Muric gift hands Everton a first League win in almost four months

But my God we are poor.

Even when they were down to 10 men, Burnley had better possession, passing, and every other stat you may want to add in.

However, at this stage, any points will be gratefully received, but playing like that, and we have been, we will not be so fortunate.

“McNeil put in as poor a first-half display in living memory”.

I know that your living memory is somewhat less than mine, but I offer you Per Krøldrup at Aston Villa, Glen Keeley at home against Liverpool, or the beloved Howard Kendall, bizarrely shifted to centre-back to accommodate Henry Newton, at Highbury.

Dwight just didn't play very well in the first 45 minutes!

He sent them out to build a wall.

I actually like most of the players.

I reckon, in a good team, a lot of them could do a decent (if unspectacular) job. But we have no players with any guile or attacking IQ — which makes everyone collectively look terrible.

The speculative Pickford long balls that might lead to one goal every six or seven games seems to send a message to our players and other teams that we do not have the confidence to mount attacks through the middle of the ground.

Indeed, I was amazed by the lack of midfield structure in the attacking third. Under Dyche, this team is playing scrappy, overcautious football that is uncomfortable to watch.

"The one takeaway from that game for me is that Vincent Kompany is a decent coach ... [he] might come unstuck occasionally but at least it is an attempt to play in a constructive way ... Under Dyche, this team is playing scrappy, overcautious football that is uncomfortable to watch".

Who won, Simon?

My main takeaway is that we beat "constructive" Burnley both home and away this season and that the way we played today – which, like you, I'm no fan of – is exactly the sort of scrappy footy that becomes almost necessary to win a relegation dog-fight.

Burnley are currently 1/25 to go down; we are 7/1.

There are times like the one we are in now when points take precedence over performance.

Everton won. Probably one of the least satisfying wins in recent Everton history. Three points is great, but as supporters, we are being served stodge. That's my opinion.

Having been a football coach for several years, I have always thought that the characteristics of a good manager usually involve maximising the talents of the list that you are given. Despite Burnley facing relegation, on the basis of what I saw last night, Kompany is a very good manager with an upward career trajectory. That is my opinion.

My worry is that, if we survive, is the Dyche approach going to be the template going into the future?

I like Kompany as player and coach – remember that fantastic late strike from distance that kept them in the chase that year. But, I felt honour-bound to point out that we did the double over him/them.

I didn't intend to come across as a snide. Hopefully, I didn't. And I respect your coaching experience that puts you in a much better place to judge than me.

It's all about getting wins at this stage of the season now, that doesn't mean that I want to sit through turgid performance levels either but right now it's needs must.

I had a thought in my head last night when watching Arsenal go top of the league and the wonderful job Mikel Arteta is dong there.

Would Sean Dyche win the league even with Arsenal standard players? I don't think he would, infact I'm absolutely certain he wouldn't.

But right now he's here, I'll back him and hope one day that Everton cam move forward sufficiently enough to see a more progressive way of football and forward thinking manager.

We have been a total mess for years. Certainly the worst I've known for the 70 years I've been a supporter. Until (if ever) we have a good and solid upper managerial structure, it wouldn't matter who is in the technical area. Look at the array of managers who have disappeared in recent times.

Presently I haven't a clue who is running the place. It was mentioned if Dyche was manager of Arsenal, would they be at the top? Equally, if Pep or Arteta (forget about the other arsehole) were here, would they be doing anything with our current squad? I don't think so.

Had he taken the job at Everton, Arteta might well have taken us down before taking us forward. Dyche has been hired to keep us in the top flight despite the firesale of players that started 3 years ago.

A better comparison currently is a club like West Ham. Put Dyche (and Thelwell) in charge of the West Ham squad and budget and how do you think they'd be doing? Would it be uber-defensive with the likes of Bowen, Kudus and Paqueta lining up behind the striker – and the solid midfield base of Ward-Prowse, Alvarez and Soucek – and the full-back play of Emerson and Coufal, etc etc.

I don't think it would. I think Dyche would be doing a job about as good as Moyes.

That's because West Ham's squad (and recruitment budget) is much better than ours. It's the equivalent of us sticking prime Coleman, Gordon, Sigurdsson and Richarlison back in this team (with a much stronger bench too).

As we know from the table, without the points deduction, we'd be chasing down a very unlikely spot in the Top 10 even with the crap perennial relegation-struggling squad we have. With the likes of Digne, Gordon, Sigurdsson and Richarlison I think we'd be chasing down a spot in Europe playing some decent football.

I read this morning that Dyche is proud that he set up to be ugly and defensive. It appears to be his way to defeat the mighty Burnley. It worked because of a very lucky (if opportunistic) goal. Otherwise, it was appalling fare.

Survival is the primary target and we will all be mightily relieved if we achieve it. However, if it is the template for a future under Dyche, some of us may struggle to admit that it's a price worth paying. Whatever the outcome at season end, he has to go.

Brazil 1970 we ain't, and we ain't trying to be. It ain't us.

Burnley play a lovely attractive passing game. They seem destined for the drop despite not having points deducted.

Thank you, Mr Dyche, and very well done indeed since being appointed, with the hand he was dealt and the shit storm and ridiculous situation he has had to battle against and through with dignity, and continues to do so.

Thank heavens he does not moan moan moan and just gets on with it. Top fella. UTFT.

It's the lack of basic football skill that infuriates me, the 'tactics' and the clear favouritism of certain players.

Against Newcastle, Beto couldn't even control a football at one point, it just slid right past him when he was trying to kill it with his left foot.

Yesterday, we had numerous opportunities to create a clear chance in the second half, but the decision-making and execution of the final pass was Sunday league level.

I understand the nerves of the players are shredded, and the manager is working under considerable constraints but it's just so frustrating to watch!

When Coleman gave away that needless corner in the last minute, I was shouting at the screen like a madman. Just basic communication would have prevented that.

Hopefully 4 points from 6 will help build some confidence and we can get back to playing the decent stuff we saw from September to December last year.

Has Moshiri taken the flags off the Bullens Road stand as a memento?

At the end of the season, it's all about winning and, as is now the priority, survival in the Premier League.

It's true that the players are up against the massive drag factor of all the messy business off the pitch, and the manager has added to the pressure with poor team selection. But it's the goals drought that has been killing us, it's almost unbelievable that we have managed to score so few.

At the moment, it's hard to see past tomorrow and the likely second points deduction, so for now I'm happy with the 3 points — playing like Brazil (or even Aston Villa) will have to wait.

I agree with most that Dyche won't be able to deliver the style of football we want to see but, until new owners take over the mess, we are stuck in this rut.

"It's the goals drought that is killing us".

It is. But if you set up to play in such a way that you are unlikely to create many chances and isolate your main striker, then the goal drought is an inevitable outcome.

I don't comprehend how Dyche can take pride in being so negative.

EFC has been a chaotic and dysfunctional environment since the day Kenwright introduced Moshiri so they could play with the latter's ( or the Russian's?) money as if it was some sort of hobby.

This has been our best season in terms of results for 4 years, especially playing under the threat of deductions — that can't be easy going into training everyday.

The quality is dire, but that's what we are. The blame lies with the owner and hierarchy who have turned us into the basket case that is Everton Football Club. The best jockeys end up on the best horses, we wouldn't even get over the first fence.

Dyche is the right manager for us in the current situation, just got to get on with it until owner, stadium, points deductions are sorted and we start over from scratch once again.

We'll never know how good of a manager Dyche is or how attractive a style of play he has with the crop of players he's had to work with at Burnley and with us. It sure isn't pretty now but, if he had everyone healthy and no points deduction, I'd like to think it wouldn't be quite this ugly.

So 3 points for now, Calvert-Lewin and Branthwaite were excellent, and we kept a clean sheet with almost no good chances allowed. Neil Copeland and Stephen Vincent and I are off to Chester for the day, with a slight pep in our step now that the winless streak is over.

I watch and have no idea what we are trying to do beyond hoof it up the park and pray for second ball possession. Other than the freak 5-1 at Brighton, can anyone remember a game of good passing football with a purpose?

Under Moyes, Martinez and Carlo we had purpose and style; now, we are just praying the opposition is worse than us.

I know the squad is limited but, when our best winger has no pace, it kills the left-hand side. We rarely overlap and cross the ball with people in the box. The midfield is terrified of playing forward and rarely support Doucoure or Calvert-Lewin.

Our best footballing midfielder is Gomes but we play a system that exposes his lack of pace (if he plays). Young is a liability and youth is not trusted. The final 3rd of the pitch turns all the players to panicky 5-year-olds. I swear Gana is paid a bonus based in what row his usual long-range “shot” lands in.

As others have noted, Onana will go elsewhere and look a world beater – this is down to our club and the approach we take in dragging players down to the lowest common denominator due to zero confidence and a plan.

Despite 3 points, yesterday was a horror show of a match. No Evertonian can be proud of that rubbish display – if Dyche “planned” that, as he claimed - he cannot be retained at the School of Science – unless we plan to change our motto to “Anything is good enough”

But if there was a league for fluffed chances, then we'd probably be clear at the top, and that's lack of quality – not bad luck.

We might turn the corner in the short term (on the pitch) but longer term, it's a worry.

They have played kamikaze football at the back all season and continue to do so despite it not working and despite conceding self-inflicted goals week after week. He refuses to change and become more pragmatic because that is the way Pep plays.

A good manager? – not for me. Everton would undoubtedly have been relegated if he was our manager.

Actually Klopp has experience of managing a less than gifted, relegatIon candidate team in Mainz.

Pep and Arteta have only managed at the highest level and are used to playing with top quality players.

Thank you massively for dropping a nuke on the Curse! Apologies for the reference to the famous last name, I don't know what connection if any you have to the genius scientist and it's none of my business.

However, your visit could be season-saving. You destroyed the Curse. To me, you are Jonny The Bomb.

I hope this is not in any way offensive. I have nothing but gratitude for the special kind of magic you brought to ensure the long-standing curse was lifted, and a win was witnessed again at the Grand Old Lady.

Thank you immensely and Bon Voyage. UTT.

Law of averages means he will sometimes win using his approach but it puts us at great risk most of the time. It reminds me of Allardyce which is hardly a flattering comparison. This season has become a trail of 1-1 draws and 2-1 defeats which shows we are toothless up front and treading a very fine line the whole time.

That is exactly the situation.

My concern is that opposition Premier League sides will be analysing this till death and may be able to come up with a tactical plan to increase the ugly percentages in their favour.They will spend the week before on it in training, knowing exactly what to expect.

As for Big Sam you did not get the sloppy play in his system.Every clearance and booted pass counted and the forwards and midfield worked bloody hard at tracking and tackling.He also put alot of emphasis on wing play pace to relieve pressure and try to keep a attacking threat.All the players knew they would get a almighty bollocking if they made a error.

I've had my doubts of late, but still: the wingers are doing nothing, the centre midfield creates nothing, Doucoure left his form behind when he was injured...

When the time comes, I'd want Steve Cooper. But the time won't be coming for a while yet, and Sean, whatever his faults, has outperformed his two immediate predecessors, with a FAR worse squad.

Take away the deductions (which the league will be doing next season) and the club are already safe. Which is a hell of an accomplishment.