Pinks again surrender the lead for a tense and testy draw

Sounds pretty Everton if true.

But 4 at the back is a change.

But still no striker and the bench looks very uninspiring.

Gordon magic to put an extra £15M on his valuation is required

Why no strikers... again?!?!!!

We're going down...

That is just absurd.

I was spitting feathers we'd left it too late for Brentford. This, if true is a new low for our board!!!!

Ridiculous. Amateurish. It's Everton!

Fifth match now with no striker. Hoping for the best tonight but the task has been made more difficult, this is costing us points unnecessarily.

“Frank Lampard has confirmed that, despite being registered on Friday afternoon, Neal Maupay misses out tonight due to Premier League requirements.”

If that's true, totally unfair.

He said he'll speak about it more after the match. Get the popcorn ready!

Bizarre situation.

This really is extremely poor from the club.

Perhaps acceptable if they unveil something worth waiting for before the deadline – but really let the fans down if Maupay is it.

Why not take their holidays when it's quiet or there is a break. No wonder Frank is seething. There again, it's up to us to know the rules inside out.

The forward play should be more supported, but will need earlier substitutions in the second half for tactical changes. We can't sit back to see the game out.

Ive seen some poor players but great leaders on the pitch, Vinnie Jones, Robbie Savage. Allan is a great leader, also a great player. Ask Ancelotti.

Get a fucking grip Frank or is it Clement?

They may be stupid rules but what is worse is that our club signed an attacker at last only to discover that he can’t play - pathetic management yet again!

I can’t believe Mcneill should start before some of those subs if players have to justify their place. Personally I would have put Allan or WArrington into this game.

Yes we should know the rules, but the players play Boxing Day, New Year's Day, Bank Holidays... what a joke!

Isn't every day a working day for the Premier Leauge, we have matches everyday of the week with no exception.

Not going to even try with a prediction; anything could happen tonight.

As for tonight, I'll be suprised if we win, we are just a moderate team.
What do they call them... journeyman professionals.

I think a point will be a good result. That's not moaning, by the way!

Like the formation & line up, we've got the players to be flexible & not rigid in the 3-5-2.

We're going to be quicker, faster... let's start scoring some goals!

Also think that finally we've got a manager who knows that Keane is shite & should always be our 6th or 7th choice centre-back til he's sold

I say we win 3-1 Gordon, Gray & Iowbi

The powers that run this league need to be fired. They are incompetent, did they not notice that football is played on weekends and holidays?

Mind blowingly idiotic and Micky Mouse. I'm stunned.

Delightful.

You know what isn't delightful?

The miserable folk on the forum. I honestly feel like they'd be happier if we lose, it would validate their ceaseless need to gripe.

Think we could push up more but can't argue with what we're at. Midfield working hard and we'll... replace Gordon with Gallagher? No thanks.

Frankly, I'd replace Tom... he's very quiet - the daft yellow card no doubt playing its part.

No lack of effort. And I quite like seeing us happy to be hated.

I've never seen a player turnaround in my life like Alex Iwobi. It never happens.

I would like to see Gray offer more up front. Cut out any stupid mistakes or fouls near our box and we can win this.

We are doing a good job, not giving them much. Bit of composure going forward and we could get a few here.

Still look a bit shaky at set-peices, but I'd say it's a 4-1-4-1 when we don't have the ball, 4-3-3 with it.

Onana is a beast, 20 years of age... Wow!

The forum is always the same and it's best not to go there unless you want to hear how dreadful every one of our players is!

They are of course entitled to their opinions and to express them – it doesn't suit everyone!!

COYB.

Davies a weak link and McNeill really looks to be struggling, very ineffectual.

Onana looks a beast, and Patterson is impressive. Iwobi is an excellent player, and Gordon is growing in confidence and really looks to be stepping it up – excellent play and finish for the goal.

Would have liked to see what Warrington could have done in Davies's position, at least for 15-20 minutes.

Onana may struggle to last the 90, he's very impressive. Wonder who will replace him (please god not Gomes).

Really need a 2nd goal.

Agree it looks like they are pulling together, digging in when needed
Patterson and Mykolenko so much better at full-back...

Compared to last season, the way this team is running and battling is like chalk n cheese.

Guess he attended the Klipperty clown college of sideline demeanor.

Who was it on the left who let the ball go for a Leeds throw thinking it was ours? For fuck's sake, I'm watching on a mobile phone 300 miles away and could see it came off our player. We need more possession.

The club do make me angry, but I just cannot see the point in relentless mocking and attacking our own players. It doesn't matter whether the players read it or not, I just don't see how it's productive for us as a fanbase when it was relentless support and positivity that raised us from the dead in the spring.

That's when I begin to get my frayed nerves!!

Another winnable game gone begging.

Such an improvement on last season, Frank is making us a team that's difficult to beat.

Leeds were there for the taking. Knobhead!

Lampard making no subs, shocking!!

Disappointed yet again that we seem to have time-wasting ambitions of just dribbling over the 40-point margin by May.

I'm awaiting judging Moshiri after the window closes anyway.

McNeil puts his shift in but he's so anaemic. Lacking in intensity and strength.

If we have a striker, then we win that game.

Should have been 6 points better off so far if we'd had a finisher.

I'd have taken the point pre-match. But honestly, we could have taken 6 points from these two games had we shown the tiniest bit of nous.

However, he's abandoned five at the back.

See you for the usual circus on Thursday, boys and girls.

The fact Frank didn't make one substitution speaks volumes of what he thinks of the quality in the squad; no-one on that bench could've made a difference and that's very worrying. 2 days left of the window and ideally you'd need 4 players, for some reason, I just can't see that happening.

Patterson my MotM. He kept that Harrison fairly quiet and on another day he buries his chance and we go home with the 3 points, all about fine margins this game.

Gray was a whisper from getting the winner, and Patterson had a top chance to win it. So from that, Lampard got it right.

Leeds played well and at 100%, as expected.

5 days ago, most here predicted 2 defeats. We got 2 draws, so that's positive. We could have won, and with a striker, we probably would have.

Add Gueye to that midfield, a fit Calvert-Lewin, Maupay and an alternative winger or forward and we'll be okay.

And I've changed my mind, Gordon can stay!

Replace Davies with Gueye and McNeil (who was a bit better tonight and did some good defensive work) and Gray with Maupay and Calvert-Lewin, and there could be a decent team in there.

Frank sending a message — not even warming up any subs, needs viable options.

Agreed. Other than the unknown of Mills, there wasn't a lot on that bench.

Onana was good at breaking play up but got dispossessed as he tired. Patterson needs to score there.

I thought Gray was poor tonight and Iwobi was sloppy in the second half.

We look more solid though. Urgently need creativity and firepower. Gueye walks into the team ahead of Davies.

Thought it was a decent point given the squad and how they've started at home.

Needed changes from about 55 minutes.. .specifically McNeill and Davies... and nothing materialised.

Would've taken a point before the game but again I find myself questioning Lampard.

Decent shift from most of the players but this backs-against-the-wall, inviting pressure, needs to stop.

It was obvious when we went forward that Leeds were porous at the back.
It took them to equalize to wake us up.

If we can't keep clean sheets, we need more goals.

We can't win games, we've won 6 league games since December last year and 1 away game since August last year.

Liverpool and Arsenal up next, two losses no doubt and a place in the bottom three by the end of September.

It's starting to take a familiar theme already.

We still need some decent recruitment in order to have a bench. Please never play Iwobi out wide ever again, the lad is a cracking central/attacking midfielder.

George, 63, we didn't have any subs worth bringing on. No-one was shocking and Gray was excellent. Ran his legs off and fought for everything.

Blatantly ‘level' for his winning goal too. In position to score another winner when Patterson hit Meslier as well.

Jim, 64, the leaves are on the ground now mate.

Gordon, Patterson, Onana and maybe even McNeil if well coached will all be quality players.

Fucking hair away with Grays's goal and the Leeds guy knew fuck all about Onana's goal-bound shot. By the way, once this young man has really settled and learns more about the Premier League, he will be a monster.

Jesse Marsch — 100% prick.

So then it will just have to be... our first 3 points will be against the Kopites!

The board shows again how unprofessional they are, it is their job to know all the rules that govern how Everton operate in the Premier League.

It'll be like turning an oil tanker round; who'd ever thought we'd be longing for mid-table mediocrity?

We looked visibly tired as the game wore on. I can only presume that Keane, Allan, Gomes and Rondon are all free to leave.

We've not won yet, but we've not been battered. We've played 5 games without a striker and lost twice, both by a single goal.

We won't be in a relegation fight.

Agree not all doom and gloom. Last season, Leeds would've had us off easy there. We aren't disintegrating like last season. Chances to win it near the end.
A lot thought we wouldn't have any points by now.

Patterson is a massive plus. Only gonna get better. Onana a plus gonna get better. The more that back four play together, the stronger we will get.

Frank's so limited at the moment with the bench. Are they all gonna be fucked for the derby?? Who knows, but crying out for Maupay to be there tonight, imo with him we would've won that.

Hard to take but encouraging signs. Including from Lampard who showed he is not too stubborn to change formation. We looked better for the extra body in midfield too.

As others have said, add Gueye and Calvert-Lewin and that's a decent-looking side.

Unbeaten in 4 in all competitions but winless in 5 in the league.

The VAR is a system to confirm the referee's decision. In most cases, it gives the equivalent of an umpire's call in cricket. In other words, whatever you decided,ref, is okay with us.

We probably didn't deserve a win, but nor did Leeds.

A bench of Begovic, Keane, Allan, Gomes, Coleman, Vinagre, Rondon, Mills, Welch - not exactly any stand-out players there that could have made a difference.

Patterson was impressive again, Iwobi and Onana did pretty well. McNeil, in fairness to him, did the defensive work when needed.

Our first win of the season will come on Saturday.

If you can't win, don't get beat!

Yes, the lack of a win and failing to keep a clean sheet is a little disappointing, but at least we are picking up points.

Let's see what the next few weeks bring?

Onana is a real talent, raw, rough around the edges, but there's a player there.

Patterson also looks excellent. should have done better with his chance, but his energy was excellent, his defensive recovery also.

Gray looks much better and returning to his best.

Gordon looks to be stepping it up; he's gonna get a lot of attention, gonna be fouled a lot, but he's got great talent and will get 10+ goals (should he remain).

Coady and Tarkowski look as solid a defensive partnership as we've had in years.

Iwobi wasn't at his best today, but was still energetic, has great control and skill and made a goal with a great pass.

These are all plusses to take from the game.

Add Gana for Davies and we'd have much more control in midfield.

Add Calvert-Lewin for McNeil and we'd have a striker to stretch the opposition and bully defenders and not just rely on through balls on the counter.

Add Maupay to the bench and we have options to change things, unlike today.

Add hopefully another winger or forward and ideally a creative midfielder and we could be decent.

Reservedly confident that we'll be okay this season.

Gueye on the way and hopefully a couple of surprise signings. Hopefully he'll stick to four at the back.

As for the game, I'll go with the comment that given the misses in the second half, Frank largely got it right [Fran 70]. I think I might have made a sub or two but I'm not willing to fire him over it.

And yes, yes, let's celebrate abandoning the 3 at the back.

Davies and McNeil seem to have some stick here but IMO both put a good effort in for 90 minutes.

Onana, Iwobi played well as did the back line and Patterson was my man of the match too.

All in all, a half-decent performance, never seen Maupay so don't know whether we would have been better or worse with him.

At least Rondon seems to have had his marching orders – another positive. COYBBs

Good point on the road. I actually didn't think we played poorly.

Onana is just fantastic. We were pretty solid at the back. Patterson is really coming on. Iwobi is a revelation in midfield. Get a striker out there and we'll create more chances.

Today was a day where I thought, if we continue forward and keep that effort we showed today, we'll be just fine. And I've been worried.

We played pretty well in my opinion.

But my God we need to stop sitting so deep when we go ahead and that back four looked as bad as the back five with no midfield movement for a long half-hour after we scored.

Patterson and Gordon were very good with Iwobi not too far behind. There were times when Gordon looked sublime. Was hoping for the cash plus players Chelsea deal, but not so sure now if we could get say

Hopefully we'll have Maupay on Saturday, Gueye maybe Calvert-Lewin on the bench and a couple of new signings.

I'm so pleased he seems to have ditched the back 5, and the full-backs are starting to look rock solid.

What a diamond we have in Gordon. Surely he won't be sold now, I reckon he'll get 10 goals this season, and put £20M on his price tag.

Some of that seems to be driven by the desire to play out of the back but, as long as we can get forward quickly as we did in the first half, I don't see the need.

Both sides lacking quality up top. Good decision from Lampard in packing the midfield – just a shame Onana or Patterson couldn't take their chances.

The VAR decision is making a joke of the game. Everyone wants to see more goals in football, not less. Make 'level' onside and see more goals, not lines being drawn from someone's armpit.

Oh and their manager is a right head-case. He will cause trouble this season with those antics.

We had the better chances in the last 15 minutes and it's a shame (though understandable) that we lack the confidence to press high and use the ball well when in the lead.

Onana should get stronger and Iwobi is now a right pest for opposition but we need someone who can free them from their defensive duties more often.

Gana could be the one, Doucoure might settle into it if he can accept a more disciplined role (big if).

How is it acceptable that you could register a player to play on Saturday if you signed him by midday last Friday, but if he signed 4 hours later he still wouldn't be available 4 days later? Just not reasonable and the authorities should have had something in place to complete Maupay's registration this morning to enable him to play this evening.

It's been quite a while that the shoulder has been included as a goal-scoring part of the body and therefore part of the VAR considerations. It might be a bit odd but it is consistently applied from what I've seen.

Promising signs and wouldn't it just be typical of the Football Gods that our first win comes against them!!

If we can bring in at least one more decent attacker in addition to Gueye, that'll be a pretty solid window, all things considered.

And if Gordon stays, I feel pretty confident that he'll comfortably hit double figures this season. Those were two quality finishes.

It wasn't a footballing performance that gave me a warm, cosy glow, but it was the type of display we have been crying out for, all the players battled hard and refused to be intimidated by the crowd, a rough team and a very tiresome manager.

The time-wasting by Pickford was annoying to watch, but it was annoying for Leeds too, and broke the flow of the game. The foot-up by Davies was stupid.

Good performances by the back 4, Onana and Iwobi, and some very hard work by the rest, even those who didn't produce very much.

I haven't been impressed with us so far this season, but this was better, a well-earned point.

The team is improving with each game but we need that extra bit of quality in midfield and, for god's sake, a striker!!

But I don't think Thelwell will be happy abandoning 5 at the back. Could mean a conflict between manager and Director of Football and we've all seen what that leads to.

@66
Totally confident Gordon stays. Have you seen our next six fixtures, without Gordon?

Chelsea will try and sign Zaha.

If I had been watching I would have been crying out for substitutions in the second half. But Frank seems to only make substitutions where he is forced to and as more of a time-wasting ploy in the dying minutes of the game. But he did not even do that in this game.

A centre-forward and Gueye would certainly help. Keane in a back five was too much even for Frank.

Another point is welcome.

One daft goal apart, kept our shape, everybody was supporting everybody else.
Sometimes bringing on a sub can disrupt things not improve them.

Most, if offered, would've taken a point at Leeds.

Actual paper forms? Premier League closed Bank Holiday weekend? Do they still have those shuttle things on wires like the old Co-Op and close at 1:00 pm on Wednesdays...

Ger Gordon – fetch yer cloth.

From my perspective, it was a dull first half but I thought Leeds were poor. We ceded possession to them when we could have taken the initiative and put another 1 or 2 goals past them. I think we're better than they are but the players don't feel the same. Is that an issue with them or Lampard? I genuinely don't know.

Second half, they woke up and finally seized the initiative. I'm frustrated by our inability to thread 3+ passes together. We look more assured at the back but everything breaks down from midfield forwards. Can't see the RS having as much possession as Leeds and not killing us.

Steps in the right direction but an inferiority complex points me in the direction of a season where we can only dream of 15th or 16th place.

We are not far off.

Another striker, Gueye and an attacking midfielder, then we are sure to finish 16th.

We continue to perform. We controlled the first half and looked good, even without a striker for the 5th game this season. With the impending new additions and continued performances like this, the wins will come.

We almost weathered the inevitable Leeds storm early in the second half. It's harsh on Pickford as a couple of saves he made earned us a point. But without wishing to upset to Goalkeeper's Union, I thought he was at error on 2 counts for the goal. Kick the ball to the channel, not down the middle. And then he was static for the shot. Totally wrong-footed.

Positive point. Patterson could / should have won it.

Everton Man of the Match? I'm torn between the ever-improving Iwobi and Patterson. I think I'll edge towards Patterson. Bags of potential there in my opinion.

One game only but tonight could be pivotal in terms of the team shape, there were several immediate and obvious positives.

The Thelwell thing is a real consideration, being as he is, the author of a book on the subject (not read it).

Could potentially become an impasse down the road, and then what? Buck has to stop somewhere.

He dug in and got a point, sees some spirit growing in the side, and is not married to the 3 at the back. He's not signalling a quick exit from my point of view.

Standouts, the youngsters did well in a tough environment. Patterson, Onana, Gordon unfazed and improving, a great sign. Iwobi again did well, Pickford was better than at Brentford and the two centre-backs were solid.

McNeil put in a shift and did okay but has to do more offensively and in possession or he will find himself on the bench. The increased competition will be good for him I hope.

Hopefully we get our new players registered time for Saturday, we'll need them if we are to get the win.

Oh, and Frank, what's the deal with the subs?

Having Coady and Tarkowski at the back, two leaders, makes a massive difference. They were resolute. That is the type of fixture that the fragile Everton we have recently become accustomed to would have collapsed under the pressure and hostility. None of it, they stood up for themselves and gave as good as they got.

Onana is raw. He makes mistakes but recovers well. Be patient with him. I think he's quality. And with Gueye alongside, he will come good.

A mention for McNeil. He had a much better game.

Poor Demarai Gray (Ole) looked to be running on fumes towards the end and the team was tired. It seemed that Frank wasn't willing to make changes. Not wanting to? Or didn't trust what he had on the bench?

That Leeds manager is an odd one. From about the 20th minute he was holding his arm in the air with his finger seemingly super-glued to his watch. Definitely trying to referee the match.

So I can only see it as a point won!

Now, with a striker or two...

There are usually some players who play better than others, but I'd rather say this was a good team effort. The improvements to be made have to be brought in in the next couple of days, not only to improve the starting 11 but to have better backup for injuries and subs.

I just hope there is not too much pressure put on Gordon as I don't believe anyone in the club wants him to leave, and this squad is on track for a 14th to 10th position with the possibility of a decent cup run.

With the 2 goals in 2 matches plus the publicity, Gordon is going to get more rough treatment and it was good to see his teammates getting in quick to back him up.

It seems to me with the players he has brought in, with some of the players he inherited, Lampard has brought in more understanding of the style of play he wants and each players responsibility in it.

Early days yet bur our defense seems to have tightened up, we just need players putting it in the opposite end more often.

Frank is trying to get some more players in by Thursday night and hopefully they will be registered in time for the derby game, it is patently obvious we need more players in because we can't keep defending for most of the game like we have all season, that type of football pleases nobody and not only frustrates most fans but usually ends with us giving a goal away and a loss of points.

We conceded a goal at the end, but most would have expected the valiant Leeds side to squash us anyway. Who did they entertain recently??? Silver linings! :)

We have a bit of character and leadership in the team.

Patterson looks a revelation at full-back.

Iwobi continues to impress.

We have some quality players to return. Calvert-Lewin, Doucouré, Holgate and Godfrey. Add in Gana and Maupay

I wouldn't sell Gordon now, get another year out of him. His value will remain.

Couple of tough games to come, we need a bit of patience.

Negatives. I'm not convinced about Mykolenko, Davies is still not good enough. Jury is out on McNeil but early days and he worked his nuts off tonight.

We'll be okay this season. Trust in Frank.

That lack of pressing will improve with two strikers. Well done tonight lads! Stayed in it and should have won.

There are no easy games. A little luck and hard work wins will come. This squad has quality! Saturday might be the day!

Dang, Franny and such should give clear warning!

I hoped it would be tonight. Guess it will have to be Saturday.

What do we have? Six? Seven new players playing together for the first time? Familiarity with one another will help us. It's very difficult to assemble a team with that many new players, and expect them to just tick straight away.

Patience will be a very important thing for the next two months. We have a really tough schedule coming up that could easily see us near or in the bottom three at the end of October. I'm not prepared, after this game and all the positives I saw, to over-react until we hit the World Cup break / American Thanksgiving.

This squad will get progressively better over time. I think much better.

And again, approaching man-crush levels, Onana is just incredible. This kid is going to be one hell of a player.

McNeil is being trashed by just one person on this thread (several times) who seems to have a vendetta against him. McNeil is a very good player who will show his value over the course of the season. He also put in a hard-working shift today and showed some nice glimpses of his ball-carrying ability.

I felt Davies and Gray were the weakest links. Davies was anonymous and I've rarely seen anyone lose the ball as much as Gray. Apart from the odd cracking goal now and again, I am unsure as to what he offers. He is totally frustrating to watch.

McNeil busted his gut to track back and close down today. I thought he was very good.

I believe the kid is 21 years old? He's a great signing and just the type of signing Everton need to be making.

I think our lack of goals is shinning a light on a bunch of players who are accused of "not having any end product". I'll judge them after many games where we have a proper striker in the lineup.

He can develop and become a player for us.

He can develop and become a player for us.

McNeil had probably his best game so far for us, and I thought Tom Davies battled well in midfield. Don't know what the possession percentages were, but I'm guessing Leeds had more of the ball than us, but did next to nothing with it.

Let's not forget the previous homes games for our last two opponents, Brentford putting four past Man Utd and Leeds putting three past Chelsea, and yet some are moaning about us only drawing these last two games. Un-Fucking-believable!

We may well have the best fans in the country, but believe me, very few of them exist on this forum.

The less we can see him (and Keane) playing in pivotal games and situations, the better.

It's easy to get wound up by the handful or extremists but I think 75 percent on here are pretty reasonable. It's just game day seems to draw out the people with the most bizarre views.

Overall I thought we played well tonight against a decent Leeds team and bear pit atmosphere. We had the chances to win it as did Leeds and you know it was a tight offside when the opposition manager admits they were lucky with that one.

Gray may lose possession but he runs his socks off closing down defenders.

McNeil was good defensively but still a bit disappointing going forwards, he is looking better though. His best game to date, I thought, and looked more confident with the formation.

Mykolenko is a bit off at the moment, hope it is just a phase and he rediscovers his form.

Tom Davies was a bit hit and miss, looked good at times and average at others. Had a decent game in general though.

Iwobi has one hell of an engine, he was brilliant first half but a bit complacent at times in the second. He never stops running though.

Anthony Gordon seems to be going over less and looks better for it. Great finish for his goal and carried a threat for most of the game.

Onana is fantastic even if he does get carried away at times. So strong and composed on the ball, unlucky not to score with the one that hit the defender on the head.

Patterson was brilliant, he is rapid, strong, tricky and learning fast. Starting to look like a steal at what we paid for him.

Coady and Tarkowski are looking better the more they are paired together. They both seemed more comfortable with a back four tonight – long may it continue.

Pickford was much better I thought, his kicking improved, his decision-making was better and he was more focussed. Not a lot he could do about the goal as he was unsighted and wrong footed.

We looked much better with 3 in middle, hopefully a sign of things to come. A midfield trio of Onana, Gueye and Iwobi will dominate a lot of teams.

Our football is getting better; yes, we should have more points on the board but there are positives and hopefully with a main striker on the pitch the goals will come.

Enjoyed the game which I thought was very hard fought and decent quality, Dare I say that both teams looked like top half.

Hilarious to think that a Leeds manager would criticize another team for wasting time! He must have read Ted Lasso's best seller “A Yank on the Touchline”!

The side looks much more solid playing four at the back and it looks like the penny has finally dropped that we need a three-man midfield.

I wonder if the working day 'rule' is a Premier League interpretation or is actually written in the rules? If it's an interpretation, it's wrong as Bank Holidays are normal working days for footballers: eg, Boxing Day and New Year's Day.

Another game we could and should have won but, nevertheless, many positives, not least another brilliant display from Gordon. Maybe the "I'd bite their hand off for £45M" brigade will now admit their stupidity. He's the most exciting player we've produced since Rooney.

In his interview after Jesse Marsch criticized Everton and said “we are in the entertainment business.”

And there was me thinking it was sport and not wrestling.

Bill 158, the traffic jams caused by the roadworks and seemingly unnecessary speed restrictions were horrendous.

“No surrender” that's an excellent point. On the live forum as with Saturday there were quite a few saying “now we'll lose 3-1.” But we didn't.

And we didn't give up late last season v Newcastle. I think partly Frank has installed some Dutch courage but he's also brought in tough characters like Tarkowski and Coady who don't let their heads drop like Williams or Keane.

That alone doesn't solve our problems but it's an example of Frank identifying and addressing a weakness versus Silva, Koeman, Rafa who all moaned about our character but never took steps to fix it. Ditto defending corners.

I think Frank, other than Carlo, is the only recent manager to try and fix things beyond just spending and who doesn't just act like some things are out of his hands.

I hope we give them a special reception.

I was surprised that Maupay wasn't playing as he wasn't registered but I'd have thought somebody would have noticed that the fax paper, like our strikers, still hadn't been replenished, would and does this happen at any other club?
And why weren't we playing in blue, a clash of shorts?

From what I'd heard and read, I expected to see this non-stop express Leeds team hassling the life out of us but it was the complete opposite and we made Leeds look half paced but, after half an hour, this degenerated into a half-hearted gentle jog in their general direction.

At first glance, it looked like a marvelous move for our goal but the replay showed it was a bit lucky that it went between the defender's legs but you take what you get.

Davies's booking was a bit silly and if he deserved a yellow card then so did the keeper for his reaction and, by the same standard, the 2 or 3 times that Gordon was brought down were deserving of a red card. And how many times I was reminded of the dirty Leeds side of the '60s when every time they contested a header that an elbow went into the Everton player's head? On one the Ref saw it but decided to restart the game with what passes as a "drop ball" these days.

The second half we, again, sat back and let them come onto us and the soft equalizer followed. If Lampard made the wrong substitutions in the last game then he did it again here by not making any when it was crying out for some after 65 minutes.

I also have to question the point in Linesmen as they don't seem to give offsides anymore until VAR tells them to and our disallowed goal was barely discernible as such. And really, is McNeil a £20 Million player? Must have been something more than jam butties in that sandwich bag.

Better effort and a good first half hour but it has to be for the whole game as too must the manager's – which now seems to be that if you do nothing then you can't be accused of getting it wrong. Overall, a bit of an improvement but the effort must be maintained.

The lad is putting a massive effort in every game and has not had many opportunities to impress up front because he's spending much of his time covering back.

Amazed also that Iwobi still gets some negative from some!

Gueye, Onana and Iwobi will be a very decent midfield if Frank sticks with 4 at the back. I actually thought Patterson made a few mistakes at the back but his recovery bailed him out. Decent performance overall though and he will only improve.

On the left, I'd like to see Vinagre get a game. He's looked dangerous going forward and Mykolenko hasn't really got going yet.

Now, for the love of god, buy two forwards before the deadline and don't sell Gordon!

If you're not a fan of opinions that don't accord with your own, then this is hardly the place for you. The bathroom mirror may be more appropriate.

For what it's worth I thought Davies was quiet after the yellow card and although McNeil put a lot of graft in he gave the ball away a lot. Both looked knacked and fresh legs wouldn't given us some impetus.

I think we'll win on Saturday.

Playing 5 at the back is disastrous, surrendering the midfield just invites the opposition in to destroy our defence. Gordon is finally adding invaluable goals to his obvious talent, so now we just need Maupay and DCL to come in and fire us to some vital victories during the next few months.

Maybe then we can start to breathe a bit easier, there's still a long way to go but the work ethic shown last night certainly points us in the right direction providing we can do it consistently.

Try praising a player sometimes you might feel better.

I see a manager who during the 5 games we have played has used 3-5-2, 5-2-3 and last night a 4-3-3. In those games he has played McNeil, Gray, Gordon and Rondon as the main striker. So if I am confused I guess the players are as well. Regarding the Maupay shambles, did nobody involved in the registering of players know the rules about Sat,Sun and bank holidays not counting as working days. Also why didnt somebody at Goodison ring the FA on the Friday to check what time Maupay had to be registered in order for him to be able to play in the Leeds game.

Lampard said after the game its not ideal playing these 5 games without a proper striker, he has had 8 weeks since he sold Richarlison. And if Maupay is really his choice he could have signed him weeks ago, and only moved for him when he was about to sign for Fulham.
Despite everybody saying we look more solid at the back well 5 games in and yet to keep a clean sheet, and I tend to think that Villa, Forest and Leeds will be in the bottom half of the league come the end of the season.

Yes we could have won the game last night, I am not convinced the Gray goal was offside and even Marsch said after the game he thought they got lucky with that decision. Both Onana and Patterson also had great chances to win the game. But I just hate this ultra negative approach we have to games. I also couldn't understand Lampard playing Onana in the middle of the 3, the lad is new to the league and he is still adjusting to the pace of the Premier league and got caught in possession a couple of times. To me he looks much more comfortable running at the opposition, not being at this time in his career a holding midfielder.

Lets hope between now and the deadline we sign another striker, and hopefully if he finally signs then Gueye can slot into the holding midfield role, and let Iwobi and Onana join the attack.

I know many posters will say 2 draws away from home is OK and it is but I just think if we had been more positive in both games we could and should have got more out of these games. I don't want to see us play so negatively, we have signed 2 CBs to make us stronger so why are we defending so deep as we did last season.

I am sure many will come on giving me stick for this negative post but its just my opinion and I am probably in the minority and thats fine because it would be boring if we all viewed the game the same way.

Just to balance my earlier post which you no doubt put me in the "not having a good word to say group".
I think Onana is going to be a very good player, Iwobi has become unrecognisable under Lampard. I really like 4-3-3 and I think both Patterson and Mykolenko are good young fullbacks. I think Anthony Gordon has took over the Richarlison role and I will stick my neck out and say I think he will go to the World Cup with England. Gray is also starting to have the same impact as he did under Benitez, and like Gordon is starting to add goals to his game.

One can only home that when those who are injured return and when Maupay and hopefully, Gueye are registered to play things will improve and we will move away from a possible relegation struggle.

But I'm definitely seeing a little more guile. The pass to Gordon at Brentford was precision. As was the ball he received last night. Another couple of defence splitting passes to Gray in the last two matches very nearly produced winning goals. He squandered the one on Saturday and was flagged off by the narrowest of margins last night. For too long the words "defence splitting pass" and Everton have not belonged in the same sentence. We don't seem to have worked on creativity for years.

I'm quietly optimistic that the goals will start to come when we get strikers in. Especially if the final pass continues to improve

We looked better after they scored, I think a good striker who we can build attacks from will help. The defence genuinely looks fantastic, and I can see the basis of a good side thats hard to beat being built.

Would be nice to see Warrington for some calm possession play when required, hopefully he can be slowly integrated.

I have seen enough of McNeil over the years to know we have a very good player, thought last night he was pivotal in helping out defensively but if we can get the best out of him attcking wise he will be hugely benefical.

Those fecking thow-ins - foul throws all the time. Drives me mad(der).

Considering the Burnley etc route, from my base in Southport the distance is about the same (80 miles) as the M62. The RAC route planner says 1 hour 48 minutes via M62, and 2 hours 20 minutes via Burnley etc. So on paper longer in time via Burnley / cross country but the M62 estimate doesn't factor in the inevtiable delays (ALWAYS leading up to the start of the M60 on the way there; and other delays e.g. Harthead Moor Top).

This team and squad is beginning to take shape. It won’t be a smooth road but the signs are there.

Regarding your post @ (170), if Anthony Gordon stays at Everton I don’t want him to go to the World Cup for selfish reasons, he will be knackered enough pulling his tripe out for Everton without going to play extra games in a very hot climate where even sitting on the bench will drain him!!

I also hate the M62 but its probably better to grin and bear it.

Maybe stick with M62 - gin and bear it!

I watched the game last night and thought that Everton deserved to come away with a point, while some played better than others I feel that it was a team effort, and it's not my way to criticise individuals, I've stated on this site a number of times, that I believe in 'We win or lose as team'

I have also learned down the years that every game is unique 'It's never been played before and it will never be played again'. I attend games with an open mind but unlike some, I never predict results or scores, therefore I'm never left with egg on my face.

If there are 5 games that kick off at the same time, do they have 5 VARs or one?

No referees should be allowed at Stockley Park.