Exhibition stuff from Everton against Dynamo Kyiv

Dele Alli is still class... if only Frank can sort his head out.

the regulars generally accounted well for themselves, though Doucouré's check and backpass slowed play.

Godfrey's final ball was hopeless and Holgate really slipped up.

Alli looks better and McNeil with his neat play, passing and finishing, excelled. Patterson and Vinagre looked able.

Generally speaking, there are signs of improvement, but some players have to eradicate bad habits they are known for.

Fears being gradually allayed about going into the Premier League battle ahead, I am not expecting or saying that we will take it by storm, but feel we should be okay with the work ethic being shown tonight as a yardstick.

And did I read somewhere from a poster or two that McNeil can't score goals? Tut-tut.

Lose-lose on ToffeeWeb.

The intensity level will have to be a bit different for the Premier League, naturally, and I am sure Frank will have them ready.

Getting results will of course be difficult without a class, natural finisher but McNeil certainly showed he can finish.

Onwards and upwards, hopefully.

There has been too much negativity around his transfer based on just TW and BBC comments. His first goal was a beauty and here's hoping we will see rejuvenated Dwight McNeil in a blue shirt this season.

I hope the Blues show the same strength and fight you are showing.

Best Wishes.

By the way, who said we never learn, in buying players from relegated clubs? Looks like we may have another on the way soon, if a fee can be agreed upon. 🤔😜

Well put mate.

Bernie,

Best wishes buddy.

I hope a positive performance and a good win against Chelsea will really give you a boost.

They weren't really missed either. I love Mina, but his fitness record is pretty poor, I wouldn't be overly upset if we cashed in, and got someone like Levi Colwill (Chelsea), young, rarely injured, and a very able addition to the squad in my humble opinion.

I know it's me, but I'm optimistic. I think some of these signings might just surprise us, as will next season.

God speed, Bernie, we've got Europe next year so don't be going anywhere too soon.

It was also a great moment at the end when Paul (supporter) came on, scored the penalty and milked every second of his celebrations. I'd love to hear his story on TW.

Best wishes and prayers Bernie.

Allan does it when fit.

Forget the armband, you need leaders all over the pitch.

We had a few Ukranians near us close to the Park end of the main stand and in particular a beautiful mother with her equally beautiful teenage daughter sitting just in front of us. Looking at them among Evertonians and realising how they'd come to be there, what they'd been through and will continue to go through made me stop and think even more just how fucking lucky we are and how much we take for granted.

It was a chastening experience, which made the miserable old fucker two rows behind us (must have deffo been a TWer) who moaned and complained right through the game at every little mistake or failure to do the right thing by an Everton player, even more annoying.

But despite him, it was a great night that made me feel very good to be an Evertonian.
Slava Ukraini.

A good feeling at the game last night. Thought we set up well, played well as individuals and collectively, kept our shape most of the time. Not bothered where we sign players from – it's a question of how well they'll fit in for us.

Solution: Take the person to his seat where his parents sit, tell them this was their last match and pass the tickets on to the waiting list of 30,000. Job Done!

Another good workout and some encouraging signs. Dwight McNeil has a lethal left foot, it would be good to see him getting into that sort of position throughout the season and shooting from 20 yards. He has the shooting power and accuracy to do some damage. I am confident his stats will improve playing for Everton and advised by the master of that type of goal, Frank Lampard.

It's a different kettle of fish next week against Chelsea, but confidence is valuable, the last two matches will have given us a bit of a boost. It shouldn't mask the fact that we still need a quality DCM and more goal threat.

I was pleasantly surprised watching the game on YouTube this morning, it does look like a team is taking shape! The big reality test of course is Chelsea but I feel better about the next few games than I did.

Hang in there, Bernie, I know it's nerve-wracking but I'll say a little prayer for you! If we beat Chelsea, I guarantee you will hear the shouts!

God it was good to see McNeil get his head up, run at the opposition and then shoot accurately. Actually running with intent towards the opposition goal. Startling.

Can we get in 2/3 more? I think we may. There are a few reasons for careful optimism.

McNeil, what a start!! His first goal was sublime. And the rapturous applause he got. Every time he got the ball, we were expecting something to happen. We were all on our feet, clapping and cheering. Lifted the whole team.

A fantastic evening for a great cause. Paul Stratton coming on at the end to take a penalty, and his reaction was just so heartwarming. We left on a high and hope there will be many more games this coming season were we leave Goodison Park feeling like that. COYB.

Not a bad game, was it? Surprised how tall McNeil is, not surprised how he caressed the ball and wouldn't release it until he knew it was going to another Everton player. Great goal for his first one and found the space for his header. Early days but I think he could be a crowd favourite,

I'm positive Tarkowski will be, I hope he stays in the centre of a back three or maybe just a central two.

A great occasion for everyone there, hopefully giving some joy and happiness to all the Ukrainians present as it did to us Blues watching.

I think there will be two or three players departing Everton with at least another two coming in, the gloom of most of the pre-season is slowly lifting to show the Blue skies coming through… You never know!

The big disappointment was to hear that some younger fans again ran onto the pitch at the end. This needs to stop now; if it doesn't, then we can well expect a points deduction and rightly so.

I can forgive those who ran on the pitch at the Palace game but, if people are running onto the pitch after a friendly, then we have got problems.

Surely with everybody allocated a seat those who encroach onto the field can be identified by all the cameras around the ground, and if identified should be hit with a lifetime ban.

I'm encouraged (possibly getting excited) by the additions to our squad and with more to come. Tarkowski is definitely the captain! Whether he's named as such, I don't know, but on the pitch, he's the leader and a top player.

Gordon is carrying on where he left off and it was good to see Gray back to full fitness and I'm sure he'll be a good part of this developing squad, Mykolenko and Patterson were excellent belting up and down the wings, getting involved in attacks and defending well, Doucouré did a job and Iwobi continued where he left off, a good energetic display, Godfrey was decent and so was Calvert-Lewin.

I think Dele really enjoyed himself last night and was involved in some nice intricate one-twos. Allan and Rondon did their jobs well and I thought Vinagre did well (lovely cross for McNeil to nod in). The young lads came on and it was good to see them blend in well.

I think the three players already in will make a significant improvement to the squad in this coming battle to survive. That's how I see it, until we prove otherwise; but I'm encouraged. Not quite excited yet, but we haven't reached the closure of the window. In the Upper Bullens, there was overwhelmingly positive comments on our lads' display

Final thought. Those knobheads and kids who invaded the pitch are going to put us in trouble unless they stop their brainless actions.

I think the announcer should say over the Tannoy please do not invade the pitch at the Final Whistle as any culprit will receive a year's ban. That should put it to bed.

They should also be made to wear a special hat with two testicles hanging down by the ears and a long extension with a 'Bell' on the end! :-)

We still need a defensive midfielder, Doucoure and Iwobi will be destroyed against Chelsea.

I can see a real progress now that we have most of the dead wood out the door, few still need shifted but those coming in are all improvements and at the right age to develop and improve.

I was not impressed with Gordon last night, he needs reminding he is not the superstar he thinks he is, noticed too much lazy back to the ball last night and not looking fully switched on. Maybe I'm being over critical but I want to see him do well and not develop an attitude.

A very enjoyable performance, I thought. The passing in the first half especially was faster and crisper than I have seen from us in many years and pretty accurate too.

We had pace in midfield, dangermen out wide, and skilful individuals in Dele, Gray, Gordon and McNeil who really shut the moaners up with a very good display – not to mention the goals.

Patterson looks a player who will come on quickly and the new left-back will provide competition to the excellent and rapidly improving Mykolenko.

There were signs from Dele that all is not lost but Frank needs to land a striker and a Number 6 if he can.

Chelsea will obviously be tough but I think we have the makings of a good team and McNeil could well improve us as a replacement for Richarlison.

One final thought: Frank really needs to look at himself. He had the appearance last night of someone who has been sleeping rough. His wife is always immaculately attired and he needs sorting out!!!

I think most teams will find it difficult to stop Chelsea: and one or two other teams as well! Allan (and hopefully Gueye) will be part of a squad that will provide us with more options than we had last season. If we get anyone else in, even better.

However, our manager has said, during last night's after-match interview, that this transfer window is even more difficult than usual, due to the June internationals. What it looks like, to me, is that we will have a much faster team to help and support our midfielders.

I think we will just have to make do with what we've got: and in this difficult financial place our club is in, any good additions we manage to bring in. I don't see us able to suddenly be able to match teams who have had more time (and money) to develop much better squads than us. We all know that hundreds of millions of pounds have been spent unwisely.

This season is the first step, in my view, in pulling away from the relegation mire. Then we build on that. Up to now, i'm encouraged with the additions that have been made to our squad.

Final thought is back to last night, the team I saw, the subs used and the young ones coming on, were all encouraging signs. But it was a night to show our support to the Ukrainian people getting murdered by that Hitler-style Russian megalomaniac. That's who we went to show our support to... and it was a great night for them, I'm glad to say.

On less important matters, how did the formation and approach look? I have only seen the 10-minute highlights. The formation seemed to be a consistent 3- or 5- man defence.

Bit the midfield seemed to be a mysterious jumble. Most interested in the positions of Alli and McNeil, the latter obviously settling in very nicely indeed.

Apologies for going on a bit of a tangent, but you make a very poignant point. In this country, fuelled by the modern media, you'd think we live in a 3rd world state.

Until you've been to places ravaged by conflict and war that are effectively the Middle Ages with mopeds and 1970s cars, don't compare ourselves to some parts of the world in terms of poverty and true hardship. Yes, rightfully keep our standards and expectation high, but don't compare.

Sorry, I digress. Really pleased that the Ukrainians enjoyed Goodison last night. Hopefully we meet them in Europe next year.

I think this team is going to surprise us this coming season.

Positive game. Decent atmosphere from a big crowd for this game.

The signs are there that a young developing team is there. Gordon, Patterson, Mykolenko, McNeil, Godfrey… then a bit of experience with Tarkowski, Iwobi, Calvert-Lewin, and Doucouré.

Iwobi played deeper, always taking the ball and trying to orchestrate things which is better than Doucouré because he's so much better on the ball.

Patterson and Mykolenko up and down the flanks with loads of energy. Looks like we have Coleman's replacement sorted.

McNeil looked so comfortable on the ball. Love to get a little more from Dele as, if he gets near what he was, he adds a bit of class, few touches showed he still has it in him. Tarkowski is a proper unit, decent on the ball and always talking and organising which may help Keane.

I don't see us playing Iwobi and Doucouré as a midfield pair against Chelsea though – Kyiv went through them a couple of times with ease.

If we sign the right midfielder, we could play 4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1 but at the moment I think 3-5-2 or 5-2-3-1 is how we will go forward. But last night was positive.

Robert, we seemed to be playing a 5-2-2-1 of sorts with wingbacks and the two behind the striker sometimes going wide and sometimes coming narrow.

It looked especially useful in the second half I thought when McNeil offered real control and incision from the right.

I thought we looked pretty decent. Iwobi and Doucouré did okay in the middle and as usual some of our biggest problems were of our own making with both Godfrey and Holgate playing some very poor passes.

Chelsea will be a far sterner test and looked sharp while despatching Udinese last night.

Alli looked decent. We don't need Barkley. A Gueye type or a Gilmour type could be useful. And more goals up front, Gordon has not impressed hugely in pre-season and we still need to replace Richarlison.

There seems to be no-one available at the right price for Everton so they have to struggle on with what they have got.

Hard to see Calvert-Lewin and company getting a bagful of goals so a lot will depend on strong defence although Holgate gives me the jitters.

When Everton play a ''back three'' they are much too slow at bringing the ball out and this may be due to the fact that the midfielders are not making themselves available quickly enough.

When you dwell on too much passing at the back, the opposition who really excel at the high press will always catch you out. That has to be resolved soon.

Then at other times, we had a straight back line of five pushed up to the half-way line, when Kviv were coming out of defence. The full-backs were very fast in supporting the forward players and fast to get back and defend.

Gray and Gordon were playing on right and left respectively, almost like inside-right and inside-left and interacting with the full-backs, when the full-backs came up the wings.

Calvert-Lewin and Rondon both did well in being the focus of attack and laying the ball off well to the likes of Dele and McNeil, and Godfrey was an interesting player, who seemed to have licence to make strong runs up the field, along with the wingers, and turn defence into attack.

I thought Allan kept up with the attack when we were pressing and provided support in the midfield when we were on the defensive.

Overall, I thought that we were fluid in both defending and attacking, and moved the ball out of defence very quickly. Not the usual turgid passing round the back then back to the goalie. Hope that helps.

Danny, spot on regarding how some of the media paints our society!

What we need to do, and I believe Lampard is doing, is change the way we play and be reliant on the team and not one individual. Going back to replacing him and relying on that replacement seems like a bad idea to me.

5 subs next season too so it's going to be more of a squad game than ever before. Further backing up the point.

If we can sign someone like Cornet, I'll be fairly optimistic about next season (also not losing Calvert-Lewin for so long).

Not sure how we accommodate Alli in a 5-2-2-1 though.

Personally would rather see us use 4-2-3-1 so that Alli can play off Calvert-Lewin with Gordon and McNeil either side.

We'll see though. It might all come together somehow. Good test for us against Chelsea.

Some good signs from the squad, and Tarkowski seems to have an almost calming influence on the team..

Next Saturday and this season starts with hope and spirit and let's hope as many have pointed out that there's no more pitch invasions, as this season every point counts and Everton can't be paying stupid fines for breeching the rules.

Let's see if there's any more transfers this week.

Chelsea will be tough but are not invincible, and Everton, can beat them.

A great weekend to all Evertonians.

There are other players in the team who can score with either head or with shots, so I think Frank intends to develop this.

I think your post is showing the way we're going to try and develop. Look at Liverpool, Man City and Chelsea, they've got goalscorers throughout the team

We did under Howard in the mid-'80s. In fact, I can remember Derek Mountfield scoring about 12!

Kane and Dele. Calvert-Lewin and Dele. Just a thought, a positive thought.

I can still visualise he black eyed semi final celebration without needing YouTube!!

If he can manage to find a pass at the end of these head down and charge moments then they might become an effective weapon.

Best wishes, dude.

Here's to the next ones. 10th League title, 6th FA Cup and that League Cup.

Then I can go and meet the great Evertonian in the sky when he wants to see me and have a chat about Everton.

I've only seen the DCL header so far, hoping to watch the highlights later. Sounds a largely positive TW which is very encouraging!

As for last night, first time Back to Goodison for 4 years with 14 and 9 yr old grandsons. Quite impressed with Everton's set up and play despite the fact that Dynamo offered little pressure on our goal.

Our ex Burnley boys were superb, Tarkowski stood out and McNeil probably surprised one or two of his deriders
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Great atmosphere surrounded by Ukrainians and Poles who all felt the love that emanated from their Evertonian hosts.

Too early to make any predictions, there is still room for improvement and deadwood to be shot of. COYBBs

We all knew about Tarkowski's tackling, firm to the point of aggressive. I was also impressed by his long diagonal passing. He strikes the ball well. As notable was his vocal contribution. He was constantly in the ear of colleagues, most obviously Michael Keane. Lampard will be relieved he now has a stronger group of central defenders from which to select.

As we anticipated McNeil showed both pace and skill in his substitute appearance. Less anticipated were his two goals belying the evidence of his career record to date. Having players able to make an immediate impact as second half substitutes will be even more important with the advent of the sixteen man game. If however McNeil can add a more frequent output of goals to his game he will surely nail down a place in the starting eleven.

As in other games a major concern last night was the formation. With the midfielders currently available a 3-4-3 continues to look far too open. Unless or until we acquire a midfield combination capable of maintaining control we will continue to leave gaps behind the wing backs which the stronger Premier League teams will inevitably seek to exploit. That's when the back three usually becomes a back five and the team as a whole becomes penned into their own half.

I won't take this result as definitive any more than the Milwaukee one was, but the squad is ‘evolving' in an interesting way.

If Cornet is signed, then I think we have gone a reasonable way to replace Richarlison with an attack-minded ‘group' with ability even if their consistency is questionable. The increased subs rule suddenly looks a bit more within our scope to take advantage of, with one area of concern remaining.

I'm not convinced Idrissa Gueye solves our midfield deficiencies on his own, even if he does re-sign. Still, there is another month to attract players in and some positive play in that time may convince some promising defensive midfielders that there is a project to join.

If we could bring Gauye in short term and Batshuayi or Cornet to cover the forward line, then I reckon we can go into the new season more stronger and balanced line ups.

Strange when we had no money, we were bringing in the likes of Cahill, Arteta, Jagielka, Pienaar etc and worked out well.

Seems we are going back down the same road and bringing in players from our leagues or low price players from abroad,and already they are looking better than the over priced players we paid for.

Need to keep our heads now and look for these players that are not setting us back £35 Million plus.

Like other posters have said, there are plenty of bargain players out there, just a case of finding them.

Learn from past mistakes and stop the over priced journey men on large wages and long contracts.

I feel a bit more positive now for the new season, with the added additions to the team.

Thinking of the team, I'm not worried about the season any more. Like I've said before, a good team of players. etc and Frank is working wonders.

Mike G, Am I making too many mistakes with my typing? That's because I'm left-handed!

Colin, great analog!

Hope eternal.

Mykolenko had a poor game for me, needs to work on getting early balls in the box for DCL, but he will be fine I'm a big fan. It's a big season for Gordon, he needs to learn to not try to do too much everytime, blind alleys and runs aren't required most of the time, his end product including his shooting needs more work which I'm sure will come.
McNeil was fantastic, so pleased we got him, will make more of an impact on this side than Richarlson mark my words.

Mention for Patterson too who was fantastic, and the youngsters coming in like Warrington the squad has been bolstered nicely.

If we could get rid of Gomes and Gbamin and bring two maybe 3 first team players (striker/no 6/no 8) in I think we can look forward to a decent season ahead.