Blues play better to secure a vital first win

Oh well. Is there any Premier League team Dyche isn't afraid of?

The 3 Stooges in the middle remain shoe ins.

Poor team selection and idealess midfield..

Prob go and win it now

As my Mum and Dad used to say, "Say now't if you've nothing good to say."

However, this team selection and the attitude of the manager towards games, just stinks as much as the off-field situation.

No daring to think differently, and the continuation of playing the untouchables in the same style where they (Onana, Gueye and Doucoure, Young (our backup FB) on free kicks) have been completely ineffectual thus far.

The same bastardised 4-4-2 system, but playing an ageing, limited #8 in the #10 or advanced AMF position, which just doesn't work as Doucoure just doesn't offer enough. What is 4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1 anyway, other than being hope and pray for a counter attack from where?

Why has Patterson been relegated to the bench, surely play him, and if he has a poor'ish game THEN bring on Young?

Why is Garner being pushed wide when again, he has demonstrated that he is defensively weak there, and it wastes what his true skill-set is, which is to provide the MF pivot to distribute the play?

Laurie (sorry can't remember his surname ) on the original Bees v Toffees post, picked the team that provides defensive 'solidity', and options going forward, and keeps the defence and midfield close, but can either break or link going forward.

Here's the team with one change from me; 3-5-2

Pickford

Tarks Branners Myko

Patterson Garner Onana Danjuma (Doucoure) McNeil

Beto & Danjuma or Beto & DCL or DCL & Danjuma

Why does Dyche stick with a failing team and system?

If it ain't broke don't fix it! Well Sean, it is broke, now please, Please, PLEASE realise that it's broke, and fix it!!

What did someone somewhere say once, "Repeating the same thing over and over, and expecting a different result, is the definition of madness (or continued failure!")

In saying that, COYB and blind faith! We need the three points!

John Hood the Brentford fan suggested their defense was jittery and we’ve had a few occasions where another forward in the box could have snatched one. Onana hasn’t been in the game I would sub him for an attacker.

Totally agree, eg, that cross/shot he did and no one was incoming to finish it.

Gana has been very poor - rocket up his arse time, Beto should have scored and if he had another attack minded player up there with him we would be in front from his pass across the goal.

Hopeful for the second half...please !!

We can all enjoy a Saturday night now!

A great away performance, caused them problems all afternoon, mention to the young lads Branthwaite and Garner immense today.
Onana had one of his best games too, got involved in midfield at last and did well.

Great stuff and more to come by the looks of it. Really good that we conceded the equaliser and still kept the belief, then got our just rewards.

Brentford reminded me of what we have been doing in so much as they didn't seem to have any system, purpose or method to their play. And we scored from a corner so somebody must have recognized that we needed better deliveries.

Our MotM? Branthwaite looks like a star in the making and Mykolenko was not far behind but for me McNeil with his ability to hold and run with the ball had the greatest effect.

If we can do the same in our next two games, then we should move well up the ladder but we're not ten games in yet.

Midfield wasbetter with more options. Some players still error-prone, but defence coping. Attack and final third play was better.

Well done to the fans, Dyche and the players!!

Brilliant!!!

Beto was unlucky, Calvert-Lewin showed he is a better finisher, but all in all good performances around the pitch, thank goodness.

I thought Beto tried the right finish but just put too much lateral on the ball as he lifted it over the keeper and his squared ball after that dart into the area deserved someone to be looking to convert it at the back post.

Because some fuckers just love to moan mate. Embarrased for them.

3 goals and 3 points, happy days

However, credit where credit is due, we got the win. UTFT!!

Dinner is tasting better tonight. No, not Crow-pie either... :)

As for people calling lay-off and being held to ransom etc etc. Go look at the Live Forum...

Great respect to John Hood posting up (Bees fan), and he was right: Brentford were woeful, and we made them look better and gave them hope.

Anyhoo, onwards and upwards!!

You've just said everything I was going to say, stop it will you.😂

Build on it and more of the same please.

I too was scratching my head over the Danjuma - Garner swap and grumbling about Dyche's stubbornness, but credit where credit's due.

The big issue in recent years, however, has been a glaring inability to build on strong performances. Luton at home will be the easiest shot at 3 points we have all season – let's get it done and start moving up the table!

On a side note, this was also a reminder of how much can change in the early stages of the campaign. We were all quaking at the thought of Brentford... suddenly they're just 2 points better than us, have lost back-to-back matches, haven't won at home all season, and have a squad that's looking awfully thin at the moment.

Some "Evertonians" need to give their head a wobble, or as they used to say to any moaners at Goodison, "If you don't want to support us go and watch the other lot across the park".

Michael, are you kidding with that claptrap? He put the ball through the keeper's legs deliberately. Yeah it hit the guy's heel on the way through, but give Dom the credit he deserves for the shot.

And a great moment was McNeil behind the play spreading his arms in celebration as soon as the pass reached Dom. He knew.

I didn't think Everton were that great to be honest but they did exactly what they utterly failed to do last week... play some bloody football. Chase the ball down, put opposition players under pressure, get some shots on target.

Even so, they needed Brentford to have a bad day, which they did.

The most pleasing thing for me was that Everton kept trying to go forwards regardless of the score and regardless of how many minutes were left on the clock.

Beto didn't do as well as I hoped he would but he did enough to think there is a really good player in there and when he's adjusted to the pace of the Premier League we might see the best of him.

Branthwaite at least when he's in the middle of the box, is awesome, not so great out on the touch-line, but he's a really top talent. Garner, McNeil and Doucouré all vied for the man of the match, but I'd go with Garner, because of his elegance and vision to find people with a pass.

An all round good performance and if they can match the result of today a few more times, who knows, we might have the making of a fairly good young Everton team, although that lack of strength in depth will always handicap any true momentum.

Sack Dyche, yeah good call.

What the hell do I know?

Great result and desperately needed. Upwards & onwards.

Today, a new plan for new opposition and in the main it worked. Pressing higher, attacking second and loose balls, and playing variety, not just long balls to feet too.

I thought McNeil and Doucouré were good. Branthwaite just looks like a young Bobby Moore (no pressure). It's going to be tougher to keep him come January.

Who else in our midfield could play a pass like Garner's for Calvert-Lewin?

Luck hasn't been with us up to now this season, but the luckiest teams are the hardest working teams. We worked hard today, got a bit of luck, the mele in the box, the ball off the ref, balls fall for you if you are working hard for them second balls.

Build from this!!!

Decent joined-up stuff and a forward supported by his midfielders.

I think Beto will be a great addition once he's found the pace of this league, McNeil will be up to his dipsy doodle runs like he's holding an ice hockey stick when fully match fit.

Good win Blues, well played... nice one. Let's now do the same to Luton & Bournemouth.

If we carry on like this (and I'm praying we do) then I just can't understand what happened last week at Goodison.

Perhaps Dyche learned something, he must have read the posts on TW.

Enjoy it, we may be turning the corner.

Sorry, this is rubbish "Brentford had a bad day". No, we just played better. We need to build on this now. Hopefully 4 or 6 points from our next 2 league fixtures.

Well done, Mr Dyche and the team.

A good 3 points away, good to see Calvert-Lewin score coming on – maybe a start with Beto in a 4-4-2. Beto can hold the ball up as Calvert-Lewin finds a possible scoring position.

Nice feeling having a win to savour – fingers crossed for more to come. 💙

Brentford until today, had only lost once in 23 games played in London. Sean Dyche recorded his first win in August or September since 2019, drew four lost ten.

Information courtesy of the Echo.

Now comes the difficult part, putting two teams to the sword in back-to-back games at Goodison. I haven't forgotten the League Cup but I expect an under-strength team to take to the pitch at Villa Park.

I'll write up tomorrow, but what a following. What an atmosphere.

Well done blues, you were relentless and noisy, start to finish.

Get in.

All enjoy this Saturday night and the rest of the weekend.

Made up, and Everton played some good football today, and stopped Brentford from playing.

UTFTs!

Garner superb all game and a clever rob and slot for Calvert-Lewin's goal. Young exposed and caused their goal. He did better 2nd half but Patterson is way better.

I hadn't realised that the game you mentioned was our only victory at Brentford, until today!

John Willie Parker and Harry Potts each scored a brace in a 4-2 win for the Toffees.

Brentford away 20 September 1952

James Garner, Dyche cannot afford to drop him. Instrumental throughout the 90 minutes.

We need some momentum now, go with a strong side again in midweek with minimal changes where possible with the key focus on the back-to-back home games against Luton and Bournemouth. Got to back this performance up.

Dyche now has options up front and off the bench. No excuses. Start climbing that table.

So this was our first ever away victory over them in the top flight, I think.

Naah..: this team is actually pretty good when everyone is available. When Harrison also gets fit, I would play him for Gana. Then, we would have some decent options off the bench. However, we are at least 1 midfielder and 1 centre-back short of a decent mid-table squad.

Terrific performance by everyone bar none. Dyche needs to sort out our home form now. And well done to the fans – by far the best in the Premier League.

Ohh... and my decision to keep my TV on mute the 2nd half almost certainly made the difference. ;-)

That's why we won!

Missed the first few minutes but felt an overall improvement both in play and commitment, was there to see today. If we can get maximum points from the next two fixtures, we should be looking something like where we should be in the table! More balance from us across the pitch but a few lapses in concentration could have led to more than one goal for them.

Good result and hopefully one that kick-starts the season. Kudos to our travelling support, who sounded not only great, but outsang the home fans. I salute you all!

That's your funniest one yet, Mr Gaynes. Dom has only one shot on him and it's at the keeper. Very very lucky to score.

And for me he passed with flying colors. Typically we sat back after going 1-0 up and were a bit deflated after their equalizer but at half time and with the substitutions today I thought Dyche managed the game really well.

Doucouré' was MotM for me, Beto and Gueye a bit hit and miss but the rest of the lads played pretty good with Jarrad becoming one of the best centre-backs in the Premier League.

I dreamt this morning for an Everton away win and Ireland to beat South Africa. The Toffees did their bit, Ireland lead at half time, but can they complete my perfect day?

A glimmer of hope at last. I'm happy with that and the players have to be lifted with the brilliant supporters.

Which one of Tarkowski and Branthwaite would you drop? Love that pairing! UTFT and Come On Ireland!!!

Overall a thoroughly deserved win. Who else thinks we should be sitting on at least 10 points?

Enjoyable coach journey home, and should be back around 12:30.

Never in a million years did he place that through the keeper's legs.

Brentford were poor today but we looked like a proper team today dominating the ball and we could have been 3 or 4 up by halftime.

Could have easily gone against us in the second half after they pegged us back with their first shot on target before the break, but credit to the Blues – we controlled that one from start to finish and great to see Calvert-Lewin seal the win. Will do him a world of good to get that goal.

I understand why, because if Everton would have lost there would probably be double the posts on this thread, but maybe a lot of people are all out celebrating.

I’m delighted for the travelling toffees, especially Danny, John R, and Rob H, and also Mark M, who made a very wise choice not going for that meal!

Firstly, I got to meet Rob Halligan, along with Danny, his son Connor, and some other blues with my dad before the match. Some Everton fan legends there.

Secondly, Everton were the best team on the pitch, by a fair bit. We deserved that win, we earned it.

The Blues support were incredible, we were a few blocks to the left with some friendly Brentford fans and felt the passion, noise and power of our fellow fans. I salute you all, the Bees fans commented on how great you were, we are still buzzing from it.

I'll analyse tomorrow, but Onana had a great game, as did Gana. Branthwaite is sheer class, we've got a gem there for now. Lots of positives.

Signed, one happy Evertonian.

Hopefully that bit of confidence will help us gain momentum. Thelwell has done pretty well to build a squad that should suit Dyche’s tactics and being able to bring on a fit looking DCL for Beto is a big step forwards. Garner was good and Branthwaite impressed again. Whisper it quietly but if we can avoid injuries this team has the potential to make it all the way to 15th or even 14th.

I am truly flying tonight. Come on, you Blues!

Much happier tonight.

Let’s back it up with two home wins.

Hard to get my head around that one, Jay @77, as I believe the squad he had available today and the squad he had available last Sunday are virtually identical.

In fact, the only difference was one nominal slot on the bench for a player who was never going to be used: Hunt in for Onyango. Yet the judgements of Dyche are going to very different this weekend, methinks.

- Fulham (H): battered them and lost because we had no centre forward. Away keeper man of the match.

- Villa (A): outplayed away by a side with much better players.

- Wolves (H): battered them and lost because we had no centre forward. Away keeper man of the match. Again.

- Sheff Utd (A): unlucky not to win our first game with a new centre forward.

- Arsenal (H): restricted a side with much, much better players to just one or two chances despite all their possession. Unfortunately they took one of the chances.

- Brentford (A): battered them and won convincingly, doing well to reassert ourselves after their undeserved equaliser.

Had we bought Beto before the season began we'd be comfortably on 10 points. As it is we're on 4 points.

We aren't going to race up the places by any stretch but we're better than our points tally and Dyche is doing a decent job with the cards he's been dealt.

And Wolves, Bournemouth and the three promoted sides also have a really hard season ahead of them. Maybe Brentford too and even Palace. Long way to go yet.

Plus Branthwaite is a cracker.

Doucouré did what he does best. I liked McNeil and Garner. Mykolenko was better today. Tarkowski did well at both ends of the pitch. Branthwaite looks like someone we will sell, unfortunately - he’s very good. DCL is a lot better footballer than Beto, but over the season Beto may help to take the strain off Calvert-Lewin’s body.

After a great morning of Boys’ footie, it’s been a cracking day. Made up for everyone who travelled to the match.

Branthwaite, stood out, Tarkowski was very good alongside him and scored a good goal, O’Neil was tremendous and still feeling his way back into the team but Doucoure deserved to be MOTM for his non stop running, full of effort, scored one and could have had another,I thought Dominic took his chance well and whether you thought he was lucky or not they all count, hope he scores a few more like that in the games coming up.

Again the away fans took over and lifted the team all through the game and deserved to witness a very good victory, they deserve more days and nights like this.

I think today’s win has given all of us a lift took a lot of the doom and gloom away, keep it up next week Blues.

Tad more stressful than the Everton game but another win!!!

Sorry Paul, you have to be wrong.

No striker goes for the nutmeg several yards from a keeper when the goal is gaping either side. It might be a joke attempt in training but never in the heat of battle

Hurry up and leave, hurry up and free us from your dirty horrible curse William Kenwright, and let me get back to supporting the club, I’ve loved since I was five years of age, you fuckin Zombie!!

COME ON IRELAND💙

And what’s the big deal anyway? We would have won 1-2 without it, why try to downplay it? We’d take it on momentum grounds alone. It is something to celebrate in case you need a prompt.

Oh Barry, look at the replay from behind DCL. He is obviously shooting inside the keeper’s legs. As Mike said, caught a heel but that’s a striker’s goal

Can't have a day off, can they?

I had us down to get beat tonight but we are fuckin' back.

Everton, tonight, I love you… can't sleep — because it's a great feeling!

Checked it before my first comment and it's as clear as day and as I explained a pro would never go for the difficult nutmeg when easier options either side of the keeper are available.

I think you and others are willing him to show that level of skill when the reality is, unless 2 ft from Calvert-Lewin, how on earth could you discern from a camera whether he was looking at the keeper's legs or at the goal?? – Simply impossible.

Still, for Sky to make it about slagging fans off rather than the win is pretty low.

Everton & Ireland!

Not often…

Strikers goal.

It was a determined attempt at the direction and location intended and it went in the net. All the rest is, well I don't know what the hell that is.

And well played Jeff on 117. That is what I really wanted to comment on.

But no Jeff, I am claiming what I see on that angle. Calvert-Lewin intended that shot.

This evening's result makes it much easier to rationalise the previous results.

Calvert-Lewin had to take his very good first touch at speed; otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to stay ahead of the split defenders, and when he looked up, the keeper had closed down the space very quickly.

It looked to me like Dominic has gone for the nutmeg, and thankfully the ball went in. Hopefully it will give the lad some confidence, because footballers thrive on confidence, although you could argue that if he's trying to nutmeg keepers, then he must have confidence in abundance!!

At least Everton have got us smiling – so enjoy the night everyone.

Branthwaite, you gem. Dominant winning the ball in the air and on the ground; cool when in position; passing short or long. Barking orders. And one so young.

Garner, Tarkowski and Branthwaite were great. Doucouré was much improved. Funny how people see the game differently because I thought Gueye wasn't great for most of the match although he improved massively.

We looked pretty solid and played well on the break, Beto is a bit raw but keeps showing for the ball and can hold it up. Nice to be able to watch MotD for once. Well played, Blues!

As I said, I had already checked the camera angle and it was clear as day he went for a shot in the general direction of the goal. But I see you've dropped the deliberate nutmeg nonsense — it would have been a mad decision if he'd tried that.

He's not a natural goal-getter but he's not stupid.

I certainly criticised the middle three most of the season, but today, they were much more active. All-in-all, there's much more I like today, than I dislike.

Branthwaite and Tarkowski were solid as a rock, Mykolenko is learning and doing okay. I think Patterson hasn't quite got his sense of positioning right yet, a bit like Seamus when Moysie put him in midfield for a season or more.

Garner was outstanding and McNeil was much more himself today. What a difference Beto makes. He was giving their defence a hard time and I think once he settles in he'll be a top player for us.

I thought Doucouré and Onana played much better today (hope they keep it up!). I'm made up for Calvert-Lewin and I thought Michael had his grumpy head on today. That goal of Calvert-Lewin's wasn't lucky in my opinion, it went through the goalie's legs. A fine goal.

Well; done Sean Dyche; we were like two different teams between last weekend and this one. Well done all. This isn't going to be the best Grammar but; my Man of the Match was all the lads and lasses who filled the ground with noise. Singing and chanting for the whole 90-odd minutes. After the dire games they've had to endure. they turned up in their thousands to cheer on the Blues.

They were brilliant. Well done all, a credit to Everton.

WELL DONE, ENGLAND!

"the undercarriage gap"

What on earth is that?

Mykolenko looks very ordinary, Gueye is full of mistakes and we need a right-back. But this squad has enough about it to be comfortably clear of danger come the end of the season.

Branthwaite MotM again, never missed a header and passed out of defence so well.

I wasn't convinced a couple of seasons ago but his 2 years out on loan in the Championship and Dutch league have really improved him. No doubt he'll be lauded on MotD and the likes of Carragher and Nevile will latch on, so he'll end up atMan City but 777 will be pleased with the money.

Barry, the undercarriage gap = between the keepers legs. 🥴

Looks like Harrison is very close now, too.

Seriously, I have never just kicked a goal attempt in a general direction. A pass maybe was pushed into space but no general direction on a shot

Deliberate Nutmeg Barry! I know, mind blown.

“Are you fucking mad” I asked him. “MOTD is just starting and Everton won”!!!

Have you ever played football?

One of the basic tenets of the game is "hit the target" a descriptor of aiming at the goal without the specific aim of right, left, top corner, centre, or low. In other words the general direction.

C'mon fella, this is basic stuff.

Aside from Villa in the cup, two winnable games against Luton and Bournemouth. May be the tide is turning.

The next is to wonder why we're usually so reluctant to have the ball when we're actually not bad with it. Of course it helped having a forward target, plus Garner and O'Neill in there who actually take a touch and try to retain possession or make things happen. And I think we saw a better Onana for that reason... for all the criticism, he's one of the few who could control a ball in the last few weeks.

My last thought is for Myko. He was brilliant again defensively... but bless him, he's technically terrible. How many times did he simply miss the ball when trying to control it? I love a tryer, but he'll cost us games simply losing the ball in basic positions.

Actually, put Gueye in that category too.

Tell me you haven’t played at a level without telling me you haven’t played at a level.

There are times when a player has his arms extended because he’s trying to make himself big to block a shot, and other times they just end up extended because a player is stretching his leg to make a legitimate block. So sad the officials can’t tell the difference.

Chris, I thought it had been much later in the game but I haven’t gone back over recording to check. They obviously wanted it to look like a lucky break for us that could have changed direction of game entirely. Should complain to BBC.

Good fun though

There were very strong performances last night from Tarkowski, Doucouré, Beto, Garner and for the final half hour, DCL. We were so dominant it was slightly disappointing we conceded a goal. I don’t recall Pickford having a save to make. 3-1 flattered Brentford.

Hopefully the ridiculous calls for Potter to replace Dyche will be put on hold for a few days.

Apart from the 3 points obviously, the most pleasing aspect for me was a proper performance over 90mins. The result was never really in doubt.

As for the support? No words can describe how good they are.

Said poster has yet to refer to the sublime move and effort by MOM Garner who won the ball (heart and effort) and got his poise back to play the perfect ball (skill and creativity: or did he mishit?) for DCL to score a very nice strikers' goal.

We won FFS. Calvert-Lewin scored the third. It was important. We needed it badly. I don't give a flying fuck how. But let's just keep harping and fecking harping on about intention rather than the goal that might possibly do us the world of good with two erm "winnable" home games over the horizon.

Glad you enjoyed it mate. Brentford are one of the few teams I’ll watch when Everton aren’t on as I’ve no animosity towards them and some family/friend connections. But I’ve never seen them El before where their vocal supporters are outperformed by the visiting fans. I don’t know how many of you were there but their whole place holds only 20,000 and at times it sounded like the Everton fans alone were in excess of that.

As for Branthwaite I have to agree. Under Carlo he played a few times and seemed solid as in no obvious mistakes but his year at PSV, plus I suppose ageing a little has moved him on from a solid young Shane Duffy type to someone who looks a bit special. I think it’s a good combination too with the older vocal Tarks beside him. Whatever other issues they had I felt like Coady and Tarks was a case of too many chiefs. You can only have so many vocal dominant types and two side by side risks ruptures.

Agree with you regarding Tarks and Coady, both are decent players and leaders but together is perhaps one too many.

Branthwaite has a great future ahead as does Beto and James Garner. If we can keep hold of them for at least another season we may even spring a few surprises.

Anyway, too late now and off to bed but not sure I will sleep, still too high!

But, in hindsight (great stuff hindsight) they have remember there are 3 (maybe more but 3 will do) types of teams we play...
1) Teams we can beat
2) Teams we might beat
3) Teams we're unlikely to beat...but you never know.
Then there is the Home or Away factor...Forget all the variables you can't control, like form, referees, VAR, injuries, getting the crowd behind you, and never underestimate the 'bounce of the ball' either.

What we have is (at least) a 5 way choice chance of rock, paper, scissors, fire and water.

Dyche and the team have shown that...as with Brighton Away last season we can be the paper that wraps the rock.

The Key question is...does Dyche even know that what works at Brentford might not work at home Vs Luton - and if he does know what doesn't work - does he know what will?

Anyway 3pts wrapped up for Mk.1 Dyche-Ball (paper version) and on we go.

I also think we have a couple of cracking players with potential in Garner and Branthwaite.

UTFT!

Of course it was intentional.

Have a fabulous trip. Are you on the train up to Liverpool on Wednesday, staying in my Crosby?

Dyche got it absolutely spot on. He clearly drilled into the players during the past week that they mustn't fear the little round thing. We could've scored 5 or 6.

Hopefully its not a one-off.

It’s the kind of goal we have conceded too many times in recent years, I’m celebrating us dishing it out.

I've never seen us first on MotD … I've usually nodded off before we are on!

The player after the match said, "I did not pick the corner, I just smashed it the general direrection." If you don't buy a ticket you're not in the raffle.

Yes, plenty of good players have come from “over the water” including that Dixie fella, James Garner looks like he has a very good career ahead of him, hope it is with us.

Thanks for the posters who said Everton were first on MOTD while I was waiting for us to come on this morning, I switched it off immediately. i can't stand those smug bastards who talk on that show, only watch it now and again when Everton win but even then sometimes swerve them Pundits – load of …I've already said that word once and it's Sunday, off to church in a few minutes!!

I couldn't believe we were first on MotD… me and Little Blue nearly missed it. Normally steer clear of that shite though, can't stand the Ferengi but even with two ex-blues on they find some way to criticise us.

Anyway, what a great day!! Onward Evertonians.

I thought Dyche got a lot of things right against Arsenal last week, but I was still very critical because he also got a few things wrong, imo mate.

We were set up to defend and stay in the game, which is a sensible thing to do against the better teams, especially because we had so few points on the board, meaning a draw would have been a very good result.

The gripe I had, was that not during any period of the game – did we try to make the game a little bit scrappy, and this is generally a good ploy to use against an Arsenal team, who love having things their own way, imo.

I thought Pickford could have skied a few up towards Beto, and we could have got a few players to then go and contest the second ball, but Dyche, was too cautious, and seemed to have us concentrating on our defensive shape, even when the ball was in Pickford's hands?

I spoke about footballers needing confidence when referring to Dominic's goal last night (there are some funny lunatics on this thread!) and I believe, once this Everton team get a bit more confidence (the unbelievable backing they received last night, will surely help?) then they will slowly begin to grow? 🤞

I watched and don't recall hearing (though my stream wasn't great).

Perhaps any of the TW posters who were at the game could comment.

Only a minority who clearly felt he had set out that day to smash his own cheekbone in – just so he could go off. Clueless pricks.

I saw an interview with Bobby Charlton once and he said, words to the effect, when you're 25 yards out, you hit it as hard as you can in the direction of the goal frame.

People will see what they want to see. A fella a row or two behind me in the Upper Gwladys used to moan about Amokachi, all the time (I fear he may have been of the cross-burning tendency):

"That bastard nearly missed that header against Spurs (1995 FA Cup semi-final) ...it nearly bounced over the bar!"

It's been cheerful as keeps some folks going.

Yes, he was booed but some on here will deny it because whatever Calvert-Lewin does has to be magically transformed into some fantasy.

Like positioning himself to shoot wide of the keeper by opening his body out in classic fashion only for his shot to ricochet off the keeper's leg into the onion bag.

To those so persuaded, that is a deliberate nutmeg. Marvellous!

I must admit I expected the worst but was delighted when he told me we had retaken the lead then added a 3rd. I watched MotD and even the commentator said this is by far Everton's best performance. It's hard to judge when only watching highlights but it certainly looked like our best performance.

I think Beto is going to be a very good signing and I think Garner played in his best position will also be a very good signing.

I am sure that will be a huge weight off Dyche and the players, the first win and an away win will be a big confidence booster for the coming games.

I don't quite know why DCL had to say some of the fans booed him when he came off at Villa, as I said at the time, many of the fans couldn't possibly see how bad his injury was and were just frustrated that we had waited so long for his return that he had gone off without getting in 90 minutes.

Some weak links:

1. Mykolenko is limited. Ashley Young shows him and Patterson up despite being in his late 30s.
2. Gueye on the ball is an accident waiting to happen.
3. McNeil slow tracking back for their goal.
4. Doucoure struggles to control and play a ball, but his energy and goal threat are important for this team.

Much better than Brentford though. They were short 3 or 4, but that's part of the parcel.

One thing I know you will definitely disagree with, is that you’re definitely trying to create arguments Barry, which is why I started my post by writing keep it going, Barry, mate!!

Brian 197, are you admitting to being a boo-er? No shame in that, we’ve all done it. I’ve booed and, back in the day, threw a bog roll on to the pitch once. But never a cushion.

That was a much better performance and the players rolled their sleeves up, they needed to after the white flag before the Arsenal game performance.

Win, lose or draw, as long as the players have a damn good go, that will do for me, give everything, and that's what the players did, got the result today with having a go and working hard as a team.

Made up for the team, the travelling Blues, and fellow Evertonians, well deserved 3 points.

Onwards and upwards.

Anyway, back to yesterday. An overall outstanding performance from everyone, yes, even our midfield trio which quite often, comes under fire, justifiably so sometimes. Gueye does continue to infuriate us though, he can do something wonderful like, in the first half when he dropped his right shoulder to leave his opponent for dead, before moving forward and playing a lovely through ball to Beto who had made a great run to get behind the Brentford defence only to pull his shot wide. The opposite to Gueye being the careless passes he gives away, and always seem to be in a dangerous area. I counted at least three stray passes by him, which could easily have led to a goal.Doucoure was immense, scored a great goal, had another shot strike the crossbar, and just never stopped running. Onana too, seemed to be everywhere, and probably his best game so far this season.

James Garner had an outstanding game, culminating in winning the ball back in his “Favoured midfield position”, before playing a lovely defence splitting ball into DCL who calmly slotted. MOTM for me though, had to be Branthwaite. The lad is so cool on the ball, doesn’t panic under pressure, and I don’t recall a single stray pass from him. Definitely in the Franz Beckenbauer and Bobby Moore school of defending.

Finally, us fans. Outstanding performance from start to finish. It’s amazing how we can feed off the team, and vice versa, who really get us going, particularly with the early goal. Ok, we don’t have players in the class of Man City, who does to be fair, but at least show the effort, the defending, the attacking, the pressing, controlling of the midfield, and most importantly of all, scoring goals, all of which happened yesterday, unlike last week, and the fans will react and help push the team on.

I know it’s only our first win, and one swallow definitely doesn’t make a summer, but the signs are there. We have solved our biggest problem for a couple of years (Maybe more), with the signing of Beto. Although he’s yet to score a premier league goal, he looks a real threat. I would play both him and DCL against Villa in midweek, after all, what’s to lose, other than a cup tie? Jack Harrison, who I watched on Friday night for the U21s, and looked decent, could also get a run. I’m feeling a bit more optimistic for the rest of the season than I was last Sunday, anyway.

Finally finally. Great to meet Rob Hooton and his dad in the Bell and Crown yesterday. It was pretty easy to find in the end. Danny was also there with his son, Connor.

Finally finally finally, I would like to give my respects to our two coach drivers, two women at that, who did a great job. It took us just over three and a half hours to get back to The Rocket, getting back there at about 11.45. I was told by our steward on the coach, that it was the girls first time doing a football coach, and they were pretty nervous beforehand. Well they had nothing to worry about, they did a great job, and who knows, maybe could be our lucky mascots!!

Going long to Beto will work in some games but I thought Gabriel and Saliba had the measure of him physically and are both good technical players too. We tried a few things but very little worked that day – basically because they are better than us by some measure in every position and kept their concentration. Not tactics.

Dom received a great welcome yesterday and he responded in spades. There were a few boos at Beto getting taken off, a lot wanted to see 2 up front.

My thoughts exactly.

A more accomplished player would have dragged the ball to his left after opening his body to feint the keeper who was already committed.

Slotting would have been as easy as pie then but that's not part of the Calvert-Lewin armoury.

Not in his locker I'm afraid.

Argument?? – Civilised debate, my friend!

He is defensively very solid. It's when he's got time on the ball as has to pick out a pass or is asked to go forward that his limitations show.

That said, he did beat two people yesterday and win a corner when attacking but, when he was put through on goal in the first half, he was the last person (Gueye aside) who you'd want through in goal with only the keeper to beat.

Just to correct your misconception, I have being following Everton for 70 years and I have never booed or left a game early.

I wasn't actually at the Villa game where Calvert-Lewin said he was booed. I just pointed out that the fans on the terraces couldn't possibly see how bad his injury was.

Rob Halligan, who was at the game, agreed that he couldn't see Calvert-Lewin's injury and the majority of fans just thought his hamstring had gone again. That still wasn't a reason to boo but each to his own.

Doucoure would need to have some engine on him though, to do his midfield, defending and attacking roles non-stop. That's what a manager is there for though, to get these team selections, substitutions etc, right. The joys of being a football manager eh, though there are some on here who think they could do a better job!

Except he has already scored.

Mykolenko defended well, as did all the defenders, Beto with flick ons and incisive runs to get us up the pitch, and to top it off Calvert-Lewin comes of the bench to seal the win.

Well played Blues, every single player played their part including the subs. On to Luton and hopefully our first home win.

We could have had 6 against a very poor Brentford team in my opinion. I think a Brentford fan posted in pre-match comments he could see us winning 3-1!

I thought the back 4 all had good games. Mcneil played well, Gueye did a lot of good work spoilt by 2 mistakes, Onana still didn't really get going but did make one brilliant tackle.

Garner was excellent and his pass for the Calvert-Lewin goal was what we need from a centre mid player! Doucoure played a typical Doucoure game. Energy, hard work and a goal. Beto raw but looks a threat.

Pickford did okay.

I would be tempted to start the next league game with the team that finished this one.

Hopefully we will see Harrison at some point on Wednesday. Not sure if Dyche will play Beto and Dom together as I can see Chermiti getting a run out. Probably depends on how much Dyche wants a cup run. It can be a distraction and add unwanted games to a thin squad but it can also help build confidence and winning is a very good habit to have.

On the way into the stadium, there are, as everybody knows, body searches. I don't really have a problem with that, but yesterday, the steward who fleeced me, then asked what was in my coat pocket. I replied glasses and my wallet. He asked me to take them out and took my wallet off me and started to open it. I said “What the fuck are you doing?” and snatched it back.

His mate stood next to him said, “If you don't let him look, then you're not going in.” It's a wallet, probably the size of a mobile phone, so god knows what he expected to find in it, other than money and a bank card?

Anyway, after he finished, I snatched it back and stormed in. I don't think any steward has the right to look inside your wallet, and I am seriously thinking of complaining to Brentford. The only thing is, I didn't get his name, but I think Brentford FC need to be made aware that this kind of searching is just not acceptable.

The lad I travelled with told me his mate refused to let them search his wallet so the steward tore up his ticket! Fortunately he managed to get a spare from the ticket office. Unbelievable if true.

Surely the stewards have no rights to search to that degree. It's asking for trouble which is strange coming from an otherwise away fan friendly stadium.

It didn't happen to me but I heard somebody complaining about their wallet being searched. I have never seen or heard anything like that before. I can't imagine what they expected to find that might have been a threat to stadium security? Moths maybe! 🤔

Bottom line, good strikers score what looks like flukey goals all the time..

If you can't embrace an honest debate about how a goal was scored without having a tantrum, don't get involved. No one is excluding congrats on an Everton goal because they're discussing what happened… Stop being so infantile.

In all fairness, since when is it a debate when you keep repeating your comment continuously.

Dyche finally managed to change the intensity after the Arsenal performance and it showed.

I would love to beat Villa after the way they beat us earlier but this cup really means nothing to me except a chance to rest a few and open up opportunities for others.

The only person who will know whether he meant it is Calvert-Lewin himself. It's like the goal Seamus scored against Leeds last season, did he mean it? Seamus came out and said he did, because he had looked up, seen no other blue shirt in the penalty area, and also saw the goalie off his line.

So come on, Dom, come out and say your intention was to nutmeg the goalie!!

Mikel Arteta was a central midfielder often played out wide by David Moyes. Gave him a bit more space and time to influence the game. Same thinking might be getting applied here.

He seemed to do well wherever he was last night. I think Dyche just wants him on the pitch.

Just be delighted that Calvert-Lewin scored, no argument from me, just simply that he scored.

Because people get emotive and lose sight of the point made and go off on hand-wringing tangents (as you did), ergo it gets repeated till the penny drops and/or they calm down.

Quite simple really.

Barry @218. If you want to see who's now being infantile I suggest a quick look in the mirror.

Anyway, a really good away win and I'm pleased that Calvert-Lewin was able to show his ability at last. Dyche's decision not to bring him back too soon is paying dividends and the setback injury at Villa was just awfully bad luck.

However, it's the next two league games that will demonstrate if there's really an improvement. Luton is a typical 'Everton That' type game, where we usually manage to conjure up a defeat.

How on earth does a detailed appraisal of a goal scored become infantile?

Please explain with examples (quotes perhaps!!) or are you totally unaware you are living proof of my point?

With our next two games against Luton and Bournemouth, we have to win them. Do that, and we'll be on 10 points after 8 games. That's not relegation form, Thank You God.

Great game yesterday. Now let's keep moving forward and win our next two and remove ourselves from staring down the abyss.

Well done, Sean Dyche, and well done the players.

My MotM.

Seeing as Dyche got such a positive reaction from the players, and tried to rid them of that bloody awful term "Everton That!", it's up to many more of us to do the same.

We all support the same club, we all want the team to do as well as is possible, but sometimes, we fall for that narrative of "Everton That"; it's a loser's refuge, it's an excuse for failure, we must try and eliminate it from our vocabulary.

Doubtless, there will be games where things go against us, but that's the way football is and always has been, so the only thing we should dois dust ourselves down and look to the next fixture and try and treat each game as an individual contest.

A contest which will be won, lost or drawn by the actions of the teams involved, and will not produce a preordained result based on the baggage we carry with us, as a team and as supporters.

Asked about the build-up to the 3-1 win at Brentford – the Blues' first victory of the Premier League season – he said: “We did a bit of work in the week with them, not just training work but a good chat with them. A few things came out and it just had that feeling of ‘the Everton story'… you sort of start going along with it.

“I said it is us that changes the story, so that is it. End of. No excuses. You are all rounded enough, you have all been in the Premier League, you all know how it works. I said: ‘Lads, it is us that changes the story. Let's have it right.' That was one thing. And another was that idea of finding professional enjoyment.

“It is tough, the confusion of playing well and not getting results. We have had lots [of tough moments] before this – I said look at all the tough times you have had in the last couple of years, including the end of last season. That is where you grow. You should have the on-pitch maturity from them experiences to go and play under pressure.

“I thought that was on show against Brentford, that way of playing under pressure, doing all the right things… so it is pleasing for me that they reinforced that with their own performance and got their own reward. Source: Liverpool Echo

I'm not sure whether we looked good (which we did) because they were absolutely rubbish (which they were) or whether we made them so, for example by an effective front press for the first time this season and outnumbering them in midfield. It's likely a bit of both but I think more the former, which is why I think we should not get too carried away. The Luton game will tell us a lot more.

No-one had a seriously bad game this time, not even Gana or Young. Beto is a handful but his finishing was poor, hope that improves. The two real pluses for me were Branthwaite and Garner, both look very good players, as they did with the winning England U-21 side. Hope we can hang on to both but I fear Jarrod especially is going to be in high demand. No wonder PSV wanted to keep him.

Oh and for what it's worth, I think DCL did try and nutmeg the keeper but only he will know...

Back at you Tony.

We have contrasting opinions but you are a class act always trying to be civil it is a pleasure to discuss matters with you.

Others would do well to learn from your example.

The more I practice, the luckier I get.

Interesting that about Brentford missing a lot of players Mark, and it just shows us how important it is to have a strong squad, because Everton have been getting undone in similar circumstances for quite a few years now, imo.

Being civil comes naturally thankfully Barry, although I do have my moments but usually only towards people like Rob, and Neil, described as being present at Brentford yesterday. Great days out can definitely be spoiled by people in uniform, especially when these people don’t apply any common sense.

Nobody carries cash anymore Rob, wallets are now only used for Charlie! The things these bastards can get away with is staggering, when it’s claimed we live in a free society. This is the only thing I don’t miss about not giving to the away games anymore.

Onwards to Villa Park,if we can win there (even on Pens) with two very winnable games to come at home in the league the confidence and belief will rise...COYB

I once saw Daniel Amokachi score one off his arse

If Brentford are so concerned about drugs being taken into their stadium, then maybe they should employ the police, or whoever it is, that use sniffer dogs outside the stadium.

In what adult world does someone post "Back at you"?! That tells you all you need to know.

I suspect that anyone who might share your view will not come on as they do not want to be associated with your playground persistence. Meanwhile, and this is. becoming so routine that it suggests that you rather enjoy it, you are on your dogged own again, barking, insulting (why would you call CR "infantile", why?).

Sometimes it's good to just let go Barry. Try it. But no, you have to pop back on at 194 to continue something that most others just wanted to see finished.

At Fulham a couple of seasons ago, drug sniffer dogs were in use at the away end (only).

Rob, I’ve sent an email to Brentford asking why they thought it necessary and what rights do they have to do it. It will be interesting to see if I get a response.

We have played equally as well against Fulham and wolves and got nothing out of the game.

Brentford are no mugs but will struggle without their focal point striker similar to us for the last 12 months. Is Maupay the answer for them? I doubt it.

I felt a bit for Beto yesterday, he worked hard and thought he deserved more than an hour on the pitch. The tactic worked and DCL did make a difference when he came on. A bit of competition for his spot will do him the world of good.

Onana drifted through this game, he needs to start impacting at either end of the pitch. He is so frustrating.

I was please Garner started instead of Danjuma. Garner gives us more work rate and better quality. I am yet to be convinced with danjuma's all round ability and think Harrison will eventually take his spot on the wing and Garner move into the middle instead of Onana.

Made up Young was taken off the set pieces, garner and O'Neil have better quality at this stage of their careers.

Mykolenko again having a decent game keeping Burmo quiet. My motm Tarkowski he was good at both end of the pitch.

Rob, is a middle aged man, and doesn’t come across as anything other than a genuine football fan, but you know how these people pull rank and the lengths they can go to even when they haven’t got the law on their side. It can easily escalate and if Rob, had had a few pre match pints, I think you know how the story can go.

I got ejected at half time once at Man City, one sensible policeman, knew what was happening but he couldn’t/wouldn’t pull rank on his gobshite mates, and just nodded his head in agreement when I said, how easy it is for these things to escalate.

Everton actually sent me a letter, cos I showed the bizzy asking for ID, my Everton season ticket which just happened to be in my coat pocket, (I wouldn’t have done this if I had anything to hide, would I?) and I was at Goodison Pk, at ten past nine, as soon as I’d dropped my son at school, demanding to speak to the person who had sent me the letter.

He wasn’t in the ground, but he rang me about 3O’Clock, the same afternoon and couldn’t apologize enough after hearing the proper story. I was fucking fuming and had only gone the match because one of my kids had rang me asking for a lift whilst I was in work.

I ended up taking him and had to buy three tickets for about £130, and when I added that to the money I lost by finishing work early, it worked out at over two hundred pound. I could have took yers for a big Chinese banquet, had a few pints, and then watched the match on the telly, I fumed at the kids, (the game was live on sky) but I was true to my word when I said I’d never travel to another away match that was live on television, and have only broken this rule for a few cup games.

It wasn’t about the money but it’s saved me thousands, although in all honesty Rob, I don’t think you could live without traveling away to watch the blues playing anywhere.

My message basically asked why does Brentford FC feel the need to conduct a search of away supporters wallets and can they demonstrate a legal right to do so? I also said I found their approach to be very intrusive at best.

"All persons seeking entrance to the Ground acknowledge the Club's right to search any person entering the Ground and to refuse entry to or eject from the Ground any person refusing to submit to such a search."

And I also found this which amused me no end:

"Sikh visitors to the stadium will be permitted access with a Kirpan, provided that the blade length is no more than four inches and it is safely secured in a sheath and concealed beneath clothing."

Presumably it is some sort of ceremonial knife. The guidance also encourages carriers to show it to security.

Later (once he stopped laughing) he explained that at full speed with the keeper close it was the easiest way to score. Do a little shimmy like you're going around him, or open up your hips like you're shooting back across him, as Dom did yesterday, and the keeper's legs will open every time. (He had a sexual term for the technique which I will not repeat here.) I've watched for it ever since.

Certainly lots of times it's pure luck to score under the keeper, but it's also frequently planned.

Incidentally, Iwobi was 4th last season.

Neil @ 263 The guy posted on social media, that he checked a fans wallet and couldn't believe that the supporter still had a white fiver and a ten bob note! Wasn't you was it?

It’s scary “watching” a match on your phone, looking at statistics that appear to show yet again that we’re generating chances but not scoring, and then hanging your head in despair. But those two quick second-half goals change everything.

Onward and upward!

Open the body, early, low and firm past the oncoming keeper.

I couldn't care less whether it went 3 cms to the left of the keeper's left leg or 3 cms to the right of the keeper's left leg.

It's a good finish. Sometimes 'better' finishes get saved. He instinctively did the all right things and the ball went in the net.

Well done Garner for the press, tackle and through ball. Well done DCL for the movement, touch and finish.

He hasn’t got silky skills that is for sure but he makes up for it with the other stuff. I think he is underrated.

Rob # 251 - yes Tarkowski had a great game - I can see why he would be your pick.

Unlike Doucoure, Iwobi makes avoiding any physical contact at all his life's mission, to the cost of the team and result.

Iwobi is powder-puff, worth nowhere near what we paid for him, as Fulham are already finding out, having benched him last Saturday in a 0-0 draw against the mighty Palace.

In fairness to his Toffee fans, he did eventually get 15 minutes on the pitch though.

I'm sure he was very contented by that.

I didn't get asked for my wallet (they're not getting that), but did get asked if I had taken drugs or had drugs on me. I asked them why they thought that.

"Because you look tense" was the response.

Mine was “Do you understand what it's like following Everton at this point in time?” Of course I was tense.

He let me in.

Personally, it was relatively smooth, but over the top. Airports don't even have those level of personal checks. Bags go through scanners and dogs trained to sniff out explosives or drugs are used.

Checking a wallet? What do they expect to find other that a few debit / credit cards and moths?

On the subject of Wirral players. Although we don't know if he will step up, we also have Lewis Warrington in the wings. He's always impressed me whenever I've watched him play. I hope the loan at Plymouth helps his development playing competitive football.

Personally, I prefer players who are two-footed – it will be interesting to see how Jack Harrison fits in.

We now have to carry that performance forward into the Luton and Bournemouth games because 6 really tough games follow them. Let's hope that this is the turning point in the season. We will see.