and nowhere near the ball .

Kim Vivian
160 Posted 18/03/2022 at 08:11:58
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction...

Strange to say but VAR to all intents and purposes won us that game.

I truly believe we would not have won it if Allan's card had remained as yellow. Not because we were just not producing anything or the fact that the red card re-energised the whole team, but that one action led to all the other actions and reactions that led to the goal.

Absolutely buzzing with that result – not the performance, but the effort, energy and spirit shown by the whole team. One of the moments for me was Richarlison bombing across the pitch to join in the celebrations – he really does care, that lad...

...As do all of us. A million smiling blue faces across the planet this morning.

Kevin O'Regan
161 Posted 18/03/2022 at 08:42:04
Those nights, under the lights, are what football is made for. It's what keeps us alive as Toffees despite decades of misery.

But can anyone please tell me – where in the name of God did that performance by the fans come from? Did the club give away free Irish Whiskey on the way in or something?

It was unbelieveable to hear and see and made me very proud. It probably scared the life out of the players too so that they couldn't string 5 passes together, but at least they understood the urgency of the situation.

I would really love to bottle that atmosphere and have everyone take a swig from it on entering the ground - any our future ground. That MotM performance by the fans will be absolutely vital going forward.

Interesting comment by Jim Beglin earlier on after Iwobi messed up a pass: 'for once the fans didn't berate him – and that's different to recent months' – well that support paid dividens. Well done to all fans last night. Keep it up for the love of all things blue.

Peter Mills
162 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:04:00
Jonathan#135, Mike#147, funny you should mention the March Madness vasectomy.

To release the protester, a steward appeared from the Park End and walked the full length of the pitch carrying the largest set of bolt cutters you will ever see. The guy behind me muttered “fucking hell, that reminds me of going for the snip”.

George Cumiskey
163 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:11:12
The big problem with Allens sending off was he was our best player on the night, and will be sorely missed for the next three games.
Kev Jones
164 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:13:22
What a relief! Let's hope we can take the confidence from last night into the Palace on Sunday.
George Cumiskey
165 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:17:47
By the way the ref was looking right at the tackle and gave a yellow, like Shay Given said on Bein sports he's never seen a ref stick with his decision and are they told to change their decision when asked to view the monitor, var has taken all responsibility off the official !
Kim Vivian
166 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:29:43
VAR is making such a mockery of itself it seems absurd that it will continue indefinitely without some major variations to the way it's used. Many are calling for the conversations to be broadcast so everybody can hear them in real time, but I can see the difficulty in that.

However, are the conversations actually recorded so they can be played back and used as evidence for any number of circumstances, particularly appeals? (-or even "training and quality purposes" :-)

That way at least one can retrospectively actually hear the reasoning for seemingly onerous decisions. It doesn't necessarily need to be made public, but clubs, players and officials would be able to hear and comment.

Danny O’Neill
167 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:40:47
Typically I miss what sounds like a barnstorming atmosphere. I don't care, we got the points.

Will the club appeal? Do we have grounds?

I've been in the minority camp of believing there is a player in Iwobi. He doesn't show it enough unfortunately. I disn't get to even see last on the TV so was nervously checking the Internet every 5 minutes with eyes closed.

And oil protester boy; what's the bet he got the bus to the ground?

Barry Hesketh
168 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:41:29
The length of time it takes to unearth those "Clear and obvious errors" tells me that the VAR system is being used incorrectly. If I ask somebody to look for something that might be there It's likely that they will find it, if ithey then nform another person to look at what has been found, it's also likely that they will agree. In the City game, the exact opposite was applied, "try and find something that would rule out a penalty" look hard enough, find it, relay it to the match official and hey presto, no penalty. Both methods cannot be good practice, if all you want to do is give a fair and honest decision.
Peter Mills
169 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:43:42
Just a few of my own thoughts from last night.

I was quite relieved when I heard Begovic was playing. The night didn't need any drama between Pickford and and the Geordies, and he was very competent.

Seamus, Keane and Holgate did well in a battle, as they often do. They struggle when the game is a bit more sophisticated.

Iwobi's passing was very poor for most of the match, but the goal was a thing of beauty - credit to the 3 players involved.

None of us like having our lives disturbed, but protest is a vital part of our society. Our rights to do so have been eroded over recent years. A young man taking the opportunity to make a stance, while we are playing a televised match against Saudi Arabia United, deserves better than to be branded “a stupid twat”.

In real time, I thought it was a red card tackle by Allan. Watching a replay, it was a yellow.

It was a brilliant end to a tense night, a bouncing Goodison is the most wonderful place to be. Now, as after the defeat by Wolves, is the time to hold our nerve. We have gained 3 points, but there is still a lot of hard work, and Goodison needs to remain the bear pit.

Christy Ring
170 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:56:08
Mike#124 Completely agree regarding the morons comments about Calvert-Lewin on the forum, an absolute disgrace from so called Everton fans.
I thought Keane was immense last night and Seamus,
two who have been singled out here on numerous occasions that they're not fit to wear the jersey, and the crunching tackle by Seamus which led to Iwobi's goal was class, and shows his passion and commitment and why he's wearing the Captain's armband.
Regarding the sending off which was a yellow all day long, am I being paranoid, but are we been targeted by match officials, there's so many decisions going against us, the club should highlight it and send in an official complaint.
Tony Everan
171 Posted 18/03/2022 at 09:56:26
Is it possible to get the three game ban reduced to one on appeal? If they want to stick with the red card that would be a much fairer outcome in this instance.
Pete Jeffries
172 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:02:52
I thought VAR stood for Assistant ref not the actual ref
Might as well just ref the match from 100 miles away
Still all's well for now
Big confidence booster also
Kim Vivian
173 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:04:38
Barry - your post made me think of a line by Benedict Cumberbatch in The Power of th Dog when asked...

"C'mon Phil, there is something there right?"

He says...

"Not if you can't see there ain't..."

Dave Lynch
174 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:07:19
I reckon after perusing remaining fixtures that we have 8 points on current form.

Gonna be a close call this.

Tony McNulty
175 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:13:08
In retrospect, one of the most pleasant aspects of last night was after the sending off.

Alan Shearer's stance was that Everton would be holding on for the point.

I hope he enjoyed his drive home.

Dave Abrahams
176 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:13:52
Christine (45) and (140), read your first post last night and thought of you and your dodgy ticker but like you said in (140), “ I wish I would have been there” so do I girl, you wouldn't have needed it to be Saint Paddy's day to do an Irish jig when that goal went in, absolutely delirious dancing scenes all over the ground, as you can well imagine from the many times you have seen those occasions, me, I was lucky picked my seat three years ago moved from near the very back to a seat next to the aisle, so when we scored I up and out into the aisle punching the air and screaming “ Drink that you bastards “ then carried on punching the air to loads of like minded loons like myself, when you see happiness like that you grab hold of it and make it very welcome.

When I got outside after the game and met my great grandson waiting for me with the widest grin on his face that had replaced the very sad one he had after the Wolves game it just completed a brilliant night for me as we walked along to the Taxi club where my granddaughter was picking me up and we watched the Bluenoses going in there to celebrate a fabulous win with big happy smiling faces, we take the knocks and get on with it, but Jesus we don't half fuckin' know how to enjoy a big win and that was one of them.

I bet you went to sleep with a big smile on your face Christine and you didn't need a couple of large scotch to help you achieve it, very best wishes girl!!

Jeff Spiers
177 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:30:20
Brian 142. Fair point, but the FA can be pricks. We seem to have not much luck
Brent Stephens
178 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:36:56
Dave #174 "I reckon after perusing remaining fixtures that we have 8 points on current form. Gonna be a close call this."

Yes, for all last night was pure ecstacy and badly-needed three points, it just relieves the pressure until the next league game - we still need to grind this out until season's end.

Laurie Hartley
179 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:42:37
I can honestly say that I have never felt so relieved about a result as that. It was a game of such importance for Everton Football Club.

I hope we appeal that red card on Allan because we will miss him terribly. A precedent has been set - Son broke Gomes ankle and had his red card rescinded.

On the question of bias I can remember my dad saying to me in the mid sixties “they don't like us Laurie”. It's been going on for decades. We should do what the crowd and the players did last night - feed off it.

What's our name? !!!

James Marshall
180 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:43:04
Is anyone else even more worried about relegation this morning? I am.

Last night was obviously brilliant, exciting and the result we had to get but in the cold light of day I can't help but worry because the win was only really achieved due to the crowd and the situation.

What I mean is that relying on Goodison to win us games is just not realistic and won't happen every week - we were extremely lucky to get anything out of that game and scenes like last night will definitely not happen every week - especially away from home.

Having to rely on such obviously scraped up grit & determination is not going to keep us in the division because the players simply won't be as up for it as they were last night in every game - it's not a sustainable model for winning football matches and our shortcomings were all over the place after about 10 or 15 minutes.

We still lack a massive amount of belief and seemingly, ability to play simple passes, score goals or defend properly. Yes it was thrilling, and Goodison was electric, but we've seen this many times before - I just don't see how it can carry us through every game when fundamentally this is a pretty terrible football team with a manager who talks a really good game, but the jury is very much out on whether he's actually any good as a manager.

I really like Frank Lampard, but is he going to make a decent manager? Nobody knows because managers mostly tend to get jobs when teams are in the shit - nobody leaves their job when the team is flying near the top of the league do they. So far he's struggled, and we've actually regressed in many ways - one of those being shots achieved on goal since he took over - this has gone down massively.

Of course there are more than one reasons for stats like that, but if you don't actually play well in games, you tend to lose - last night we were bang average at best, and should have lost that game. It was one of those wild nights that produced a freak result in my view.

None of what went on was planned, and maybe this is my over-arching point - one swallow does not make a summer.

Dave Williams
181 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:46:25
The only thing I have seen to get close to the reaction from the goal was when Farrelly scored against Coventry. This was however better because we were a man down and it was so close to the end of the game whereas Farrelly scored in the first ten minutes.
Our passing was poor but I'd put that down in part to the nerves- our team looked very tight when they walked out. The back four was excellent with Keane immense, Allan grew into the game and Gordon and Iwobi didn't stop running all night.
Someone above mentioned the stick Dom gets on the live forum for his dress sense. He's a young man who is very aware of fashion and is most likely not really bothered about what old fashioned people may think. He is also probably making a nice few quid for modelling this stuff. Personally I'm happy to let him live his own life- all I want is for him to get back to scoring goals.
Andy Wright
182 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:55:05
Just a thought, but Begovic in goal… a calming influence at the back? Did his presence help add a measure of stability / calm vs Pickford? One game of course, but I wonder if he actually helped or at least didn't add to the erraticness of Holgate and Keane.
Tony Hill
183 Posted 18/03/2022 at 10:56:32
James @180, we must hope that last night boosts confidence and, with that, the level of performance. We certainly are not anywhere close to being out of trouble.

It did show that the players and manager/coaches now have serious enthusiasm for the task ahead, which I was starting to doubt.

Dave Lynch
184 Posted 18/03/2022 at 11:01:38
Let's grind out this roller coaster and let the management clear out the deadwood.

We won't know what they are made of until they get a proper run at it.

Steve Brown
185 Posted 18/03/2022 at 11:03:03
Our next challenge is achieve something we haven't done since 14th September - win two games on the run.
Mark Ryan
186 Posted 18/03/2022 at 11:03:18
We have been profligate in the transfer market for years and we have had some woeful managers. Now is our time as a collective to get behind the team as we did last night. Last night took me back. Goodison rocking, stewards like keystone cops, cops like keystones ! We have Frank, we have a team of varying ability but last night they gave their all. Norwich away they downed tools but they were playing for Benitez. The plan was awful. The football was woeful, I get their frustration. They, with our support, can get us out of this season wirh our PL status intact. Hats off to Seamus, Holgate, Keane and Mr Iwobi. Iwobi spoke well after the game as did our fighting Sligo Lepracaun. I was proud of them, yet again. All I would ask, Frank, please stop playing Richy up top. Play DCL, play Rondon but not Richarlison, it never works for our team. Let's batter Palace UTFT
Peter Carpenter
187 Posted 18/03/2022 at 11:05:49
Andy (182). You're right. There was a sense of calm about Begovic but I think we lost out on Pickford's better distribution, often giving up possession from his kicking. A combination of the two would be a very good keeper.
Barry Hesketh
188 Posted 18/03/2022 at 11:20:54
James @180
I tend to agree with your sentiments, however, I would have been more worried this morning if we hadn't have won last night. I think we have to suspend any judgement on the manager until safety or otherwise is achieved.

I thought on Sunday, that Lampard may have given up the ghost and might even turn his back on the challenging situation, however, given his reaction to the goal and the victory and the same can be said of his players, there is something a little more to grasp onto in the remainder of the season. It's still going to be a rather bumpy ride trying to get the requisite number of points, but it is only results that matter now, and I'm not really bothered about how we get them.

Rennie Smith
189 Posted 18/03/2022 at 11:55:38
Bimey James@180, I know realism is required in all situations but you can let yourself have a bit of relief every now and then! I get your point, let's not get carried away and last night will be forgotten very quickly unless they put on a show v West Ham (I'm ignoring Sunday as that's a bit of a sideshow).

But in a season where there has been very little cheer, why not sit back and enjoy that feeling.

Big credit to Seamus and Keane who have taken a barrel of shit recently, some justified, but they never hide and were excellent last night. And as for Iwobi...nah let's not!

Danny Baily
190 Posted 18/03/2022 at 11:57:34
Andy 182, if it were up to me I'd keep Begovic in goal for the rest of the season.

The last time I felt confident in our keeper was when Robles had that run in the side under Koeman. Our recent troubles began with the arrival of Pickford.

Pickford is erratic. You simply cannot accommodate an erratic goalkeeper, at any level of the game.

It was a big boost for us (and a big knock for the away fans) to see he was out last night.

David Graves
191 Posted 18/03/2022 at 11:58:15
If you can't enjoy last night without reverting back to a default misery-arse position about us going down than I honestly don't know why you follow the game.
It was at times ugly football but players who have been previously written off dug in and showed bottle and a bit of fight and a crowd that has been painfully subdued fought along with them.
If you were fortunate to have been in the ground last night you experienced a great old-fashioned Goodison barnstormer. We were literally singing in the street after the game.
If you weren't there then I appreciate that much of the the context of the night is lost but why not just enjoy the result?

Darren Murphy
192 Posted 18/03/2022 at 11:59:01
I'll take the hangover again if we get more wins 😎💪. Not great but who cares as long as we got the much needed 3 points.

I'd keep Begovic in the sticks because he seems calmer than ADHD Jordan and at a time like this we need it.

Allan although I admire his passion unlike most of our mob, needs to chill out because he's a walking red machine.

I'd like to know why Patt isn't starting or getting minutes for Seamo unless we are led to believe that he's too young for a relegation fight bs...

Game cried out for two up top especially unleashing Dobbin for me.

In other news; Citeh have bid £500 million for Iwobi and have agreed to buy then give us Haaland to us finalise the deal 😝

Ian Hollingworth
193 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:12:18
Dave@83 brilliant
Gary Jones
194 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:13:25
Well said David. 👏
Eddie Dunn
195 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:26:47
Danny @190, perhaps a little harsh on Pickford, who usually pulls off a couple of good saves per game but I wanted Begovic in goal for the Wolves game and said so on here.
I don't know if Lampard was telling porkies about Pickford being ill but it was prudent to rest him having seen just how easily the Skunk fans get under his skin.
I think the defence benefitted from not just his calmness but the reassurance of his physical presence.
It was a great night and now it is up to the lads to use it as a hop-up to safety.
Paul Cherrington
196 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:27:34
Wow what a night and what a game. Well done to the team for not only winning and surviving that ridiculous red card decision but also showing the fight & passion we want. If they could just do what they did last night in every game, we would be fine.

On the red card another really bad decision which involves VAR and went against us. surely its time for VAR to be binned - it is just not working or is being used dishonestly against teams like us. the powers that be obviously want us down when you see the amount of bad calls that have gone against us in recent seasons. So good to get the win and put two fingers up to them!

Thought Begovic in goal was a big plus and we seemed a lot calmer with him back there. Would keep him in there now until season end. Have to credit DCL for his contribution too - wasn't sure he would be ready to play but great touch for Iwobi's goal.

In a way, it was typical Everton last night. Just when you start to give up hope and you think they will get nothing from a game beforehand, they manage to surprise you. Not complaining though - brilliant win. Just need to string a run together now.

Feel sorry for Frank breaking his hand in the celebrations but like the passion it shows he has. that will surely transmit to the players in time.

James Marshall
197 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:33:10
Enjoying one result, and celebrating games like last night is in my view, part of the problem at Everton - this is one of those games that Bill Kenwright is talking about when he says things like, "we've had some good times haven't we?". No, these aren't good times - this is scraping the bottom of the barrel for a result which could (and it's a still a big could) keep us in the division. Nothing more.

All it really does is gives us a pretty slim chance to stay up now. And don't get me wrong, I was jumping round the room and screaming at the TV last night with the rest of you - don't think I don't enjoy it because I absolutely do. I just think that games like last night are a symptom of being an Evertonian in the 21st century - we enjoy the scraps and Kenwright laps it all up because he's a theatrical type with a sense of drama.

Forgive me but I'm sick of supporting plucky little Everton, only ever enjoying fleeting moments of victory and living off our past all the time. I'm 50 next year and have followed Everton since I was about 7 years old, yet I've pretty much forgotten what it feels like to even come close to winning anything.

That's not enough, and games like last night, while they keep us coming back for more, are not the reason I follow Everton football club.

Si Cooper
198 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:37:27
Ernie (142), that's bang on.
Look at the challenge full speed and you can see Allan barely got to Saint Maximin and he knew it was touch and go when he went for it. It was a desperate attempt to clip the player to halt his progress. Deeply cynical but definitely not out of control and no more likely to cause injury than any other trip because of the angle and relative momentum.
Compare it to plenty of full force hacks from behind taken when the player is still well within the reach of the tackler that will only get a yellow despite being much more bruising (at best).
The off the ground / horizontal stuff is nonsense unless you are also considering the angle and relative momentum and understand that a player who can tackle can judge those things. I think Allan is combative and cynical but I can't think when I've seen him threaten serious injury to those he is deliberately fouling.
Roger Helm
199 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:45:26
I agree with James 180. Passion and commitment should be givens, but are not enough by themselves. To succeed or even just to avoid relegation, you need some quality. Unfortunately, so often our forwards don't make and score goals, our midfield doesn't dominate and our defenders are unreliable. Flying into tackles and getting red cards isn't the answer. The better footballers don't need to tackle because they get themselves into the right positions.

I didn't see the game but I read that Keane and Iwobi played well - they need to play well every game, not just occasionally! I went to the Wolves game; that looked like a team that knows what it's doing.

I hope Frank can pull things round. Newcastle were in an even bigger mess until Eddie Howe (who many on here refused to consider a potential Everton manager) got them sorted. Whether or not we avoid relegation, he has a massive rebuilding job.

Matthew Williams
200 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:48:01
Agree 💯% on Begovic like so many of my fellow Blues,my left field suggestion is...should we now start Iwobi up front in a two with Rondon or DCL!?

Let's do Palace now eh lads,that Wembley arch is so close!

COYB

Craig Harrison
201 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:56:34
The first thing the “ref” saw on the pitchside monitor was a freeze frame of Allan in the air, making contact with the Newcastle player. At this point, I'd be very surprised if that hasn't made his mind up.

The ref should only be shown the incident at normal speed from different angles – no freeze-frame or slow-motion. If he is still unsure, he should have to ask for slow-motion and freeze-frame and he should have to clearly indicate why he is asking for it.

All of this should be broadcast.

Steve Brown
202 Posted 18/03/2022 at 12:57:25
David @ 191, you are right.

We all know the issues with the quality of the squad, as they have been evident since the start of the season.

It isn't demonstrating greater insight by coming on here to remind us of that the morning after one of the few moments of exhilaration in a terrible season. It is just the usual suspects trying to piss on everyone's chips. Take a day off for once.

Derek Knox
203 Posted 18/03/2022 at 13:26:40
Someone said on here some time ago, " We have the Best League in the World, with the worst Officials " I think last night proved that to be so true. Pawson was a disgrace for a lot of the decisions, he failed to punish by Newcastle, but then booked our guys for a lot of innocuous tackles. I know the Ref's job is not easy at the speed games are played, and having to make a decision on the spot, but at least treat both sides equally.

As if his decisions weren't bad enough, we have Attwell (VAR) and Mike (I have two S T holder sons at RS) Dean as the fourth official. As bad as Pawson was even his 'Yellow for Allan' was advised by VAR to convert it to Red. Of course he obliged. Even Alan Shearer who is, as in favour of the Barcodes as anyone, disputed the validity of the RED !

I have watched and re-watched the Amazon coverage, despite having been at the match too, as where I was seated alongside David Pearl, it was hard to see what was going on when the players were at the other end of the pitch. Even the incident with the protester at the Gwladys Street Goal (nearest to us in the MS) we failed to see the Cable Tie or what he had on his shirt.

There is a time and place to protest, and Goodison Park last night where a result and potential survival was paramount, was NOT that place. I later cursed the little bell-end as I nearly missed the last train to Chester, while he was safely tucked up in a cell with a mug of cocoa and biscuits, (probably chocolate) !

I just hope that last night and the result acts as a catalyst to add to the tally, and also progress on Sunday at Palace. While not a game of finesse, or even a lot of decent play, the attitude was what we have been crying out for, for far too long now.

Who would have thought Colin Glassar's favourite player would get the MotM nomination and the 'winning' only goal ?

COYB 💙

Neil Cremin
204 Posted 18/03/2022 at 13:27:34
I have never been a fan of Pickford, consider him erratic, doesn't command box, will usually kick the ball out of play 2~3 times a game and I believe he doesn't organise his defence even unsettles them.

I think the most important statistic last night was not conceding a goal. Pickford is a good shot stopper but I would stay with Begovic for as long as that statistic remains.

Don't forget – Pickford was Sunderland keeper when they went down.

Andy Crooks
205 Posted 18/03/2022 at 13:45:54
Frank Lampard really gets it. His interview on Amazon Prime last night demonstrated that. The players give everything and Evertonians knew it. What a night.
Jamie Crowley
206 Posted 18/03/2022 at 13:46:22
Jonathan back at 148 -

Best scheduling ever! And surely the English know a bit about March Madness?? I mean, if the NFL is a thing over there, surely they know about the filling out of brackets here? Anyone?

By the way Jonathan, I see you're in the twin cities. Around a quarter of a century ago I lived on the corner of 22nd and Colfax in Uptown. Loved Minneapolis, it's the hidden jewel of the midwest. Brilliant city. Too fuckin' cold for me now though!

Neville Wellings
207 Posted 18/03/2022 at 13:54:33
I felt we had a discernible change in tactics, moving on from the hoofball of recent matches to chaseball, which made sense having no traditional target to hoof it to. The 8 or 9 minutes of enforced rest caused by the eco warrior probably helped us to keep that pressure at full pelt epitomised by the mercurial Seamus Coleman in winning that ball that won the match.
Rob Halligan
208 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:07:56
Pretty certain I heard on SSN that Everton are to appeal that ridiculous red card, and have until 5pm tonight to do it. Having watched the incident several times, there is no disputing the nature of the challenge, ie to stop Saint Maximim in his tracks, a professional foul, taking one for the team etc, but if you look closely, then yes, Allan only had one thing in mind, but the only time he made contact with Saint Maximim was when Allan's trailing left foot was firmly planted on the ground and he then tripped Saint Maximim. How the fuck can that be classed as serious foul play? That referee was an utter twat, and should be struck off the referees panel for that incompetence performance last night. Why was he not asked to review the barge on Anthony Gordon which looked a stonewall penalty to me? Why did he let Dan Burn constantly get away with fouls on Gordon and Richarlison? Why did VAR not pick up on the “off the ball” incident when he barged right into Richarlison? Poor refereeing and VAR decisions, has been following us around all season, and it can't just be a coincidence, there is a serious agenda against Everton to get us relegated.

Anyway, fuck them, fuck the premier league, the FA, VAR and Simon Jordan, and let's go and stuff his ex team on Sunday. And most of all, those knuckle dragging gobshite skunks. Most obnoxious bunch of fans you'll ever come across, after the RS.

Stu Darlington
209 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:11:22
Does Iwobi's performance tonight qualify Colin Glassar for the “Ancient and Venereal Order of the Bell End”
Sorry that should have read “Venerable “!
Just asking!
Mike Gaynes
210 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:20:43
Men my age can't normally have multiple orgasms, but watching the "From All Angles" feature on Iwobi's goal on the Everton website is very close to having that experience for nine minutes straight. Check it out.

Pete #162, that's hilarious.

Dave #176, when I saw the crowd going insane, I thought of you most of all. Thanks for the mental image of you dancing in the aisle punching the air. I love it.

David #191, can't argue with that at all. Well said.

Eddie #195, I'll trust Frank on this one. If Begovic was playing by Frank's preference, Pickford would have been on the bench. No way the untried Tyrer would have been there if Pickford hadn't been sick.

DK #203, glad you made your train, mate!

And finally, to the uninitiated, March Madness is the nickname of the American national college basketball tournament. The first-round games are scheduled on Thursday and Friday the first week, starting in the morning. Guys who are hoops nuts (or have money at stake in their betting pools) would much rather be home "sick" watching the games than going to work. Thousands deliberately schedule vasectomies for Tuesday and Wednesday so they can spend the next few days on the sofa watching the games. This is an actual documented phenomenon -- doctors report a 50% increase in snips for the days before the tournament starts.

Jonathan Oppenheimer is in good company!

Mike Gaynes
211 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:26:37
Rob #208, Sky confirms that Everton will appeal Allan's red.

I think it'll be reduced from three games to one.

Andrew Keatley
212 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:33:52
Rob (208) - I think the initial appeal has been made, which is great news. I wasn't aware that appeals could be made on the VAR decisions, so am delighted that there's a chance that the powers that be can accept that the VAR is just as fallible as any other refereeing decisions.

The challenge from Allan was deliberately agricultural, and was a classic case of taking one (yellow card) for the team; if the VAR cannot accept that interfering and elevating Pawson's original yellow to a red card by way of a "clear and obvious error" being identified was in itself an error, then the VAR should receive a red card itself.

This could be watershed moment for the VAR, and if they get this one wrong then it will really illustrate how stubborn and out of touch Mike Riley and his PGMOL outfit truly are.

Bill Gall
213 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:37:44
After coming down from cloud 9 I watched the game over again. First half we were just average and I thought Newcastle had the better game. The second half we got more into the game until the referee who had been poor before, with the assistance of VAR changed his yellow to a red.
To me the game is not played at VAR speed, that can slow it down freeze frame it and can change a normal tackle with no decision to a yellow and a yellow to a red.
The good thing this decision done was galvanize the players, get the crowd going and finally get these players into the type of play we expect, with full commitment and scoring.
The referee should be disciplined, for just 1 example when he booked Richarlison for ignoring the ball and fouling Burns and then for not booking Burns for the same foul when he barged into Richarlison,s back with the ball no where near either of them.
One other thing I noticed that was a little surprising, when the goal was scored, , Richarlison who had been subbed, jumped off the bench and raced round the pitch to celebrate with his teamates.
This ended up as being a solid team effort and hopefully they can continue with it.
Rob Halligan
214 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:38:07
Cheers Mike. I remember the Lucas Digne sending off at Southampton last season, another insane red card decision, which we appealed and which was reduced from a three-match ban to one. Although I do think the Allan one should be completely overturned.

Regarding Pickford, he is, or was ill, and was also ill for the Wolves game, same as one or two others. Apparently there has been some kind of virus (not Covid) doing the rounds at Finch Farm.

Kim Vivian
215 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:42:20
It was either a red card or not a red card - that's it surely.

If it's going to be reviewed, and it is a successful appeal, the only just outcome would for the card to revert back to yellow. Or would that be admitting to more mistakes than they could actually swallow. Christ - compare that with Samurai Son on Gomes.

Rob Halligan
216 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:48:46
Bill # 213. Did you also see Anthony Gordon walking around the pitch, thinking he had been subbed, shaking hands with fans as he walked along the track? Seamus came running across the pitch screaming at Gordon to get back on the pitch.

Good job play had been stopped for a foul, or whatever, because if play had been in process, couldn't Gordon have been booked for leaving the field during play, to return back on without the referees permission? Or does that rule not apply no more?

Jay Harris
217 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:50:14
Rob, I believe it is covid related but the club don't want to broadcast it. I thought Ben Godfrey looked as if he wasn't himself last night too.

Maybe we should try to get Sunday's game postponed on the grounds of Covid and so many injuries... LOL

John Kavanagh
218 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:51:47
I just hope Frank breaks his other hand on Klopp's chin celebrating later this season. We have a tough run in and our away form is desperate. To stay up, we still need results at Watford and Burnley, but we at least achieved the first step towards climbing the mountain last night. I just hope that Iwobi's goal was another 1984 turning point for us.

I'm surprised Atwell isn't still reviewing the goal to get it ruled out. I genuinely feared that Coleman's tackle would be adjudged a foul to get the goal ruled out. If it had been Mane and Salah instead of Coleman and Gordon, the VAR would have awarded two penalties.

The corrupt ESL biased VAR monopoly needs to be scrapped. Next home match, they should tie Atwell and Pawson to the posts and shoot them with a blunderbuss loaded with their own shite.


Alec Gaston
219 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:56:17
Stuart Atwell is the ref for the FA Cup match on Sunday. 😳
Rob Halligan
220 Posted 18/03/2022 at 14:57:20
Fuck me……..the referee for Sundays game is Stuart Attwell, and VAR is Lee Mason. Someone somewhere is taking the piss, surely!
John Kavanagh
221 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:04:18
Rob, and fuck me too. Old Mother Riley's mob is really doing a special number on us. If this was boxing or horse racing the police would have been involved long before now.
Raymond Fox
222 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:07:07
My god, did we need that.

It's a case of win at all costs now, forget the performance.
We have a difficult run-in, there's plenty of nail-biting to come, I fear. It makes a change to win the game at the death instead of losing it.

As far as the officials are concerned, they're a bloody joke. Don't hold your breath waiting for them to change the sending off.

If there's any fair play considering they deprived us of a potential point last week, they should do.

Rob Halligan
223 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:09:35
Ave iiitttt!!

https://www.evertonfc.com/news/2540565/from-all-angles-iwobis-winner

Bill Gall
224 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:10:36
Rob #216,

I noticed that; also when Gordon came on, Lampard was yelling for him to sit down as if he was injured as they never had Townsend ready to come on.

There was a stoppage on the pitch when Gordon walked off and it was still on when he walked back on.

I don't know if that made any difference, but it wouldn't have made any difference as the ref wasn't sure of the rules, going on his performance.

Rob Halligan
225 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:10:49
John # 221……….No thanks mate, I think I'll pass on that one! 😀😀😀
Allen Rodgers
226 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:14:19
John @218, while rewatching the game today, I too noticed Coleman's collision with Saint-Maximin and thought it could easily be called a foul. But it was right in front of Pawson and deemed okay.

Could be wrong but I thought I heard on Sky Sports News today that Lee Mason and some other elderly referees were permanently on VAR. This was when the very annoying Rob Wotton and others were discussing having full-time VAR officials.

Bill Gall
227 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:16:08
Should not make any difference who the ref is, we played last night 10 against 12 so 11 against 12 will be easier.
Derek Knox
228 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:17:56
Rob @ 220, it almost beggars belief, but doesn't it also highlight how poor the 'upper echelon' of the refereeing tree really is? It should also re-open the argument for ex-payers to be involved in refereeing, with no bias towards any one team or another?

With such high stakes, we could well do without bent bell-ends which could ultimately cost a club or team millions, and send fans into a tailspin!

John Kavanagh
229 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:25:40
Derek, the unbiased ex players the EPL would nominate would most likely be Carragher, Redknapp, Beglin and Lawro.
Jamie Crowley
230 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:30:13
One other thing I noticed last night (evening / late afternoon here) -

The players gave 100% buoyed by the crowd. The celebrations after the goal were simply nuts. Multiple players jumping on Iwobi, including some that have arguably been "marginalized" the past few weeks.

Frank actually broke his hand going wild, for fuck's sake! The entire coaching staff lost their shit.

This team, for all its faults, are in this survival endeavor passionately. They don't want to go down. It's painfully obvious watching their reactions.

It's time to get behind them 100%. We're gonna lay a few farts on the way, but have to get behind them through thick and thin. Everyone up and down the chain of command wants survival, and they want it badly.

I see a lot of comments on the Dogs of War here on TW. Well before my time, but wasn't last night a bit of that? Certainly "Dogs of War Light", no?

Jay Harris
231 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:38:09
Jamie,
You have to remember the dogs of war period was when you could tackle another player and we had a MF of real grit then. Tonight's MF is like a bunch of pansies by comparison.

Allan's tackle on Maximin would have been considered quite normal and a pat on the back.

The main simiilarity was that we had been going through a bad patch and big Joe came in and revitalised the team and we then won the FA cup and beat the RS so lets hope for a repeat this season.

Brent Stephens
232 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:48:45
Jay #231 re Seamus' tackle, in the dogs-of-war period I suspect the ref would have booked San Max for simulation.
Peter Carpenter
233 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:49:38
Rob (216) a lot of weird things happened. I'm not sure if Coleman was celebrating with a fan on the pitch at the end or trying to strangle him and did you see Richarlison go nuts at the goal and sprint around the touchline to join the celebration? What a night.
Dale Self
234 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:50:09
This would be more of a Thoroughbreds of Conflicted Interest perhaps. The Dogs of War knew odds, athleticism, the refs and various other things were against them and just found a way with sheer grit and determination. You could see it on their faces as they tried to figure it out on the pitch but there was a feel that they were all on the same frequency albeit a low one.

I think with Seamus' comments there has been a clearing in the locker room (who really knows) and it may have broken past whatever blame or discord was hanging over this group keeping them from giving their all for the badge. They've been here a couple of times now and may have been able to set a foundation that might endure a less than inspiring performance to still keep it together for a late result or at least keep it together for the next match. We can only hope and support them at this point, we are obviously part of it according to Eddie.

Bill Gall
235 Posted 18/03/2022 at 15:54:29
Watched the Gordon exchange from last night. Everton had a goal kick and they were getting ready for a sub. Gordon started to walk towards the bench, the referee pushed Gordon towards the opposite touchline so he would have to walk around behind the goal, Coleman seen the sub was not ready and told him to get back on, Lampard signaled to go down as injured but the play went on a little later Gordon went down and the sub was made.
John McFarlane Snr
236 Posted 18/03/2022 at 16:04:13
Hi James [197] I sympathise with you regarding your lack of trophy celebrations, I'm afraid that it's the lot of many thousands of other football followers [genuine loyal fans] from Manchester City top of the Premier League, to Sc**thorpe United bottom of League Two, [formerly the Fourth Division] but not those who latch onto whichever club is currently dominating proceedings. You say 'that games like that of last night aren't the reason you follow Everton Football Club, I'm afraid that as a loyal supporter that's exactly what you are stuck with, I would urge you to 'keep the faith'
Jay Harris
237 Posted 18/03/2022 at 16:07:47
So true Brent. LOL
Brent Stephens
238 Posted 18/03/2022 at 16:08:33
As Iwobi scored, I loved Frank's "Facking get in". Will need to do better with his vowels, though.
Ray Robinson
239 Posted 18/03/2022 at 16:46:53
Still coming down from last night's high but now more optimistic about survival - albeit there is much still to do.

Last night made me realise again what it means to be an Evertonian. Even at 68, it still means so much to me. It was a crap game and even though certain players played well, particularly Keane, Coleman, Holgate and Allan, the team performance was generally rubbish.

Nobody these days would choose to support us for footballing excellence or for success in winning trophies but a certain select few will have witnessed the raw emotion and passion of the crowd and allowed the club to permeate their skin. A big thumbs up to the raucous spectators. Only the select few will understand what it means to be a Blue. The rest don't matter.

Brian Harrison
240 Posted 18/03/2022 at 17:38:52
I think Mike Riley needs to do an interview and tell us has the clear and obvious rule that VAR was supposed to be there for, been dumped and now its look at everything that's not clear and obvious. Dont see the other leagues in Europe having so much scrutiny probably because they are sticking to the narrative of why VAR was introduced, which was to step in when someone is a yard offside and the ref hasn't for some reason spotted it. Last night the ref couldn't have been much closer to the tackle by Allan, he deemed it a yellow card and seeing that he was close to the action his judgement was clear and no clear or obvious mistake was made by him. But again its yet a VAR official making decisions that he shouldn't be making.

Surely instead of hiding away just like managers have to do interviews after the game then so should refs especially if a Var decision has altered the on field decision. Seeing they are to scared to do like they do in rugby were everybody can see and hear their decision making process how can the supposedly best league in the world continue without the same transparency they have in rugby and other sports use similar video replay.

Danny O’Neill
241 Posted 18/03/2022 at 17:39:23
Picking up on a few views.

Eddie @142. The studs up interpretation is similar to the high foot one that officials generally always give even when a forward lowers his head to the ball. What is a defender supposed to do if the players plants his head on his innocent boot trying to connect with the ball?

George @165. Parallels with the increasingly pointless Assistants (Linesmen in old speak) who are about to go one way for a throw in but then watch for the Referee's discreet hand point and go with that regardless of what they have seen and are closer to the ball. Some even wait for the hand before lifting the flag. They don't stick with their decision and are told what to do by the Referee. Sorry, pet hate of mine.

On Pickford, I think he had and continues to have his faults, but is as good a keeper as we can hope for right now. Yes, he still plays for touch and territory like a Rugby Union player, but he has mainly calmed down and improved. That said, for whatever reason he was dropped last night (I don't know), it was a good move. Jordan always seems to lose his head against Newcastle and rise to the bait their fans cast to him. He reverts back to the headless Jordan of Anfield and the Pickford we were watching 2 or 3 years ago.

Ian Riley
242 Posted 18/03/2022 at 17:40:23
We have one foot on the ladder out of this hole! Work harder like last night and positive results will come!

Iwobi behind the striker might work. His forward momentum and position to score the goal was excellent! Pleased for him!

Great win but we must push on!

Will Mabon
243 Posted 18/03/2022 at 17:49:22
Just back to catch up, so don't know yet if it's mentioned above - I see nothing on the front page.

Apparently we were considering appealing against the Allan red card, which had to be lodged by 5 p.m.

I hope we have, on the back of doing so re. the City game; we have to keep standing up to this and it would be pleasing to see the club keep standing its ground.

Particularly if you know who's officiating next time out...

Ian Bennett
244 Posted 18/03/2022 at 17:57:30
Toffeetv reporting that our appeal over a three game ban for Allan has been rejected.

It would appear that all these type challenges are now red card events. I assume there is a brackets clause of which club crest appears on the shirt.

Once again corrupt football at its finest. Refs, var, appeal process, Ffp...

Allen Rodgers
245 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:02:52
Appeal by 5pm, appeal dismissed by 5-30 pm. What a surprise !
Will Mabon
246 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:08:22
Ian,

I wonder is that, they've dismissed consideration of the appeal, or they actually reviewed the footage immediately and have chosen not to change their mind.

Either way it's really not good enough. I've watched it in replay so many times I could probably paint the scene from memory now. There is no way it's a red.

Unacceptable.

Will Mabon
247 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:12:19
Mike @ 72:

"I spoke to a bloke wearing an Everton shirt in Asda early evening. Didn't know him from Adam. Shared concerns. He said he knew I was a Blue from the look about me."


That really amused me, Mike!

Ray Roche
248 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:23:48
Everton need to make a video of bad decisions that have gone against us, like last nights, along with other similar or identical incidents, where the Sky Six side has gone unpunished, and, along with the best QC money can hire take the Premier and referee association on in court. It would all be in the public domain so the Prem couldn't hide the facts. Enlist other hard done by clubs as well. It would be interesting to see! They'd shit their pants.
They can't really punish us much more anyway.
Alec Gaston
249 Posted 18/03/2022 at 18:47:28
No worse than Son on Gomes - which got rescinded 😤
Christine Foster
250 Posted 18/03/2022 at 19:16:52
Incompetence...not having or showing the necessary skills to do something successfully.
Corrupt...When you corrupt someone, you convince them to do something wrong or even illegal..

It's debatable if both the above definitions apply in unison when it comes to all matters of officiating Everton FC. There will not be money changing hands, but the moral corruption at the top leagues officials has moved beyond what could reasonably be understood as bias against the club, to active attempts to change decisions and results of games. That's called match fixing. Call it what it is, the levels of incompetence reaches watershed moments when the sheer absurdity questions if incompetence is a rational explanation.
Any rational fan, of any club would dismiss this idea as pure speculation, but week in, week out, it keeps happening. Whether it's refereeing decisions, VAR, arbitrarily examples to be made an example of.. somewhere, someone is pulling strings.

Mark Ryan
251 Posted 18/03/2022 at 19:22:35
The You Tube film "Alex Iwobi goal All Angles" is the best 10 minutes of TV I've seen for yonks. I thought Olive from the On The Buses had died recently. Even she was there. What a goal, what a moment in time, class
Derek Knox
252 Posted 18/03/2022 at 19:52:22
Christine @ 253, spot on there, it's like in old Roman Times, (though don't remember them too well 😜) being thrown into the Arena to fight other Gladiators, armed to the teeth, or Lions (both the Caesar's favourites) being armed with a feather duster !
Jonathan Oppenheimer
253 Posted 18/03/2022 at 20:03:25
One more call for the Iwobi video from all angles. If my balls weren't on ice, Mike 210 and Jamie 206, I'd have given Mike a run for multiple orgasms.

I have to disagree with the calls above to bench Pickford or sell him — unless the money was high enough — as he has not been the problem this year. He's made very few mistakes and his shot stopping has kept us in matches, probably earned us a few precious points. Yes, he's erratic at times, but he's not our problem right now.

I didn't realize Richarlison was off the pitch when he came to celebrate. I'm surprised Pawson didn't give him a second yellow for coming off the bench.

Jamie 206, the snow is finally melting here in St. Paul, but indeed one day down the road I'll probably be joining you down south like any wise Minnesotan eventually does.

Kieran Kinsella
254 Posted 18/03/2022 at 20:07:09
Derek Knox

I could have sworn you were there in the old arena the night Charlton Heston had that chariot race. Talk about bad officiating.

Shaun Robinson
255 Posted 18/03/2022 at 20:48:41
Mike at 210.

Thanks for the tip about the “all angles goal”. Just been watching it and it's amazing seeing the pure joy and ecstasy everywhere.

I was there last night and reckon it was the best atmosphere for ages. The reporter in The Times says the roar at the final whistle will live long in the memory — he isn't wrong

Mike Gwyer
256 Posted 18/03/2022 at 20:57:49

There's no point dwelling on these VAR and referee decisions as it seems they even out over the season. So I'm guessing we are due about 14 penalties and about 6 red cards to the opposition before the season ends.

Watching the replay of the goal is precious and seeing Richarlison run on to celebrate shows what it means to this team. They seriously needed that goal.

Neil Copeland
257 Posted 18/03/2022 at 21:00:11
Mike#259, be gods if we got 7 of those pens and 3 reds at Mordor
Derek Knox
258 Posted 19/03/2022 at 08:56:19
Kieran @ 254, Ah! A Classic Case of Mistaken Identity !

It wasn't me it was Her, or Ben Hur ! :-)


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