Simms scores to win Everton another precious point

Substitutes: Begovic, Colgate, Mina, Mykolenko, Maupay, Davies, Coady, Garner, Simms.

Despite their dominance, Chelsea look a bit made for us. Everything for them is central and a bit lightweight and they look vulnerable on the break. Unfortunately we (and particularly Onana) slow things down when we finally get the ball.

Tough to not make a mistake when you're constantly defending without offering anything to scare the opposition.

Onana has to do more. He keeps playing it straight back to where it just came. McNeil has done well so far, I think. One thing that we are terrible at is throw-ins. We just continually give the ball away from throw-ins.

I would take a draw today. That would be an excellent result. I will continue to watch from behind the sofa.

Fair play to Dyche too. Went two up front and it made the difference.

Feels like a huge point.

Get the fuck in there, Blues!!!

Brilliant moment for Simms. Thought Gray worked tirelessly, nice moments from Onana. Penalty apart, the defense were solid. Great vocal support from the away fans too. Good job all around.

You roll from despair and misery to incredible excitement and then back up and down again.

Thrilled for Everton. Thrilled for Simms. We are not great. We may be average at best. But at least we are organised and fighting and committed and playing as a team.

There is real hope. Just hope my heart and blood pressure is up to it.

Coming from behind twice — great stuff.

Massive point and a huge moment in the career of Ellis Simms. We may have just found ourselves a centre-forward. The strength to shrug off Koulibaly and composure to take his goal. To go behind twice away from home and come back shows something we have not seen before from these players.

Hats off to Dyche and all the players but especially to all those travelling Everton fans.

I was on the phone with my Brentford friend from California when we went behind 1-0. He was full of condolences, but I said straight out we'd come back for a 1-1 draw with a late goal by Simms off the bench. Even though he'd never scored before. I was just sure. And it happened, just for 2-2 instead of 1-1.

Wish I'd known how to get a bet down on it.

It's not often Koulibaly gets out-powered in the box.

Great composure by Ellis Simms from a slick move.

Great night for Everton, and celebrate.

Safe passage to those travelling back from Chelsea.
UTFTs!

Nb Is McNeil with his booking, now on a suspension ?

Double celebration for me with us winning the grand slam today as well. Buzzing.

A special mention to our fabulous fans - the players genuinely seemed delighted with the fan's' reaction at the end. Great stuff!

Well Mr K, have I got news for you. He's done more for this bunch of misfits than the 5 managers before him. He deserves every applause he gets. They are still crap but he's got them doing all the right things. The attitude is spot on, the effort spot on, the plan, spot on. Well done Sean Dyche and btw if Iwobi is stalling on signing a new deal, let him stall pal

On a weekly basis, he's learning what players we've got and making them work their socks off.

His tactics and team selections have made him a great fit for Everton FC, long may he continue.

COYB's

The first Chelsea goal was really, really tough, Keane having to block the ball out and Felix getting very lucky with his shot, in off the post. The Everton goal from the corner was classic, Tarkowski the key to winning the first ball, and Doucoure just brilliant to take it away from Keepa.

The penalty was simply a disaster but what a fabulous response from Simms, again fed by a crucial ball from Doucoure. But his brush-off of Koulibaly will go down in the annals of football as how to beat a defender and power through to score. Absolutely fantastic stuff!

And I know this goes against the grain but I'm going to say it: Sky's coverage of this, especially the after-match analysis, was superb, with intense positivity and enthusiasm for what Everton are striving for, and a brilliant interview with Sean Dyche. There, I've said it. I mean it's nearly 8 pm and they have only talked about Everton — nothing about so-called "Sky Darlings" Chelsea.

Christy. For the first time in several years, I was able to watch the Six Nations this year. Ireland have been great from the get-go. My family in Wexford are celebrating. You may hear them all the way in Laois.

On Simms, it's obvious from his loan spells he can finish. Much better shot than Maupay and more power than Calvert-Lewin. His weakness has been his all-around play and using his height and strength to his advantage. He showed his strength today. Hopefully that gives him a boost and he can knock in a few more.

Dyche has really surprised me. We produce better attacking play while stiffening up the defence and without bringing in new players. There is light at the end of the tunnel.

That can go one of two ways – hopefully in our favour.

Michael, surprising to hear Drury acknowledge Everton and Simms at the end there, because he was fully in his usual mode during the match.

Yes, we have to agree the team has a few flaws but Dyche is seemingly getting a much better attitude from the players now which is getting results.

Oddly enough, after throwing away points at Forest late on, it looked as if they were going to do it again today around the same time of the game but Simms showed remarkable coolness and confidence to get the equalizer after a sublime pass from Doucoure.

Let's all hope they can lay one on Spurs in a couple of weeks who blew the game at Southampton today.

Doucoure is transformed under Dyche. He's turning into the Doucoure from Watford days. Yet another superb performance by him and the layoff to put Simms in was sublime.

Bring on Spurs in 2 weeks time under the Goodison lights.

I wish Spurs had won today, for our own reasons first and foremost, but if we are their first opponents after the international break, they are going to be up and ready at Goodison after Conte's tongue-lashing, therefore we'll have to have one of those very special atmospheres under the lights and hope we can get three very important points.

I can't ever remember the bottom half of the league being so tight, and I hope we earn our points sooner rather than later – but I suppose as long as we get enough of them, it doesn't really matter does it?

Simms looked an aware player when he played previously. I actually thought he was better than Calvert-Lewin in this area. Today, he has got a valuable goal and it will do his confidence no end of good. As someone said on the Live Forum; 'We have a striker'.

The away fans were fantastic.

I can't fault the effort and we are looking more solid and progressive under Dyche.

Twice from behind away to Chelsea? Brilliant.

I agree that Doucoure is getting back to his best. And Iwobi continues to do my head in, but that shouldn't be a discussion for today.

Made up for Simms. Let's hope he always comes on ahead of Maupay. I don't think he's done much wrong whenever he's come on. The derby is not the match to judge him in. Everyone was pish that day.

Buzzing for Ellis Simms, great goal powering past Koulibaily? Then a shot with pace, hard and low, too much for the keeper. Brilliant stuff! Keep it up, lads, loving it!

I said a while ago that Simms could be the answer. Maybe Dyche has worked him hard in training and now thinks he's ready.

Shrugged off Koulibaly like he was drunk and then a great finish. Doucoure, great through-ball.

Feels like we won the league but it's only a point away. Shows how far we have to travel but I still believe! xxxx

The guy who wants the Hollywood managers is Moshiri. Don't mind you having a go at Kenwright – but please not for something of which he is not guilty.

Dyche on the postgame interview, praising Simms' pace and power and the spirit of the club, and talking about how he pressed the players at HT to have a mental commitment to pushing forward and attacking. Says there's still work to be done but it's another step in the right direction.

More on Simms, who came to him last week and asked what he need to improve, and one of them was playing tougher and stronger:

"You know playing tougher is different today, but you can still get the body language and intent to play, and I thought his drive showed that quite clearly, the energy, the will, fighting off the center half as well as using his pace, but then the clarity to stay calm and then finish under the keeper... I was really pleased with that."

It really was a brilliant moment and the burst of speed was as dazzling -- and unexpected -- as his obvious confidence. He was sure he was gonna score. Wow.

I see your back with your positivity, George!

Well done, Ellis Simms. Here's to the start of a great goalscoring career.

A brilliant 'striker's goal'.

There is much we could talk about from today's game, but the only thing that deserves attention is that. A young striker, written off by many, getting his first goal in the Premier League against a team that spent 𧼐 million in the time that he has gone from Mackem to Toffee.

And what a brilliant goal it was.

Ellis Simms. Premier League Striker.

Holy shit! — Did he really just do a 'see you later' to Koulibaly?

I think he did!

Terry #42, amen. I could hear them singing throughout the game. Splendid performance.

Raymond #45, haha!

Fran #46, amen, and it wasn't just us partisan Evertonians who feel that was. On Univision, where the Spanish commentary is supposedly impartial, while the play-by-play guy was describing Simms breaking in, the color guy in the background was screaming "YEEEAH! YEEAH!!" like a madman. They loved that moment.

The team spirit kept us going and Ellis Simms did the main job he is good at, with the ball in front of him and heading for the goal; he kept his composure and got his heavy shot on target and into the net.

With the right service, he'll get a few more like that and keep getting the points for us. That we battled and got a point was a tonic for me tonight and the confidence is getting stronger with each game and that's enough for me tonight to comment on.

Every point is massive at this stage and this will build confidence. Great moment for Simms as well.

Players can take a well-earned rest now. Still really tight but we can definitely do this. Couple of wins at home and a couple of draws pretty much does it.

Christine #53, at this point Iwobi does what nobody else does. That's pass the ball forwards and move it forwards on the dribble, every time. He attacks reflexively. There's no one in the side who does that. We need to find somebody else to take that role, and then yes, it'll be time to take advantage of his maximum value right now, and sell. At this point, however, despite his faults he's irreplaceable.

One or two observations; I'm not sure if Mykolenko or Godfrey are the answer at leftback. Patterson coming back will give us more options in an attacking sense as will DCL. Garner is an exciting prospect and could help us in the run in with his passing ability.

And please, get rid of Iwobi and Maupay asap.

Great result and effort shown by most of the lads.

I am so happy.

The team never gave in and came back twice.

The supporters never gave in or stopped believing.

When I eventually get home I don't think I will sleep too much tonight. I'm running on adrenalin.

The travelling blues deserve a medal. Each and every one of us.

Even when we were behind twice, it felt like we had taken over Stamford Bridge. The noise levels seemed unbelievable.

I will reflect and comment more coherently tomorrow. Right now I'm tired and on my way home from an emotionally exhausting evening.

Spirit. Forever

I hope those watching heard us. Loud, blue and proud. Every single one of us.

I could only watch the last 30 minutes, but it's clear to see that we are developing a real spirit, and when you've got a striker with both the speed and power that Ellis Simms showed at the death, then things might finally be beginning to look up.

The most fragile team in the league, has started finding a little bit of togetherness and this is also beginning to help us find that little bit of mental toughness.

Barry (36) - I'm not so sure, the general feeling seems to be that Conte's had enough and was committing managerial seppuku with that rant. Many fans are calling for him to be sacked, saying there's no coming back after basically insulting the entire club. Either way, it feels like Spurs are in a fair bit of turmoil. We might be catching them at exactly the right moment (knock on wood).

Were you wearing a Schalke top today?

Yes, the crowd noise definitely came across. For example, we could hear 'Fuck the Tories' loud and clear!

OMG. I thought this was an Everton site. I'm sick of seeing this nobhead shite.

If you think the current political elite are in any way different and that one will offer you salvation over the other you're a complete idiot. Go and educate yourselves and start by reading Carol Quigley. It might just set you free from the herd.

I am still unsure about Onana. I don't understand Dyche's logic for not playing Garner, saying he has no prem experience. While neither did Simms, or Onana before he arrived. The only way he will get it is by playing. He looked useful in the games he has played.

I think 12 points from the last 10 games will just be enough.

As it happens Dyche is doing a good job of instilling his methods and helping to create a team of sorts from what looked a hapless, ramshackle bunch not that long ago.

Massive difference between Labour and the Tories actually.

Labour tries to govern for everyone and does want some kind of fairness. Admittedly they don't get everything right.

But the Tories are only concerned about themselves and the rich and are happy to lie their heads off. And they are propped up by the lying right wing media.
They just don't care.

Labour started the Health service for everyone the Tories would love to end it.

Oceans of difference!

Great fighting spirit in the second half and a deserved point

People seem very bullish about Garner! I like him but he'll do well to have as good a career as I suspect Onana has ahead of him.

I'm not sure we need to change anything at the moment. We're playing well, creating chances and getting good results. Keep that up and we'll stay in this division. Simms took his goal very well today but at this stage I think he is more useful in cameos.

Sean Dyche doing a really superb job so far. Hope he/they can keep it up. I've said it before but I think he may prove the most popular manager we've had in a long time.

“The argument that the two parties should represent opposed ideals and policies, one, perhaps, of the Right and the other of the Left, is a foolish idea acceptable only to doctrinaire and academic thinkers. Instead, the two parties should be almost identical, so that the American people can “throw the rascals out” at any election without leading to any profound or extensive shifts in policy.”
Carroll Quigley, Tragedy and Hope: A History of the World in Our Time

Labour is not perfect but should never be compared with virtually a fascist party.

Be happy with Evertons performance and stay away from politics that you clearly know nothing about.

Doucouré looked finished under Frank.
Mcneil giving his all and dyche getting so much more out of him.
Coleman continues to epitomise what it is to be our captain.

Is this the breakthrough in formation? I thought we looked threatening when simms came on, I know we were chasing the game but him and gray up front could be an option. Definitely an option at 60mins if we need a goal.

This relagation scrap is going to be nervous. But points at Chelsea and against arsenal prove you can't right us off yet

The way the league is now with 10 teams all in the mix to go down is this what future seasons will be like with the big 6-7 teams never out the top spots and the rest just all scrapping to stay up ?
Its the well run clubs like Brighton, Brentford who have lifted themselves above the scrap that show its not just how much is spent.

Just watched the game back and Iwobi, who I've always thought a terrible footballer, was beyond bad. He's a space filler, utterly useless, he's poor at everything and I'm just praying Dyche does not sanction his new contract. You sign players that other teams would want, not players that no one would pay a fee for, especially on his joke salary. Get rid!!

UTFT

Everton Are The Gear

We may well end up seeing a situation where even the current European qualifying contenders are unable to compete with the state-owned clubs, and everyone outside of the top four will be concerned about their place in the division. Any club paying huge fees and wages will be taking a massive gamble if it goes pear-shaped, as we know all too well.

Gorey really? That's where my family are from going back at least to my Great Grandad born 1864. Small world!

If we do go down it won't be for lack of On field Organisation or Effort, more due to our well documented Offield Sins and Omissions.

Godfrey Vs Myklenko and Onana Vs Garner, I get the feeling that Dyche tots up the Top Trump points - both good and bad - for both and decides the tie by going with the 'Good BigUn' over the 'Good LittleUn'.

If Lukaku or Haarland score that it's rave reports. If he can bully a supposed class player in Koubilay like that on a semi-regular basis, he has a future.

10 teams over 4 pts ; This Roller-coaster could go down to the last game.

I've always been hooked since before Carey took his Taxi and going to the Australian game Vs Celtic Re-Hooked me, so I made a decision to come over for the last game...the only condition was I had to bring the Missus and throw in a European tour and a week on a Greek Island to get it approved...and you lot think Levy is a tough negotiator.

Football is all about organisation and motivation, Dyche has provided both and, lo and behold, a previous set of weak hopeless sheep have become a decent team who are extremely hard to beat.

The mind boggles at the thought of what might be achieved if Dyche is given enough money to buy players with extra quality, but first we have a relegation battle to contend with as obviously this is by no means over yet, but the signs are looking a lot better, COYB.

For those attending or travelling with opposition supporters, it is often in retaliation to outdated jibes at us.

You know the classics.

Sign on.

We pay your benefits.

Often from people who come from council estates in London not too disimilar from Speke.

If you give it, you have to take it back. I always challenge it and I've never taken a benefit in my life — unlike many London people I bump into on a daily basis.

Jim Wilson, if you really believe that the present Government is “virtually fascist”, then you must be woefully unaware of what was happening in the last century.

As Godwin's Law has it, when you are reduced to comparing your opponent to Hitler or the Nazis, then you have lost the argument. It makes me angry when the sufferings and deaths of millions is trivialised in this way.

Really hope Simms can show some Premier League quality and get another 4-5 this season to help keep us up.

Dyche deserves a statue if he keeps us up.

Nothing compared to our amazing traveling fans, but I missed the first half because the pub we went to was showing rugby, we walked around for an hour in the freezing cold and finally the 15th place we checked had it on. Missed the first half entirely. Saw all the goals anyway.

Incredible fight from the, errr, Pinks to come back from behind twice. Best moment on the telecast was when they showed the away fans going mental after Doucoure's goal. Was right there with all of you.

The way I saw it, Reece James felt a tap on the side of his foot from Godfrey and was a foot in the air before Tarkowski got near him. He's a diving piece of shit. He even looked embarrassed when they showed him afterwards. Fuck him.

Taking a condescending swipe at fellow Evertonians' intelligence and head shape seems strange on a day when we were all simply enjoying the sense of collective relief.

I'm educated enough to realise that chant was aimed at a large section of the ‘nouveau riche' West London fan base who had no doubt revelled in their view of jobless scouse bastards.

Lighten up, mate – it's been a good day – especially for those who scraped the cash and time to be there and help get our result.

9:00 am kick-off for grandson Charlie, his team got a deserved 1-1 draw with a late equaliser .

11:15 am for grandson Sam, very unfortunate to lose 1-0 to a cracking goal.

On to Marine at 3:00 pm for a tremendous 3-0 victory over FC United of Manchester.

Stayed behind at College Road to watch our game on telly, a very determined display, top marks to the manager for pushing the players to a vital point.

Things got a bit heated amongst the watching audience which was predominantly Blue, but not exclusively so. Could have turned nasty but ended up quite funny.

Football – bloody hell.

I will reflect more tomorrow as the emotions are still running high from being in that stadium.

It's Sunday, so expect War and Peace from Danny tomorrow.

Get in, Blue Boys! Get in, those tremendous supporters who refused to give in.

My dad and I were on the half/way line with the Chelsea fans (sat on our hands respecting our mate's season tickets) wishing we were with the impressive faithful – you sang and chanted magnificently throughout the match and roared the team on – Everton fans were my MotM. We bounced in our seats to Spirit of the Blues and you made our day.

It was brilliant to meet Danny and Des (hope I've got your name right mate, I know you read here) and others for beers before and after the match, icing on the cake of a cracking day.

Simms obviously deserves more game time, potentially just as Calvert-Lewin is coming back which could ease the pressure on him.

Certainly feels like Dyche is doing very well thus far, long may it continue. We're on a tough run of matches where any point is a bonus and this gives everyone confidence that we could be okay.

You don't really honestly believe that Iwobi is irreplaceable, do you? I've never seen a footballer in my life who flatters to deceive the way he does. He's so ordinary, it's untrue.

I believe he's weighing up his options before signing a new contract. Weigh up all he likes – I doubt any Premier League side or La Liga or Serie A side in the Top 6 of their respective leagues would take him.

Iwobi has been at Everton 4 years now and had about 15 good games. 㿎 million for that! Thanks but no thanks.

From that has flowed a greater clarity about our attacking play. The painful messing around with slow build-up play has gone. Players now perform believing there is a purpose to what they are being asked to do and the runs they are being asked to make. For all this, Sean Dyche and his staff deserve enormous credit.

I can't see the manager making many, if any, changes until we are out of danger. I think he will stick with the extra man in midfield to ensure we stay in games, only using substitutes in the final 20 minutes when fresh legs are required.

Eight weeks ago, we looked dead and buried. We are not out of trouble but we now have some momentum behind us.

Back to football eh?

I liked the advanced role for Doucoure. He is much better clear of the midfield crowd and was fantastic as the pressure provider from the top. Several times his anticipation forced a hurried Chelsea response that killed the move forward. We wont be facing many teams that can spray the ball across field like them so this looked promising.

Gray is also becoming a player that requires two defenders. Positionally he is getting smarter about how to receive the ball so he can quickly turn to face the defender. He was not doing that weeks ago. This and his ability to freeze the defender will get us forward with looks rather soon. Duke and Onana just need to know where to position as Iwobi or McNeil run through.

It is getting there and the ones on the bench will be rotating in smartly so we wont wilt late. UTFT! Away fans brilliant as always! I think I saw a close up of Onana saying fuckin hell to himself while smiling at the crowd chanting to him.

It has not been easy, as a couple of previous games have shown, but the last 3 games have shown progress is being made and today was a prime example. Not every player will play a good game but, as a team, that can be overcome.

Once again, congratulations to our away supporters, I think we would be fighting in the Top 4 if our Owner and Board had 10% of your enthusiasm… big difference is you can definitely be heard.

Thoroughly enjoyed the whole day but apart from the warmth of our family Chelsea away is the most poisonous, nasty and cuntish away game of the season. They are horrible.

Great result, great point.

I've said this two times previously today, but I still can't get over the table. Four points separates 12th from 20th. This run in is going to have a ton of twists and turns.

UTFT

Sorry I missed those, clearly I agree!

More Evertonians and Paddies in there than locals! UTFT and FTT!!

A draw was the least we deserved, and with only the Leeds result not going the way we hoped, another small step towards safety, albeit we are still only 2 points above the Bottom 3, with a far inferior goal difference.

Like I said last weekend, I think we can, and will, finish on around the 42- or 43-point mark, well safe from the bottom three.

There is a belief throughout the team now, who fought and battled for every ball, backed by, without doubt, the best fans in the country. I was with Danny prior to kick off, and the atmosphere down on the concourse was just out of this world, which was carried on upto the seats and throughout the match.

We will beat Spurs next match, of that I have no doubt, followed by a draw at Man Utd. Sean Dyche is doing a remarkable job, and will surely deserve the ١M bonus for keeping us up.

The final season at the Grand Old Lady will be spent in the Premier League before she closes her doors for the final time!

MotM for me, Gana Gueye and also Doucoure, and also the 3000 blues who out sung the home crowd all match!

Now I'm off to bed cos I am bloody knackered!

1. Outmuscled Koulibaly. A phrase you seldom hear!

2. Recently Dave Abrahams talked about Simms not looking ready on what I think was his debut? V Chelsea under Carlo. The loan system has worked for once.

3. David Brooks made his first Bournemouth appearance since having cancer. Not an Everton player but a player I'd have liked us to sign before that disease threatened his career and life. Delighted for him and his family he's had a remarkable recovery.

Good on Ellis. He's done the same thing everywhere he's played.

Today, he started doing the same in the big leagues for us and, hopefully, will continue doing so.

And Mykolenko too. That was a perfect pass he dropped onto Doucouré's foot.

Great post mate

We look like Joe Royle's Dogs of War!

COYB

If he can do this to Koulibaly, he should be able to do this to just about any defender.

Great goal! – and valuable point.

What I like about our position is that we have some momentum and are improving and that is critical. Sean Dyche may just have been the man for the moment but what if we stay up?

As far as I can see, we'd just kick the same old Everton can into next season. Last season, we stayed up but we didn't resolve the real problems.

Our Ellis took his goal with aplomb. He's just months younger than that man Haaland though and I just hope for his and our sake that he at last starts to impose himself on defences, as he did today, the way the blond zombie-lookalike has done for years.

We're still in a world of shit courtesy of those in charge of our club but at least there's now a feasibility to contemplating mere survival.

Completely disagree with Mike G.

Reece James bought that penalty. He planted his trailing foot in front to Godfrey and fell into Tarkowski. Coleman's disallowed penalty was clearer last week.

Think refs are a bit confused. Chelsea are 10th, they don't need to be given Sky 6 decisions any more.

Either way, great job so far, Sean. Keep it up.

Pete #96, hope the pasta was as good as the day.

Steve #120, none of that happened, but even if it had, whether he "bought it" or not is totally irrelevant. There's nothing in the rule book against buying it, or luring an opponent into it. Contact was clear. There was no dive and no fake. It was the most obvious penalty imaginable, which is why there wasn't a word of protest.

And if the pen hadn't happened, the game would likely have ended 1-1 and we wouldn't have enjoyed that glorious moment from Ellis.

To your point, I think it was Jesus of Nazareth who said “better a bird in hand than two in the bush”.

A point or two may not seem a lot but, with 9 teams averaging less than a point a game, I'm not confident the games in hand of our opponents will yield 1 point – much less 3.

COYB

Surely he has to keep the position now. Imagine Maupay in the same position outmuscling Koulibaly, well I can't even envisage it, no matter how hard I try.

When the game was nearing the end, I thought “Here we go… Maupay and Dogshit Davies will come on and Chelsea will get another.”

That goal by Simms will boost team confidence too, now we have almost buried a 30-year-old Hoodoo, but above all instil confidence in the lad himself, as well as the rest of the Premier League, saying "Hello? Everton now have someone who can score goals… different approach needed."

Pity again another International Break, just when we are gaining confidence and momentum, and more importantly gaining valuable survival points.

I scared my daughter upstairs and my 7-year-old allowed me to squeeze him as I ran around the room, while making clear he knows I'm a lunatic.

I then stood and sang with the away fans from my basement in America, clapping and screaming like I was at Stamford Bridge. All for a draw. Damn I love this club and what they've grown into this season.

A couple others mentioned it, but something has changed these last few weeks that I'm actually no longer hiding behind the couch all match. I was confident we'd see things out against Brentford and I always thought we had a chance today.

It wasn't always pretty, and it will continue not to be, but stay up and none of it matters.

As to the penalty, as Mike G. said, it was clear as day. Godfrey turned off, lost James, then lost awareness of his position.

Sure, James was looking for it, but as a defender you have to be smarter. Godfrey still doesn't look match fit to me, and I hope Mykolenko comes back in for him — despite his own limitations.

I defended Iwobi last week and I'll continue this week by noting that he's still playing out of position. Frank didn't show us much tactically, but he did make clear that Iwobi is best in the center of the pitch.

Lastly, kudos to Doucoure for showing what he's capable of since Dyche arrived. Like many of our players, he has limitations, but his strengths are huge for us right now.

And hats off to Ellis Simms. He made Koulibaly look old and slow, and clearly he wasn't ready for that burst he showed. Nor were any of us, but it was a thing of beauty.

For the first 30 odd minutes you'd have been overly generous if you had said that we were just making up the numbers. I don't know what the Gana booking/yellow was about but the Ref seemed to point to his mic as if to indicate it was a VAR decision but where were they when the Chelsea defender twice hit players late from behind, most notably on Gray. If they are to interfere in this way then it has to involve all incidents. I'd actually wish they stayed out of such things unless requested by the on-field Ref.

Both goals could and should have been stopped. The first, the defence – as it quite often does – just kept backing off while not actually marking any Chelsea players who were remarkable for their absence and then a tame clearance to the scorer who was about 10 metres from Iwobi who made no effort at any time to get to him and then a weak shot goes between Tarkowski's legs.

For the second, you have to ask what does Godfrey offer other than pace, not just for giving away a soft penalty but several time Tarkowski was yelling out to him where he should be positioned, I just don't see how some think he's a better left-back than Mykolenko.

And then, just when you think it's all over, a striker scores a striker's goal. A lovely move inside Koulibaly and a finish, Simms certainly moves into positions defenders don't like, making a metre or two of room for himself on their blind side.

To finish, it was a game that at times I thought they had thrown away and others when I wondered why we hadn't been playing this more positive football before rather than after we go behind.

A point like that earlier in the season we would not have expected and probably not after going behind each time in this game. I just hope we are not becoming today's Coventry, Fulham or Southampton and just fighting to stay up year after year.

James plants his trailing leg across In Godfrey's path to get the contact then topples before the contact is even made.

He did a nice job of it, so fair play. But, VAR should spot such things, and would do if they weren't petrified of making big calls against so called larger sides.

We have finally got the right man for job.

As you brought Iwobi up, if you can watch the game again, have a look at Iwobi in the 33rd.minute with Chelsea on the attack.

Chelsea never scored but Iwobi's defensive work showed him up for what he is. I noticed the time purposely because it told me what I already knew and have watched him do, or not do, hundreds of times – and over ten times today.

Jonathan, you are defending a loser and all credit to Sean Dyche for the wonderful teamwork and togetherness he is doing with the team. Imagine how much better it would be if he had eleven men working together instead of nine. Yes, Iwobi and the invisible man are the two not putting the work in.

I travelled down by coach with my daughter and staying in Maidenhead. A great day out yesterday with the best supporters in the world who simply refused to give in. My daughter commented about how quiet the home support was, we continued to out-sing them after going behind twice.

As for the “Fuck the Tories” chant, it's simply a taunt or banter and is probably more acceptable than “Chelsea rent boys”.

The team responded brilliantly to the support and Sean Dyche has found a way of making us a threat. I thought at Arsenal away we were showing much better up until they scored and that game seems to have triggered something.

The Ellis Simms goal reminded me of Lukaku's goal at the Etihad a few years ago when Stekelenburg saved 2 penalties and we drew 1-1, I was there too. Not sure if Ellis will start games yet or be used more as a super sub; nice dilemma to have in our position.

It looks like we may be going into the Spurs game with 2 strikers available. Luxury hey?

Hoarse after yesterday but very happy with a hard fought and well earned point. All I could hear outside the stadium were Evertonians singing on their way home and to the pub.

We can do this.

UTFT!

Mykelenko, not my favourite, but left-footed and a better left-back than Godfrey. Iwobi, decent stats with assists but what are his stats for pass completion and tackles won?

I think Simms down the middle with Gray for Iwobi would be a decent tinker against Spurs, but I think Sean will pick the same starting XI.

I've been very eager to see Simms too. Unlike a few recent managers, I'm inclined to trust Dyche's timing and use of Maupay and Gray so far.

Simms may have needed some conditioning from Dyche first to help make sure his appearances boosted his confidence rather than undermined it.

Whatever the case, we now astonishingly have goal threats emerging from open play in Gray, Doucoure and Simms and we're making and taking chances.

The White Horse. A sloaney pony pub if ever there was. Have sunk a few there (they even have the South Australian Coopers Ale) on my visits to the UK. “The Winslow” it ain't.

The first-time ball from Doucouré was equally impressive, shows what confidence can do to a player. And the finish was superb, that burst of pace to leave the defender helpless was just beautiful to watch, as it was finally us doing it to the opposition. For a change!

Also, I'm glad someone mentioned Mykolenko's part in the goal, fantastic pass into Doucouré.

Sean Dyche and his coaches deserve a lot of credit in the shape and mental approach they have brought to our game.
I was delighted for Simms; when he received the ball, there was still a lot to do but he brushed past their centre-back and hit the target.

I also think it's worth mentioning in the build-up to the goal, that Mykolenko played a lovely ball to Doucoure and his well-placed pass gave Simms the chance to score.

While Gray put in a shift, to have someone who has played as the main striker most of his time, showed how important that was, as the position he took up to receive Doucouré's pass, was excellent and to show his strength as well as his calm finish. Certainly he will have given Sean Dyche plenty to think about for the game against Spurs.

I was pleased to see Mykolenko come on. For me, Godfrey is a liability and their penalty was because he didn't take responsibility in clearing the ball and left Tarkowski in a position where he had to try and challenge for the ball.

Godfrey's positional sense is appalling for a Premier League defender, he is always reactive rather than proactive.

Also how we are producing these results with Onana in midfield is truly amazing – for most of the game, he goes missing and apart from one good defensive tackle I failed to see what else he did.

Yes, his height allows him to be a threat from dead ball situations but compared to the work that Gana and Doucouré do he should be ashamed.

To think Lampard couldn't find a place for Doucouré who under Dyche has become a completely different player.

I am sure like every fan who is supporting any of the teams in the relegation battle, every loss for one of the other clubs is cheered. So I can well imagine how us getting a draw in the last minutes of the game will be a sickener for those supporting any of our relegation rivals, as I would imagine most of them had us down to losing this game.

Sean Dyche might not be able to keep us safe – although I think he will. but from having no hope before he arrived, we now have hope and no little belief. Just a pity this change wasn't made before the World Cup.

For years, we have had managers, directors of football, directors, and an owner who have steadfastly ignored this.

Because of their appalling ownership, we are in a position where they have been forced to appoint a manager who does recognise this, talking unspectacular sense and getting the improvements he suggested would happen.

As a result, we look fitter, better organised, interested in scoring goals, and look like a proper team with a sense of purpose.

Every team has a good patch during a season. We're due one, and I think it's starting.

Let's keep this run going,.. We'll need to!

Good points about Ellis Simms starting to believe in himself and using his physicality more. He has always seemed quiet in nature, even when scoring goals coming through Everton's academy teams, and for Blackpool, Hearts and Sunderland.

Possibly Dyche is slowly getting into Ellis's head how much better he can be by using those qualities as well as his natural ability of putting the ball in the net. He amazed me yesterday with that goal and I bet his teammates were amazed and delighted as well.

My lad managed to get a couple of away tickets from a contact on Instagram and wanted me to go with him, so instead of our usual 6-hour trip to Goodison, we drove the 40-odd miles in 2 hours up into the smoke.

We got into the stadium early, shared a few beers, and spent the next few hours with some of the finest people on the planet. I don't know who I was hugging and kissing when Simms scored, but I know there were a lot of them!

I'll always remember when my old man took me to Goodison for the first time and I'll always remember when I took the boy to Goodison for the first time. Now the boy is taking me!

Great day out, best away supporters by miles. Loved it.

I've learned a lot since really following a team as closely as I have Everton. First off, I don't know that we help our team by calling players 'losers', but I won't get bogged down in that fight.

A few thoughts on how I've tried to change my view of players when I'm getting frustrated by their play:

1) When they're played out of position, it makes a huge difference, and the players will often tell us where they're best. It doesn't mean they shouldn't try to adapt but it makes them look far less good when it happens.

Case in point: Doucouré given more room to play forward, Iwobi right now, and Godfrey, who looked lost at times, being asked to play outside back instead of in the middle.

Sure, your response will be that Iwobi still shirks a tackle and doesn't play good defense, and I'd acknowledge both and say that he's playing, as Mike Gaynes has pointed out, because he's our best at finding a positive pass and because of his ability to run forever, even if not always to the right place.

2) Players need time to bed in with a new team, new coach, new playing style. We're so quick to criticize players before they're comfortable playing in a certain way or until they understand what's being asked of them. Which leads me to…

3) Players need a run of games to show what they're capable of. Doucouré is a good example of this now, but also in the past. I think this is true of Davies, who is not a world beater, but has shown himself much better on the ball when he plays or starts consistently, which he has not had the opportunity to do in some time.

Calvert-Lewin has also shown this in the past, such that the stick he gets his first game or two back, especially before he's match fit, is unfair and misplaced. I think Demarai Gray and McNeil are also showing this now.

Players in many ways are who they are, and in many ways they need to be played in the right position, given a chance to fail and learn, and benefit from managers who understand them and motivate them in the right way.

I guess as fans we don't have the patience, because we want results, but the bigger thing for me is we often don't know the game well enough or see the complexities that play into a player's performance.

And I'm not sure how we can call a guy a loser who was our best player for long stretches of the past year. But sure, go ahead and keep doing it.

I was out on Friday and spoke to a few knowledgeable Evertonians. I said I believe Dyche will get us playing good football and every single one of them said they don't mind the way we have begun to play lately under Dyche.

And Robert @131, I believe that also explains Gray's early absence. He put Maupay out there in the rough while Gray and then Simms were properly trained for the position.

Early days, but the players are responding. You can visibly see it.

Everything you write is true but in a squad players must be able to come on for the last 30 minutes and make a difference.

Think Cole Palmer at Man City.

I completely agree, and hopefully in time we strengthen our bench. It's also easier to build up confidence when you do get out there when you're not playing for Everton. Hopefully that comes in time too.

Jonathon you brought Iwobi back into the argument and I only saw the same game as you on TV, and I thought he was very poor, to put it mildly, and continues to shirk tackles throughout the game, as for him going forward and passing the ball forward he goes sidewards and backwards and running into trouble losing the ball or giving it away far more often than he makes positive moves, by the way Jonathon bringing other fans point of view doesn't make your argument right, notice I haven't brought any negative views of other fans about Iwobi on my posts.

Jonathon I've worked with shirkers, not connected with football, and let them know what I think about them, they are losers because they want and expect their fellow workers to do their graft for them.

As for playing out of position you are still getting the same wages, you are in the team and so should still your very best and do you think Iwobi never shirked the tackles when he played centre midfield? No he didn't and he never had a lot of discipline playing there either, leaving huge gaps there which were well exploited by the opposition.

Calling players losers won't help the players, he never hears me anyway but if I met him and his playing style came up I'd let him know, by the way he was told early in his Everton career by people working in Finch Farm that the fans would take to him a lot better if he got stuck in a bit more, I don't think he's taken any notice of that advice.

Finally I've got plenty of patience with players who give their all for the team like McCourt, Colman and Tarkowski to name three but I've absolutely none for players like Iwobi and the invisible man who came to life, again, after the final whistle had gone.
Best wishes Jonathon, from your mate Dave and that is said genuinely.

SD has never, ever been an Allardyce. I mentioned when he was announced as manager that I was thrilled. And that's because I watched a ton of his Burnley games as my wife is a massive Burnley fan.

I used to laugh when they said Dyche played defensive, negative football. Clearly anyone saying that never watched Burnley.

Yes, it is defensive first footy, but it's not park the bus, boring AF stuff. There's massive priority on shape, but again Dyche teams can move the ball, attack, etc.

I really think he is the perfect man for the job and will be with Everton for quite a long time.

He seems to have that arrogance that the top strikers have. They say the first goal is the hardest so let's Hope for a flood now.

Couple of other things to take from the game too. The mental toughness we are building.

Under Frank can anyone say we would of had the " bollocks" to get back in this game, twice ?

They never rolled over, never give up, kept to the plan & got what we deserved.

I'm one who praised iwobi for his performances last year, but he's not a winger. His performances have been nowhere near when played in the centre. He is probably our best option there at the moment.

How about Godfrey right back.

Push Coleman up to right mid.

Mykolenko back at left back???

He is no James Rodriguez in terms of striking the ball but he tackles at least as good as him and he sees the pass.

I'll adjust my post and I partially accept you slapping me on the wrist but, if it is only Moshiri we can thank for always going for the Hollywood managerial appointments, then we must surely thank the Chairman of our club for sitting on his hands and allowing every one of those managers to come in and waste millions on crap players.

If it's only Moshiri to blame for all of our managerial appointments and shit player acquisitions, what exactly does Kenwright do apart from seemingly, the square root of nothing??

I can't accept that I have the wrong target, not wholly anyway.

I thought both Godfrey and Tarakowski got kidded for yesterday's penalty, but look who gave the ball away initially. He lost it and got it back, only to lose it again, and for some reason, I instinctively shouted at my television, here's danger.

I think Everton get punished often when Iwobi doesn't protect the ball well enough, often with a careless pass after doing some good work initially and this is why I thought danger even though Chelsea still had a lot of work to do to create that very debatable penalty.

Only debatable to me but football needs a revamp of its rules and laws simply because the game is played at a frightening pace these days and I believe this sometimes enables the cheats to prosper.

I can't see him getting another contract off us, especially if Dyche stays as manager.

Steve Stone was a central midfield player who crafted a very good career for himself by moving out to play in a wider position and I'm wondering if he could help Iwobi do something similar?

Iwobi playing more central was one of our biggest problems under Lampard, imo (and this is saying something now we can see how many problems we had!) simply because he lacks discipline.

Stone never lacked heart or discipline although it would be stretching things to expect him to get Iwobi flying into tackles. Just learning him honest defensive discipline and getting him to relax on the ball would be enough to turn Iwobi into a much better all-round footballer.

Appearances: 28

Completed pass accuracy: 80%

Shots per match: 1.23

Shooting accuracy: 36%

Goals: 1

Assists: 7

Crosses: 70

Tackles: 56

Interceptions: 18

Clearances: 23

Headed clearances: 8.

He definitely isn't a natural defender or a tackler for sure, and he needs to convert more chances.

He is predominantly an attacking midfielder if anything. I don't see him as a wide player.

Every manager from Ancelotti has continued to pick him – including Dyche.

Next season we need someone better suited to that right-wing / right-midfield position but he's probably the best we have now for that role.

Your last sentence sums up exactly how I feel.

As for who is costing us goals, there is a stat for that called "Errors Leading to Goals".

Gueye is 2nd in the league at 3.
Pickford tied for 3rd with 2.
Coady tied for 7th with 1.

I do agree Iwobi loses possession too much and could use a little more end product. However, he is tied for 5th in the league with Odegaard, Bruno Fernandes and James Maddison for Assists.

He is not an asset on massive wages, he's a liability because you couldn't get anyone to take him for free while paying his salary. Another Dele Alli situation.

He set an incredibly low bar for himself; when he cleared it for a handful of games, people thought he was our most improved player! Are we really that desperate and success-starved.

Terrible player, an absolute waste of space – no matter what position he plays. Arsenal fans I know are still laughing in disbelief at the fact they actually got money for him.

It would be great to see the sourcre for the numbers if Christy can share them.

We have scored 22; I wobi 1 goal & 7 assists

For the Chavs' second goal, he gave the ball away on the half-way line. At the time, there were 9 players behind the ball. Yet it is his fault we conceded a penalty? I don't get the logic.

Iwobi 'gave' the ball away 21 times yesterday. Isn't that what happens when you hit a forward pass and a defender intercepts the ball?

We paid Arsenal far too much money for him, That is not his fault. What I have seen is a player who has put in yards and yards closing down and harrying and who gives 100%.

He may not be the best but he tries, IMO.

Lies, damn lies and statistics!!

You can see with your own eyes if someone is good or bad. Players can exchange 20 simple passes between each other from 5 yards to boost pass completion, Iwobi got an assist for a punt forward when Coleman hit a freak goal.

He's rubbish and no one is interested in buying him. If we give him a new contract, it will be a big mistake.

What about his pass for the goal against Brentford? Instinctive, first-time pass to Doucouré who shovelled it on to McNeil and got the assist. I don't think anyone else in our team would have played that pass.

If he's rubbish, he's still ahead of most of our players.

I agree with Brian @135 concerning Onana – just what does he do? I purposely watched him yesterday – his movement and his passing. His positioning as I've said before is poor – he is often behind an opposition player thus negating any possibility of a pass. When he does receive a ball, he either passes backwards or sideways with little distance. Simple. No effort, no thought and certainly no creativity.

Yes, sometimes Iwobi seems to run round like a headless chicken but he puts the yards in and is not afraid to run with the ball and take on the opposition.

Yesterday, Gana and Doucouré were excellent. If Onana was operating at half of their level, it would make a massive difference to the midfield. Yes, he is young and on a learning curve and some see lots of potential but I don't think we can afford at this stage to let him develop when we're in the middle of a relegation battle.

We do need some creativity, ie, creating space, feeding the forwards and tackling back. I see none of that but I'd love him to prove me wrong.

Coupled with the other issue, he continually used that Gravy Train Stowaway as a sub, with Garner and Simms sitting on the bench, with other more capable players too.

He has dined out on that goal he scored against Man City 6 years ago, and done absolutely nothing but flatter to deceive, and how he has had contract renewals is beyond me.

Smacks of that Fat Maggot Kenwright getting involved again.

Sorry but even a blind squirrel finds a nut every now and then.

I agree that the fact he plays is a shocking indictment on our squad and recruitment but we all knew that already.

The problem we have now is Dyche sees our midfield of Guaye, Onana and Doucouré, which is now pushing Iwobi back out wide where he is less effective.

Iwobi needs to play in a more central position where he can pick passes out.

I can see the problem with the other midfielders better at tackling than Iwobi, but at the same time, Iwobi can pick a key pass out and link up better when he sits in the middle.

When Koulibaly played at Goodison earlier this season, to see him in the flesh, he is built like a truck; the way Simms shrugged him off was a feat in itself, let alone the finish.

Some little tweaks here and there in the set-up, and we will be fine.

The kid is going to be special!

It just shows that there are good to very good young players around, it's just a matter of finding them.

Unfortunately, I don't think he'd leave Brighton to come to Everton, but he will leave to join a club that competes for trophies… but if he's savvy, he'll stay with the Seagulls for a couple of seasons yet.

Go back a little further to how Iwobi got that ball versus Brentford: Gray challenged one of their defenders and the ball finished up with Iwobi.

Iwobi wouldn't have tackled the Brentford defender with the same toughness as Gray, not in a million years. He wouldn't have gone near enough to him in the first place.

He runs everywhere, often getting in the way of his own players and constantly giving up possession, but he, for a high portion of the 90+ minutes, distracts the opposition allowing more gifted and disciplined players to create. Our problem is we have too few players who can take advantage of this opportunity.

I guess Sean will weigh up his benefit against his deficiencies before renewing. The jury's still out for me but I think there's probably better out there for a lot less dosh.

A lot of stats are crazy imo. Iwobi got an assist for Seamus Coleman's beauty the other week but never got one for Dwight McNeil's first last week.

Doucouré will have got the assist for McNeil's goal (Iwobi's speed of both thought and pass was the decisive part of the move, imo) and he will have also got one for the Simms's goal last night, plus he's also scored similar headed goals, in our last two away games (2 goals & 2 assists in 3 games!)

I don't mind any footballer giving the ball away, especially if he's trying to make things happen, but I hate careless passes that go astray because a player hasn't put in enough concentration and I hate players who lose the ball because they don't protect it enough by using their body.

Another one of Iwobi's stats that will be very high is the amount of ground he covers in most games but I personally believe some of this running lacks discipline and often leaves other players exposed.

I can see his good bits but also believe he lacks confidence, he lacks discipline, and he lacks both the desire and the real belief. A player with his engine should be made to realize this because he could be so much better.

Miles Leaburn, son of Carl Leaburn, who has also played for Charlton, was a proper handful. Not Ferguson quality, but his size and strength, would test any central defender, and I think he's now on ten league goals for a below mid table, league club, at 19 years of age.

There's plenty of young talent in these lower leagues, so this is hopefully where Everton are looking, because it's stood us in good stead over the last ten/fifteen years, and probably better than any other market, in which we have been operating?

We had it in Southampton and went to the Saints - Spurs game, fantastic game of footie. Southampton look fairly decent to me and pushed the ball around nicely at times. I'd say they made Spurs look average but I think Spurs did that all by themselves. They really are nothing more than a counter-attacking team and we should be able to soak that threat at home, no reason why we can't win it. I now understand what the term 'Spursy' means.

We were in the pub after the game to watch the Everton match. Whilst my recall is somewhat hazy, I was proud of the boys going for it in the second half. Absolutely made up for Ellis Simms and I cut a lone figure in the pub leaping around in the 89th minute. I'm starting to believe we can get ourselves out of this mess.

Well done, Dyche. I'd like to see what he could do with a bit of money to spend. Further to some comments made yesterday by Sam, Robert and Tony, I agree a forward (Gyökeres for me) and a wide player (Ndiaye from Sheffield Utd) plus Alex Scott in central midfield to replace Davies who will go to Rangers on a free, I suspect (given comments made by Beale the other week).

We can sell Keane and Holgate and keep Branthwaite and I'd give Doucouré a 1-year extension if we stay up. I'm undecided on Iwobi, it'll take big wages to tempt him to sign; we could always sell him later but there is a chance his form could drop off a cliff again.

Let's keep it up, Blues, beat Spurs and I'll really start to believe. Lampard to Palace please and Spurs to hold onto Conte for another week.

So it is with Iwobi. Defensively, he is next to useless, in fact, I cannot remember the last tackle he made or which match it was in. When losing possession, as he does repeatedly, he stops, does not track with any conviction, if he does at all. He is the elephant in the room defensively.

Flip the other way and he is the only bit of creativity we have in midfield, Gana, is a destroyer, Onana… well, to be honest, I am not sure what he is yet. Doucoure the disrupter... Iwobi is like an annoying fly buzzing around the opposition half, the occasional pass that splits them apart and creates a goal cannot be dismissed.

But on balance. as a manager, Dyche has to use what he has; Iwobi has the ability to open a defence, the trade-off is his shortcomings.

Once again though, this is Everton; when it comes to creative players, we as fans hammer them because they don't run their bollocks off chasing shadows, putting tackles in, and then, and only then, scoring a worldie goal or making three defence-splitting passes.

Someone mentioned James, the best creative player we have had for decades, full of class, but not on ToffeeWeb, who to a man believed the crap the club about cost of wages, the manager (Benitez) regarding his worth to the team, (of course it was personal)… Iwobi was not fit to tie his laces.

We have lacked a No 10 since James was pushed out the door. It is a glaring fuck-up by the club and we are trying to fit Iwobi into the No 10 role when, even on a pure creative basis – nothing to do with his non-existent defensive qualities – he is not good enough… but, at the moment, he is all we have.

It's another reason we are where we are. Another reason the recruitment of this club was and still is flawed; no centre-forward, no No 10, both failures to replace, has put this club into danger.

He, like Sancho, Bellingham and other young players, resisted the temptation to sign for bigger clubs in order to get their careers moving by playing first team football. Good on all of them.

And that, in a nutshell, is why we as a club are again in a relegation dogfight.

And those at Finch Farm for way too many decades have propounded this ridiculous Stats-Are-Everything mantra above all else.

Iwobi is nowhere close to a player challenging for a smidgeon of European credibility.

The fact that those of a different opinion cite regarding his allegedly excellent "assists" stats is modern-day bollox to me because anyone with an IQ greater than an amoeba's knows that the last player to touch the ball before it goes to the scorer is almost always entirely dependent on the performance of his colleagues before he even got the chance for the "killer" (or more likely speculative) "assist".

As some old bugger once said, "There are lies, damned lies, and statistics".

Remember David Batty? An English international who said he hated playing football but had no qualms about playing a pass from which his team-mate had no chance to advance the club's cause in any given match. When asked why he made such passes he said, "Stats will show I made an accurate pass, whatever the recipient did when he received it has fuck all to with me!"

That's the cynical, self-serving, disloyal way of way too many in football, for decades by now.

Assists are also a deceptive stat. As someone has already said, the real assist for McNeil's goal is Iwobi's pass not Doucoure's.

I agree that 10 would be his best position but that looks like a luxury right now. I would love to see what Garner can do in Dyche team.

I'm enjoying the Dyche era so far. The man talks more sense than all the last 6 managers put together.

Great goal from Simms. He controls with his left and just put with his right when in stride and at the perfect timing when Koulibaly was closing in. Slick! And a good compose finish too! He might not be the energetic presser, but looks like a promising young striker who know where the goal is. Hope to see him plays more.

Players form goes up and down in a season. Not long ago everyone says Iwobi was the new found man under Lampard both attacking and defending well. Suddenly he's shit again yet he plays every week by all managers? In terms of carrying the ball from deep in a counter attack move, (comparing with McNeil, Gray and Gordon), I think he makes the least error (running into blind alley etc) and able to pick a good pass in those situation.

Looking forward to beat Spurs at home. Can't wait.

The common denominator here with Iwobe is where he's playing.

He's been far less effective (you might say shit) out wide. When played centrally, he's looked very good in the main in my opinion.

He's out there, in a position he doesn't shine in, running his socks off. He's not my cup of tea, but I'm not going to slaughter him and call him shit because I truly believe he's trying, out of position, and we need him when he produces with those assists.

Can we improve in the future out wide on the right? Sure. But right now, let's just get behind the kid, take the good, ignore the bad, and stay up.

Negativity has it's time and place. We're in a relegation battle. It's not the time or place.

Now, give it a day or two, and I'll post some stark-raving rant about how some guy is shit. Fickle and preachy, great combo!

A while back, I said I wouldn't have a go at any of the players because we are in deep poo-poo and we need to be positive and support the team… Well, I tried real hard – that's all I can say.

I agree with you that Iwobi out wide is not the lads best position and he should be used as a No 10 if anywhere. But out wide he is neither a winger, a forward, nor a half-back assisting the full-back.

It makes the defence lopsided and it's no surprise that, when he is in front of Coleman, teams target play down that side... a double whammy and unfair on Seamus!

The fact he is the only midfielder or forward with any creativity and playing out of position makes no sense. It's obvious Dyche doesn't want to break up the Gana, Doucoure, Onana triangle but it makes you think who he is going to sacrifice to the subs bench once Calvert-Lewin is actually fit?

Sadly, the longer he stays playing out wide struggling to positively impact games, the less patience the fans are going to have with him (as demonstrated by some of the above comments).

I think Dyche either needs to find a place for him in the middle, or stick him on the bench ready to come on once one of the midfield three have run themselves into the ground.

The obvious change would be to start Simms or Calvert-Lewin up top with McNeil and Gray as your wide men.

Spot on.

Christine -

Firstly, this is world-wide perfect timing I think? I'm about to hit the sheets in 'Merica while you rise and shine down under. But we're both awake at the same time which doesn't happen too often!

You say, "it makes you think who he is going to sacrifice to the subs bench once Calvert-Lewin is actually fit?"

I've got news for you, Christine. I don't think Calvert-Lewin is in Dyche's plans. He's off in the summer I'll bet.

And insofar as Iwobe out wide and that current midfield triangle, Dyche clearly likes Doucoure. And he has delivered. He wanted to play more forward and didn't get the chance to do so until Dyche arrived. Dyche gave him the chance, and Doucoure has delivered - he's played very well.

I don't see Iwobe getting back in a central role under Dyche.

There's two players who's Blue future I'm not big on presently – Calvert-Lewin and Iwobi. Calvert-Lewin isn't a Dyche player and I think Simms will eventually be the man. Iwobi is the jigsaw piece that simply doesn't fit. Hence, stick him out wide and appreciate the assists while waiting to improve in that area of the pitch.

We'll see. I could be wrong.

And nice though the goal from Simms was, he's still an unknown quantity that Dyche has been using very sparingly.

It seems more likely to me that Dyche has Calvert-Lewin in his plans but will do what has been needed for many years – and bring in one or two more forward options to share the load with Calvert-Lewin.

I think you are right regarding Dyche in the case of Calvert-Lewin and Iowbi. Dyche we now know will have gone through the stats on both of these players with a fine-toothed comb, as he has with all the players. Doucoure has the better stats for his role within Dyche's plans, as has Simms. But more importantly, they actually deliver on the pitch in the role Dyche assigns them.

Dyche also has the patience under pressure to stick to his plan and work with players to fulfil the role he requires of them in the team. Iowbi will continue to be played out wide when Doucouré is available and Calvert-Lewin will be fighting to get on the bench.

You hit the nail on the head again there, with this stats obsession, they hardly ever reflect the picture of a game, assuming you hadn't watched it, and again, as you say, people seem to be obsessed with them these days.

Jamie C, & Christine, Fickle and Peachy, the modern day version of Statsky and Crutch (well, they have aged a bit), that made me not only spill my tea, but fall off my chair too, something that very rarely happens these days. Oops, there we go with Stats again (almost).

Regarding Iwobi, the price we paid for him for his end product, is ridiculous, who sanctioned that? Colin G called him out ages ago and I feel he is being proved right, although his continuous running and creating chances has vastly improved.

I'm afraid Onana is seemingly slipping into a similar vein. When we are fighting for survival, we need 11 men manning the pumps, providing the ammo to the front line, and God forbid, someone who can actually fire a gun.

Although I think we may have temporarily solved that conundrum with Ellis Simms (at long last) if Dyche will continue to play him, and not sparingly coming on as a sub for Mophead.

I thought Iwobi had a few decent games but excellent players do a lot more than I've ever seen Iwobi do. No wonder we were going out of this league without a murmur? But now Dyche has began to instill real discipline, it's no surprise to me that people are beginning to question Alex Iwobi once again.

He's got enough of the tools to be a good player in a good team but he's got to look into himself, relax and become braver; it's dead easy this football, for us couch-potatoes!

You are no couch potato. Been there, done it, and even got a T-shirt, albeit a Forest one. For all Alex Iwobi's running and dynamo stamina, his end product and tackling are non-existent (well, the tackling is) which could almost be overlooked, If he was a prolific goal-scorer, but sadly he scores once every Preston Guild when there is a Blue Moon overhead.

If you could graft his athleticism into a tackling, and scoring, midfielder we would then have a serious player on our hands, who would make his fee seem like a snip. Also have read, more than once, that he is eying a move elsewhere soon, could be agent-talk to get a new contract, or testing the water, or simply clickbait by some bored journo who has no shit to stir.

Assuming we survive this season again, and dare I say it, the signs are looking good, with Dyche at the helm, I just hope he is given access to decent funding, to mould the team into his desired choice. We do need a hell of a clear-out and not only the Boardroom, we have a plethora of players who have had it too easy. Gravy Train Stowaways like Dogshit Davies, looks the part but produces zilch.

I often cite him as confusing himself as much as he sometimes confuses the opposition. He is another frustrating player that falls into the category of not being able to achieve consistency.

I doubt we'll ever get crunching tackles out of him as it's not his nature. But to your point, if he could relax and calm himself, it would help his decision-making, which is an important part of the game.

That ability to relax and be comfortable with the ball can be difficult for a lot of footballers. You could see the difference between our players and Chelsea's on Saturday. I'm not saying we were afraid and at times we done well. But we were also playing a lot of blind passes with hot potatoes, without looking up on many occasions that just gave it back to a team who were comfortable with the football.

He isn't or ever will be a great player. But he can be a better player.

Under Lampard, he played what he believes was his best position, a wandering Angus role were he could go where he liked following the play.

He did well in this role under Lampard who had no tactical awareness regarding plugging the gaps once possession was lost attacking, or recognised the risk involved.

This is where Iowbi is weak; under Frank, it was not recognised as being a problem with the inevitable results. After losing possession against Chelsea, which ended in a goal, he is going to be talked to by Dyche and more care demanded of him in his current role.

It will be clear to him that he won't be getting a more central role. I think he will be replaced in the Summer.

Where are his current contract negotiations at?

As we all know, Everton are a team that are given a lot of penalties against them. So my question is, when was the last time Jordan Pickford saved one?

The last I remember was September 2018, I think it was against Fulham.

Iwobi plays wide under Dyche; Everton have won 3 games in 8.

Some fans say Iwobi should play central; some fans say Iwobi is not good enough wherever he plays.

As always, it's just opinions. Managers make decisions.
Up to now, I think Dyche has made better decisions than Lampard.

And reading ToffeeWeb every week, you can see why it's essential. The same players get slaughtered by the same posters, regardless of the performance they put in – pure confirmation bias.

Iwobi frustrates me, but he is technically good, looks for a progressive pass, creates chances, and works really hard (maybe not always to the best effect, but it depends where he plays). Any midfielder can avoid giving the ball away if all he does is play lateral and backwards balls. Just look at Schneiderlin.

Iwobi is not a wide player, for sure. He should be played behind the striker, in my opinion. But, in a side with zero creativity and flair, he will not be dropped by Dyche.

Iwobi stands out as being better for Lampard than he is for Dyche. All the others have come on under Dyche.

The system of getting the ball into the box quickly now suits McNeil who looked hopeless under Lampard. Iwobi plays more intricate football and might fit in somewhere like Fulham.

For the time being he is doing his job as best he can – and we probably don't have anyone better for that position (which is presumably why Dyche keeps selecting him).

Re: your earlier post about Iwobi defending. I went and rewatched the game and at the 33-minute mark, I saw what you meant.

He wasn't just in a different postcode from the rest of the defence he was on his own planet.

And when he parries, I do wish he would get it away from the danger area more often. But he was one of those who kept us in it last season and is doing so this one.

Jerome, that's an interesting point. Now I never liked to over-coach players. Young players in particular, as it makes the game complicated for them and confuses them. Football can be a simple game and just try to get them to relax and enjoy it.

Obviously passion, commitment and desire come into it, but don't go too far that way. Fulham lost their heads yesterday and had 3 red cards in about 2 minutes.

Balance and keep your head in my opinion.

But there are basics. Everyone will have an opinion, but if I was to give mine, the two most basics are that when you have possession, stretch the pitch, make it big, and create space, even if you don't receive the ball. Work hard for the team, not just yourself.

When you lose possession, close ranks, get behind the ball and be compact. Go and close the ball when you need to and don't create space for the opposition.

I think the point you are making is that Iwobi often still plays like a 10-year-old. Ball watching, following the ball and lacking positional awareness when play breaks down. I don't want to be too harsh, because he has shown glimmers and works incredibly hard.

I just wouldn't play him out wide. Certainly not in front of Seamus, who must need oxygen tanks after putting those shifts in at his age when he is frequently exposed and left on his own.

I understand he is young and settling into a new league and a new country, and that has affected a lot of players that have played in the Premier League. Henry at Arsenal took over 12 months to finally come to terms with playing in the Premier League.

But I am really struggling to see what this lad is good at, he jogs around the pitch, he ain't great defensively and other than corners hardly gets in the opponent's box.

When he receives the ball, he always takes the easy option of passing back or square. I understand he played under Lampard who encouraged that style.

He also made a mess of a high pass just before that, that for the allegedly “most skilful footballer in training” was shocking.

I don't think it's a form thing with him either – he seems to be playing five-a-side style footy in an eleven-a-side team. Just rushed!

UTFT

Totally agree re Onana, as I've said in previous posts. Of course there are flaws in Iwobi, as in most players, but in Onana's case, I'm still trying to see what he offers.

Am I missing something?

I'm not finding fault with him, just wondering what his percentage penalty saves is, as for an unknown reason it seems better for England.

We are all slightly happier Blues at the moment, so I'm not putting a downer on things.

With regard to Iwobi, the criticism is fair but the deficiencies in our creativity mean that he arguably just about offers more than he takes away. 1 goal in 28 games is diabolical for an attacking midfielder; his 7assists are why he's retaining his place.

He has by far the most goal contributions of the side but defensively, more often than not, he looks disengaged and seems to temporarily switch off. I ask myself: if this player played for Crystal Palace, would I be begging the club to sign him?

James Garner had 4 goals and 8 assists last season, which is more than either Iwobi or Onana is bringing to the table. The time could well be coming when we see Garner getting a start ahead of Onana.

With regard to Iwobi, Ellis Simms is now a factor to be considered. In the same formation, Ellis could start up front, with Gray shifted to Iwobi's wide right midfield position.

Dyche likes stability in the team, definitely the formation, but one or maybe two changes could be on the cards soon and could strengthen us too.

I liked Frank although I thought he should have gone after the Bournemouth game. I simply couldn't understand how he got another game after Brighton humiliated us at Goodison Park.

Brighton laughed at Everton because we had no tactical awareness and players just constantly kept breaking rank and following the ball. (It only needs one player to do this, and this is all Brighton kept waiting for!)

I thought Brentford played in a very similar fashion during the second half at Goodison last week. Everton were desperately hanging on, the players had a much better defensive shape, and a lot more discipline; this helped us beat a good team that was in very good form.

Discipline is boring but it's so important because it makes things so much harder for your opponents. Thankfully, Dyche and his back room staff, have started giving us discipline!

Brian H, surely you must have noticed Onana's cheerleading skills!

We're going to all be having a lot of it over the next fortnight as we've got an irritating international break before we get our Everton back.

It can take a little while to settle at the best of times – more so given what a mess we've been.

I know – an international break when we have some momentum, we could do with playing Spurs now while they're on meltdown. However, I think we will be ready for them and hopefully Ellis with a spring in his step.

When Chelsea were awarded the penalty, I knew it would go in. I turned to my mate and said "He never saves 'em."

He looked quizzical. I said "He's never saved any!!"

Clearly I'm exaggerating… but "For fuck's sake, Jordan, do the opposite of what you're planning to do – you just might save one!"

No disrespect, just asking why Onana is being courted by Champion League sides for good reason: who are these sides and what is the good reason?

I've seen him play one good game versus Arsenal but can't see what he is offering the team now, what should I be looking for that you can see?

I don't moan for the sake of moaning but I ask the fans next to me in the match the same question; they just smile and shrug their shoulders. Maybe they think I'm stupid for not knowing the answer when it is so obvious, but I really don't know what I'm missing.

Onana will improve with Doucoure or a second striker in front. And some are joking about his Everton spirit as though he needs attention… nice. After a victory, no less… very nice.

It makes you wonder about Frank as a midfielder. He was one of the best of his generation but other players must have been doing the defending, thinking and grafting; he did not have a clue. He was good going forward, could keep possession and could finish.

Unlike Iowbi, he did not follow the ball about. Even when a ball breaks loose, Iowbi looks unprepared, even looks worse when he loses possession, just running after the ball, trying to get around players to get at the ball.

Frank had an open attacking style of football in which he tried to get the players up to spec by a drill-type training.

Paul Clements had a folder of play plans. He use to flick through it with any sub that was brought on. I reckon the subs never heard a word he said. Obviously there was no tactical change – just stick to the plan.

As you say, it was a break-ranks offensive plan. Just get back in numbers and defend deep. This was the case time and time again and Frank still hasn't worked out what went wrong.

I was beginning to think that Dyche only now is getting the mindset changed regarding substitutions. Frank's substitution where late and rarely had any impact, expected to fit into the drill.

In the last two games, Dyche has changed the mentality of the substitutions and they seem to know what their role is and are a lot more effective.

Maybe drill was a substitute for discipline. I never liked the players' committee that Frank set up for dealing with grievances. Only certain unnamed players were on it. I suspect Mina was on it. I think it tells a lot about discipline as part of Frank's leadership.

I also liked Frank and hoped it would all work out… but, without discipline, it was never going to.

However, one clear thing that it demonstrates is the fact that, for once, we're all agreed (which is rare) that their current contribution to our cause is woefully lacking for whatever reason and we're not a side that has the luxury of carrying two “passengers”.

Both Gray and McNeil have also had their critics for similar failings, and I'm one of them. But in what I've seen of late, both have taken it on and stepped up to the plate.

Who would've thought that Gray could take on the lone central striker role? But fair play to him, he's taken it on, including centre-backs coming right through back of him, which happened more than should've been allowed by the officials on Saturday, but he just got on with it, putting in full shifts and good performances.

Likewise, McNiel tracking back, covering and doubling up with Godfrey and putting challenges in? Agreed, some of them might've been mistimed and in dangerous areas, but can't have it all ways?

Where I'm going with all of this is this is a “professional” game, and they should be performing accordingly. It's a given that they should possess a degree of talent in some capacity or they shouldn't be here. What should follow is that talent is then harnessed within a professional and disciplined structure.

However, what we've seen to date is a club that's been run like a “hobby” or some amateur theatre show, and over time this has cascaded down to what we've been seeing on the pitch. Commencing with the appointment of Señor Martinez and the complete loss of any structure or discipline.

Like him or not, what we're now seeing under Sean Dyche is an attempted return to what we lost, and that's hopefully talented “professional” footballers being required (for a change) to behave as professionals and operate as such in a disciplined capacity within an organised structure. Which presumably is the difference between the requirements of professionals over amateurs doing it as a hobby.

If unlikely candidates like Gray and McNiel can start putting shifts and “proper” challenges in like “true professionals” and fully contributing to digging us out of this mess that they and various managers, appointed by this board, have put us in, then it's about time we refrained from making excuses for the likes of Iwobi and Onana. Because neither currently seem able to operate as professionals, functioning within the roles and structure that have been assigned to them.

I think it's already been proposed that if Simms is capable of repeating anything like the way he led the line for his cameo on Saturday, then this might solve the Iwobi conundrum by moving Gray wide, because his new found discipline and work ethic may relieve some of the pressure that's been loaded on Seamus through Iwobi's indiscipline?

Furthermore, if Garner is now fit and anything like the player the Forest fans were lauding online, then he would appear to be a shoo-in to replace the equally ineffective and indisciplined Onana? Just depends on what Sean Dyche sees in training, because unfortunately it doesn't look like Tom Davies is up to it…

Dyche will get something but Onana's current form is due to Everton factors and instability, not his aptitude or ability.

He looks brilliant at Palace and was on plenty of teams' watch lists. His move to Man Utd was fleeting and then back to Palace as he wasn't deemed good enough.

This is where it's always a bit of a challenge when identifying players as they may shine brightly under certain circumstances but fade into non-existence in others. There was a time we'd want Zaha at Everton but, since he didn't seem able to step it up at Man Utd, is he too comfortable at Palace?

Pickford – he's an awesome shot-stopper but I have long had concerns over his coordination and communication with the back four. We're definitely better with him in the team as he keeps us in games – and that's the important thing.

He also has exceptional stats for aerial battles won in defensive midfield – thereby compensating for any centre-backs who pass well but are weak in the air.

It is very easy to buy average players who will settle straight in and give you years of average service. If you want someone of more refined talent, and who turns up to a complete mess at his age, then you have to have a bit of patience.

I saw him in the World Cup for Belgium, he looked the same as he does now for Everton. Interest from Arsenal, Chelsea and Juve… well, I've seen some paper talk about Chelsea being interested but, if the scouts from those clubs are still watching him, I imagine they will want a lot more than glimpses of this ability.

You mention he has exceptional stats for his heading ability. Well, apart from the headed goal he scored earlier this year, I don't think he is very good heading the ball, from what I've seen.

Were there any more clubs interested in him (apart from Everton) when we signed him? He must have been known by quite a few seeing how he was a Belgium international.

Or was it the case that Lille snatched the hands off Everton when 㿊M was offered? It seems a huge sum of money for what talent I've seen him show.

Thanks for the reply, Robert. I concede you know more about the international scene than I do and maybe you have seen him show this talent for Lille and Belgium. I'll try to be more patient and maybe Onana's ability will get to me.

Young players at other clubs would definitely be taken out the firing line, every so often, but we have a threadbare squad, with not many other players, seemingly being fancied?

I expect Garner will play soon, and I expect Tom Davies will also soon be off. I was reading a report about Branthwaite, and it was saying how he hopes Everton find a bit of stability under Dyche because this is something young players need. This made me begin to imagine how Tom Davies must feel.

Unsworth, Koeman, Allardyce, Silva, Ferguson, Ancelotti, Benitez (who came in and tried to sell him before he got injured and missed a full season), Lampard and now Dyche.

He's played for nine different managers since he made his Everton debut, and he still won't be 25 until the end of June. This is an absolutely incredible stat, which highlights the basket case of a club we became.

Davies will follow Kenny; another very promising young footballer will leave Everton on a free transfer because they just never got a proper opportunity to kick on, because of the way Everton have operated for years.

It was Dyche who tried to sign Kenny 3 years ago, but Brands wanted more than the alleged ٤ million that Burnley were willing to pay, and Everton sent him on loan to Celtic instead.

Weren't West Ham supposed to be signing him before he rocked up to Goodison for his photoshoot?

I think he has been underwhelming so far but who in the team hasn't been this season? For me, he has shown he has all the qualities to be class for us, just not nearly often enough and not consistently enough.

But he is young yet; hopefully Dyche will get the best out of him because he could be a beast, as he showed in the win over Arsenal.

Dithering Dave, allegedly, wasn't sure if Onana was ready. I think he's been proven at least partly right; I also believe Everton will make a few quid – maybe even as soon as this summer…

In fairness to Onana, you'd have assumed De Bruyne was rubbish based on his World Cup showing for Belgium. And it's his defensive heading ability that has exceptional stats (Top 10 in the world for those age under 25).

Lots more to come from him hopefully if he works hard and we handle him right.

Yes, fair enough, let's not prolong the debate and maybe your last line will turn out to be true.

Mike #164, Iwobi's pass to Coleman wasn't a punt, it was a perfectly weighted pass over the top of a player moving directly away from him. Easy to overhit. Iwobi got it right. Likewise, the pass Peter mentions at #165. So no, he's not a great player, but he does try passes that nobody else will, and sometimes they come off.

Christine #184, you're not wrong about Alex -- he doesn't tackle or win the ball -- but he's not completely useless. Nobody works harder to get back goal-side when the ball is lost, and just being there in position has value. Godfrey could take a lesson from Iwobi on that kind of hustle.

I come down on the plus side. He has touched some very high levels in a few games this season, especially early on, and I think he's definitely worth the wait for his development.

1) One thing that I have noticed since Dyche has taken over is that players are not getting injured (touches wood). Aside from Calvert-Lewin, who he is nursing at the moment, don't think we've lost anyone to an injury in 8 games.

2) Few comments on another page regarding Havertz's penalty technique not being fair, and that surely he is stopping during his run-up. If you look at the slo-mo replays, his movement is continuous; just that he slows down before he kicks it. Every credit to him for coming up with a technique that keepers are finding difficult to deal with.

Doucoure's subtle layoff of a difficult ball to him was superb, as he layed it just at the right pace into Simms path and the way he was able to take it in his stride, just brushing aside, Lukaku-like, one of the best centre-backs in world football, before clinically slotting it past Kepa the keeper, was simply a joy to behold.

So-called pundits have said that the keeper could and should have done better, but that can be said about at least half the goals scored, and is simply churlish. But even if Kepa had got a hand to it, it would hardly have mattered. Because something which has surprisingly gone under the radar is the presence of both Doucoure and Gray breaking their necks to be first on hand following up to put it in. This is a rarity as far as we're concerned, and something to be applauded as another example of Sean Dyche's professional influence, and long may it continue.

Your opinion, I disagree. It was a simple pass into space which led to a one-in-a-million goal.

He doesn't work particularly hard to get back; he shuffles around the pitch almost getting back, almost stopping a cross, almost making a tackle and never beating a fullback at the other end.

My opinion, and a lot of others seem to agree, is that he's not fit for purpose and should not be given another overpriced contract.

Come on now, Ellis, and show all and sundry that it is there and you can do it in the Premier League.

I see a similarity of Onana (which sounds like what I used to say when my dad's mum wouldn't let me get my own way - Oh Nana!) and Fellaini. 21-year-old Belgian, 6 foot plus midfielder and already in the national team.

It might take some time but Fellaini got there in the end (13 bookings in the first season) so I am prepared to wait.

Really pleased for Simms too – surely he needs to get a run of games now, as he obviously has the talent to score at Premier League level.

Maupay got god knows how many chances to prove himself, so I think Simms should get the same too, At least he knows where the goal is!

As for the upcoming away games, I hope that we could approach them with more positive tactics when it comes to going forward. If you are only sitting back, you will invite trouble.

So we should be even more braver and at least a bit more attack-minded and still hopefully being able to keep our shape and discipline when defending. It´s self-evident that, when you fall behind, you must attack. But why wait for this? Be proactive!

We have had some vitally important home wins lately but, at the same time,, our recent games have shown how much we have missed Dominic Calvert-Lewin up front. We really need in our play a big target man.

Demarai Gray as a player is more a technical winger than an out-and-out striker. So it was great to see how Ellis Simms scored our second equaliser at Stamford Bridge, sprinting with pace and power past Koulibaly and finishing well.

I think Simms can now be an alternative for Calvert-Lewin, if his absence continues, as our centre-forward and target man, in our forthcoming games. Simms is big and powerful, good in the air, and surely he can hold the ball up, for others to join the attack.

Fingers crossed Calvert-Lewin will be fit and available for our remaining games. Then Sean Dyche and his coaching staff will have a welcome striker selection "headache" and a much stronger bench!