Nottingham Forest 2 - 2 Everton

Everton took the lead not once but twice at the City Ground, each time allowing Nottingham Forest to come back and ultimately gain a point in this relentless relegation battle for survival in the Premier League this season.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin is still absent but James Garner is included in the squad after a prolonged spell out injured.  Ben Godfrey replaces Vitalii Mykolenko at left-back and Demarai Gray starts ahead of Neal Maupay.  

The kick-off was executed by Alex Iwobi but little of note in the 8 turnovers before 1 minute of the game had passed. But Everton did work an attack Keane blocked but McNeil firing over. 

Godfrey left his mark on Brendan Johnson early on with a decent shoulder charge. Pickford was deemed to be fouled in a strange challenge with Wood.

Everton played forward again and won a penalty when that ugly Kopite Shelvey clipped McNeil and he went down like a dying swan. Demarai Gray did very nicely from the spot. Everton get the first goal!

Everton had started quite well and were getting the run of ball a little better than recently but it was pretty scrappy stuff. Doucoure did well to block Gibbs-White on the end of a good low cross from Johnson but Gray was a bit too enthusiastic in his challenge. Pickford punched the ensuing free-kick out. 

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After a dominant quarter of an hour from Everton, the home side got into the game a little more and in their first half-decent attack, Gibbs-White forced a parry from Pickford which went straight to Brendan Johnson and he made no mistake.

Forest were back in the Everton area straight from the kick-off, Tarkowski getting a wicked cross behind for a corner, followed by Onana giving up another that eventually was fielded by Pickford. But Everton had rather cheaply surrendered their initial advantage and had it all to do again, if they could regain sufficient focus. 

But Gray went down and writhed around in pain for a good while. Coleman drove in well along the line but was clearly fouled from behind by Colback, this time no second penalty, and Forest surged up the other end, somehow failing to create another chance. 

Gray was again heavily challenged but no yellow card while Coleman had some serious words with Aurier. It was very competitive in midfield, McNeil getting mugged but then claiming the ball back. 

From the restart, a cross was swung in from the right and Doucoure glanced a dropping header on from Michael Keane downward past Navas for Everton's second goal. 

The frenetic pace resumed in midfield but Everto eventually built another attack, McNeil doing brilliantly to play in Iwobi who then artlessly scooped his cross into the body of a Forest defender with potential developing before him.

Everton were doing well to control the midfield a little better and trying to build, mostly from the right, McNeil cutting in to fire at Navas, who palmed his dipping shot over the bar. But no-one could make much of the corner.

Godfrey took out Johnson after he had kept a lost ball in play, earning the inevitable yellow card. Keane had to clear the ensuing set-piece delivery to the far post. 

Iwobi actually committed a tackle that was deemed a foul, giving up a dangerous free-kick on Everton's right but the Blues broke well only for Gray to have possibly the most feeble sidefoot shot imaginable in such a position that went straight into a defender when he had the goal at his mercy. 

But at least Everton went in at the break with a nice lead to hold onto for the second half. 

Aurier went in on Gray soon after the restart, much to Demarai's annoyance, but no reprimand from John Brooks. Everton then had to defend Shelvey's free-kick. Johnson and Godfrey were in constant combat, the Everton man winning on points so far.  

Another flare-up saw Gibbs-White and McNeil get yellow cards, with another dangerous Forest free kick headed away by Keane. A return cross in was deflected behind for a Forest corner that Johson drove along the goal-line but then crossed over everyone and the pressure was relieved somewhat.

Another mutli-part flair-up saw cards for Lodi and Gray before Tarkowski wiped ot Lodi for another yellow. Spikey stuff! 

Everton looked to break and Coleman had a great chance to play in Iwobi but overhit his forward ball. Gibbs-White slid in on the stretch, taking out Onana, and easily worth a second yellow but John Brooks bottled it. 

Iwobi played a good ball forward but straight at Gray, giving Worral a chance to stick his foot in. Forest kept coming forward without really threatening, Everton doing a good job generally in protecting Pickford's goal and transitioning to forward play but that too was lacking in end-product.

Everton pushed up with Gueye looking to get in on goal before his cross was blocked and it was a counter on the gallop that fortunately broke down Iwobi and McNeil did very well to force a corner at the other end, Keane just failing to get on the end of it.   

Everton broke down the right but Gray dithered until Iwobi lost the ball without putting in a cross. Another Shelvey free-kick was repelled briefly only for Doucoure to shamelessly gift the ball back to to Forest who quickly worked it to Johnson who finished well past the unsighted Pickford. 

Felipe cut down Gray for Forest's third yellow card but the free-kick was badly overhit. Johnson pulled back McNeil – why wasn't that another yellow card? 

Onana and Doucore could not get the right bounce at one end and Forest were quickly up the other end, Pickford parrying Ayew's shot like he did for the first Forest goal but this time not. 

Doucoure conceded another free-kick in midfield and the Everton goal came under a serious siege with at least three chances not going in the somewhat charmed Everton goal.

Iwobi did well to get forward but Yates was so much quicker than him to get to the ball first. Maupay and Davies came on for the last 5 minutes, hopefully an attacking move. 

Davies did well to win a corner as the last few minutes ticked away, swung in by McNeil but a foul was given Forest's way in the loss ruck. Gibbs-White was allowed to mess about with the ball on an Everton goal-kick, the ref showing again far too much leniency to the players of the home side. 

Not so for Davies who was booked for wrestling with Dennis. And the game ended with a foul throw by Forest. Honours even, if that's the word in this last-man-standing battle of belligerents. 

Nottingham Forest: Navas; Aurier, Worrall, Clback (70' Yates), Felipe [Y:79'], Lodi [Y:55']; Shelvey, Gibbs-White [Y:51'], Clock, Freuler (71' Dennis);  Johnson, Wood (71' Ayew).

Subs not Used: Hennessey, Mangala, Williams, Lingard, Toffolo, Surridge.

Everton: Pickford, Coleman, Keane, Tarkowski [Y:57'], Godfrey [Y:42'], Onana, Gana, Doucoure, Iwobi (89' Davies [Y:90+4']), McNeil [Y:52'], Gray [Y:56'] (89' Maupay).

Subs  not Used: Begovic, Holgate, Mina, Vinagre, Coady, Garner, Simms. 


Reader Comments (244)

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Mick Davies
1 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:02:06
Two very effective team changes there – well done, Sean, we can do this!
Kevin Molloy
2 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:07:35
Wow, Keane keeps his place. Coady ain't getting that contract.

Poor Demarai asked to play as striker, he's not nearly tough enough for that role.

Michael Kenrick
3 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:07:53
Patterson is playing for the U21s again today.
Michael Lynch
4 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:11:57
Mykolenko not even on bench, so I'm assuming injury?

Godfrey's positioning and decision-making when he came on at Arsenal was dreadful, so it's not really an improvement at left-back, even if Mykolenko has been poor this season,

Gray up front gives us some pace on the break and a goal-scoring threat of sorts, but he can't play with his back to goal so I wonder what will happen with all the long ball stuff?

Dave Abrahams
5 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:12:01
Michael (2), he is obviously fit enough but they are making sure he is match fit before rushing him back, Garner is on the bench at Forest so he may get some minutes if needed, I hope he is not needed.
Francis van Lierop
6 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:12:29
No Maupay. We'll take that as a positive.
Robert Tressell
7 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:13:18
Mykolenko not even on the bench? And no striker?

Looks a very big ask of Gray without support from Simms and / or Maupay.

Still, we've been making chances and can do so again today. Surely we're due some luck after the Villa performance.

Eddie Dunn
8 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:16:45
"We try to win every game". But this looks very much like, "let's play for the draw and we might get lucky".
Christy Ring
9 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:17:09
After playing 60mins in midweek, Patterson should have made the bench. If Calvert-Lewin was touch and go for this game, should he not be available for Brentford?
Danny Baily
10 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:26:25
Pace at the back and up top. Aerial threat from set pieces. Looks good to me!
Tony Everan
11 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:28:57
Dyche must not be seeing enough in Simms. Just shows our desperation in the strikers department.

Gray likes to come a little deeper to get himself self on the ball so really this is like a six man midfield. I prefer Gray to Maupay so hopefully this may just work today, I can see us scoring a goal from around the edge of the box, alternatively Keane or Tark from a set piece.

Ideally both! COYBLUES!!

Julian Exshaw
12 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:29:46
I would say Dyche hasn't a clue what to do, but then again,no manager would. This smacks of changes for changes' sake to me but I would question why he persists with Keane. The man can't work miracles yet that is what is needed to get this squad going.
Barry McNally
13 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:30:25
Mykolenko ill according to the official Twatter account.
Will Mabon
14 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:35:24
Probably about the best we could expect line-up wise. At least Simms is there as an option for some height and strength later. Gray will not compete aerially.
Jay Harris
15 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:35:24
Godfrey has never recovered the pace and composure of his first season. Forest play mostly down that wing so that’s a worry.

I’m glad to see Demarai Gray up front. But it’s not enough. Don’t know why Simms is not even in the squad.

We can only hope and inspire.

COYB

Graham Hammond
16 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:37:04
I would have liked to have seen Yerry Mina back in the centre of the defence but it wasn't to be. I feel we would be better served having Iwobi moved centrally and Doucoure moved to the right of midfield but I doubt SD will set us up that way. It is great that Gray is playing but surely he needs another target man to play off, Simms, or even Keane or Mina! Onana needs to step up big time for this one as does Gana too in order to justify their selection. Neither has done enough for me. We need this.
Will Mabon
17 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:37:12
Jay, Simms is a sub... isn't he?
Joe McMahon
18 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:40:25
Graham, I would also like to have seem Mina. I really wanted Simms as part of 2 uptop and Iwobit more central, where he is most effective. The thug Shevley will hack the midfield.
Pete Ellingham
19 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:43:05
Please God- Is a really good performance and a comfortable win too much to ask for? COYB
Jack Convery
20 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:44:04
Vinagre must be rank. Why did we loan him in ???
Mark Ryan
21 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:45:52
Glad to see Demarai up top but as a lone striker? Not sure about that but he knows how to get a goal. UTFT's
Tony Abrahams
22 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:46:23
I don't understand Dyche and can't understand why he hasn't got us playing 4-4-2, and is preferring instead, to play a wide player in the striker's role?

Square pegs in round holes, we have no creativity in midfield, so he pushes Iwobi out wide, and once again into Demarai Gray's position.

They say "attack is the best form of defence", but I just don't see it with a line-up, that once again leaves our forward players on the bench.

The traveling blue army deserve a lot more, but hopefully we can keep a clean sheet and pinch ourselves a very valuable point.

Bill Gall
23 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:49:40
Well, Dyche had to try something different as what he had been doing was not working out, and at least there are two players not playing who receive the most criticism,


Alan J Thompson
24 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:50:47
Coleman must have gotten over his knee injury in quick time but what are Gana and Doucoure doing to keep their places while Simms as possibly our only out-and-out central striker can't get near a start?

It looks like KITAP-1 all over again; if you can't score, then don't plan to score more than one.

Alan McGuffog
25 Posted 05/03/2023 at 13:53:36
I don't claim to understand tactics and formations. I respect people on here who do.

What I do know is that we've managed to assemble a bunch of players who, at the very best, are average. Generally they're shite.

Doesn't really matter who makes the cut, imo.

Tony Everan
26 Posted 05/03/2023 at 14:00:04
Hopefully the ref has enough balls to deal with that dirty bastard Shelvey despite the home support.
Dave Abrahams
27 Posted 05/03/2023 at 14:21:37
Scored a goal and stopped attacking,
Pete Hughes
28 Posted 05/03/2023 at 14:29:31
Looks like a point is the best we can hope for now given we can't count past one?
Dave Abrahams
29 Posted 05/03/2023 at 14:32:46
Now keep attacking – these are not very good at defending!
David West
30 Posted 05/03/2023 at 14:59:29
If we can keep this up, then points are there for the taking here. Godfrey has my nerves gone, and Doucoure looks our best attacking threat; keep him pushed on. It's going to be long 45 this.

COYB

Alan J Thompson
31 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:00:30
In the first minute, a chance fell to McNeil which he messed up and I thought "Is there nobody in our side who doesn't shit himself when presented with a good chance in the box?" Another nearly air shot.

And later Gray with a similar chance and all he can do is side-foot it into a defender although McNeil did hit one that the keeper turned over the bar.

Then, lo and behold, a miracle! We get awarded a penalty that is reviewed but still given. However, that seemed to change our game as we sat back and let them come on to us and then the inevitable equalizer as the midfield left it for the defence while the defence was again too busy backing off.

I thought the penalty given was a part of modern football I dislike, a foot-out attacker falls over it which is given, week-in & week-out, but on that same basis, I'd love to know why the one on Coleman wasn't given? And that's the trouble with refereeing and the VAR: no consistency.

Then, just as I'm thinking that Forest are dominating as we had no outlet up front, we seemed to have nearly everybody in their box and touches by our two central defenders in their box puts us back in front, thankfully from a header.

I also disagreed with some of the yellow cards handed out as Godfrey's looked unlucky while Aurier got away with a very late hit.

Dave Abrahams
32 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:03:46
David (30), yes Ben's not having a great game and it was a silly foul for the booking.

Gana and Doucoure though are having tremendous games, even without Doucoure scoring that goal. As long as we don't go back to defending the lead, we can score another goal at least here.

Graham Hammond
33 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:06:04
Onana is anonymous again. He needs to step up; poor performance again from a clearly talented lad.

Michael Keane making a difference at the top end of the pitch! All about the result today. COYB

David West
34 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:09:18
Yes, Dave, he just needs to calm down. On a yellow now and he is a bit erratic.

Just no nonsense we need now – they have to chase it, hopefully leaving more openings for us. Is it ever that straightforward with us, though? Fasten yer seatbelts!

Jerome Shields
35 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:17:03
We need Onana to pose a threat going forward. Dyche needs to make strategic subs at about 60 minutes to give Forest a threat to think about. I would bring on Simms. Maupay doesn't even need marking.
Phil Wood
36 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:40:42
Effing stupid attempt at a pass. Suicide!
Phil Wood
37 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:43:33
This is doing my head in. Too much stress.
Dave Abrahams
38 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:45:02
How is Onana still on the field?

How many times has he touched the ball?

Rob Hooton
39 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:47:06
We did a lot of good stuff in the first half, but have been utter shite second half.
Phil Wood
40 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:54:07
Ref is crap. Tosser
John Wignall
41 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:56:46
We can't keep the ball. Poor quality throughout.

Gueye had a good game; we badly need a striker.

Pete Hughes
42 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:57:15
So we couldn't even hold on to a rare 3 points?

Really hard to see where our next win is coming from now… it's getting grimmer by the day.

Fran Mitchell
44 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:59:05
A huge missed opportunity, and once again let down by a simple mistake giving the ball away under no pressure.

A win would have given us a real chance. Now, we're up against it. We've played a game more so we really need to win. A tough run of fixtures coming up will decide our fate.

George Cumiskey
45 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:59:13
Shocking game management, Dyche very poor with the substitutions back to the Lampard days of being reactive instead of proactive, bitterly disappointed.
Joe McMahon
46 Posted 05/03/2023 at 15:59:29
Ah well. I'm not sure where people get the idea that, if Dyche was here earlier, it would be different. Same players, and he wasn't in demand either for a reason.

Can he get us back up? I don't think so with this tepid scared squad. We are down, played a game more, in the Bottom 3 and the goal difference (as usual) is awful.

Subs on 90 minutes – why do we always have a history of negative managers?

Jim Bennings
47 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:00:19
Disappointed really, if I'm honest.

That was a fantastic opportunity to really alleviate some pressure in a game that, for 70 minutes, our opponents did absolutely nothing, but we have allowed the game to become a scrap and momentarily lost focus again.

The point does little given our overall lack of wins.

Brentford next week will be a huge game but again, it's a good confident team coming to Goodison, so who knows what will happen?

Looks pretty much as though it's going to go to the wire again this battle, no way we'll be 4 points safe with 2 games to go.

Kevin Molloy
48 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:00:21
This is a great point at the home of a relegation rival. It could be absolutely crucial if Forest are down there also come the end of the season.

Forest are really strong at home, we've been taking a beating; this is encouraging. We are starting to show we can score goals, just very frustrating we couldn't hold on, but most people don't win at the City Ground.

Barry Hesketh
49 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:00:35
Torn on – whether that was 2 points lost or 1 point gained.

First half was pretty good; the second-half wasn't. The referee was fine in the first-half and must have got one of those PMOGL memos at half-time, as he gave us absolutely nothing.

I think overall, it was an opportunity for 3 points lost. Gray should have buried that chance immediately prior to half-time.

Everton in the second-half were very naive, getting involved in all those handbag moments and Forest's ploy to disrupt and annoy.

On to the next game and another tension-filled 100 minutes.

Fran Mitchell
50 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:02:02
People calling for subs though… Really? Who should have come on and actually made a difference?

The fact that, when subs are made, it is Maupay and Davies shows the reason why subs were not made.

Danny Baily
51 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:02:06
Well that was must win, and we didn't. Let's not sugarcoat it, this was a chance to get right back into the fight to stay up and we failed. Still a chance though.
Jim Bennings
52 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:02:38
ps: I've seen Onana making noise about expecting to eventually be at an elite club.

Well, lad, you need to start showing something that I haven't seen in you yet, at least then we might get our £35 million back.

Sean Roe
53 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:03:43
With everybody else now having a game in hand, we are in serious trouble. That was a must-win game for me; we are gone.
Phil Wood
54 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:04:13
Another mistake to give them the ball for their 2nd goal. We should be called The Suicidal Tendencies.

Cracking 1st half. Couldn't keep it going for the 2nd and hardly put a decent ball in the box for all our effort.

That was a big, big chance to make ground. We are making big strides but lacking the confidence to really punish teams. Hope we can build on our confidence and carry the positives on.

Barry Rathbone
55 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:04:57
Well done, Blues.

Just got in to see we've snaffled a point I didn't expect and by some accounts it could have been 3 so not all doom and gloom – perhaps even progress of sorts.

Good.

John Keating
56 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:05:28
Disastrous, A must-win game we threw away.

Getting out of the Bottom 3 was a must this weekend; now, we are still there and have played a game more than all our closest relegation candidates... Shocking!

Allen Rodgers
57 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:06:24
Did we even have a shot in the 2nd half? What was all that walking football about?

Gray was clearly done and should have been subbed off for Simms, not Maupay. Davies completely useless, as per… 2 points lost.

Mike Allison
58 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:06:30
Already in a bad situation, we now have a manager who has us playing with one hand tied behind our backs. Dreadful team selection and game management again.

Forest bring on three fresh players, we don't respond until the 89th minute by taking off our two best players for the two least effective players in the Premier League.

Dyche needs to learn – very, very fast – or we are absolutely doomed.

Ray Jacques
59 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:07:58
Watching that dross (Forest included), I don't see how we stay up. How can it be 1 point won when we led twice?? That was 2 points lost to a piss-poor team.

In our remaining games, I don't see 35 or 36 points. Sad but the tossers on the board didn't heed the warnings from last season, so relegation shouldn't be a surprise.

Barry Hesketh
60 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:08:24
If you think it's all over for Everton, why not go and do some gardening or something and stop coming on here with the "End is Nigh" comments?

I just looked at the table and no – we are not yet down. And until we are, regardless, of formations and form, I will hope we can escape.

If we don't then c'est la vie – after all, I'm certain that everybody on the planet is going to die at some point… I don't see the merit in constantly reminding people of that fact.

John Wignall
61 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:08:55
I would have brought Garner on before Davies.

I don't see what these managers see in him.

Paul Smith
62 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:10:21
I thought we played well. Gana was fantastic and Iwobi. Play like that and we will win our home games. Seamus was good as well.

I wouldn't have hooked Iwobi – his athleticism was causing them more problems as the game went on.

Ian Riley
63 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:10:39
Scored 2 away from home and gained a point. These are positives. Remember this squad has struggled for the past 2 seasons. Holding a lead is a mentality problem. Just not used to leading in matches.

Simply, we march on to the next match. A point gained!!

Ernie Baywood
64 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:11:27
Definitely 2 points lost. Forest were so open and vulnerable.

A point is enough to make the next game massive.

We need to win to have a chance. Otherwise the table at 30 games played might make very grim reading.

Michael Lynch
65 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:11:29
Whether we go down or not we need to sell Onana at the end of the season for £45m before anyone realises how utterly pointless he is as a footballer.

And if we can a tenner for Godfrey we should take it.

Anyway, that's probably as good as Dyche can get this team playing, such are the limitations of the squad, and sadly it isn't going to be enough to save us.

A very poor team which is trying as hard as it can but can't escape the fact that it is not Premier League level.

Alan J Thompson
66 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:12:17
An exciting all-out end-to-end game with lots of effort but both sides have more than their fair share of brain-dead players. What was Doucoure thinking for their second equalizer — trying to play some clever flick while facing the wrong way and with a defender on his back! And then Iwobi, Gana and Gray messing about down in the right-hand corner instead of getting the ball into the box.

I was surprised at the substitutions as McNeil had almost disappeared in the second half while Gray looked to have tired about the 60-minute mark and Iwobi was taken off when he seemed to be more involved with the play than at any time during the game and Maupay, again, offered nothing.

Also some dubious yellows handed out mostly because the Ref seemed confused at what had actually gone on and why did he recall a quickly taken Forest throw-in because they wanted to make some substitutions? Ludicrous, they can't have it both ways, so go with what happens first.

I suppose a lot will be praising the all-out effort but we really should have come away with all 3 points but for giving away two sloppy goals. MotM? Sorry but I like to see a bit more than effort and sloppy goals. The good point, if it is that, is that we didn't lose.

Christine Foster
67 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:13:59
It's 5 am here and I need to go to bed yet. Bad feeds for the second half, disappointed because we were like a swarm of hornets in the 1st half.

At 2-1, I thought we might hold on; we ran out of steam. I missed the equalizer (lousy feed), so just the point, but it was hard-earned. A lot to be applauded and that point may be invaluable at the end of the season.

Why didn't Dyche use subs after 60 minutes? The legs had gone with all of the midfield and yet he left it to the end to replace… What the heck?

Kieran Kinsella
68 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:15:39
Barry Hesketh,

I think in isolation it's a decent point, away from home. We scored two goals, Dyche has 7 points from 6 games – not great but better than our season as a whole.

But looking at our predicament in context, it's 2 points lost.

Mark Murphy
69 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:15:58
If we'd come from behind twice, I'd be happy… but we needed to win that and should've. Much better performance and good to see players getting in the box, especially the first half.

Patterson and Garner will improve the team and, of course, if Calvert-Lewin actually does come back, such performances will win games.

We're not down yet. UTFT

Phil Wood
70 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:17:51
I thought it was a good team selection but think we should have subbed earlier and better.

Forest are not dross as they have a very competitive midfield and dangerous wingers. They can really compete in a kicking match and their City Ground, like Goodison, is a horrible ground to visit.

I'm not giving up hope yet.

Ian Edwards
71 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:19:27
A point gained or two dropped? We'll only find out at the end of the season. We were playing away and have gained a point on West Ham, Leeds and Leicester.

The performance seemed an improvement. I would have liked to have seen subs earlier.

Brentford is a must-win.

Dave Lynch
72 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:20:21
Sorry but that 2nd half was a shit show.

1st half we dominated, they where not even in it. We controlled everything about the game.

2nd half we allowed them back into it. I thought Iwobi had a great game.

Kieran Kinsella
73 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:20:38
Fran,

Yeah, our subs bench looks like the one in Escape to Victory with the flea-bitten malnourished Soviet POWs.

Tony Everan
74 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:20:39
What is infuriating is that we would have won the match without the poor mistake. Forest didn't look like creating the winner without help.

It is a draw that feels like a defeat, but still, it's an away point. Now for a home win.

Christy Ring
75 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:21:08
We were looking so comfortable until the lazy pass by Doucoure.

If Gray had to bury his chance instead of trying to pass it into the net before halftime, we would have been cruising. I thought Coleman and Gana stood out, with Iwobi having a good second half.

Anthony Jones
76 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:22:07
The centre mid trio isn't good enough at football.

Garner could be the immediate answer, but I don't know if Dyche has the bottle to play him.

Paul Kossoff
77 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:22:08
Phil @54,

We are making big strides?

Seriously, have a look at the table. We are in the shit – same as last year. The only strides we are making are into the Championship. Lose against Brentford next week and we are gone.

The Championship is a hard league, all very fit teams that will run this lot ragged. Our only hope is an enormous amount of luck to stay up, and three teams having a complete collapse.

Hope springs eternal and we will need all of it.

Anthony Murphy
78 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:23:13
Godfrey rusty as expected and not sure Onana had his best game but, other than that, we did okay.

On to Brentford – a win and we're in with a chance; lose or another draw with the games coming after and it's goodnight.

Ian Bennett
79 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:23:54
2 points dropped because Doucoure was sloppy with his play.
Paul Birmingham
80 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:25:40
A good point and the players gave it their best.

Brentford is a must-win, and the unforced errors must stop, be reduced, but Forest are one of the best home teams in this League so, in context, a good point.

If, and more if's, but now to rally for Brentford.

I still believe Everton can stay up, there's 12 games left and Everton showed today, they're up for the fight to stay in the Premier League.

UTFTs!

James Marshall
81 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:26:39
We need a run of wins, and a run of poor results for teams around us to stay up. I reckon without the above we're done for. Still tight at the bottom, but we must start beating teams
Colin Malone
82 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:28:59
Davies or Garner? Davies. Championship at best.

Took the dog out for the second half. Nerves were gone. We've got to get Calvert-Lewin back.

Denis Richardson
83 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:31:06
Many, me included, will be sad and annoyed we couldn't hold on for the win but let's not get too down. This was a really important game not to lose first and foremost as Forest are in trouble themselves.

We may have played a game more but there are too many left for that to make any real difference at this time. Next weekend is really crucial though as our rivals will probably lose:

Bournemouth - Liverpool
Man Utd - Southampton
Spurs - Forest,
Leeds - Brighton.

It's really critical we get 3 points against Brentford and, with the Goodison Park crowd in full voice, I'm hopeful that will be the case.

Grudgingly satisfied with a point today. One game at a time.

Where the fuck is Calvert-Lewin?

Phil Smith
84 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:34:00
Definitely 2 points dropped. Sloppy goal to concede in the end, which was so frustrating to see.

We did enough to win that. We need to win the next one.

Bob Skelton
85 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:34:39
I can't understand the subs.

We need to replace the entire Academy Staff if Davies is their only breakthrough into the first eleven! He'll never get another professional contract!

We need to hold on to leads, always sloppy and panic-stricken. Wasted opportunity.

Oliver Molloy
86 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:36:09
Great effort and there is no doubt we should have won this game. Forest will be a lot happier than us!

As soon as they equalised, Dyche should have been making the subs to win the game – when he does make changes, it's too late and strange subs in my opinion!

I'm disappointed we dropped 2 points but I would have taken 1 point before the game, to be honest. It's a fact that draws and defeats will see us going down – we need wins and Dyche has to start going for it.


Phil Wood
87 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:44:31
Paul @77,

The big strides relate to a better team shape and spirit under Sean Dyche. Frank's Toffees would have lost today.

Colin Malone
88 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:45:33
Anthony #78,

Onana had he's best game???

OMG, he was poor. Gana was our best player.

Phil Lewis
89 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:46:51
Gueye played well. Pickford was decent. Onana wasn't in the game. The rest of them were reasonable. Sloppy passing, messy tackling. Good to see us taking the game to them early on as we did against Arsenal. But once again we couldn't sustain the momentum.

Glad of the point in the end. The next few games are crucial to our survival. The wins must come or we are definitely doomed.

Pete Clarke
90 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:49:53
Call it a battling draw all you want and probably a good game to watch if you're not a stressed-out Blue.

That's 2 points dropped and now means to survive we have to get 3 points in other more difficult games. As Alan mentioned in post #25, we have a bunch of players who are bang average to shite and I don't see where our points are coming from to keep us up.

2-1 up with Forest giving us plenty of space but, surprise, surprise, we give the ball to them and they score.

We are talking miracles to survive this unless we get Calvert-Lewin, Townsend and Garner playing.

Danny O’Neill
91 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:50:27
I'm on the train home, just departing Nottingham. I'll reflect in the morning.

We were a mistake away from a win by the same player who put us 2-1 up.

As many said in the build-up, it was important we didn't lose.

John Davies
92 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:52:28
The team effort cannot be faulted today but schoolboy errors and a lack of genuine quality have cost us again. 2 points dropped for sure.

No creativity from our midfield all season. I'd like to see what Garner can do, even if only for an hour next week. Onana totally anonymous throughout today – again. Bench him.

I thought Gueye, Coleman and Iwobi had decent games today. Godfrey shocking for the first hour plus, although he got better towards the end.

Dyche very slow with getting fresh legs on but then the 10 minute cameo from Davies (so poor) shows what little we have in reserve.

Surprised at some comments about a good away point, now onto a win at home next week. We're up against Brentford who are miles ahead of us right now. 3 points today and a draw next week would have helped me believe we're heading in the right direction.

Still clinging on to hope but with each week that passes my candle burns a little less brightly. COYB.

Colin Glassar
93 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:52:43
They were there for the taking but, as usual, our lot started to give the ball away and get involved in silly fights which got them and the crowd up. Two priceless points dropped.
Alan J Thompson
94 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:54:40
Here we go again! People criticizing Davies – one of whom said he didn't watch the 2nd half but Davies didn't come on until the 89th minute, and another saying sack the Academy because of about the last 6 minutes, 5 of which were added time, of him being on the pitch.

Do you just jump on a band wagon or do you watch at all?

Next you'll be saying Doucoure was unlucky to give the ball away for the equalizer but hey, that Maupay was great, eh?!?

Frank Sheppard
95 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:56:24
Wasted opportunity… when we were 2-1 up, it looked like we were playing to hang on for a 2-2.

No attempts on target in the second half, and Davies is brought on, to run around like a headless chicken out of position, give the ball away, and get booked.

There were a few positives, but outnumbered by many Everton syndrome issues… not good enough.

David West
96 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:57:05
We can't keep throwing points away lead twice. Go to bits as soon as we take any lead. They do the hard bit and get in front and have no composure to see out a result.

I like Onana, but he was a passenger today. If he played like Gana or Doucoure today, we could have won this.

When we pressed in the first half, they looked average, Give them time second half and give them the opportunity... It was perfect for Simms to come on at the 60-minute mark this Forest defence is not good.

2 massive points lost IMO.

Ray Jacques
97 Posted 05/03/2023 at 16:59:08
For those complaining about the subs, I refer you to Phil's comment at 73.

Cheered me up a bit.

Phil Wood
98 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:02:35
John @92, I agree with you.

God help any homeg-rown player. They are always the whipping boys when better-paid imports get off lightly. Davies didn't give the ball away for their 2nd.

Bill Gall
99 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:03:06
The positives from this game were we managed to score goals and, as in previous games, we had more opportunities but squandered them and we ended up with a point. At this time of the season, every point is valuable.

Surely Calvert-Lewin, who was supposed to be close for this game, will be available for the next home game?

Sean Dyche had to make changes for this game and it was fairly successful but, when you are fighting relegation, how often does one mistake cost you a goal? You see other teams making mistakes and they seem to get away with it.

How is it we end up with these referees? This one was quick enough to give out yellow cards but ignored the second yellow for more cynical fouls.

Overall, it wasn't a great game but, with a point and 2 goals, it is an improvement. We just have to improve on it.

Stuart Sharp
100 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:09:25
2 points dropped, absolutely maddening.

Doucoure is playing well under Dyche but still can't pass a ball, but I don't get the criticism of the manager. To my eyes, we're playing notably better, and averaging more points per game. All with the same shit players.

Kevin Prytherch
101 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:12:34
What the fuck was Davies doing for their second goal? No where near the ball, no attempt to get back, if that’s the best we can do then we’re in trouble.
Kunal Desai
102 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:14:05
Under the circumstances it's two points thrown away. At some point the must not lose must become must wins. I'm not sure how many points we pick up from the next four fixtures. Two points at best perhaps.

Alan J Thompson
103 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:22:40
Stuart(#100); The criticism of Dyche is more about his substitutions. McNeil was nowhere to be found in the 2nd half and hadn't had much of a 1st half. Gray was looking knackered at the 60th minute mark and Iwobi was showing well but Dyche makes his subs in the 89th minute, at that time he didn't even know how much extra time there would be.How the hell was that supposed to affect the game, just waste time which is added on? What was the point of the subs at that stage of the game???

Kevin(#101); Davies wasn't even on the pitch for their 2nd, what were you watching?

Danny O’Neill
104 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:23:39
Sorry Kevin,

I can only say if as I saw it live in front of my own eyes in the stadium.

I don't remember shouting at Tom Davies.

I saw a mistake from Doucoure that exposed the team and opened us up.

But then Doucoure scored the goal that got us a much needed point as disappointing as it was to not get the 3.

Joseph Terrence
105 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:24:50
That was a must win and we drew. Unlikely that we can stay up.
Simon Dalzell
106 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:25:20
I agree with David (96). Gray should have been off at 60 mins latest and Simms on. Use of subs poor again. The fact that Davies is still an Everton player explains why we are so bad. (and Holgate )
Alec Gaston
107 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:26:30
Kevin 101 are you being serious? Davies didn’t come on until 10 mins after their equaliser
John Davies
108 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:27:02
Phil #98. My comment referencing Tom Davies was only that we have very little quality on the bench to actually improve our game situation by making changes. I judge players based on what I see them do on the pitch, not where they come from and I thought his 10 minutes were poor.
You're absolutely right, their second goal was a gift from Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Ajay Gopal
109 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:29:51
Kevin (101), I hope you are being sarcastic. Can’t be sure anymore, since there seem to be lots of negative comments about Davies who played for 6 mins - yes, gave away the ball once, but stopped a breakaway by taking a yellow card, and won a corner. Although I would have taken off Onana instead of Iwobi, who was actually looking more dangerous as the game went on. That kid Brennan Johnson is some footballer for Forest. I thought Doucoure started badly, but then when McNeil drifted right and Gray moved to the other flank, Doucoure was probably instructed to play as a centre forward and he scored a goal and looked dangerous in that position. I thought he was careless for their equaliser but also a bit unlucky. Godfrey also started badly but he grew into the game and made some crucial interceptions. The team looks a lot better and more organised than the final days of Lampard’s tenure. Dyche has a plan and the players are warming up to it. We need a few lucky breaks to be safe - that and the return of Calvert-Lewin and Garner who I think will make a difference. We just crossed the 2/3 rd mark in our season, and with 12 games and 36 points to play for, things are still in our hands.
Tony Everan
110 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:35:08
Kevin, your fishing rod is bending double ! May snap in two in a minute.
Christy Ring
111 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:38:07
Davies was only on for 6mins, and the criticism is totally unreal and unjust, one comment even blamed him for the 2nd goal and he wasn’t even on the pitch.
Alan J Thompson
112 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:38:59
John(#108); Davies wasn't on the pitch for 10 minutes so you you saw the part he played in both their goals??? At least try to get it right you're just knocking him because somebody else has!
Robert Tressell
113 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:42:50
Up to about 5 of that Forest side would get in our First XI on quality including crucially their attacking trio. We don't have a single player of absolutely stand out quality beyind what Forest have got - even in goal given Navas' credentials. Johnson is clearly going to have a very good career at a bigger club than Forest.

So they were not there for the taking by any stretch.

Very disappointing to get only one point as it keeps us down in the danger zone. More so because it was another game we did enough to win - which in many respects means it was a good performance.

This will go down to the wire and safety might end up depending on the number of draws as much as the number of wins. We fight another day.


Alan J Thompson
114 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:44:18
WOW, Tony(#110); you're seeing even more than Kevin did, an idiot remark on something that didn't happen is still an idiot remark. Sorry, Goodnight, I can't hack this anymore tonight.
John Davies
115 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:45:40
Alan #112.

I don't understand your comment. I haven't said that Tom Davies played ANY part in either of their goals. He wasn't on the pitch for either.

I have only said that his 10 minutes (including stoppage time) was poor – in my opinion. Not sure what you are reading.

Dave Abrahams
116 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:49:33
I think if you read Kevin (101 you should know he likes winding people up as Tony (110) points out!! Kevin does say Tom was nowhere near the ball and made no attempt to get back, how could he if he wasn’t on the field.

On the other hand Onana was on for the full game but you could be excused if you never noticed that because he contributed nothing, again!!

Ian Edwards
117 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:58:52
Can I be the voice of reason here (as always) and point out that – despite playing away – we gained a point on Leeds, West Ham and Leicester?
Raymond Fox
118 Posted 05/03/2023 at 17:59:39
We are playing better, but it feels like we lost 2 vital points.
Its a real dogfight at the bottom so anything can happen.

I think we need 15 more points from somewhere, thats 5 wins or 4 wins and 3 draws. Its a tall order but just doable.

Kieran Kinsella
119 Posted 05/03/2023 at 18:06:57
I think Duke lost concentration cause someone on the Everton bench shouted something. Couldn’t make out who but it sounded a bit like Alan Whittle. Maybe a relation?
Dale Self
120 Posted 05/03/2023 at 18:17:09
Yes Ian. You joined Robert in that regard. Are we gettimg together again next week? Lovely, see you then.
Christy Ring
121 Posted 05/03/2023 at 18:17:33
Regarding everyone talking about Townsend coming back, he’s out just short of 12mths now, don’t think so.
Utd a complete shambles
Jack Convery
122 Posted 05/03/2023 at 18:22:18
Looks like the inhalers are trending again.
David West
123 Posted 05/03/2023 at 18:28:36
Iam frustrated at the lack of substitutes or late use of them, however iam not going to slate dyche.
It's disappointing we didn't take all 3 points but I belive we are 7 points better than if we would of kept lampard.
We are getting more bodies forward. Doucourés form is a plus.
I think onana could have been sacrificed to move iwobi inside.
Forest have conceded more than us this year, we could of had more goals with a bit more ambition.

We go again. so many more points to play for, so many twists, turns & upsets to come.
Who knows what's to come ???
A season never plays out the way you think or predict or I'd have a few hundred grand in my betting account.

Sam Hoare
124 Posted 05/03/2023 at 18:33:56
We continue to be a bit unlucky.

xG (expected goals based on what shots/positions etc people usually score from) modelling had us winning that 1.71-0.8 (or 2-1 rounded to nearest)

In fact here are rounded xg results under Dyche for those with any interest:

Arsenal (h) 2-1 win
Liverpool away (a) 2-0 loss
Leeds (h) 2-1 win
Aston villa (h) 2-2 draw
Arsenal (a) 3-2 loss
Forest (a) 2-1 win

That would have been 10 points from 6 tricky fixtures.

Obviously this is all theoretical (many will think nonsense!) but shows that we have been a bit unlucky with our results. If we keep playing well then hopefully that luck will turn in our favour a little bit and we can claw our way out. We're definitely playing better now than under Lampard but the individual mistakes are really hurting us.

A point seems deflating today given the context but all is not lost yet!

Danny Baily
125 Posted 05/03/2023 at 18:34:49
5 home games left (including City, Spurs and the barcodes) and 5 wins needed. With a few points on the road that might be enough to stay up.

It means we cannot put another foot wrong, or our last season at Goodison will be in the second tier.

A big, big ask of this squad.

Rob Hooton
126 Posted 05/03/2023 at 18:35:41
I thought we were very good in the first half, but didn’t repeat all of the positive things in the second half and payed the price for our lack of attacking intent.
We needed some earlier substitutions, I think this also cost us the match. A lot of positives to take from that first half, it was a shocking weekend for away teams in the division this weekend so we did better than most!
Barry Hesketh
127 Posted 05/03/2023 at 18:38:56
Danny @ 125
Brentford, Spurs, Newcastle, Fulham, Man City and Bournemouth at Goodison and we travel to Chelsea, Palace, United, Brighton, Leicester and Wolves. A dozen games to play, which is just under a third of the season. I wish I knew the outcome right now as I'd put a few grand on it (if I could get a loan).
Mark Ryan
128 Posted 05/03/2023 at 18:52:21
126 what Rob Hooton said, spot on. Gray was excellent I thought
Ian Riley
130 Posted 05/03/2023 at 19:17:54
Just my view but making substitute(s) must make a difference. Perhaps dyche thought our shape and players available would have limited effect.

Going in at half time as the away side tends to lead to defending what you have in the 2nd half. Perhaps a change or changes may have helped or we could have lost the game. Fine margins but a point. Dyche's methods are coming through. Players still need to work harder over 90 minutes.

Mark Ryan
131 Posted 05/03/2023 at 19:22:28
Still a player in Tom Davies so we need to get the training team to nurture him. He's not Sunday League level as some would suggest
Danny Baily
132 Posted 05/03/2023 at 19:27:07
Barry, you're right, six to come at Goodison! Maybe just a point needed against city then.
Paul Hewitt
133 Posted 05/03/2023 at 19:33:07
We may have got a point but it's definitely 2 lost, I just don't see us getting out of this mess. Six games left at Goodison but they all against teams in the top half of the league. We still have to go to Chelsea man United and Brighton, no points there. Palace and Leicester we may nick at point at either. Normally I'm confident we can get out of it. Just not feeling It with this squad.
Geoff Williams
134 Posted 05/03/2023 at 19:52:22
My observations for what they are worth:
Thought Godfrey was way off the pace in the first half but got better as the game went on. I thought Gray played well and gave everything but he was showing fatigue around the hour mark. Iwobi isn't a wide player as he is unable to take players on down the wing and he is very poor at crossing the ball but he did nake a valuable contribution to the game in defence and with some smart passing. I thought Gueye and Doucourè worked extremely hard and again they were flagging at the end. I prefer Keane to Coady as he is a better passer of the ball. I think the substitutions made by Forest gave them renewed energy and they proved effective. I think Dyche missed a trick by leaving his substitutions far too late. I'm not a fan of Maupay as I can't see him scoring but I think he should have come much earlier simply to be a nuisance and to occupy the Forest backline.
Mike Connolly
136 Posted 05/03/2023 at 20:23:18
Someone tell me what game changes we have on the bench. worse bench in the league
Barry Hesketh
137 Posted 05/03/2023 at 20:24:54
Haven't seen many if any major posts about Coleman's penalty claim in the first half, at the time I thought it was something and nothing, but a few observers of the game believed it should have resulted in a penalty, chief among them Sean Dyche.

Mike @136

That's a major issue for the manager / team and us supporters, but that's what happens when the club is run so badly.

Peter Mills
138 Posted 05/03/2023 at 20:29:45
My “heart versus head” debate continues.

My heart tells me we can get out of our current predicament. My support will, obviously, still be there, whatever happens. But I am fearful.

My head was telling me this morning that this match was a “must win”, and not what my heart wanted to believe, “a must not lose”. After going ahead twice, we really should have won it. But we are weak. I reckon we played as well as we can. But it wasn’t good enough to beat one of the league’s poorer teams.

It was a “must win” game. We didn’t win it. We can’t afford to do that.

Barry Hesketh
139 Posted 05/03/2023 at 20:37:38
Peter @138
I think we're all in a bit of a heart versus head mode at the moment, all I really want is for us to stay in touch with the nearest strugglers for as long as is possible, obviously we need to win enough games ourselves, but how many we need to win is the biggest question.

To achieve 40 points we need six wins or equivalent from a dozen games, I suppose from our current position, the lower the amount of points required to survive the better.

Garry Martin
140 Posted 05/03/2023 at 20:53:14
Just not good enough !
Ian Edwards
141 Posted 05/03/2023 at 21:06:49
If we go down it's because Lampard was given and lost the home games v Brighton, Wolves and Southampton.
Terry Farrell
142 Posted 05/03/2023 at 21:07:06
Overall a good performance and decent away support. Loved Godfreys shoulder tovthe head of Johnson early doors which showed we meant business. Some very good passages of play and Gray upfront was a big improvement. Idrissa was superb as was Seamus and Doucoure. Paul Smith spot on.
Ian Edwards
143 Posted 05/03/2023 at 21:07:44
Barry 137. Not a pen. Coleman kicked Colback's leg.
John Raftery
144 Posted 05/03/2023 at 21:16:51
Forty points looks unlikely. We are on the same number of points as this time last year but with one extra game played. We desperately need to find an away win somewhere because we cannot rely entirely on our home form. Last season we eked out enough one goal victories in the closing weeks to claw our way out of trouble. We will need to do the same this time round.

Can the players, all of them, be instructed to put their foot through the ball when they have sight of the opposition goal? Stop trying to find the perfect pass. As Ancelotti said to one of our players ‘you are allowed to shoot’!

In the end today I was relieved to take the point. For us and our team every game is incredibly tense. Players are playing under pressure, which I think explains some of the individual mistakes. It will be like that for the rest of the season.

Robert Tressell
145 Posted 05/03/2023 at 21:23:03
Ian, there's some truth in that.

However, this is now our 4th relegation fight in 6 seasons - and 18 months ago the money very obviously ran out too. If we go down it's because bad club management and finances have left us with bad players. I don't even blame Lampard.

If we'd had the finances to bring in a decent striker & winger in January - like Outtara and Ings - then I think Lampard would keep us up like he did last year.

Without those players Lampard had no chance. Dyche is showing he's good enough to give us a chance in spite of the very poor team we have.

Barry Hesketh
146 Posted 05/03/2023 at 21:23:10
John @144
Easy peasy forty points, beat Palace, Bournemouth and one other at Goodison and win at Leicester, Wolves and one other away from home. If only it was so easy!
Ernie Baywood
147 Posted 05/03/2023 at 21:25:25
I think 4 from Forest/Brentford was the minimum we needed to be in the hunt. So now we just have to go and beat a good Brentford side. No small ask.

Anything from the 3 after that will be a bonus.

Honestly, right now, I'd take us being in with a chance on the final day.

Soren Moyer
148 Posted 05/03/2023 at 21:31:22
I'm sorry but this is not the time to take positives from the games and hope for the best.

We badly need to win and get ALL 3 points! 1 point at this stage won't count for much.
We simply cannot accumulate 36 points by taking positives and an occasional draw!!

we need at least 14 points from remaining 12 games, THAT is the reality!

Paul Birmingham
149 Posted 05/03/2023 at 21:46:43
For me, Sod’s law, but Seamus kicked his foot but, bearing the spawny, getting a seemingly 3 inch, offside on side, then I say Everton, will get the rub of the green soon.

But fekk the rest, there’s good signs, from this week, of a very tough run of games.

History, can’t claw back time, but now this squad has fire in their belly’s, for the fight to survive.

It’s down to the squad, but definitely, the Evertonian Supporters, across this Universe, are the most reliable and never fails asset, to Everton Football Club.

This can and will make the difference and what ever it takes, within good reason, we will make this campaign, to stay in this League, priority.

If and if’s, but, by God, as our witness, Everton, learn the hard way, but today, keep that spirit, every game home and especially away, Everton can do it.

Keep the faith, and every days, a good day, now for Brentford, and plan to beat them.

It can be done.

UTFTs!

Michael Lynch
150 Posted 05/03/2023 at 21:46:56
I hope DCL is fully fit and raring to go next week - we need him for the run-in.

Dyche clearly knows his own mind, and knows the players. He wasn't afraid to drop Coady for Keane, and I think that's worked out okay so far. I wonder if he's now ready to drop Onana for Garner?

Not sure if James is fit enough to play a full match yet, but Onana has done absolutely nothing recently, and I reckon Garner will offer more than him.

Derek Thomas
151 Posted 05/03/2023 at 21:50:48
Barry @ 40; You get 3pts for a win and both teams have a point before the Referee blows his whistle, therefore the aim is to take the other teams 'win bonus' aka, 2pts,off them.

So for me, that game was 2pts lost

Mental awareness...or the lack of, for their first goal it was obvious that Godfrey hadn't play much football - especially at Fullback. He still had his Central Defenders head on.

He was looking inside towards the middle, not outside towards his man. He then drifted In and when the ball broke the scorer was all on his own, he still had to score it of course, but he didn't have the distraction of a Fullback running at him to close him down.

Mental awareness; Doucoure, back to the opposition, head down, blind kers on, a bit of a poor touch and somebody nips in.

But prior we were up the field, Iwobi, Coleman, McNeil (or was it Gray?) All playing triangles - Just get it over ffs - but no we lose it and...eventually...they score.

Mark Murphy
152 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:06:31
Michael we’ve shipped 6 goals since he dropped Coady for Keane. I don’t think that’s worked out at all. Defence wasn’t the issue that needed sorting.
Neil Copeland
153 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:08:10
After a nightmare start to the day when my train from Crewe to Tamworth was cancelled I actually got to the City Ground earlier than planned! Many thanks to the other 13 blues stranded for getting their heads together and booking 2 x 7 passenger taxis direct from Crewe to the ground. Ended up costing us £30 each which was cheaper than the train ticket which I will get a refund for! Ha, amazing hey?

Anyway, on to the game. We were very good first half and would have had the game won if not for a decent save from McNeills effort late on. Very disappointed not to have 3 points and although we continue to improve, really need to get the wins.

I thought Gray made a big difference and Godfreys energy, aggression and speed was an asset too.

Onana was again quiet and although he generally looks good when he gets involved he goes missing too often for my liking. I was talking with some blues on the way home and they think it’s his presence on the pitch that helps us. Not convinced but I can sort of see their point.

The tactics for the second half seemed to be hang on to what we had rather to go and finish the job. I can’t help thinking that had we shown more intent, we may have been comfortable and won 3 or 4-1.

An opportunity lost yes, but any point away from home is good.

Judging them on todays performance, Forest are in trouble too with a lot of very difficult remaining fixtures. They looked a very poor side to me and are very much in the mix. A huge point for them though given how the game went.

We still have hope and continue to show improvement but we really must start winning this type of game.

Refuse to give up.

UTFT!

Andy Crooks
154 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:08:46
Ian Edwards, who'd have thought, but you ARE the voice of reason. You are constantly cheering me up, this is not how it is meant to be, Ian.
Jerome Shields
155 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:12:36
I thought Everton played well, but the usual deficiencies at the back were exposed. I thought that Dyche's non-substitutions were critical to the result – the forward line should have been boosted at around 60 minutes, so as to ensure that Forest where not able to push up in support of Sheffield's attack, which was not done on cue.

This push was further boosted by the introduction of three subs on 70 minutes, which was clear tactical backing by the Forest manager. It was obvious that the Everton players were tiring. Dyche did not respond and it was too late with substitutions at 80 minutes, with one of the Forest subs providing an assist for a tantalising goal.

Anyway, Dyche's subs, particularly Maupay, were uninspiring. Did he even get a kick of the ball? Simms should have been on after 60 minutes and Davies on at midfield, if Dyche had it set in his mind to play him. But a defending midfielder or even a defender would have been better. Onana was very disappointing and Pickford with his usual palmed assist to his right put the tin hat on it.

I keep saying this: It is going to be a roller-coaster till the last day and a point could be crucial.

Jonathan Tasker
156 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:20:45
That performance was a bit better and we at least scored twice.

Bournemouth look likely to finish bottom. Last relegation place could be between us and Leeds.

Paul Birmingham
157 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:20:52
Well in, Neil, and well done to you and all Evertonians who got to the match despite the adversity supplied by the Rail Network.

Yes, as always, a point is better than nothing, but next week is a very important game which Everton must win.

But all in, I feel there's more in the tank before every game with Sean Dyche and, to have any chance of winning any game, you need commitment from your team.

Keep the same level of commitment and stop the self-inflicted errors, and Everton can stay in the Premier League.

I still reckon, as much as Everton have challenges, all teams in the bottom 10 of the Premier League have fixture and squad challenges.

12 games to go, and Everton are definitely still in the battle to stay up. Now for Brentford.

UTFTs!

Andy Crooks
158 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:25:23
Jonathan Tasker, what is going on?

I come on here filled with gloom and you and Ian are being positive.

Peter Mills
159 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:25:32
John #144, in my opinion, you are one of our most loyal, thoughtful and articulate supporters.

But the fact you were relieved we took a point from this game fills me with dread. If we couldn't take 3 points today, where will we do so?

It looks to me like we are simply inadequate, worse than last season, when we scraped by.

Derek Knox
161 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:28:54
What an improvement on recent away performances, but still felt we blew the chance to wrap this game up, especially having led twice.

I'm still not happy with the timing of his substitutions, and more importantly in many ways, the personnel. That was crying out for someone like Simms (up front) and Garner in place of one of the midfield, possibly Onana who was largely anonymous today.

There are still enough games left and also hope and belief. Come on – we can do it!

David West
162 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:32:06
It's okay telling Onana he's played shit. Let's remember, he's a young lad, first season in the Premier League, new country, new teammates… I think he'd done good up to now.

He needs taking out the firing line. Give him a breather... there's more games he's going to be needed in. He's becoming less and less effective these last couple of games.

But he's 21; look at him compared to Davies, Gomes, Gbamin… Let's not crucify the lad.

Dom Kearney
163 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:32:29
We needed 3 points but 1 is better than none. More of an uphill struggle but we will do it!

At least: 4 wins and 3-5 draws... although I will go into every game with partially blind optimism!

On another note, I would love to see Forest go down: Aurier throws the ball like a 9-year-old in my middle daughter's league. Clocked it early on but only given towards the end of the match.

Gibbs-White should have been sent off. Buying over 30 players, it would be funny to see them relegated.

Atmosphere not a patch on Goodison!! Anyway, as long as we stay up!!

UTFT!!

Rob Halligan
164 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:52:44
Well, it seems that all those at the game today thought we were by far the better team, and should have won, but for a poor mistake by Doucoure, while those not at the game continue their usual moaning. I said to Danny prior to the game, to expect the usual moaning and negativity, irrespective of the result, and boy, have we not been let down.

Forest are shite, for a team unbeaten at home since September is quite astonishing, cos they were fucking rubbish. Anyone who thinks we are one of the three worst teams in the league, may I recommend you go to Specsavers, cos I'd definitely say Forest, Leeds and West Ham are far worse than us.

We played well today, but as usual, it was a lack of any goal threat that let us down. The same as against Villa last week. I've no doubt whatsoever, that we will still be playing Premier League football next season. This team is more than capable of surviving this season, and seeing our final season at Goodison playing Premier League football.

Neil Copeland
165 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:56:34
Rob, spot on, mate.

I thought the same about Forest too.

Bill Watson
166 Posted 05/03/2023 at 22:57:38
Two points dropped but at least we got the one!

At 1-2, I thought the next team to score would win it. We had lots of good breaks to make it 1-3 but the final pass was often poor and Iwobi needs to be told to centre the ball when he has the chance instead of fannying about and, invariably, losing it.

Once again, we gifted a goal to the opposition. This time Doucouré passing straight to a Forest player. It happens so often that maybe they should be tested for colour blindness. At 2-2, I thought their crowd would get them over the line but we managed to hold out.

Dyche is continuing Frank Lampard's reluctance to make early substitutions. Is it because they have such a low opinion of the quality on the bench? If so, what an indictment of our recruitment over recent years!

Dave Lynch
167 Posted 05/03/2023 at 23:05:55
I've attended every home game this season and have honestly seen nothing that convinces me we will stay up.

Although I'm not convinced, it doesn't mean it won't happen.

I've said before that clubs above us only have to match our results, not better them.

This may go against the ToffeeWeb mantra of "positivity" but I'm a realist, not a dreamer and a positive person by nature.

This season has me very scared indeed.

Kevin Molloy
168 Posted 05/03/2023 at 23:10:37
Jeez — that wasn't Doucouré who messed up. It was Tarkowski.
John Raftery
169 Posted 05/03/2023 at 23:12:25
Hi Peter (@159).

Although relief was the prevailing emotion and we applauded the effort from the players, there was no escaping the disappointment at dropping two points having held the lead for over half the game. When Forest equalised with 13 minutes left, my fear was we would crumble. I draw some comfort from the fact we didn't.

I agree it is very difficult to see how we might win an away game against teams which all look stronger than Forest. My fervent hope is we will catch a team on a bad day, perhaps a team with nothing to fight for?

Or perhaps our team find it within themselves to raise their game above anything we have seen over the last couple of years. Hope is the operative word though.

Lester Yip
170 Posted 05/03/2023 at 23:25:35
Forest have been good at home so taking 1 point is not too bad. We haven't been able to score and we did score 2 in this game. Again, it's a plus. It's the usual that our players haven't been able to strike the ball cleanly when opportunities arise (except McNeil).

To me, Godfrey still seems quite out of game form. He is passing quite a few times just towards the opponent's legs and turning the ball over. Hope he gets back the touch soon.

Don Alexander
171 Posted 05/03/2023 at 23:56:05
To some extent, I'm pleased with Dyche's ongoing efforts to create a silk purse from the pig's ears he's inherited – and they're far from restricted to the players, obviously.

Looking at the past six results for teams at the spectacularly useless arse-end of the, ahem, "Premier" League, we have taken seven points, as have Leicester.

All but two (West Ham and Wolves) of the rest of them have taken less, and that's Bournemouth, Southampton, Leeds, Forest and Palace.

So, if you're a football idiot and alleged owner fannying about in Monaco, still employing the self-serving, utterly delusional football guru who's already ripped your arse out to secure his family's financial fortunes for years to come, you are probably thinking "What could possibly now go wrong?!!"

Paul Kossoff
172 Posted 06/03/2023 at 00:11:18
Everton have six matches left to play at Goodison and seven away from home.

At Goodison are Man City, Spurs, Newcastle, Brentford, Fulham and Bournemouth in the final match; they all have something to play for.

Away from home we have Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United, Brighton, Leicester, Palace and Wolves; they also have something to play for.

I am convinced we are down this season and no one on here will make me believe otherwise – not even our supposed saviour Sean (If you can't score a goal and you keep trying, eventually you will score) Dyche.

I've heard some crap excuses but that's one of the best for ineptitude.

Pete Clarke
173 Posted 05/03/2023 at 00:12:19
We're simply running out of games to get the points required. Yesterday was a must-win for Everton and must-not-lose for Forest so they will be a lot happier than we are.

Most of our players are so poor in possession and cannot make a simple pass that it inevitably puts the pressure back on us. Onana, Doucouré, Gana and Iwobi are all liabilities with that simple pass or shielding of the ball. They are battling away but we've got zero controlled possession and not one player who can dictate play.

Even Delph helped us out at the end in this regard last season and Richarlison would keep the opposition defense busy as well as chip in with goals.

The 3 points were there for the taking yesterday and Something has to change for us to survive. The only players who may be able to do that are Calvert-Lewin and Garner with some good coaching thrown into it.

How is it possible that so many of our players cannot pass the ball properly and how did these massively overpaid pricks get to this level of football?? Drives me mad.

David Hallwood
174 Posted 06/03/2023 at 00:22:45
Michael Lynch (#150) – amen to that. But the messages the club is sending out about Calvert-Lewin are downright weird.

Normally, they give a straightforward update on an injury of how long the player will be out; if his rehabilitation has broken down, they're normally upfront.

With Calvert-Lewin, we're getting cryptic messages from Dyche and it's left to speculation to fill in the blanks.

But, trying to second-guess his body language, it doesn't appear that Calvert-Lewin will be back anytime soon.

Kieran Kinsella
175 Posted 06/03/2023 at 00:38:55
Pete Clarke,

Good post. I think Dyche has improved us but time and points are at a premium so we don't have the luxury of a gradual improvement with points being dropped due to the mess he inherited.

Don Alexander
176 Posted 06/03/2023 at 00:52:31
At his age, 25, Calvert-Lewin will be seeking a mega-obscene contract from some other club to enable him at best to achieve his very early dreams of "legendary" status. He by now sure as hell knows it'll never happen at Everton in what's left of his career.

Worst-case scenario for him is that he signs a mega-contract for us or some club he deems more attenuated for success but, if and when it all goes tits-up, he'll remain in a very cushty place by way of his exorbitant contract.

He'll have learned that mindset year-after-year at the School of Science (as it was until Kenwright shat in the Everton well).

David Currie
177 Posted 06/03/2023 at 01:13:18
We had to beat Forest, so massive chance gone.

We're in the Bottom 3 and played one more game than the rest. One point from the last 9 is not good enough, we have conceded 8 and scored 2 in these games.

It will take a miracle to stay up this time, we always end up with so many missed opportunities to make progress and we blow it.

Don Alexander
178 Posted 06/03/2023 at 01:28:47
Dave (#177) and others (like me) bereft of hope, don't worry!

In the last six games, we're near the top of the abject pile we're amongst at the bottom, but we have a self-proclaimed genius chairman who other clubs in the shit phone up for beneficial advice to save themselves.

So again, what could possibly go wrong?

Bill Gienapp
179 Posted 06/03/2023 at 01:38:12
Frustrating result, given that we let the lead slip twice, but signs of encouragement.

Obviously we need wins badly, but draws are important too. Imagine if we'd simply secured draws against Wolves, Southampton and West Ham – we'd be 3 points better off, and they'd each be two worse. Massive.

In this case, denying Forest those two extra points keeps them mired in the muck and increases the pressure.

Bob Parrington
180 Posted 06/03/2023 at 05:47:45
Let's look at the positives.

● We scored away from home!
● We got a point away from home
● We actually scored 2 goals in a game - Whoopee!!!!

A couple of points from watching it on Optus Sport here in Australia: the commentators blamed Keane for the 1st goal. I thought it was Godfrey who was sucked in to the centre and forgot to mark his player, who scored – anybody agree or have a different opinion?

The foul on Seamus was a clear penalty – even freakin' Michael Owen said this. What is wrong with the referees and their VAR? Something clearly wrong with the system!

Jerome Shields
181 Posted 06/03/2023 at 07:15:45
I don't think that Calvert-Lewin would have made any difference. Dyche will have to improve on his second half game management, particularly in relation to substitutions.

Repeated habitual errors in defending are costing Everton, Keane, Tarkowski, Godfrey, Doucouré and Gueye being the main culprits. Pickford's palmed assist to the right is a habitual error of his as well.

Overall, the performance was a vast improvement on previous away games, with credit to Dyche, But it is easy to see why Everton are relegation fodder and every point gained will be crucial at the end of the season.

James Hughes
182 Posted 06/03/2023 at 07:22:56
I was wondering why Michael Keane had not been given a chance this season.

Well, the familiar sight of him frantically backing away from Brennan as he scored the equaliser has shown me why.

Otherwise, I thought we played well and there is more than hope we will be okay.

Derek Thomas
183 Posted 06/03/2023 at 07:49:33
Bob @180,

“Great minds think alike” – or is it “Fools seldom differ”? I said so @151.

You're in Australia, presumably on Optus. I got severely pissed off at their hour-long Liverpool - Man Utd love fest that was included in my delayed 'watch on demand' repeat of the live game.

A pox on Optus, their shite coverage – both phone and Premier League. The sooner they lose the contract, the better.

End of mini-rant!

John Raftery
184 Posted 06/03/2023 at 07:53:37
Keane was definitely at fault for the first goal. Dropping off instead of going with his man was a really poor decision. He knew it as well.
Christy Ring
185 Posted 06/03/2023 at 08:17:33
John #184,

In all fairness, Godfrey was totally out of position, in the centre instead of watching his man Johnson; definitely his fault. Hopefully we'll have Calvert-Lewin, Garner and Patterson to freshen things up against Brentford.

I was just reading the players ratings from the Liverpool World yesterday, they gave Coleman 5 and Godfrey 6… I don't know what game they were watching.

Tony Abrahams
186 Posted 06/03/2023 at 08:17:46
Gibbs-White is clever and has taken Michael Keane into no-man's land; I think this is something that good players are always trying to do.

I was reading backwards and had to comment on your post, John, but the most important thing about football is what you do yourself.

Everton have been awful for a long time, especially away from home, but it was evident to me yesterday, watching the first half, that we are getting better.

We are slowly sorting ourselves out and are definitely a better team than we were a month ago.

Jim Bennings
187 Posted 06/03/2023 at 08:22:52
In fairness, Tony, you don't need to be that clever to take Michael Keane into no-man's land, he's already there.

Another weird move by Dyche to bring him back into the fold after most of the season in the abyss.

Kunal Desai
188 Posted 06/03/2023 at 08:31:45
I will reserve judgement and see where we are after having played Man Utd away. The key here is not being adrift of 17th by then.

We have to hope, over the next few fixtures, those in and around us don't start picking up wins as I genuinely don't see us picking up wins in the next four fixtures, but if those match our results, then we still have a chance of getting out from the Fulham fixture and beyond.

Tony Abrahams
189 Posted 06/03/2023 at 08:32:14
I don't like Michael Keane either, Jim, but I haven't been impressed by Coady.

I'm being positive, and think that we can beat anyone at Goodison, so if we can start picking up a few points away from home, which I think we will begin to do, then we might just stay safe once more.

Calvert-Lewin will change this team now we are getting a lot more of the basics right, so this is still the problem because none of us knows what shape Dominic is in.

Christopher Timmins
190 Posted 06/03/2023 at 09:01:44
Very disappointing as we should have won that game. We were the better team and we need to make our superiority count in games.

There were lots of positives, particularly in the first 45 minutes.

What's the story with Mina? Is he injured again, surely he is not 4/5th choice at this stage?

We have a more difficult task at the weekend.

Mark Murphy
191 Posted 06/03/2023 at 09:07:27
This may go against the ToffeeWeb mantra of "positivity”.

I assume those quotation marks are to highlight the irony of that sentence?

UTFT

Danny O’Neill
192 Posted 06/03/2023 at 09:16:28
Paul, I think you need to revisit the fixture list you're looking at.

We've beaten Arsenal at home and we played them at the Emirates last week. I was there unless I dreamed it and it didn't happen.

I don't care who we have got to play. This team is starting to show enough character and we are well within touching distance of where we need to get to.

Joe McMahon
193 Posted 06/03/2023 at 09:33:25
It's academic now but does anyone else think Pickford should have done better for their first goal yesterday?
Mike Morgan
194 Posted 06/03/2023 at 09:42:00
Yes, Pickford has a habit of getting to shots well, but pushing the ball back into play. He should be deflecting the shots out of play for a corner.

It has happened several times this season leading to goals against us. It happened again in the Forest game and we were lucky to get away with it.

Mark Ryan
195 Posted 06/03/2023 at 09:44:35
Yes, Joe, he should have saved it, actually caught it. He loves to parry the ball away. Big Nev would have had two hands to that.

Defenders also switched off though but with Pickford, having parried the ball, he should have been up quicker. If you decide as a goalie "I'll parry this one", then you need to push the ball far enough away from danger to allow you time to get up and at it. You need to be electric getting to your feet. He wasn't.

I hope he sticks with Demarai Gray up top. I thought he was excellent tracking back too.

Mark Murphy
196 Posted 06/03/2023 at 09:51:27
I too thought Pickford should have done better for their first and was surprised he didn't fare better for the follow-up but I wouldn't swap him for any other keeper personally. He's probably the only class player we have left.

Coady has been out of form lately but (and I know this is easy to say and hard to prove) I think he would have closed down Johnson for their second rather than stand off him as Keane did. If Mina is not going to play, Tarkowski and Coady should be allowed to build a partnership.

I thought we looked 10 times better that first half and, taking it a game at a time now, I think we'll stay up. Dyche seems to have us faster, fitter and filling the box when attacking – we just need fresh legs from the bench earlier. UTFT!

Raymond Fox
197 Posted 06/03/2023 at 09:53:37
On Pickford, all the goalies do it, you don't see many who ever catch the ball.

It's the fashion now and humans love to be in line with everybody else.

Joe McMahon
198 Posted 06/03/2023 at 10:02:26
It's frustrating, Raymond, as Nev, Nigel Martyn, Peter Schmeichel and my all-time fave, Pat Jennings certainly would have saved it.
Brian Harrison
199 Posted 06/03/2023 at 10:19:49
When you consider what Lampard left Dyche, both in terms of lack of strikers and a very negative attitude, I think Dyche is doing a good job.

His choices to play up front since he joined has been Maupay or Simms and 70 minutes from Calvert-Lewin. How a manager can have a squad of 7 centre-backs and so bereft of strikers is disgraceful.

Yesterday was the first time in a long time that we tried to take the game to the opposition and, when we got ahead, didn't try and play 9 men behind the ball.

Dyche would probably not have been on any list I had drawn up but, under Lampard, we were going down, whereas Dyche has given us hope.

I also like that he is trying to change the negative mindset from hoping you can win away to actually believing we can and will win away. He is doing this with probably the worst first-team squad I have seen in the 68 years of watching Everton.

At the end of the day, whatever Dyche does might not keep us up but the fingers need to be pointed at Lampard, Thelwell, and this useless owner and board.

Danny O’Neill
200 Posted 06/03/2023 at 10:20:42
I forgot to mention Pickford's parry. It was a good save, but he done what he has done quite often and parried it back into a dangerous area.

Not 7, but I remember watching us put 6 past Arsenal from the Gwladys Street. Champagne Charlie Nicholas got a lot of stick that day, but to his credit, he took it well.

Maybe he was still under the influence?

Mark Murphy
201 Posted 06/03/2023 at 10:21:37
Tony - how did they get on? I've not heard anything on the BBC,ITV, Radio1,2 4& 5, Sky, CBBC, Al Jazeera, Radio Sussex, LBC, Heart radio
I'm running out of channels to switch to the moment I hear that lot mentioned...
KAGS and UTFT!
Lee Robinson
202 Posted 06/03/2023 at 10:31:05
That was like watching Sunday league footy, kick and rush and absolutely no idea or plan what to do with it.

That midfield performance was embarrassing, with Doucoure and Onana stinking the gaff out yet again. I was glad MotD highlighted the fact we gave away possession a record 170 times yesterday. We look more comfortable without the ball, and everyone goes to bits when we get past the half-way line.

Giving away a lead twice in a game that Forest barely looked like scoring in is criminal also. Dropping points from leading positions will be our downfall this season. Amazingly, with a side this poor, with lack of options, we should be on around 28 points, but the table doesn't lie in the end.

McNeil was our best player by a mile again. No-one else is stepping up, Godfrey and Doucoure look like Championship players at best and Iwobi looks like he can't wait to be anywhere else.

Lee Courtliff
203 Posted 06/03/2023 at 10:39:14
Don't be expecting Dyche to change his ways when it comes to making subs, he has previous for refusing to change things until 80-odd minutes. No matter how exhausted or poor a player is.

Don't take my word for it, just ask Burnley fans. He did it for a decade there.

Steve Brown
204 Posted 06/03/2023 at 10:42:50
My thoughts:

1) The team is better organised and working to a clear tactical plan.

2) We are creating more chances and will take them if or when Calvert-Lewin returns.

3) The defence starts with a high line, but invariably drops deeper unless Dyche bawls them out.

4) Individual errors are invariably resulting in goals, so we need to eradicate them.

5) We have been competitive in most of the games under Dyche, with the exception of Liverpool away and the last 60 minutes of Arsenal away.

There are 12 games left and we are right in it. All of the teams up to Crystal Palace are crap and definitely in the mix.


Lee Robinson
205 Posted 06/03/2023 at 10:50:12
One thing I've also noticed about our midfield, and you could add Godfrey to this also, is that they never scan around. They receive the ball blind without a clue who is around them, whether it's the opposition bearing down or, god forbid, one of our players in a good position to recieve a pass.

Also, going the other way on opposition attacks, our midfield players just run towards our goal with not one ever scanning, looking for any players running into the box umarked or following a man. To me, this is 101 basic stuff and it infuriates me every week, watching players just glide unmarked into the box with everyone looking at the ball.

Martin Mason
206 Posted 06/03/2023 at 11:03:14
There were positives from yesterday but, in reality, all that happened was that we kicked the can down the road until next week.

Wins will keep us up; draws will keep us rolling dice at the bottom.

Brian Harrison
207 Posted 06/03/2023 at 11:04:19
Steve @205,

I agree with the points you make. I see a team whose first thought is to try and get the ball forward, and not the Chuckle Brothers routine under our previous manager, where we couldn't move forward till the centre-backs had passed 3 times to each other.

We spent £33 million on a player who I am really struggling to see what he does. I remember the howls when we overpaid for Sigurdsson, but he did score and create; Onana does neither.

I could well imagine some of our past midfield players getting him by the throat at Finch Farm and letting him know they wouldn't put up with him strolling around while they were putting a shift in.

I think Dyche has spoken over the last 5 games, singling out players he thought had put a shift in; no surprise he hasn't mentioned Onana.

Quite rightly, some have pointed out that Michael Keane maybe shouldn't have been drawn out yet when the ball was played to their striker on the edge of the box. Tarkowski wasn't close enough to make a challenge which allowed him to play an easy ball into Johnson's path.

But a lot of credit has to go to Tarkowski and Keane for their part in our 2nd goal. Not very often have we been able to type 2nd goal and Everton in the same sentence. I thought Godfrey was again taken to the cleaners far too easy in the first half as he was when he came on at Arsenal.

Also, I think once Townsend and Calvert-Lewin and Garner are fit, we may see some more attacking options on the pitch. I know a poster criticized Dyche for not making more substitutions earlier; well, I guess one look at the bench can answer that question.

Barry Hesketh
208 Posted 06/03/2023 at 11:12:42
Lee @203.

Yesterday was the first time since we played at Brentford early in the season that Everton had taken the lead in an away league game. Although we have done it more than a few times at home.

I'm afraid the quality factor is the same for most sides in the bottom half of the table, that's why most of them are where they are. I expect many of the remaining matches to be short on quality, which obviously doesn't help the stress levels.

I don't expect Everton or those around us, to suddenly start performing like champions elect, but whilst the final result was very disappointing, the overall performance was a great deal better on the road, than we've seen for most of the season. Keep in touch with those around us and hope we find a few wins is the best we can do at the minute.

Pete Neilson
209 Posted 06/03/2023 at 11:20:39
I came away feeling it was more like a defeat, 2 points squandered as we (Doucoure) shot ourselves in the foot again. At least we're getting bodies in the box now and we look better than we did under Frank. I just hope we've not left it too late.

Anyway, regret is a foolish man's pastime so on to Brentford, the next must-win.

Lee Robinson
210 Posted 06/03/2023 at 11:47:19
Agreed, Barry @209, but twice yesterday, a lead was lost against – let's face it – a poor side and we gifted them the point.

Brentford and Leeds away, Wolves and Southampton at home. That's 3 points taken from a possible 15 in good positions against some of the worst sides in the Premier League, that will unfortunately be our downfall, I think.

For a side who I think need to score first to stay in the game, when we do go ahead, the silly mistakes and lack of concentration need to be eradicated quickly.

Paul Cherrington
211 Posted 06/03/2023 at 11:48:55
Obviously, it's very disappointing not to have won that game and grab a precious 3 points.

I think it's wise to look at the positives though as some other posters have already said:

● We scored;
● We scored more than 1 goal in a game;
● We got a point which could be the one that saves us come season end;
● We made sure we didn't lose if we couldn't win;
● A major improvement and result compared to our usual away form;
● Another decent performance overall;
● Signs that Dyche's methods are starting to become embedded with the players;
● Forest are no mugs at home so it is not a terrible result.

We are right back in the frame to stay up now I think and the team is showing signs of positive progression under Dyche. We still need other results to go for us but, if they do and we get a few wins while others around us lose moving ahead, it will look much better.

Surely Gray has to start up front if Calvert-Lewin is not yet fit now though. All this guff about Maupay being due a goal from the manager is dubious. He might be but it's a case of exactly how many games we'll have to wait for it?! I know it was a penalty but Gray scoring shows he has the knack for it which Maupay doesn't at Premier League level.

Mark Ryan
212 Posted 06/03/2023 at 11:51:57
It feels to me like – had Lampard left 6 games earlier – we'd be mid-table by now.

There are some fresh green shoots appearing and the positives outweigh the negatives. I think we might have turned a corner yesterday – albeit, at the time, it did feel as though we had dropped 2 points.

Onto the next one: UTFTs!

Bill Gienapp
213 Posted 06/03/2023 at 12:12:03
I'm no Keane fan and it seems ridiculous that he's playing ahead of Mina since he's gone at the end of the season either way — I'm wondering if Dyche has simply written him off...??

But he does have a tendency to make things happen on the offensive end and yesterday was no different, it being his header that teed up Doucoure for the go-ahead goal.

Barry Hesketh
214 Posted 06/03/2023 at 12:36:05
130 Premier League fixtures to be played, 92 by those 'involved' in the battle to stay up, and 26 matches in which those relegation battlers are in direct conflict.

It's going to be a roller-coaster ride, which we already knew.

Steve Brown
215 Posted 06/03/2023 at 12:47:30
Next two games for our main rivals:

Bournemouth - Liverpool (H), Villa (A)
Soton - Man U (A), Brentford (H)
Leeds - Brighton (H), Wolves (A)
West Ham - Villa (H), Man City (A)
Leicester - Chelsea (H), Brentford (A)
Forest - Spurs (A), Newcastle (H)
Wolves - Newcastle (A), Leeds (H).

Long way to go.

Barry McNally
216 Posted 06/03/2023 at 13:16:51
Tony 213,

If you throw enough darts… we simply don't!

Matthew Williams
217 Posted 06/03/2023 at 13:38:43
It seems now that, whoever our Gaffer is, we always play the same style: way too many players in central midfield who all play the same role; a single Striker up top; late subs; players off form getting picked game after game???

Worst of all, if we go in front, we just back off, retreat into defensive mode, and just invite pressure, instead of getting the killer 2nd goal by just keeping the pressure on our opponents...

An upstairs influence, maybe? It's been going on for years now and I am fucking sick of it... Be braver or else, Sean!

Paul Tran
218 Posted 06/03/2023 at 13:53:31
The only thing I'd criticise Dyche for was the way-too-late substitutions. I couldn't see the point in bringing them on with a couple of minutes to go, plenty of tired-looking legs before then.

That said, he clearly wants Doucoure and Onana in there for their physicality and I don't think that was a game for Garner to return from off the bench, so I suspect that's why the changes were late.

We are clearly better organised, have more energy and purpose, get into the other box more and have more shots.

Logic dictates that the goals will come, which they did yesterday. My only concern is that all the sides in the bottom nine give up possession – do we have the players to take clinical advantage, like Johnson did for Forest yesterday?

Bob Carlton
219 Posted 06/03/2023 at 14:08:50
Lampard: 15 points from 20 games = 28/29 points for the season… Relegation!

Dyche: 7 points from 6 games = 44/45 points for a full season… Mid-Table Safety.

Why, oh why, did we not make the change of manager in a timely manner?

Answer – because the people running the club are incompetent.

Neil Tyrrell
220 Posted 06/03/2023 at 14:42:26
Disappointing that we didn't win, especially given we saw 3 things almost as rare as unicorn sightings: we were awarded a penalty, we scored first away from home, and we scored more than once. It was very important we didn't lose though and at least we managed that.

Didn't we put 7 past Sunderland back in around 2010 or so? Louis Saha scored 4 unless my memory is playing tricks on me.

Dan Hollingworth
221 Posted 06/03/2023 at 14:46:55
Steve Brown @217

No mention of Palace there. Next 3: Man City, Brighton, Arsenal. 1 win in 12, no win in 9.

I think we should be aiming to get above them because they are right in it.

Bill Gall
222 Posted 06/03/2023 at 15:20:25
Well that's that game over… onto the next.

Wonder if our lesser-spotted striker will be recovered from either touch or go – we all know where he is touched and where he can go, but we still need him.

Danny Baily
223 Posted 06/03/2023 at 15:29:26
Neil @222,

Are you thinking of the Blackpool match (5-3)?

Alec Gaston
224 Posted 06/03/2023 at 15:31:17
Steve @217,

That definitely puts some perspective on it.

Barry Hesketh
225 Posted 06/03/2023 at 15:41:26
Deulofeu, Koné 3, Coates (og) and Lukaku scored against Sunderland in a 6-2 victory for Everton against Sunderland in 2015.

As Danny mentions, Saha scored 4 against Blackpool in 2011. That Blackpool match is a lot further back than I'd thought – how time flies when you're having fun!

Brian Harrison
226 Posted 06/03/2023 at 16:01:14
I think its well worth noting that Dyche has only been here for a short while, but the positive changes he is trying to introduce are slowly starting to bear fruit.

Not only is he trying to change our style of play to a more attacking style but also the mindset of players who are more comfortable defending than attacking.

Potter at Chelsea, even with massive signings, is still struggling to get a win with a massively better squad than Dyche has inherited. Will players still make inexplicable errors? Absolutely! Will they still fall back into their old ways at times? Yes, they will.

But Dyche has to change all that while fighting a relegation battle, without having been able to add a player of his choosing to the squad.

Neil Tyrrell
227 Posted 06/03/2023 at 16:12:17
Thanks, Danny and Barry, for the clarifications. Amazing I can remember anything from years ago really. Sometimes I forget what I just came into the kitchen for!
Jerome Shields
228 Posted 06/03/2023 at 16:20:50
Steve#205& 217

Agree with the points you are makeing, but would not be confident of Calvert Lewin being a saviour.Glad you spotted Dyche watching the defensive line.I do think Dyche made a mess of substitutions, failing to react before the tactical subs of forest and then failing to react to them..

As you say there are plenty of potential twists to come.

Mike Powell
229 Posted 06/03/2023 at 16:21:32
Two points dropped that was a must win game especially with the games we have coming up. Teams around us have a game in hand, so not looking good, as for the game itself we looked OK first half, we where dreadful second half. Don't get the people saying Iwobi had a decent game, I thought he was awful, kept losing or giving the ball away, Doucouré Godfrey and Onana were also very poor. Thought Coleman and McNeil were are best players, but as I said two points dropped from a winning position, forest was poor, and we're there for the taking
Joe McMahon
230 Posted 06/03/2023 at 16:30:32
Barry @227 and Danny - Lukaku also scored 4 in a 6 - 3 victory over Bournemouth in 2017. Other scorers were McCarthy and Barkley. From what I remember it should have been 7 -2. Lukaku had a goal wrongly chalked off and one of the Bournemouth goals was out of play when the cross went into the box.

Dave Abrahams
231 Posted 06/03/2023 at 16:38:05
I’ve seen two Everton players score five in a game, Tommy Eglington in a second division game and Jimmy Harris in a friendly game, further back I saw Eddie Wainwright score four v Blackpool in a division one game., just trying to keep myself amused in these sad times,!
Mark Taylor
232 Posted 06/03/2023 at 16:48:35
There are as many as 9 teams in this, as others have said. The problem is, the bottom two, who looked like they may be cut adrift, are playing much better and are still in touch. So instead of 2 pretty much certain to drop and we are 1 from 5 or 6, it's more like any 3 from 9. Worse odds. Plus since we are currently in the bottom 3 our odds are worse again. In fact most bookies have us odds on to go down, others evens at best. They usually have a decent handle on things.

Yesterday was one of our better away performances. Granted that is a low bar. It did feel like losing points given we were ahead twice plus we desperately need some wins, draws won't do and the coming fixtures are not kind.

As ever, the goals were a series of individual mistakes. For the first, Keane at fault for allowing himself to be wall passed, Pickford for not parrying it behind and Godfrey for being asleep at the wheel. For the second, yes Duke made the first error, but Godfrey let Johnson run past him too easily and Tarks let the return ball run across him and you can't fault the finish, Pickford no chance- I wish we had a forward who could do what Johnson can do. But goals are rarely only one error, they need several things to go wrong. And that is one thing we seem to be pretty good at...

Jim Wilson
233 Posted 06/03/2023 at 16:49:29
Paul @ 212 - totally agree. We have to look at the positives now.

Under Dyche we had to play Arsenal twice and the RS at Anfield in his first 6 games. That was daunting. We have done as good as most people would have hoped for.

The biggest disappointment for me was after the bonus win against Arsenal we came unstuck against our bogey team Villa who were assisted by the corrupt referee and VAR.

It's nice to have them on your side.

All we can do now is take every game as it comes. If we play well we can beat Brentford then things will look a bit better.

John Raftery
234 Posted 06/03/2023 at 16:50:18
Dave, you would also have seen Bob Latchford score five against Wimbledon in the league cup in 1978. Martin Dobson got a hat trick as well in the 8-0 win.
Will Mabon
235 Posted 06/03/2023 at 17:04:36
Oh, for Bob Latchford right now.
David Currie
236 Posted 06/03/2023 at 17:08:27
John 236,
I was at that 8-0 game with my Dad, think it was a League Cup game?
Kim Vivian
237 Posted 06/03/2023 at 18:06:04
Bob - 220.

Lampard 9 points from his first 6 league games so don't read too much into those stats. Agree we would be higher up the table with Dyche though (or Allardyce imo !!)

Tony Abrahams
238 Posted 06/03/2023 at 18:54:05
He wasn’t Big Bobs greatest fan, but he was at that game John. I can still remember us bumping into a deceased cousin of ours after the game and he was shouting at my dad, that Bobby Latchford never had a clue what to do!

That must have been at least 43 years ago, but it’s just come right back to me, I just wish I could remember last week

Laurie Hartley
239 Posted 06/03/2023 at 20:06:58
The team is showing a lot of fight which for me, being a non football purist, is cause for a smidgin of optimism. Keep playing with that attitude and we have a chance of acquiring the required number of points.
John Raftery
240 Posted 06/03/2023 at 20:28:54
Tony (238) Yes, Dave wasn't the only supporter with reservations about Big Bob. I rate him behind Joe Royle, Sharp and Lukaku. Bob was great at what he did as a penalty box finisher but he was dependent on service into the box.

His best season by far was 1977-78 with Dave Thomas supplying the crosses. In other seasons there were a few too many matches when he disappeared. The fact he never scored a derby goal counts against him.

Ernie Baywood
242 Posted 06/03/2023 at 20:50:11
Bob 219, while I agree the answer to pretty much everything is "the board is incompetent"... the average points calc is very simplistic. Too simplistic.

This Everton team is still doing 'very Everton' things. I don't need to list them - they've been consistent through Lampard and Dyche's games this season.

Which bit contains the genius move? Playing Keane? Playing Gray? (Dyche was the one who cast out our only capable attacker in the first place!). We're still pretty toothless. We still make defensive errors. The players are the same players.

We beat Arsenal at home and it was brilliant. But that wasn't too out of the ordinary. We tended to turn up in big games - we even drew away to City towards the end of Lampard's employment.

You don't judge anyone on 6 games. It's barely a sample - one freaky flick of Seamus' boot changes the judgement hugely. In another 4 games things will possibly look very different.

If he keeps us up then he'll deserve every credit. But I remain unconvinced that we've turned any kind of corner. I hope the players don't think they've done the hard work... we need them desperate, because things are still desperate.

Christy Ring
243 Posted 06/03/2023 at 21:48:17
Joe#230 Joe can we have that team back please.
George Stuart
244 Posted 06/03/2023 at 23:17:30
After a long think, I have decided we can stay up. The main reason would be, three teams being worse than us. That's our 12th man: 3 shittier teams.

Definitely possible.

Bob Parrington
245 Posted 07/03/2023 at 00:13:45
Derek @ 183 - Yep.

That was crap by Optus - shit-stirrer producer! Should be sacked.

Barry Jones
246 Posted 07/03/2023 at 03:40:09
None of the bookies think we are safe. We are odds-on to take the drop. Brentford have lost just 4 games all season, only bettered by Arsenal and Newcastle. This will be a very tough game.
Paul Ward
247 Posted 07/03/2023 at 03:56:04
Derek 183 & Bob 245,

Unfortunately, Optus have the rights for another 5 years.

Danny O’Neill
248 Posted 07/03/2023 at 11:34:11
I never saw Royle play, just heard about him.

I did catch and remember Latchford and is my oldest cousin's boyhood idol.

For me it has to be Sharp, even though he's upset me lately with his silence. I've said a few times, although you can never make direct comparisons, similar in style to Harry Kane as an all round centre forward.

Lukaku mostly done what it said on the tin. Despite his critics about his touch and apparently being lazy, he scored goals.

I think we missed Linekar off the list. Even though we only had him one season and he wasn't the greatest footballer, he could score goals. Well he got 40 in all competitions in that season he played for us.

Minik Hansen
249 Posted 08/03/2023 at 18:11:56
Ian #141,

And against Bournemouth, all respect to them, they were struggling and worse than our position at the time.


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