🎙ToffeeWeb Podcast: ‘Another Platform to Build On’

But I forgot to mention Doucouré, who has been off-sorts and criticised of late. It wasn't just his quick thinking and decisive pass to set up McNeil for that delicious strike and early goal. His energy and box-to-box running was key to how we played against and beat a very good in-form team.

It was a game of two halves as the manager said. It was almost a carbon copy of the Forest away match, but we had more resilience that is building.

Paul, you met Sheedy? I am very, very jealous. Did you touch his left foot? I would have bowed down and kissed it and probably been escorted off the premises.

The second half was almost Moyes-esque. We sat back and defended the lead, although I guess a lot of that was them pressing for the equaliser too. I was nervous but when I look back, I didn't really feel threatened.

As I've said elsewhere, I thought Tarkowski was outstanding and that partnership with Keane, who I've been critical of, is looking promising. If I have to eat humble pie on Michael, I will gladly do so.

It's early days and too early to judge or get carried away. But already, the organisation and commitment of the same group of players is looking much improved. We are not wide open and becoming very resilient and hard working. The signs are positive.

But we need to continue the momentum and not let the standards slip on the back of a good result. Remember the motto. There is a lot of hard work ahead. Maintain the standards consistently, not just one-offs.

There was a positive vibe in and around Goodison after the match on Saturday. Let's make sure we take that to Stamford Bridge. Once they have this support behind them, they can be lifted to another level. That was missing earlier in the season.

The board may be disconnected with the supporters. Well, they have lost them. But we are with them all the way. Always will be. Forever.

I may comment and rant in-between matches, but right now I don't care for the Board as they don't care for us.

It's about us, the team, and the manager for now.

Gray to start and when our drop in 2nd-half energy occurs, then Calvert-Lewin can take the pressure off by holding the ball up and get us up the field.

Could be vital if we're somehow winning or if we're holding on for a point.

We look a much better team than we did 2 months ago. The players look as though they know exactly what is required of them. That clarity is a key motivational factor.

The earliest Everton goal I have seen was Howard Kendall's after 14 seconds at home to Chelsea on 28 March 1970. It set us on our way to a 5-2 win against one of the top teams in the country. The game was played mostly in pouring rain on a muddy pitch. The atmosphere was electrifying, so much so Gordon West appealed for calm in front of an ecstatic Gwladys Street after we went 2-0 up in the 3rd minute.

Four days later, we sealed the league title.