Renewed hope amid the Blue smoke as Chelsea are vanquished at Goodison

Great photo but silly from our Brazillian.

Apparently Everton are investigating their own player, stupidly drawing attention to it. Premier League next, three-game ban anyone?

Great result, great support from everyone in the ground, great effort from the team. That is the way we may beat the drop, not slagging them off.

No doubt the media will elevate it to St Virgil levels.

Now why, when it's backs to the wall almost, can they produce a performance like that ? Although I was precariously on eggshells while it remained at 1-0, we managed to pull it off and secure the most valuable 3 points. The possession stats again were almost embarrassing in favour of the visitors, but the result is what matters at the end of the day.

Play like a Washing Machine Cycle for the remaining 5 games, Load, Wash, Rinse, Spin and Repeat ! Let's hope the 'Tide' has turned, and if we play like 'Ariel' spirits and we can 'Surf' over the finishing line, that will be 'Bosch'. :-)

I hope we can out-fox Leicester next week and sting Watford the following midweek.

I echo your sentiments completely, it appears to me that there is a section of our 'supporters' who regularly tell us that Everton are crap or words to that effect, and when the team produces a spirited performance against top-class opposition, these 'supporters' are still dissatisfied.

From my 'spec' in the Park End Stand, I witnessed a first class effort from every Everton player. Although I believe that anything can happen in a football match, I must confess that I attended today's game hoping for the best but fearing the worst.

In our current situation, the result is more important than the performance, and I'm delighted with the outcome of both the result and performance. I would be ecstatic if it was repeated in the remaining five games.

Great support and an inspiring win, with Pickford and Richarlison the stand-out performers in a great team performance.

Richarlison's photo should be on tee-shirts and on sale.

Well done the fans….you brought it home today

But the players have started turning up. Well done lads. What a (much needed) win

The defensive pressure is better timed for this group now. Pressuring in tandem and not overpursuing just breaking up play until a turnover can be forced. It will be interesting how they commit to offence setups while trying to keep the defensive plans intact. Some definite positives and some colossal character from the fans first and the the players.

Today had the lot, I had tears of pride and joy at the genuine awe of being privileged enough to being in the company of passionate fellow blues. A fantastic atmosphere that makes you understand why we love the game and the blues.

Today gives us a fighting chance of staying up. We have to keep the same level of effort into the remaining games.

The picture of Richarleson with the flare is iconic.

What a top day. Coyb.

I get it mate. I've been there. Sadly today I was watching alone in Kansas. I think that's also why there's the discrepancy on the forum versus Goodison. When you're alone your fears can overtake you. When there are 40,000 around you there's that infective no indomitable spirit

One more thing, I know no one asked but Tim Howard makes some atrocious wardrobe choices. That shitty pattern didnt even lineup at the seams. You make decent money Tim, come on.

As one who's never even been to Goodison, you don't need to apologize. The place was electric, it was clearly obvious on the TV, and being there would have been overwhelmingly surreal, emotional, and any other descriptor you can drum up. There's absolutely no way on earth you could conjure up the electricity in that stadium you had today in person. No way. Super happy you were there and enjoyed it. The fans were stupendous.

And I just have to say one more thing - can we please talk about that save?

That was the most incredible save I've ever seen. Ever. There is nothing that even comes close, and I truly do not believe I will ever see a save that matches Pickford's ever again.

When you look at the replay that was shown from behind the goal, half of Pickford's body was outside the goal frame to the right. How in the hell he ever sprung up that quick after diving to his right completely extended on the ground, and got over to his left to stop the rebound off the double post shot I will never know. I've rewatched it multiple times and I'm still in awe.

It was a save the likes you won't see for another 25 to 50 years replicated. It was absolutely god-like and amazing. Insane save. I honestly feel honored to have seen such sublime athleticism on a field of sport.

Incredible.

Jamie #27, save of the year, no doubt. I commented on another thread that there aren't five keepers in the world capable of that.

I think it's one of the most incredible things I've ever seen in sport.

Richarlison and JP are not only among the most talented players in this squad but they are two of the most committed as well. Was delighted to see both of them not only perform near somewhere near their best but inspire and drag their team mates to a priceless victory. Coleman was also outstanding. To have the teams few leaders all pulling in the same direction makes an enormous difference to our group, and we saw just that against Chelsea.

A committed and largely disciplined Everton win.

Such fine margins in this game and our season. Evertonians have been calling out for a hero for weeks and months now. But perhaps it was a mistake to think it would come in the form of a 21st century Super Kevin Campbell? Jordan Pickford certainly threw his hat into the argument with that performance. And I feel if Mina stays on the pitch then we're immeasurably better defensively. It's on, it's really on. COYB.

Richarlison and JP are not only among the most talented players in this squad but they are two of the most committed as well. Was delighted to see both of them not only perform near somewhere near their best but inspire and drag their team mates to a priceless victory. Coleman was also outstanding. To have the teams few leaders all pulling in the same direction makes an enormous difference to our group, and we saw just that against Chelsea.

A committed and largely disciplined Everton win.

Such fine margins in this game and our season. Evertonians have been calling out for a hero for weeks and months now. But perhaps it was a mistake to think it would come in the form of a 21st century Super Kevin Campbell? Jordan Pickford certainly threw his hat into the argument with that performance. And I feel if Mina stays on the pitch then we're immeasurably better defensively. It's on, it's really on. COYB.

For Goodison, imagine Fenway Park with four times the fan engagement and a sport that's not boring as shit

A month ago the trajectory was that 32 points would be enough. I wonder if our win will take the wind out of Burnley? Four wins in five they probably thought they were safe. Can they really turn it into 6 from 7 to hit 40? I doubt it. That's championship winning form.

But since then, we have beaten Man U and Chelsea, drawn with Leicester and given the shite a tough battle. But, we must win one of our away games and get a point from another.

Then we can go into the two home games with confidence.

Big Nev would have held that🤣🤣

We will, because it came from those who have always been there and always will be. The supporters. We will be there long after owners, managers and players.

I think yesterday the Everton players finally realised what this club means to us. I think Chelsea's players and arrogant supporters got intimidated.

They didn't sell out by the way. I will point that out when I head to the pub this afternoon.

From his 'rabbit in the headlights' start and also we must factor in what's happening back home (sadly a lot of Everton fans didn't), he's put in top quality performances against two of the top three sides. I thought he was excellent yesterday as he was up against Salah.

On to Lampard. He's showing himself to be a flexible coach as he's gone from 'my philosophy' to a pragmatic don't concede at all costs approach. I hope he takes that to Leicester, because although they're not in the same universe as the top three, they have a better squad than ours, and of course we have the worst away record in the Premier League.

Let's hope the players perform like yesterday, run their bollocks off, because Leicester will either have one eye on a final or the deckchair, and won't fancy being run ragged.

In fact, we need this approach for the remaining games; it comes to something that you're hoping the game against Arsenal will be a dead rubber.

If, and at the moment it's just an if, we survive, the constructive dismantling of an underperforming squad should begin the day after.

Well that atmosphere has to be the blueprint and minimum level going forward. Does not matter if it's a derby or a league cup game against Walsall. Everton quite clearly has the best '12th man' when it's truly fired up.

And when it's truly fired up, the other 11 men are giving 110% for 99 minutes, which at the end of the day, is all we want. Now for a change of fortune on the road!

So the ball ends up going into a compacted midfield. Less space for Chelsea to play in, and less ground for our midfield to cover. Excellent.

Now I think I have to revisit that view having seen that Pickford save. It was just incredible, both for the ground he covered and the save itself. His speed and agility to get off the floor and across his goal was breathtaking to watch. And his "face save" wasn't bad either!

(Best save I've seen live was Gordon West's away to Wolves diving upwards to his right and holding the ball just below the angle of post and bar!)

Christine @ 37 - The pic is just fantastic of Richarlison. It's already my 12 year old's (13 years old on Saturday) is Home Screen pic on his phone. Great picture.

Since I posted last night, I've seen video of the crowd welcoming the bus on Goodison Road. Holy shit man. Had I not known what it was I was watching, I'd have guessed it was a riot or war zone video - all the blue smoke, a bazillion cops with some on horseback, etc. That was crazy, awesome, and frankly looked a bit terrifying. If I were a player in that bus, I would have absolutely been affected by that.

So let's get it straight: the difference between Everton and the top teams is not Kenwright, Moshiri, the manager, any manager, money. "the board", biased referees or any other imaginary bogeymen. The difference is that top teams want to win every week but Everton teams only show that commitment when they are staring disaster in the face.

Unless and until Finch Farm changes and creates that commitment as standard, refuses to accept anything less, then Everton will be doomed to the same old mediocrity.

Relegation would be an absolute disaster for this great club – not least because I doubt it has the resolve to bounce back for many years.

So, if we escape by a point or two, then we must remember what this feels like and refuse to accept half-hearted players, feeble excuses and, most of all, coaches who are there on sentiment alone. And the job of this forum is not to play around with empty excuses but to insist on total commitment as standard.

It seems to me the players have now finally woken up to the reality of what this means to us all and the catastrophe that relegation would bring and the ever increasing likelihood of that eventuality as Burnley keep winning. The last couple of games have brought about a sea change in approach. Now everyone gets stuck in, runs like hell, stand up for each other without a second thought and makes sure we are also in the ref's ear. We are no longer soft and nice, an easy touch. That is what in my view has made a difference and I don't think it is outside the possibility that fans dissatisfaction has provoked this response. Good to see Franck getting passionate too. Passion is not long term replacement for skill and ingenuity but in our position, it goes a long way in the short term and is the minimum requirement from our fans.

As for the game, while Liverpool battered us somewhat and a point may have been fortunate, I don't think that was the case on Saturday. Who cares about only having 22% possession if the side with 78% do little more than pass it around at the back and in midfield for most of that time. Yes Pickford made two blinding saves, the first especially will live long in the memory, but the score predictor had us winning 2-1, which was about right for me on the chances created. Use that 22% in a positive aggressive way and you can be the side that deserves to win, and we did deserve that on Saturday. We need to continue this high intensity approach, including against the 'lesser' teams we are supposed to beat (but often don't) and we might just scrape ourselves clear of the ultimate humiliation.

Danny 40, Great post as usual, have never rated their support they have won 20 trophys since RA and sit in 14th place in percentage of having their ground full.

You then look at the one tier massive home end, behind the goal and an additional 12,000 Evertonians allowed in the bigger stadium, this stadium could be even louder than the Old Lady. Only time will tell. If we design it right and keep the fans close to the pitch.

When I was last at Goodison it was for the Villa defeat and I can only describe it then as muted and - dare I say - bordering on toxic. Yesterday was a world away from that, right from the warm-up through to Frank applauding the Gwladys Street, the noise did not stop.

When we move to BMD the spirit of Goodison Park needs to move there too. Those at the game yesterday will know what we can do - we can carry that pride, noise and passion. Hopefully the players see our efforts and match us. They just need to give us something to cheer - a tackle, a block, a run or show some endeavour- show us they care and what it means to play for our Club.

Jamie @ 26 - Pickford had a blinder yesterday - unfortunately for us we didn't see the save as it was obscured by one of the uprights in the main stand!! Had to wait for MOTD - as you say nothing short of brilliant.

Now to get the right tactics, commitment and better quality v Leicester… We need at least a point but ideally 3.

UTFT!

Can I put my two penn'orth in and suggest some able replacements for at least three players who could fall into that category? I should be interested to hear other readers' take on my suggestions.

1. Richarlison - A favourite of mine but surely inevitable that he will move to another level given he is a current Brazilian international and would also wish to continue playing at the highest league level domestically. Should that happen, then my suggested replacement would be Adama Traore (ex-Wolves and now on loan at Barcelona and if what we read in the press, is unlikely to be rubberstamped as a permanent fixture at the Nou Camp). On his day, a wonderful dribbler of the ball and plenty of skills and similarities to Richarlison.

2. Jordan Pickford - Similar reasons to above but, if we go down and he moves on, and knowing there are a couple of youngsters in the wings, the Huddersfield stopper, Lee Nichols, of whom I have seen a lot lately on Sky and is well thought of by their pundits, looks a very capable replacement. The Terriers of course have booked their place in the playoffs so, if all goes well for them, I expect him to remain in Yorkshire.

3. Dominic Calvert-Lewin - Such a disappointing season for him particularly after the highs of the previous one. For more than one reason or other (we know what!), maybe a change of scenery would be best for him. The Coventry forward, Viktor Gykores, has scored a lot of goals for the Sky Blues this season and looks a player with great potential. Very potent in and around the penalty area (watch the videos) and a Swedish International to boot!

Anyway, purely personal observations which our newly crowned Director of Football would probably pull to pieces but it's good to speculate...

ps: I haven't heard from my namesake Dan lately. Are you still out there, fellow Blue??

Traore is 26, has only 1 goal in 38 this season and has been overtaken at Wolves by more technical players. He would be very expensive for a player with little end product - who has probably already peaked and will now deteriorate in value despite being on a high wage.

The past 5 years shows us we absolutely cannot afford to sign expensive players with high wages and deteriorating resale value, because it robs us of the chance to reinvest and grow.

Gyokeres might be a good suggestion along with Piroe and Brereton-Diaz (the latter of whom would be free). The Championship is a good place to look for talent. Personally though I'd be looking abroad for a striker of greater talent - albeit someone who might need more time to develop.

In contrast, the Premier League is by far the worst value market for players in the world. You may find value in those struggling to break through like Broja, Gilmour and Ampadu at Chelsea, players like Sarr from relegated clubs or someone like Tarkowski on a free. Otherwise avoid.

Everyone is thinking about us, Leeds and Burnley for the last slot but looking at the fixtures Soton and Brentford aren't yet out of this.

Soton and Brentford have each got 3 games left, they are both on 40 points but if either of them lose their 3 remaining games and we do win 3 out of 5 then we get to 41.

They play each other and we need either of them to win that game.

Soton then play the RS and then Leicester away last game.

Brentford after Soton, play us and then Leeds at home last game.

I just don't see us staying up with 38 points by winning our 2 home games, hope I'm wrong but if we can get to 41 then I think we will stay up and I think that is achievable.