Blues hold on for a very important road win

COYBLUES!!!

Soton usually play well against us no matter how crap a team they have out and our offence is still quite lightweight so that we have to have a lot of good work on the defensive side of things.

Hopefully McNeill will take the chance.. otherwise the team picks itself.

Looking forward to this.

I thought he was left out v West Ham to get fully fit (including the international break).

Feels like there's something we're not being told and that's irritating

McNeill and Gray being the worst offenders. At least we know Gray can produce but McNeill is as one dimensional as they come.

Not much offensive options either. A sick Gordon must be better than McNeill.

Midfield three absolute class, but we have to score otherwise I can see a Soton smash and grab

Unfortunately our lack of end product is letting us down not for the first time and a lack of a centre forward.

It's a game we can still win though.

A draw not disastrous but when you look at Southampton you can't help but feel this game is there for us to win.

He looks so one footed and actually quite ponderous and slow for a wide player.

McFadden did spring to life though with some majestic goals albeit fittingly.

Not sure we've got two in us.

Even Iwobi was giving the ball away time after time. I'm not actually sure who had a good game for us. Coady perhaps, Tarkowski?

We looked sloppy and slow a lot of the time. But 3 points and the Red Shite only drew at home, so GET IN!

Not very often we manage back-to-back victories and only our second win away this year, and at a place which hasn't always been our happy hunting ground.

Starting to build momentum now this team under Frank.

Then we tried to desperately to hold onto the one-goal lead when we looked well capable of scoring to end the contest.

Win is all that matters.

While Pickford's time wasting is annoying, he did save us a couple of times and, while you could see the intent on the substitutions, they seemed to prove more disruptive than anything else. We certainly seemed to miss Patterson.

Oh, and a special word for the most inept display of refereeing so far this season.

However, it's a much-needed win, so I'll leave it at that.

I've still got my doubts about Lampard but credit where it's due. Luck or no luck, 10 points from the last 6 games is a good haul, especially given the start to the season.

Also very good to get the 3 points here as next 3 games are going to be a lot tougher.

Sure.

For once we get a bit of luck. If we'd picked up our centre-backs last year rather than this, we'd have been laying out 㿲 million.

Just listened to Coady interview. He's a top bloke and player. Excellent finish, and has a real goal sense. McNeil also a fine finish. Onana did really well with his assist header.

Wonderful. Let's enjoy our weekend. Closing in on 4th, of course, just as we planned.

Wasn't pretty but I don't care.

That is a very good 3 points at a place we typically lose.

Heaven will be made of such weekends,

Adrian Heath and Iwobi, now McNeil, bit of patience needed.

Again, last season we'd have lost 2/3-nil after the setback of going behind. That we turned it around so quickly is testament to our improvement.

But very much a work in progress.

The main issue, still, is that we are very unable to take control of games. After going 2-1 up, we looked like we could get another and Southampton were there for the taking. We almost did with Onana, but then Southampton regrouped, made some changes and took the initiative.

The final 25 minutes was all Southampton, and what we really need to do was get the ball and keep it for sustained periods, pass and move, work in triangles and simply take the sting out of the game. But this is something we fail at.

Time and again, we win the ball back, but time and again, we give it away after 1-2 passes, which pushed us further and further back.

This is our biggest weakness at the moment. Ability to hold on to the ball and control the tempo.

Says it all, despite the negativity from some of the muppets on here.

Gana was a bit looser than usual, which is why we struggled to control midfield. But it was a very resilient performance, so well done to the lads.

A fully deserved win.

Had a striker been on the pitch, we'd have been well away with the points. Mind you, Onana's missed header was shocking, striker or not.

Well done everyone, especially our magnificent support! Another crucial 3 points – a quarter of the 40 – a good push, top half finish and build for next season.

Calvert-Lewin's absence is a worry for both us and him personally. Sod the World Cup squad – he needs to be fully fit for us.

Coleman back for his first game in an age, and he looked good. 1st time for this defence to play together, and the forward line too, I think. So, considering that… 3 points away – excellent!

And two first-time goal scorers for the club as well.

Calm down and have some black tar.

Not a great second half but again — we would have lost that last season.

Clearly, we need more attacking options but you have to say the players we have got in so far have all added value and this team now has some metal about it.

Coady could turn out to be the bargain of the decade considering how much money this club has wasted on players in the last few years. I think we are one decent striker signing away from a Top 8 side.

I'll take ugly lucky wins all season and not complain about them. Coyb👮👮

Took over 6 hours to get down here, though that was mainly due to the train strike, mainly because the traffic coming off the motorway into Southampton was almost at a standstill, due to the increase in the amount of cars I guess.

Away end was bouncing at the end, and it was amazing to see all the backroom staff standing on the halfway line watching. Got to be the best fans, home or away, anywhere in the world. That pint in the Fiveways when we get back will be most welcome.

Emotional. I'll be back when I've gathered my thoughts.

Outstanding reception for the players at the end. Gueye and Onana dancing with the fans. Sheer quality. Well done, travelling Blues. Well done, Everton.

Good and bad from most players, Coleman got stronger, as did McNeil, who hopefully gains a bit of the confidence he is clearly lacking after scoring the winning goal.

I was hoping to see Garner near the end, especially because I thought Iwobi tired rapidly, but we have got some good players now, and winning games definitely breeds confidence.

Ray # 39. That's a very encouraging stat.

Tony # 44. That is a very good run.

Genuinely optimistic for this season. I really hope Lampard puts a big emphasis on the cups.

We just need to keep picking up the points before the World Cup begins... COYB

Gana my MotM. What a difference he's made to our midfield.

What a cracking win, though. The "feeling" has changed; I no longer assume that we're going to lose if we concede. Instead, I carefully anticipate that we're going to win.

That's a massive shift. We have the right manager at the right time with a core of the right sort of players. Halle-fucking-lujah.

Again today, we simply saw a football team of players that look like they train together, which has not been the case in recent years.

I think we've got a great chance of making it three next week if the Goodison crowd can do its thing again despite the odd kick-off time.

Frank's got us back to our ‘recent traditional' strengths of being hard-working, hard to beat and playing as a team.

I'm convinced the next two signings will be creative attackers as well. I think the decision makers know what's needed, it's just a case of whether the right players are available in January or if we have to wait until next summer.

Iwobi did indeed tire, was almost out of the game for 15 minutes but sort of came back alive a bit. Probably reflects the effort he's putting in so far this season. Ran all over the place first half.

For me, we were all over the place and didn't put our foot on the ball but McNeil's strike was excellent, best thing he did all afternoon.

Everyone just looked off, nothing clicked and it looked like one of those games that could have been a boring draw but for about 10 mins we raised it, got the goals, won the game.

3 points, equal with the other lot, that made me smile...

I'm just so pleased with them all. I know it wasn't stylish but I can, at long last, relate to the team and the management, Thelwell (though not to the Board) – and that makes me quite emotional, actually, even at my age.

They're trying for us, really trying, and that means everything for now.

Have a great night and a great Sunday, everyone.

Far from the best we've played this year, but we controlled the first half despite some really sloppy play. Iwobi misplaced more passes today than he's done all season combined, but he still had moments of class.

Pickford again great, the back four was fine with Seamus in there. Defending for their goal was poor but what a response! Even though it was backs to the wall for the last 20 minutes, I never really felt like we'd concede.

Credit to Frank for making the subs, which most people on the Live Forum agreed with. Like others, I am curious to see how and when Garner fits in.

Three points in the bag, unbeaten in 6 in the league and ¼ of the way to 40 points! Let's keep it rolling, Blue Boys!

Really enjoyed it save for a bit of the old surrender stuff later on, but that will improve. A lot of effort went into the first half.

Bring on United.

I was at this fixture last season for my first game ever together with Blues fans (thanks to Duncan McDine for that, I hope you enjoyed today Duncan!), it was a depressing spectacle.

The difference between today and then is huge, not necessarily in quality but in steely determination, graft and a sense that we look solid even when not playing well and inviting pressure.

As others have said above, we would have lost this one on the road last season, lots of huff and puff until the first goal went in and then we tended to give up last season. Not anymore, thanks to Frank and the team.

I continue to hold a growing sense of hope and optimism; if we finish mid-table and continue to show progress, I'd be happy. We need a striker, I'd go all in for Gapko who can play anywhere up front.

Big shout out to the away support who sounded in good voice. Also to Seamus for putting in a solid display. Lot's for Frank and the team to unpick and work on this week as we looked sloppy at times, made mistakes, and invited them onto us too much.

A coming together of team and fans, just let it carry on. I never saw any of the game but loved the score.

And only us and Man City unbeaten in the last six games.

there were bound to be some misplaced balls (as the director said to the actress etc), and players not being on the same wavelength - but they won with 2 decent goals and some good movement at times

The 2nd best defensive record in the league, with players to come back and a team that don't roll around clutching various parts of their anatomies when being brushed by an opposition's fringe.

Also, a full contingent on the subs bench – and we are yet to see Garner, or Vinagre (properly) too.

I like this Everton thus far.

I drove in from Portsmouth today and the traffic was as bad as usual. Hate it.

I am not going to worry myself over Europe etc, just enjoy the performances and the improvement.

Steve Shave – that was awful last time round, but what a day today!

Colm Kavanah – just had a lovely chat with your boy and his lass… great people, and what commitment to travel all the way from Ireland.

Take care, Blues

We really should have had a couple of goals in the first half, but the 2 we got in the second were well taken. I still think Lampard could have used our bench a little earlier as, for once, we had a strong bench that were capable of changing a game around.

But a win away from home makes a great change and increases the confidence in the squad. There are always players who can be called MotM but, with the effort today, I think we can call the Team MotM as the forwards got the points and the defense kept them.

Above all, the players are playing as a team. The new players have brought greater athleticism, a greater physical presence and at long last we can move the ball and players around the park with much greater pace. They are all helping each other out in all areas of the play which is great to see.

The missing ingredient today was mainly composure in the final third. Too often we gave away possession with an over-hasty pass or a run into a cul-de-sac. Possibly Garner will help improve that aspect of our play.

I had Coady as our Man of the Match. He galvanised the team for the fight back and of course was on hand for the vital equaliser.

It was wonderful to see all the players including those substituted plus Lampard celebrate in front of the away section after the final whistle. Nobody is getting carried away but there is plenty to be happy about.

It was a bit ragged for the last half-hour but we held on quite well, I've seen worse pressure. We will learn from that and progress.

A great win at a difficult ground for us, and the margin of victory would have been more comfortable with a quality goalscorer.

This is a different Everton now, and when Calvert-Lewin returns fully fit we go up a gear too. Feeling more positive than I have for many years that we are building a proper, competitive football team.

What a mindset change in Everton! Fair play to Frank and his Team, and Thelwell.

Everton are starting to play and act like a good football team, and nice to stick one on Southampton.

Next week will be a test, but hopefully with no injuries from today, Everton can maintain their form, and beat Man Utd.

Great spirit, and loads of hope.

Performance improvement will come with the confidence of winning combined with the many new players settling in properly. Keep it tight like this and we will hopefully go far in the cups. Reminds me a lot of the Dogs of War season!

If Lampard and Thelwell can somehow at last instil "professionalism" into Moshiri and his board's world-wide ridiculed behaviour, they'll be worthy of a statue.

If they can't, and even if they can, there'll be a long queue of top clubs wanting to sign them on.

Frank's getting us going again!

The challenge will be to add real attacking creativity into the team which is definitely missing. That could well involve cashing in on Anthony Gordon and signing two quality attacking options.

But the lad is full of character, and was possibly our best player during the last 30 minutes, once he had got rid of the cobwebs and got himself up to speed.

Seamus Coleman is a colossus.

We look like a unit but Coady and Tarkowski are an awesome defensive wall and their roars of defiance when they headed balls clear of the box was inspirational! Love this team! UTFT

The defence is doing a much better job than last season and, although we are still dodging a few bullets, it has to be said that they are playing with a better attitude and can only get better as the season progresses.

Sure they will lose a game now and then but they are a much harder team to beat than last season.

After the first two losing games, they have knuckled down and shown a lot of grit in the trenches.

The next game against Man Utd will be tough (as they all are) but Man Utd have a big one tomorrow, then have to travel to Cyprus on Thursday, so that should be in Everton's favour.

If ever there is an example of patience and support leading to quality performances, it is the turnaround from Alex Iwobi. Yet McNeil, Davies, Gray become the whipping boys each week, and yet despite some sub-par performances from a Gordon or a "when fit" Godfrey, they get a free ride because they're "fan favourites".

McNeil is finding his feet at a new club at 22 years old. Just like Mykolenko was doing in February (one fan's opinion of him after a couple of games was "he's total dogshit") Mykolenko is now first choice and improving.

Although McNeil has not pulled up any trees yet, he's just scored the winner in a vital away win to keep momentum going.

Is James Garner going to be the "target" if he doesn't start welI? If you want to a have a go at players, save your vitriol for wasters who had stolen a living from the club without giving anything back, like Delph, Tosun, etc.

Get behind these kids and who knows, just like when Adrian Heath had a rocky start as a youngster and went on to being a serial winner, maybe McNeil can do the same.

It was only a matter of time before these players got results going their way. Even early doors, it was a huge loss not having a centre-forward to put away the chances we were creating. It makes you think where we would be with a fit Calvert-Lewin.

Then you look at how the defence and midfield has been more solid, how Iwobi has turned it around on the field… in time, McNeil will turn it around, the guy is still only 22 years old – plenty of time for Frank and the coaches to work on his play.

From some of my Man Utd mates, they reckon we've landed a very good player in Garner. So, when you have your main striker out, your right back out, and the likes of Gordon, Doucouré, and Garner on the bench, it shows how far we have come since last season. We will only get stronger and stronger, get players back, and a bit of Lady Luck on the injury front.

This group of players are heading in the right direction.

As Thunderclap Newman once sang, there is definitely something in the air, and the revolution's here.

I lost my sense of smell when I was 9 but even I can smell something good about to happen.

I don't think there's anything wrong with having an opinion on players. It's not like we're booing him on the pitch.

McNeil, very good goal aside, was particularly poor yesterday. He meekly surrendered the ball in good positions time and again. He's had a poor start to his Everton career and to this point we're a worse team when he plays. What do you want me to say?

I'm thrilled with Iwobi but you don't usually get over 2 years to find your feet. Iwobi's turnaround is a massive outlier. McNeil will need to improve quickly.

For what it's worth, Mykolenko has improved but I'm still not sure he's got the quality we need. He's limited on the ball for a modern left-back. The guy's got guts though and that will do for now.

It wasn't a great performance or game but it was a very professional and disciplined performance.

I love the way that our players all help and support each other and get in the ref's face when they feel wrongly done to, I also love the fact that we no longer seem to panic when going a goal down.

Seems like a world apart from last season's struggles and we may even be in the fight for a place in Europe if the improvement continues.

For me, Conor Coady was MotM, what a difference he and Tarkowski make to the defence. I thought Seamus struggled in the first half but had a very good second half. Pickford is a fantastic keeper and, on current form, must be in the top 5 in the world. Maupay seems to get better each game, he is like a wasp on steroids.

We have the makings of a very good team – with the emphasis on 'team' as opposed to a bunch of overpaid highly gifted players that do not put in the required effort. They all play for each other and, once the understanding improves, we will be a force to be reckoned with.

Enjoying a glass of Talisker tonight feeling very chuffed and even more optimistic. It's great to be looking forward to every game knowing the boys will give everything.

UTFT!

Breakfast in the posh Spoons at Baker Street before heading to Waterloo to catch the train.

We found Yates's and it was brimming with Evertonians. But also a smattering of home fans. Nice that fans can mingle.

The match. Not the best, but we got the result. I thought we were particularly careless and gave away possession a lot in the second half. But if I look at it, we are continuing to improve and have a lot more resilience about us. We don't collapse at the first sign of trouble, as we often did last season.

Coady and Tarkowski commanding at the back again. I wish Pickford would come out of that 6-yard box more often, although to his credit, he punched well from some of the very good deliveries that Ward-Prowse put into our box. And that boy can deliver a cross from dead-ball situations.

Mykolenko is showing consistency and, although the legs are clearly going, Seamus didn't let us down. Maupay put in a hell of a shift. He gave their Land of the Giants centre-backs something to think about and kept them occupied. That helped the team.

Let's give McNeil some slack. The lad is clearly a bit lost and trying to settle into new surroundings and a new team. He didn't do a lot wrong today and I personally saw effort and hard work, as I did throughout the team, even if it wasn't a vintage performance. There were mistakes, but that's football. What I liked was that we were trying to play some very nice joined-up football and not scared to make mistakes.

I had another no-breathing moment as our goal got peppered at least 4 times. But bodies on the line, blocks and sheer luck. Then we go up the other end and score. Ecstasy and joy seconds after a near nervous breakdown.

That clock on the scoreboard at the opposite end seemed to be on pause. I had to take a break and go and take a walk up and down the concourse for 5 minutes or so to see if it helped move it on.

And guess what. I didn't get served at half-time.

Back to Yates's to watch West Ham v Wolves and Evertonians still singing at 8 pm. Although becoming more incoherent, you could still figure the words out.

Gueye was our best player. A close second for me was Gray.

But Man of the Match? No contest. The Evertonians. Unbelievable.

Mykolenko, as is quite normal, was first over but then the team in unity came to receive the adoration. When we see effort and hard work, they'll deservedly get the praise. They did today.

Gueye and Onana dancing and singing with the fans to Spirit of the Blues. Iwobi joining them. The entire coaching staff watching all lined up from the half-way line letting the players have their moment with the supporters. Although Frank couldn't resist coming over! A united fan base united with its club and its team.

We got the result. We had a great day out. Time for bed.

What was the idea of packing every one of our players in the 6-yard box and leaving them to play a short corner or ball to the edge of the box??

Also, I did not enjoy those last 15 minutes in which we allowed them space inside the box and we also could not put two passes together to relieve the pressure. Really maddening game to watch.

In amongst all of that mad game, though, we are certainly a team that battles away, with Coady and Tarkowski being our leaders. Seamus gave everything as ever, Iwobi was excellent in the first half, and Gana seems to be settling in despite his old habit of passing to the opposition.

McNeil has some lovely touches and yet can look lightweight. That cracker of a goal will do him no harm. Gray can look great in parts but also a very frustrating player to watch. Needs to learn that he can't go it alone all of the time.

Maupay was very isolated, especially in the second half, although he made a proper nuisance of himself to keep their defenders busy.

All-in-all, it has to be said that a win can often mask some deficiencies in our play but the 3 points are what matters for us all and especially those traveling Blues. The beer is easier to drink after win – that's for sure.

Reading the match report on Sky Sports, he scored 8/10 and named Man of the Match!! Why is he disliked by some ToffeeWebbers?

I thought McNeil played alright but getting a goal gives him extra brownie points in my book.

For some reason, it seems we always have to have one player to criticize. With Iwobi having improved, Davies, Keane and Holgate not playing, it seems McNeil has filled that spot. While he's got room for improvement, he's not bad.

Also, I love the fact now we can bring on Doucouré as a sub. A year ago, he was a starter and our sub was Gomes. That's a drastic improvement in a short time. Thelwell has done what Brands never could, shifting the highly paid non-performers.

That said, if Sky named him Man of the Match, I'd struggle to make a case for their credibility. Gana, Coady, Iwobi, Pickford all had a much clearer case.

Goals win games. We lack goalscorers. He seems to have a bit of quality in that left foot and he scored a very good goal. So I can make a case for McNeil having an impact.

But he struggled big time on the ball. He seems to get caught mid-thought when he's in possession, and doesn't have the pace or strength to hold onto the ball when pressured. Very underwhelming so far.

He's not a whipping boy. He's just not playing very well.

Coady, Coleman and Pickford would be my top 3, with a special mention for Onana and his aggression, attacking every ball.

Two very noticeable differences about this Everton; we don't concede from corners and we don't fold under pressure. IMO, that has to be down to Coady and Tarkowski.

He gave away possession, but then so did many others. He scored a great goal and was often a threat as we moved forward.

Still settling, so I'm going to give him time. Will he be automatic first choice? Maybe / probably not. But that's the idea of having a squad.

Tarkowski seems to win just about everything in the air. On Gray, one thing I've noticed is his touch. Especially taking high balls down from the air. Talk about taking it down on a sixpence.

I'd just remarked how well Gueye was playing when he gave the ball away and we were a goal down! Overall, McNeil was poor and was constantly losing the ball when in possession. I'd have hooked him at half-time but then he goes and scores a cracker. Maybe that's why I'm on the terrace and not in the dugout!

It was one of those games where it was difficult to pick a Man of the Match but they all stood up when it became a backs-to-the-wall last 15 minutes. Overall, a great team effort and such a change to recent seasons when we just rolled over after conceding.

Like Danny, I also thought the clock was faulty and on 84 minutes took the opportunity to visit the gents during a break in play. I came back 5 minutes later and the clock was only showing 85!

Once that is settled, maybe he, like me, may be happier but, with Patterson and Mykolenko, Gordon and Gray – not to mention Townsend – there is a lot of competition for those wide positions and, indeed, we need that many, if we were to play two strikers.

Iwobi, Gray and McNeil seemed literally all over the pitch... It worked!

Just looking back. I thought Onana had scored the equaliser. I didn't realise it was a precision pass with the head onto the foot of Coady. Not a misplaced attempt at goal!!!!

I was more than a little envious when reading about your breakfast in the Baker Street Spoons! I always go for an omelette, and much prefer the “London caffs” but it sounds like every member of the travelling blue army, had a ball yesterday, singing “We Shall Not Be Moved!”🙏

New to the side, not many starts, and 22 years old. Pre-season: 2 goals in 1 game, so a wee bit of patience, methinks. There is obviously a player in there – hence why he was bought – and thus far, the recruitment this season has been pretty impressive.

I'm enjoying your developing analogy. I reckon by the end of the season the landscape gardeners will have finished and Frank will be ordering soft furnishings over the summer.

I went the game yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. We're beginning to look like a bloody good team. I certainly was happy clapping at the end!

UTFT!

I don't know if anyone else noticed, but for a split second and almost right in front of me, I thought he was about to have another Anfield moment.

This time, he got it the right side of the crossbar.

It's a great little find, Tony, for those who visit London.

This is what I am seeing. The patterns of play will come later, because that comes from training, and at this level of ability, it is the coaches' responsibility to imprint this. I believe the coach set-up is good enough to do this, with enough experience and youth in its ranks.

Let's not forget football evolves and, for years, Everton have been left behind.

I really appreciate the nark in the side now – that's from the manager and the staff. Now teams will start to expect a tough day, not just on the pitch, but psychologically too.

Stick with it, back them and, in 12 to 18 months time, Everton could just start to upset the agenda.
Enjoy your days blues.

I agree with you about Pickford. He played well, but sometimes I wish he would come out and command a little bit more of his area, and especially now, because he's got two central defenders in front of him, who between themselves are very committed, and vocal.

A lot to unpack there. Your observation suggests a number of interesting things.

Firstly, the pre-eminence of Sky TV and their assessment of Everton players' worth in Premier League games... I just wonder if that is something you would really want to put your trust in?

And your question comes on the back of having not actually watched the game yourself, which some might think would compromise your position just a little when critiquing the comments and opinions of others who did actually watch the game.

As one of that latter group, I can confirm what Ernie said @107 – that McNeil was extremely poor throughout most of the game, but that he had one moment of absolute brilliance when he struck that ball first time with tremendous but immaculately controlled force and unerring precision to score what would become the winning goal – the primary cause for such unbridled delight expressed by the fans in attendance.

I would suggest that it is this incredible snippet, perhaps a 3-second clip out of at least 5,400 seconds of play, that might be having a rather disproportionate influence on the folks at Sky who are providing this judgement you cited.

Personally, I don't subscribe to the Man of the Match epithet, never have. Nor giving marks out of 10 for each player – as if this was some ice-skating contest we were judging. But by any comparative reference point, I think it is fair to say that McNeil has been very poor whenever he has played for Everton since his arrival.

Now, does that mean he is disliked by some ToffeeWebbers as you claim? No – it means they can see and have noted that he's not been playing very well.

But, just to be clear once again: He scored a brilliant winning goal for us yesterday. In a sense, that trumps everything. But in reality, it cannot reverse the fact of his poor play for us apart from the goal.

However, diverse opinions are only to be expected from a subset of fans who have never been 'united' in their vastly differing opinions on all things related to Everton. Some find that hard to accept (and resort to name-calling) but it is often demonstrated by the wide range of comments we see on ToffeeWeb threads.

Spending 12 hours on a coach, 6 there and 6 back, is not my idea of fun, but worth every second after a good result. Good job those Eavesway coach drivers know their way around Southampton docks, otherwise I reckon we might have missed the kick-off.

For anyone who doesn't know, Eavesway transport a lot of northwest passengers down to the cruise terminal at Southampton, and there were two humongous cruise liners in dock. Made ours the other week look like the Mersey ferry!!

Pickford was again outstanding. We deffo need to tell Man Utd to do one, if and when they come knocking with an offer for him. The back four again looking solid, apart from one misplaced pass out by Tarkowski not long after our first goal, but determined defending keeping the ball out.

As Danny says earlier, the midfield seemed to be all over the pitch, covering every blade of grass. Iwobi has been totally transformed under Frank, and was literally on his knees towards the end.

Onana and Idrissa Gana are forming a lethal partnership in midfield. Onana is going to be one hell of a player, and it's easy to see why he is being targeted by the opposition to try and put him out the game.

Maupay is like that fly that keeps buzzing around your head, an annoying little shit, but our annoying little shit. I can see a few penalties coming our way this season if he keeps annoying opposing defenders.

Very hard to pick a Man of the Match, so I will give it to us, the fans. A sold-out away end, on the day of a train strike, and one of our longest away journeys. It was brilliant at the end with players, especially Onana and Gana Gueye joining in the celebrations, singing “Spirit of the Blues”, whilst all the backroom staff stood and watched on the halfway line. Would love to know what they were saying at that moment?

Anyway, made that first pint in the Fiveways at 10:50 pm last night all the more enjoyable!!

Got to ask if anyone knows why Calvert-Lewin wasn't even on the bench again? Is there another injury we don't know about as he isn't going to be able to get match fitness (which we were told he's lacking) without playing.

I'm sick of Rondon being our only centre-forward option from the bench.

You say "not scared to make mistakes" as if that's a virtue.

Sorry but goals against are often linked directly to those mistakes. Lampard and Cole have done a brilliant job of massively reducing mistakes at the back, thanks to your heroes Coady and Tarkowski.

Gana had a pretty tough game for him, but that can be the unfortunate consequence of making a crucial mistake. Although, on balance, as you say, everyone made plenty of mistakes all over the pitch. So it does become a little one-eyed when we pick on the one mistake that leads to a goal against.

It's the flipside of making McNeil MotM because he scored the winning goal!

It wasn't the easiest watch (mainly because I had to make do with watching on my phone while being dragged round the shops by the Mrs) but we got the job done, imo we lose that last season quite comfortably.

Most exciting thing for me is it can only get better. Add more attacking quality in January to an already solid base and I think there's deffo room to go up a gear. Onwards and upwards.

ps: Absolutely made up for McNeil – that goal will do his confidence a world of good, as shown by his Instagram post after the match.

McNeil has struggled big time since he got here. He struggled again yesterday, but he went home with the certain knowledge that his goal won the match.

If this lad is to spend the rest of his career in the top flight, he needs to start believing he belongs there. If it takes a goalkeeping error or two to help him to believe, I'll take them.

We need all our players playing to their full potential.
I haven't liked Saints fans since Highbury '84 (not one to bear a grudge though) so it was particularly pleasing to hear them so upset — Bonus!!!

No better example than Iwobi. As Dave says, he just needs that confidence and belief. I think he's got the right management and coaching staff around him to give him that. Rewind 18 months about Iwobi. There's a player in there.

McNeil just needs to settle and gain his confidence. Again, opinions will differ, but from my view, he doesn't hide and always shows for the ball regardless of how many groans there are from the stands. Despite the Sean Dyche love-in, Burnley to Everton is a massive step up for a 22-year-old player.

I have nothing bad to say about Everton, they were fantastic and coming back from undeservedly being one down was incredible. A couple of good buys next window and this team could really go places.

If I had to pick our best player, it has to be Coady, a great performance, a goal and commitment like I haven't seen in years.

I totally agree with you about McNeil, who looks to be struggling because of his lack of pace. But confidence is massive in football, and the other thing in Dwight's favour (at least to me) is that he didn't hide and kept plugging away. This is the only way any player is going to turn his form around, IMO.

I said last night that it was a lot less exasperating watching Everton now, and because we are still making stupid mistakes, and are still very careless with the football at times, then I'm certain it's because our players now keep plugging away.

Only our 4th win at Southampton this century. ✅
We won after conceding the first goal. ✅
We won away from home. ✅
We scored 2 goals in a match for the first time this season. ✅

All positive markers and this team will improve as they get to know each other better. Plus we have Calvert-Lewin to return from injury. Reasons to be optimistic, COYB

Good atmosphere...
Great result...

COYB

Now showing some grit and fight.

COYB

The defence was amiss on that occasion.

Bouncing right back as they did showed the new character of this team which you must attribute to Lampshade.

Gana still looks like he needs to adjust to the pace of the Prem. after a stint in the slower French League but he worked hard.

The height of Onana is a real plus and when DCL returns it can only make Everton a bigger danger at set pieces.

We are getting that little bit of good fortune that you always need to get the right results so I'm not getting too excited just yet. Before anyone jumps on me with 'you make your own luck' yes I agree, but with the proviso 'not entirely'.

Frank and his crew have undoubtably fashioned the squad for the better without throwing a lot of money at it and deserve plenty of praise.

One of those that as soon as it left his foot, you knew the net was bulging.

The keeper's union can call me out here, but I think it's often too easy to say a keeper shouldn't be beaten at the front post. Especially with the hindsight benefit of action replays and slow motion analysis.

In real time, the pace on the shot had the keeper beaten before he'd even thought about trying to save it. Take your chance early as they coach. Speed of mind can often beat speed of feet.

Dixie Dean's record at risk with Haaland. Absolutely unreal.

You are already getting world class cruises into Liverpool. The cruise line MSC had their flagship, the MSC Virtuosa docked there last year and that holds over 6,000 passengers. Because of Covid restrictions, the passenger list was only 1,000 but I am sure that that will increase after Covid restrictions are lifted.

Watching the Leeds game, their players are as vicious and cynical as their fans.

I've sailed into Liverpool too in my Hunter 27. Only two of us onboard though.

I wasn't trying to be critical of the posts re McNeil, just wondered why Sky saw it differently. I see BBC Sport didn't rate McNeil very highly either, so I should have realised how poor Sky are with their reporting.

In conclusion, may I just mention that I do enjoy the posts on TW and always so impressed in the research you put into all your comments. Thanks Michael.

Question will be: How much of an earful will next week's opposition get from their manager this week?

This Everton team have great potential and the management team are grafting to make this be realised.

Very pleasing start to this season, all in, and Everton are in to fight for every point.

The mindset, the belief, the work rate being shown is a joy to behold.

Massive fixtures the next month, but keep this up and fear no one, why should we..

Get Calvert-Lewinsky fit again and boost the squad numbers – good times ahead.

Genuine hope for the first time in decades, as Everton are now playing as a solid, tough team to beat.

UTFT!

See Rondon is refusing to accept the chance to move before tomorrow's deadline and will fight for his place! Delusional. As usual he contributed zero and his stupid foul in added on time nearly cost us 2 points.

Their lad should have buried it. I never single out players for criticism but I draw the line at him – keep him off the pitch!

Lampard is doing a very good job – not least because he is the first manager we have had in a while who signs decent players in the transfer market and actually buys players to address weak areas in the team and squad. He has also made us a lot tougher, more determined and more resilient than I have seen an Everton side for a while. Great work.

Special mention also to Coady. Why Wolves let him leave on loan, I will never know… but he is superb for us. He is not only proven quality at the back but a real leader.

Adding people like him and Tarkowski is what has made us much harder to play against and more organised. Good communicator too and not afraid to let rip at teammates when needs be!

I've been around long enough to know you will give an opinion on every point raised, on every thread, but you don't half talk some drivel, mate.

The keepers' union won't bother calling you out because you don't seem to even know how the goal was scored, A bit like the first one.

You accuse others of talking with the benefit of hindsight and replays but, even with the benefit of hindsight, you still don't know how McNeil scored.

The "keepers' union" don't say a keeper shouldn't be beaten at his near post from that angle just to hear themselves talk. They say it because they know, if the keeper covers the near post, the ball will hit him and that it will take something very very special to go across him into the other corner.

The Southampton keeper made a very basic error by leaving that gap. This was not, as you claim, an early first-time shot. McNeil took a touch and steadied himself. His shot was powerful and accurate and he deserves great credit for taking advantage of the keeper's poor positioning.

But why not just be pleased with the goal and the win instead of offering a superior opinion by dismissing others as "using the benefit of hindsight. And replays" If anything Is "easy to say", it's claiming you knew it was in as soon as it left his boot. Even though you were at the wrong angle. You thought he hit it early and you were at least 120 yards away down the other end.

Great strike and, as I said earlier, it will do McNiel's confidence no harm at all. But, if Jordan Pickford let's than in, he is getting absolutely slaughtered on here.

It will take some time for him to find his comfort in a forward position, remember he played left-midfield tight for Burnley and usually floated out into space in the opponent's end. What Frank is expecting him to do is a level above his Burnley responsibilities and it will take some adjustment.

I believe he will produce attempts on goal with occasional turnovers declining as he finds some regular linkups. Not going to curse him early but I see a little Hutchison in his play and I think his cleverness will be a valuable complement to Iwobi's playmaker role.

Overall, this is turning out to be a very solid team and we've already seen some players get into form. We likely will not experience the chemistry problems we've had with other squads and there is enough leadership in the locker room that we could make a run if a couple of players get into temporary silly form on the upside.

Every contribution at the margin matters in the early stages and McNeil deserves credit for making it happen here. I think he continues on to impress, we'll find out.

He may be a lot better with Patterson back as Seamus wasn't getting forward so well to support him. He could be very good, but pace is everything now.

If I've come across as seeming to suggest I have a superior opinion, then it's not through intent or thinking I know better than anyone else. Not my style and I certainly don't. I apologise.

I was absolutely ecstatic when that went in and made up with the win. Just like we all were.

A few decades ago, a young lad made the switch from Burnley to us for a hefty fee. At first ,'Tricky Trev' struggled, then him and the rest of the team clicked and we know the rest.

Now I'm not saying Dwight is gonna be the next Tricky Trev, but let's give him a chance.

Re. Coady. From opinion I've read and heard since Lage's sacking, what I know about Coady's role at Wolves, and what we know of him as a character here, from our position on the outside as fans...

I get the idea there was a kind of "I'm in charge" vibe behind his leaving Wolves on loan.

12 months ago we were toast in games like that, Frank has built solidarity and a winning mentality at the club and for that we should be grateful.

Poncy tic a tac footy can wait for me, hard work and a get about them mentality is going to make sure we don't go through what we did last season.

Me... I'm embracing it.

We stifled their possible creativity. Not glamorous. Effective and fruitful.

They didn't get near us in the first half. They played mostly only when we let them – which was for too much of the second half, sadly.

I also didn't find our play all industrial. Some of the passing was so much improved; faster, sharper, more accurate. Good movement too. Was getting bored with seeing the same old drills on video from Finch Farm but it seems to be working!

The attack and forward play is the big miss for now.

Will, our goals conceded are up there with the best so far this season. Just one very decent forward addition would make more than one-eleventh of an improvement.

I don't think either McNeil or Onana have been pulling up trees so far but as others have said, you have to give them time to settle and there is enough about Onana to imagine he could develop into a key player. Less convinced about McNeil but I think he could be a useful squad player.

At the moment, you would pick Gray ahead of him – just because he poses a much bigger danger with his pace and trickery. I just hope he doesn't fade like last season.

Do you normally get the same number Eavesway coach? I'm on 1.

When you see who Wolves have been playing there instead of him, it's a crazy decision by them. But great news for us as I think Coady has been arguably the biggest factor in our improvement so far this season.

Champions League ability, Championship decision making. He has to be told to beat the man and then whip it in instead of checking back. Maupay or whoever will benefit instead of having to half guess if the ball is coming or not.