Away to Home

I've watched a replay of the Kane incident. The reaction of the England captain and record goalscorer was pathetic. I strongly suspect if the clash had been the other way round, with Kane raising his hand to Doucouré, the referee would simply have booked both players. As England captain, he appears to get a free ticket for all his diving and play-acting.

Jamie Carragher and Danny Murphy have both described Kane's reaction in similar terms. I also had Iwobi as Man of the Match until Keane won us the point.

The equaliser reminded me of one scored by Martin Buchan against us in September 1978 at the Stretford End. We led 1-0 through an early Andy King goal. There were only 2 minutes left when Buchan ran forward with the ball and from outside the box fired a rocket into the net. I think Buchan only scored two goals in his whole career.

Interesting that you have noticed a trend in attacking Everton's right flank. Seamus seems to be holding up well.

Dyche's teams do play football, which is contrary to popular belief. There is no way he would get the steady improvement in playing stats if he didn't.

I only got to watch the game on TV. Looked an interesting game, always fun to score in the last few minutes. Valuable point.

I was getting frustrated by Iwobi at first as he seemed to be giving the ball away a few times but he did improve. I guess when you watch a game on TV, you don't get to see the full picture of all the other off-the-ball work players do.

Sometimes I take myself away from the relentless negativity on ToffeeWeb. But I always look forward to your posts. My voice is a bit croaky after the match last night. (My singing does leave a lot to be desired.) Ask nearby fans!

Listened to Jason Cundy on way home. What a plant pot. He said Kane did exactly the right thing going down like that and he would have done the same. Great advice for youngsters… not!

The time away from your family and dogs, and the money you spend travelling to games, you are a credit. Never seen you write anything other than a positive outlook on up-coming games. I know we are biased but Goodison under lights is a magical place – especially when we feel aggrieved, as we did last night when Doucoure was sent off.

As you say, Sean Dyche is far from the stereotype that many claimed he was, and the fighting spirit he has instilled in this group is quite unbelievable because, under the previous manager, once we went a goal behind, we seemed to throw in the towel.

I don't know if Dyche can keep us up; I am sure you will respond saying "Of course he will!" – but I want him to be our manager next season, whatever happens.

I can only think your wife must be very understanding, as you must see more of Rob and the lads in The Brick than you do of her some weeks. Let's hope we can get those 3 points at Old Trafford at the weekend.

I can well imagine all the other clubs involved in the relegation battle would have been thinking after 89 minutes Spurs leading and Everton down to 10 men, great result. But Keane getting us a well-deserved point will have sickened the other clubs who are down there.

I love Everton but hate what football has become. You hear these "pundits" talking about "winning" a penalty. About being "entitled" to go down etc, etc. In other words, cheating is a part of the game... especially when practiced by the media clubs.

I agree with Lynn that it's always a great read and makes me feel better about our predicaments once finished.
Two builds from me: Kane was appalling. Why these professional players do this when they know cameras are all over the place is beyond me.

But mirror his reaction with Keane's. Former was at best a slap across the nose but he acts poleaxed for over 30 seconds. Latter could have had his leg broken but was up in 10 seconds. No notion of playacting or trying to get the player sent off. Doucoure would (and should) have gone anyway but Kane's reaction was utterly unprofessional.

My second build was around extra time. Unlike Chelsea, when I was hiding behind the couch, I genuinely wanted the game to carry on as felt there was only going to be one winner. Testimony to the resilience, fitness and belief Dyche has built into the team. When you watch the highlights again, look at Tarkowski's shot in the 94th minute. If it hadn't glanced off the defender, it was earmarked for top corner. Now imagine those celebrations!!

I watched Man Utd on Sunday and they are definitely there for taking – though I would take a draw, I guess. I suspect there will be a direct replacement for Doucouré. Probably Garner with a switching of midfield roles (I would still like to see Onana doing more). If at home, it's maybe Simms comes in, Gray switches wide, and Iwobi more central? Nice to have options… 👍

Finally, said to a mate last night that nine draws probably keeps us up, but there are certain home games that we must target with Fulham the first. Whatever, I doubt any of us want the last game at home to Bournemouth to be a must-win or even a must-draw… 😳

It is obvious that positive progress is being made. 👏

Regarding Spurs being a big club, any club must be really desperate to include those world famous Norwich and Ipswich Hospital Charity Cups to boost their honours list. The Ipswich Hospital Charity Cup was actually shared… maybe the doctors and porters actually put a bit of effort into that game!!

Spurs a big club………….My Arse!!

Hope to catch up with at the Fulham game.

It looks like Sean Dyche's “Shoot on sight” policy is bearing fruit, although when he's encouraging the players to do so he might just add “No, not you, Idrissa!”

Danny, glad you had such a satisfying day out.

All clubs and fans believe they have the best club to play for and support, but not many can claim to support a club that is as special as the Toffees, no matter the results, no matter how poorly the officials of the club run it, the club via its fans somehow manages to maintain the thread that has possibly been there since the day it was formed.

Brian, I'm so sure about understanding. The words confusion and dismay often spring to mind when we discuss Everton in the O'Neill household.

Hopefully this link works.

Link

It's the latest Tunnel Access from the club website. If it doesn't just go to the official site. Worth a watch.

It shows Mick Lyons walking on the pitch. I wish they'd have done that at half time.

Some nice footage of the young Evertonian who suffered a brain tumour. Jordan Pickford arranged for him to be mascot last night and took him into the changing room to meet the players. Lovely touch.

And then a US cohort after the match sat in the Enclosure meeting with Onana and then Sean Dyche.

No other club.

Mick Lyons was an all-time Everton great (his attitude would make relegation impossible) - and I'm made up to see him looking so well.

But Jeez, Everton players wearing "Hummel" bibs?

Hummel made the white boots Alan Ball was paid to wear and he later said they were utterly useless. So useless that he said he took to removing the three "Adidas" stripes from THEIR boots and then painting their boots white to mimic Hummel.

Looks like another marketing, erm, "master-class" from our ruinous boardroom perhaps?

One of my favourite descriptions of the traveling blue army came from Thomas Graveson. Playing Anderlecht away in a pre-season friendly, he said he thought it would be sedate, when he took a ball onto the pitch to warm up. When he ran onto the pitch he heard a big roar, looked up puzzled and saw about 3000 Evertonians, in the corner of the ground.

It was infamous that night in Brussels, a night when the traveling blue army, were really on form, especially against those horrible Belgium police, who instigated a semi-riot, and lost control!

I couldn't and didn't attend, but my son went to Lille a few years back.

He wasn't making excuses but same drill. The Police went in heavy handed at the first sign of what we would normally describe as boisterousness at best.

We often forget how well our Police do actually police matches. I'll give the Germans credit for that too.

Hypothetically, had it been French police on the pitch against Palace last season, there would have been a baton charge and subsequent riot.

As it turned out, the Police handled the situation just about perfectly. Protective cordon around the dugout and let the supporters express their joy at relief.

Pick your battles as they say and don't uncessessrily escalate the situation.

I was in Lille with my son, we sat in the window of a restaurant just off the main square next to the town hall enjoying moules frites and watching the mayhem unfold. The police were absolute bastards.

The only trouble I have ever had following the Blues abroad was in Sittard where we got beaten up by PSV fans who had visited for a scrap. The Dutch police stood back and let them get on with it. Never had problems anywhere else including Florence and Split.

Maybe because 'we are respected wherever we may go'.

I always remember, when English football was tarnished in the 80s culminating in a dark stain caused by the cousins, the Dutch were no saints when it came to hooliganism.

We're trying to arrange a meet up for the the Fulham match, so if you're around let me know.

I don't have a ticket for United and don't expect one, but Fulham home is good.

I'm around for Fulham, Derek tells me Andy is over from Belfast, so yes definitely up for a meet up.

Got to negotiate Man U first, watched part of their game last night without any fear for Saturday, take Rashford and Anthony out (possibly Fernandez) and they look no different or better than Spurs. I feel confident we can maybe get ' something there ' and play as an effective unit. Silly question, but are you going to that one too ?

I need to add a bit extra from my seat in the Park end.

Yid army, yid army, is this a library, I kept having a little look over and thought any moment now you will wish it was a library, something will happen and the crowd will roar as one.

Still nothing, you're going down with the West Ham, patience anytime now.

Before the goal came and Everton having a go with ten men, you could hear the crowd it like thunder in the distance, getting closer and closer, until Keane let fly and the roof of the stands came off, as the old lady shook like hell.

Spurs fans deadly silent and not knowing what that roar was that hit then, and boy did Spurs get it both barrels from all corners of the ground.

Is that ok Danny. :-)

Might meet Steve v in the north western beforehand if he knows where the Harloch is, just to wet our whistle if Steve is around.

Is this the Emirates.

I like how we've gone with the originals. Spirit of the Blues, Forever Everton and Goodison Gang. There's 3 generations.

Unique to Everton that no-one can steal. They are ours by birthright.

The originals since 1878.

We are no orchestrated choir, but once Goodison gets going, we are a wall of noise that silences the away supporters into submission.

North Western always the first port of call before heading to County Road.

I'll try to avoid Fulham supporters, but if need be, I will bring any friends I make along.