Another top draw thanks to Pickford's brilliant penalty save

Nevertheless, still hoping for a positive result!

What a daft sod.

Why does he pick Doucoure who couldn't pass water? Stopped watching a while back and won't while Dyche's awful tactics are being employed.

On this occasion I'd take it.

Then come back, post-Dyche, and show what a good player he is.

Man City have been playing shite, haven't won in ages, and it's Boxing Day at their place… and it's us playing them!

Hoping for something, expecting nothing.

No need to go mad chasing it yet but have to make it difficult to get numbers into our area. A lot of hard work required. Up the fighting Toffees.

Seasons greetings to all!

What a finish!

3 points still up for grabs. Come on you (Royal) Blues!

I thought this team couldn't do that?

I thought their goal was down to Tarkowski being out of position again and he seems to rely on Branthwaite getting him out of the proverbial or he backs off thus trying to boost his blocking stats.

And that about sums up my first half.

Great goal from Ndiaye.

No wonder he wants away.

Great stuff!!

Calvert-Lewin is quite simply not worth his current wages and he wants more!

He has played many times in a two-striker attack and still can not score goals – the best part of his game is his leap and running the channels.

His touch is awful, hold-up play could be much better, his passing is poor and when clean through we have all seen many many times he goes to pieces.

He is not the striker we need moving to the new stadium. Sell him. (If anyone is willing to pay!)

All credit to Dyche. Many thought he would be gone by now…

Me included.

I've been on my own for years but could do better than Calvert-Lewin. Quite simply, he's a bang-average non-league player expressed perfectly by Oliver.

Great point all the same so 3 points gained with nothing against in goal difference. Just got to take all 3 points from the teams we're supposed to beat!

Today, we had 1-2 chances where we needed better decision-making. Honestly, we could have won, if we had the cutting edge.

Ndiaye is a gem.

Can't help being a little disappointed with that last break, 4 on 2 and Harrison just shit himself!!! A touch of composure in that minute would have seen us take all the points!!

Left-back, striker and creative goalscoring midfielder in January please, Dan!!

Alan #17 - I watched the full game uninterrupted on Optus mate.

Well in.

Seamus was immense, Pickford majestic, Ndiaye sublime skills, Mangala is a great player in the making. All the players put in a good shift.

My only negatives was some of Mykolenko's descions -tackling and passing. Calvert-Lewin looks like his mind is anywhere but on the park playing for Everton.

Broja, was brilliant when he came on and looks a real team player, who has touch, timing and vision. For me, he starts v Forest.

Great Christmas, so far for Everton, and hopefully it continues v Forest! All have a great Boxing Day!

Again nothing pretty about it but we got a point we wouldn't have expected 6 weeks ago.

I was amused at Pickford's interview after the game when he was asked if he was aware that Haaland usually scores against Everton and his reply was; "Aye, but then a lot of people do".

Plenty of effort, just if there was a bit more quality on the break.

Broja is obviously a better footballer than Calvert-Lewin but neither really looked like scoring today. Thought Lindstrom also showed some nice quality too. Harrison, sadly, is really poor going forward but works his socks off and probably helped to make sure Doku didn't hurt us.

Really tough run of games and we've been good throughout.

Quite simply, that's the most ridiculous statement on the thread. Non-league?

I too would be tempted to start Broja, but I completely disagree that Calvert-Lewin's hold-up play is poor. He cuts a frustrated figure right now, but he's doing pretty well with the nightmare role he's given. Not at his best, but under-appreciared by many.

What an asset Jordan Pickford is.

Well done, Blues.

Although now we need to start putting some wins together, which means scoring more goals. Broja and Lindstrom should start next game.

If I had been on here predicting no points, I'd be happy to eat humble pie. They won't, though.

Dom's touch and decision-making when 1 vs 1 are just not good enough. If any offer comes in for him in January we should sell. I'd take a tenner to get him off the books.

Other than that, I'm a happy Blue today.

Did that really happen?

UP THE TOFFEES!!!!!!!!!!

Back to sleep, grinning like a little kid. Feels so good.

I kept peeking through the window checking the score and was really happy that we came away with 1 point to go with the other 2 points we have got from 3 teams where a lot of supporters including myself thought would be difficult to get any.

Have to congratulate the manager and all players involved in getting the points. I will watch a bit later with more than a few drinks.

Where are you? I'm in Parkwood.

I'm not far from Blackpool, place called Poulton Le Fylde.

Everyone knew he would blow the chance. What makes it really bad is that he did almost exactly the same mistake against Chelsea.

I believe Mangala has made a huge difference in solidifying the team; I hope we can find the funds to make his loan permanent, a key player.

I've been his biggest critic, but credit where it's due: we don't look like losing a game any time soon.

Man of the Match: Ndiaye – and not just for that sublime finish. I hope all you Pickford baiters are listening another penalty save to add to his collection.

Dread to think where we'd be without him.

True… but don't tell me you are now on the Dyche Love Train? :-)

All our relegation rivals have to play them and I'll be surprised if any of them get 3 points from the same 3 games. That alone makes those 3 draws great results in my view.

Being ultra-critical, I would suggest we should have won today. That 4-on-2 break at the end was a criminal failure to put the ball in the net. Harrison can be so poor, but he was also very good defensively today and helped Coleman no end.

Man City are well off their usual pace, as we know; I'm just happy today wasn't the day they clicked and hammered someone, because it will happen. It's a refreshing change for it not to be against us!

No mate, I'm not, but I do recognize he has done "some" good. 😁

I am enjoying the recent resilience that the team and Dyche are displaying. Being hard to beat is a hallmark of what we need to have in our DNA.

Maybe it's taken time for Dyche to imprint his resilience into the team. Now with some proper funds for offensive players, we could start to change the other end of the pitch.

Plenty of good performances helped the team – and it's best to leave out the two really poor performances that had me screaming at my innocent iPad… but Jesus, we deserve better than watching the tripe they continually offer us.

Unbeaten in the last three when probably 99.9% of posters on here predicted a loss in each one, and we'd be sitting not so pretty in the Bottom 3!

Calvert-Lewin certainly isn't playing well but bang-average non-league player!?

Been watching much non-league recently have we?

We lack composure in the final third. Roll on January and a couple of new signings.

4 on 2 in the last minute of the game, what do they work on at Finch Farm?

On Prime, Pickford wasn't exactly showered in praise after the penalty save. Jumpy Pickford was Clive Tyldsley's expert comment, maybe a bit biased but he doesn't get the praise he deserves.

Where did 6 minutes of injury time come from, 1 injury, no goals and a few subs?

What is it with people's obsession with giving Patterson a go? Multiple managers haven't fancied him for a reason.

Looking at what's available, unless we have injuries, there is only Lindstrom or Harrison for the wide role; everyone else more or less picks themselves.

Did anyone else pick up on the commentator saying Gana was retiring?

I wouldn't mind us trying to keep hold of Mangala, he is a calming influence.

Ndiaye my MotM with a class finish.

One thing really peeing me off, every 'foul' we make, no matter how inconspicuous, seems to result in a booking – why?

Apologies for being picky but Harrison probably does amazing work but today in the 4 v 2 he should have done better. And last game at the Chavs he should have squared the ball for a tap-in. If only, eh?

Calvert-Lewin has very little to his game and his main strength is holding the ball up which he has shown very little ability to do regardless of the opposition. His touch is equal to Doucouré and neither of them are deserving of professional status. Control of the ball are basic requirements of their trade and I'd say they both fail miserably.

My eyes are not what they were but his effort is now matching his ability. That's my opinion anyway.

I'm more than happy with our result today but hopefully, with the dark cloud of Kenwright and Moshiri disappearing, we can rid ourselves of these players who simply can't play football.

Rob, results like our last 3 are exactly why I never predict defeat – anything can happen on the day.

Tony, if you're still reading, there were considerably more deer this year than I remember in the past, seemed to be several hundred in the main herd. We've done this Boxing Day walk every year since my three boys were toddlers – must be 20 years now.

Looking forward to 3 points from Forest now – I think we've turned a corner.

Still a good result. Could've been a great result but we really don't want chances falling to Harrison who'll run and defend all day but appears to have lost all attacking skills.

Pretty sure that, without the deflection, Pickford would have saved their goal and pushed it clear of the City player at the far post.

Ideally we'd have been singing “sacked in the morning” to Pep but the point will have to do and Broja looked good on a longer run out.

I agree that Calvert-Lewin's best asset is holding the ball up, certainly in the way we're set up. Some other poster claimed he was weak at it. Insane. But while his first touch is patchy, it ain't non-league. To say any Premier League player is non-league standard is clearly daft.

Doucoure's first touch, weight of pass and pass success rate are the worst I've seen from an Everton player in decades. He's an athlete, but rarely looks Premier League standard. But non-league? Come on, man!

Calvert-Lewin is a big man but rarely gets the better of any defender in the Premier League or cup games. His touch is awful and his main job of finishing is shockingly poor. He doesn't belong in the game in my opinion. Head and heart are not there.

On the other hand, we have Ndiaye who seems to relish the challenge of having opposition around him and can play football.

A breath of fresh air to all Evertonians, this kid. We need to build a team around him.

Special shout to Seamus, who looked surprisingly fresh and gave us an added dimension getting up the pitch. Ndiaye and Pickford again proving to be our saviours this season.

With Broja and Chermiti coming back, and Broja looking solid, I don't get the shouts for finding a forward in January if we were to offload Calvert-Lewin. The focus would have to be on the right wing and at fullback.

It would help to have a more dynamic attacking central midfielder, but that will have to come in time, as hopefully McNeil and Iroegbunam will have to do the job this season.

Great present our boys served up for us these last 3 matches, gives us confidence going into the New Year!

Whatever happens on Sunday, December has been our best month of the season so far. The players look fitter than earlier in the season, some are on their way back from injury, and we now have better options on the bench. We are also benefiting from a little bit of luck but no more than we are due or deserve.

With Mangala, Gana and Doucouré working effectively as a midfield trio, we are enjoying periods of greater control in games, albeit from deeper positions than most of the top teams.

Once again, in the closing stages, there were moments when our attackers lacked the composure and confidence to capitalise on counter-attacks.

Broja appears to be a decent option on the bench. Against tiring defenders, he might well be the player who can be a match winner in the weeks to come, from the bench rather than as a starter.

Sean Dyche has laid sound foundations on which to build. The players are undoubtedly giving everything to the cause. Continue in that vein and we can expect to enjoy an improved second half of the campaign.

I got pelters off a certain member for comparing Calvert-Lewin to a Blackpool donkey.

I still stand by that as, in comparison to other Premier League strikers, he's hopeless.

I understand the tactics are impacting on his game but you're right: he rarely holds the ball up because his touch is bang average at best… and he does get bullied by opposing defenders.

If nothing else, Calvert-Lewin has a great first touch. Any ball slammed into him, he can control and almost kill the ball stone dead, before laying it off for a teammate.

As for his finishing being shockingly poor, well you may be half-right, because he has missed a few chances, but given the right service, then I think he could and probably should have scored a few more.

As for his head and heart not being there, well I beg to differ. Calvert-Lewin runs his nuts off every game, though I guess that is something you can't really tell from just by watching on a little screen.

Some posters were suggesting that this tough run of fixtures was effectively an "interview" for Sean under the new owners.

If so, he's made a strong case for himself.

Another brilliant performance by Jordan Pickford.

I thought Broja looked good again. Wish he'd have fed Doucouré though on the 4 v 2 break.

Hope we can make Goodison a cauldron and get a win against Forest.

Fair play to Dyche for getting the defence organised. Just need to add a bit more pace and attacking threat.

I can still see him being let go at the end of the season though.

I can see TFG wanting a more attack-minded manager to make our football easier on the eye.

I was very worried going into this run of games about where we'd be in the table. It still doesn't look great, but a bit better than what I was expecting. I've never felt we will be relegated, but sometimes a situation, such as dropping into the drop zone, can cause clubs to panic.

If we can beat Forest (I've a sneaky feeling we will), we can hopefully start putting a bit of a points gap between us and the relegation spots.

So much to be happy about but do you mind if I end on a dark note? Harrison. That's five (it might be six) golden opportunities he has fluffed in three games. He has arguably cost us at least four points. We need to drop him off at the Rocket so he can hitch-hike back to Leeds.

Big Rob, can you round up some of the lads there and get hold of some fog machines and get yourself down to their high prefab?

He's been a good servant to this club, a bargain at £1.5M, and has suffered in the last few seasons from a complete lack of service from the wings, banging crosses into him. When he was being served, he scored. Now, he's not. It's no wonder his head is elsewhere.

But I don't think it's quite as inevitable as many ToffeeWebbers would have had us believe four games ago.

I couldn't agree more mate

I'll be pig sick when I see him scoring for a side that creates regular goal-scoring chances.

I watched his 50 goals on YouTube the other day. You wouldn't believe how many were from good crosses, crosses we're so very very short of and have been for ages.

When you sacrifice attacking, creative play for defensive solidity, your lone "attacker", not just "striker", is going to suffer.

I for one can not wait for Calvert-Lewin to go to a team that are better than us (right now) and prove he can do the business – and make the likes of me eat humble pie. I believe it will not happen.

Again today, he was one one-on-one with a Man City defender and his touch was awful – the guy is not good enough.

I don't know if Iliman Ndiaye was at risk of aggravating an injury but, as that 4 on 2 unfolded late on, I was cursing him or Lindstrøm not being the option on the right.

We played a risky game at times, with City playing over-the-top balls and Haaland splitting our defenders, plus them exploiting our full-backs, Mykolenko in particular.

Stupid tackle from the Ukrainian, but Jordan was up for it.

In both halves, we grew into it, even though Calvert-Lewin was, yet again, isolated.

What a goal from Ndiaye. Touch, hit, goal. Top drawer. My Man of the Match, which the panel on Amazon Prime agreed with.

The 4 v 2 at the end was a chance to win it, but we played the wrong pass. It should have gone left, but we opted for Harrison, who took too long and smashed it at a City defender.

Then you better start baking your “humble pie”.

With limited funds, we will do well this summer to keep hold of the core of the present squad and hopefully replace a couple in attack. That being the case, Dyche is better placed than a newcomer to manage the squad through what will be a transitional period.

I doubt he will be leaving this month. I expect he will remain in charge for the rest of this season. I would not be surprised if he is still here next season. That obviously depends on results.

Great to see Seamus back. Great player. Great character.

Well done, Blues. Happy Christmas everyone!

You got called out for making a fuck-witted comment. Which you are, holy fuck, standing by. So, I'm quite happy to call you out again.

Danny, l beg to differ a bit in that I thought up to actually unleashing his shot, it still seemed odds on we would score.

Complete lack of composure meant he hit it straight at someone instead of finding a gap to put it into.

Good draws are wonderful for morale etc but getting a win and 3 points would make such a difference. But given how few good chances we create, it means that we need a very high conversion rate which even the top teams don't achieve. It took a really good goal from Ndiaye to get us just one!

In September and October, we might have seen Forest as a possible 3 points but they are on such a run at the moment, I can only see us doing more of the same on Sunday. The majority of their goals come from attacks down the wings via Elanga and Maitland Niles so Harrison or Lindstrom and Ndiaye first priorities will be to support Mykolenko and Young and probably again when we play Bournemouth.

Will Dyche continue to play for a point a game and creep away from the relegation places? It's worked for the last 3 games but it only takes a win from Palace or Leicester to drag us back.

Can Dyche find a way to win 3 points? Recently we have played so defensively that we are hardly getting upfield to win corners. But, with McNeil missing, they have come to nothing.

It's a real problem for Dyche: Attack with 2 players and not create enough chances to win a game? Or get us further up the field and tell the wide players their first job is to create chances?
If we do that, lose the ball, get caught out on the breakaway and are 0-1.

Unfortunately, I think we all know the answer to that problem!

Someone made the point the other day, it's about service, or lack of, and, although admittedly his finishing is often quite frankly dreadful, the fact is he won't get near as many opportunities as the strikers for the top sides do.

Take Haaland as a case in point: now the supply line dries up, therefore, his goals do too obviously.

As for the Pickford detractors on here, I always thought it was absolutely ridiculous – the man has been consistently our best performer for 3 or 4 seasons now the good outweighs the bad tenfold. Proves the doubters wrong once again. Top keeper.

I don't know what you guys saw in the UK, but the NBC coverage here was an absolute fucking disgrace. Not the commentary, which was perfectly balanced, but the camera work.

Did the traveling blues not make it to Manchester? Did Sean miss the bus? You could assume so, from what we saw. After our goal, shots of City fans, sitting stone-faced. No close-ups of the traveling blues celebrating. Shots of Pep trying to encourage his team. No shots of Sean pumping his fist in the air at the equalizer. Just absolute broadcast garbage.

Regarding the penalty – no, I'm not gonna call it a PK even if it would irritate someone I don't mind irritating – Jordan certainly made a good save, but to me the unsung hero is Coleman bearding Haaland. The guy didn't look happy to begin with, and Seamus definitely got under his skin. Well done, captain!

What impressed me most about this performance was how composed everybody looked. Calm, confident, not at all nervous. Jarrad in particular was immense. It has taken him a while to get back to full form after the injury, but today he arrived.

And finally, it was great to see Patterson back on the pitch. I watched him a few times and was impressed with how alert he was, head on a swivel, constantly looking over his shoulder and adjusting his position relative to his center-backs. This is new. He has always been a conspicuous ball watcher with no clue what was going on behind him. He was totally aware. Great to see.

Now I'm going back to sleep.

Are they not “on the grass” yet? 💁🏼

It's why Carlo always said to him to stay in the box, because he knew his touch and vision when holding up the ball or running the channels is not great!

He's never looked imposing, clinical, never really bullies defences (apart from Chelsea under Dunc!).

If playing as a part of a front 3 with a decent attacking midfield behind him, where his only task is to finish stuff off, I think he may flourish. Its not this team now!

It's like asking Mykolenko to play left wing, he'd do a job, try his best, run his arse off, but he's not going to be the answer!

As I say, I think it's time for the natural parting of ways. For us to stop thinking he will be our answer and for him to get a new challenge. I'd wish him all the best!

They would both be a welcome return to the squad.

We need 40 points to guarantee safety? Maybe it will be less but 40 and there are no ifs and buts.

We need wins soon, need to start scoring and taking the chances on offer.

Oh and three great chances against Wolves would have knocked our goal difference down. Surley he will be first out of the door probably to Grimsby, followed by Mykolenko, Doucouré for starters.

And as for our passes going astray, I don't think it's the training ,I just think they need to go to Spec Savers.

Happy Christmas, everyone.

I was happy enough with a point for the Blues. Yes, we could have snatched a win in the last minute, but so could City in the previous 94 minutes. I sometimes wonder what other fans are thinking when they watch us, then I shrug my shoulders and think “Who cares? We only have one objective this season (although winning the FA Cup would be nice)!”

Another solid performance; a couple of wins between now and the start of February would help to dispel lingering doubts.

Mariners? Still struggling. 0-3 down after 70 minutes, almost turned the game on its head but lost 2-3.

Best wishes all round.

All players deserve praise both individually and team-wise; however, I thought our midfield, especially Mangala, were excellent. His link-up with Gana is improving every game.

Well done, alL!

I saw it mentioned earlier that the penalty was soft. I didn't think that at all – it was an amateurish challenge by Mykolenko and a stonewall penalty. I thought the only controversy there was that he wasn't given a second booking. Penalty fouls seem to be yellow cards 9/10 these days and that was a pretty poor one.

I had a fair bit of confidence in Pickford though. He's great in those situations. Loves the big moment.

Broja did well when he came on. I thought Calvert-Lewin did well too but there's a difference between someone with a point to prove and someone who is starting to look pretty dejected.

The reason it wasn't a yellow is because when the penalty is called, the yellow is only also given if it's also “reckless”, (which you could almost argue it was), but not for “stopping a promising attack.”

It's the reason you also don't get a red card for a penalty in which you attempt to play the ball, but are “denying an obvious goal scoring opportunity,” which is a red card if not also a penalty.

Essentially double jeopardy is the reason: you shouldn't get punished twice. If that's just outside the penalty area, it's 100% a second yellow and Mykolenko's day is done.

Doucoure and Harrison both went to Specsavers recently…

They couldn't find it! :-)

The same fella called Lukaku a lazy cunt nearly every game and that fella could finish two fish suppers. Some people will never be pleased.

Imagine if we'd lost, we'd be looking at around 300 comments by now.

Using an equine analogy... compared to a thoroughbred, he's a Blackpool Donkey.

Call me out all you want, I won't lose any sleep over it.

I go round Petworth Park with my dog, a few times a week and have noticed more deer than last year. Despite 100 being shipped out to Scotland, to start a new herd.

Tony Dunn, wildlife correspondent.

Will it be a Dinosaur next ?

Oops ! :-)

A restrained response from you. Fair play.

At least 75% of the 'passes' that come his way, are either from Pickford's hopeful punts, or long balls hoofed forward from Everton players in their own half. Rarely do we see players making it to the bye line to deliver pinpoint crosses back across the penalty area to our centre forward. Short clinical one-two's with him around the box are virtually non-existent. Contrast that, to the service that Haaland regularly receives with City, yet for umpteen games now, he has been unable to capitolise.

I sincerely hope Calvert-Lewin stays with us; however, if he was to leave, I'd dearly love Pep to take him to City. I believe we'd see the real Calvert-Lewin then and it would expose his doubters on here for their inability to see further than the end of their noses.

350 plus by this stage 8½ hours after a defeat!

We're not easy on the eye but we are competitive in most games!

The lad works his socks off every game, feeding off scraps, battling alone against 3-4 defenders whilst getting no service. Reminds me a bit of the stick Lukaku used to get on here.

Three wins and only 15 goals after 17 games makes me think Calvert-Lewin isn't the problem here.

What I can say is this is the first time since being a fan that we are competitive to a point where we can win games against good competition. Right now though, with the tactics, it feels like it would be an accident.

Our midfield was poor today, and we can't strike. We seem to always be in counter-attack mode, which is frustrating. However, we have some talent to make it “almost” work.

Calvert-Lewin was marked well today. Ndiaye is fantastic and fun to watch. Harrison and Doucoure missed some crazy opportunities. We had chances!

Here in the US, we would say in American Football that it looks like we are constantly playing “not to lose”. It would be nice to have tactics or players so that we could threaten to win sometimes. It's coming, I hope!

Please be kind, I'm new to soccer, but these are my limited observations.

I don't like Dyche but we'rt e fucking doing it.. despite or because of him. It's doing me head in. Stick or twist????

With stability off the pitch post-takeover – solidity on the pitch with the defensive strength and real fight being shown by the players to stand up to better teams – may we keep the standards up to prevail against an on-fire Forest.

Then, Happy New Year to all Blues. UTFT & COYB (and may we, before too long, justifiably be able to expect: NSNO to be a realistic expectation once more).

The new stadium is certainly deserving of a team to grace it in style. May 2025 be a great month for Everton and Evertonians. 💙

Welcome, mate.

One thing. It aint never soccer it's football. 😉

Friedkin is advised by me, a discerning observer for decades (!), as you all know of course, to have a hard think about Dyche and Thelwell.

Given the crock of financial shit in terms of the squad they inherited from the gruesome twosome, they're due credit for a number of recent signings they've made and the impact several had today.

With funds, a professional owner and board, a new stadium, and a bit of luck (and everyone needs a bit of luck) Dyche and Thelwell may be able to get us in the top half and better… but who knows?

Anyway, in this season of good will, shit and derision to everyone not a Toffee and all the best to the rest!!

So great tactics by Dyche and great effort and performance by the team. Just remember… basically the same tactics got us a defeat at bottom of the table Southampton. One-Trick Pony.

Beware that Dyche doesn't use a version of the 'same trick' Kenwright pulled on Moshiri on TFG... "Listen, mate, we're skint, all these draws against top teams though, we're nearly there, all I need is some investment for better players and watch me go!"

3 draws against teams that have massively outspent us should be a positive shouldn't it?

We all know our problems – small squad, low quality, 9 players out of contract in the summer, overly reliant on loan players and restricted by PSR despite being the only Premier League club with a positive net spend over the last 4 seasons – but Dyche is a one-trick pony… am I missing something?

Dyche's contract is up in June, my worry is he kids them into getting re-hired on the back of his one-trick low-block, stating the reason above.

The job he has done is genuinely incredible.

I accept we should have taken more this season but we're not in a bad position and if he can add quality to forward positions: particularly a right winger, we'll be much much better.

I think Dyche & Thelwell have earned a chance to continue & reinforce.

Another tough game on Sunday but, if we remain tight at the back and play Ndaiye in, 3 points beckons.

Hence, whilst Dyche continues to scrape out good results, he is safe from the chop. His contract can run down and he can exit quietly at season end at little or no cost.

Plainly, he is not the man to take us forward nor to be trusted to spend any serious money on players of his choice in January. However, I do suspect that he is one, possibly two poor results or performances away from the sack and that TFG have a Plan B in these circumstances.

Today was a much-improved performance and an excellent result. 3 points from 3 games where many of us would have expected little or nothing. However, the next couple of games may be seen as a truer test of Dyche's competence and the resolve of TFG.

My bad! Football. Just excited we've stayed away from wretched relegation, and have some promise… just want more attack! In the future maybe.

Not a Premier League player.

Think about it... the goal Ndiaye scored today, and the one a couple of months ago... instant reactions, top corner strikes both.

Dom has never done that. Ever.

"What is it with people's obsession with giving Patterson a go? Multiple managers haven't fancied him for a reason."

I mean, Benitez was basically sacked the moment he arrived. Lampard absolutely fancied him and Dyche doesn't. So it's basically 50/50 in terms of managerial approval.

I think that's been said about every striker we've had from Moyes teams onwards.

Remember Beattie? He even said that when he left us and started banging them in.

Well, I drink with an Albion supporter who's over here for Christmas and the way he describes the bloke sounds exactly like the descriptions of Dyche on these pages.

Except they don't have a Pickford launching balls upfield, their goalie dithers and makes hospital passes to defenders when under pressure.

Where in Perth are you? I'm northern suburbs.

For fuck's sake, he's just one of many pro footballers who saw right through the vacuity of Kenwright and his self-glorying mentality as our club visibly perished.

He earned a wage with us that made him no doubt happy, but now he's aligned himself for far less money with a professionally run club who will in all likelihood improve his salary and status in the world of professional football, whilst we trudge along hoping for the best from our new not-so-rich-compared-to-more-than-a-few Premier League club owners.

At Crimbo Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" hits the TV relentlessly but, given the massive damage inflicted on us by the shyster Kenwright and the buffoon Moshiri, I'll hope to be surprised by Friedkin if we can merely avoid "Hard Times" for even more years.

Bill #125 - It was Benitez who signed Patterson (and Mykolenko) and sold Digne in the January window, just before he got sacked.

Very much in a relegation scrap still and, though every point helps, we will have to beat some of the teams around us to pull clear, something Dyche managed frequently last season but has struggled with this season.

Absolute first priority (like the last few years) is to avoid going down. Everything else is a distant second for now. So, stick or twist with Dyche? Harsh to change now but we really do need to get a win from somewhere. Forest and Bournemouth up next. On paper easier but both are playing really well at the moment.

If we still don't win after the next two, it wouldn't surprise me if TFG twist next month. It'll be 1 win in 11 by then and, whilst we would probably still be out of the relegation zone, it wouldn't take much to drop in.

Dyche needs a win in the next couple of games imo. Another two draws may just keep him there, maybe.

As usual Calvert-Lewin was left isolated and looked totally toothless as a result. Whilst our recent defensive solidarity has been impressive, we will need to find a way of scoring again and taking 3 points so we can move up the table.

So still many hard games ahead, and a fast new winger in January would be a welcome bonus.

I was the wally that thought the penalty was soft, but I'd just seen it and was pissed off so ignore that nonsense please!

Jordan got some praise on MotD and it's strange it's taken most people so long to see why he has been England's No 1 for many years now. No wonder we want to tie him down.

Forest next will be a very difficult assignment, they are flying.

I agree with those who believe that Dyche will go if we don't start winning some games.

3 points is great, but there's a bigger picture. In context, it's 3 points that could have been gained with a tiny bit of adventure in other fixtures.

Forest, Bournemouth, Villa, Spurs. 3 of them at home. It's a pretty good cross-section of the league, and these games are the key. Let's see where we get to.

Your ability to shoehorn a Blue Bill reference into any thread is legendary but your Johnny Heitinga intervention on a thread discussing yet another very well earned point for the Blues is right up there…

Ed #137, that makes perfect sense but somehow I don't think wins specifically will be the determining factor in his continued employment. It'll be where we stand in the table.

If we're in danger of relegation, he'll go. If not, the new ownership will leave him in place. But I see zero chance he will get a new contract in June -- new stadium, new players, new manager, the latter probably already lined up.

Ndiaye and Calvert-Lewin are entirely different players, with different skill sets. I'm baffled.

Carlo identified that Calvert-Lewin is primarily a box striker, and instructed his team to give him the ball on the 6-yard line. Consequently, he had the best season of his career under him.

No other manager has done this, with the club selling every player with any creativity.

Their goal was from a fortuitous deflection and, at the other end, the deflection sent the shot wide of the goalposts. But brilliantly taken goal by Ndiaye.

Well done, Sean and the team!

Calvert-Lewin 'has never in his career scored a great goal'

Rubbish, Mike.

That's right, the goal v the shite on 24 April 2024 was not 'great'. It was pretty run of the mill really.

As you know MG, I have deep respect for you but not this crap.

Pour yourself something and watch this.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rsdyHX_XWmQ

Nah, no 'great' goals.

You do understand that 'great' goals are about technique and so on but also timing, the occasion, atmosphere, the sheer raw gut need and longing of the fans.

Calvert-Lewin keeps attack alive with a nice short pass. Takes the return 25 yards out with his back to goal and three defenders up his arse. Beautiful touch and spin takes him past all three. Smash's unstoppable shot past keeper from the edge of the box.

Best individual goal scored by an Everton player in the past 4-5 years? Probably…

I've watched that at least three times tonight mate. Fuck knows what MG is on.

Maybe MG is having a bad day

It is happening week after week, we have seen Dom one on ones, so why not mix it up on Sunday, and give Forest something else to think about?

We know Dyche will not go all out 4-4-2 unless it's panic and desperation, so why not put Dom in Harrison's position, and have Broja supporting in the middle at least then it takes a defender or two off Dom which could either give him space to take the defenders on, or at least have an option of Broja being an added option, than wait half an hour for the rest to get upfield to Dom. Okay, maybe not half an hour.

With both Beto and Chermiti now on the bench, there is no reason not to try something different, something that will turn draws into wins.

Again I will say, when Lindstrøm came on Saturday, why not switch Harrison to his favoured left side and have Lindstrøm on the right, move Ndiaye more central for the tactical switch in the second half.

Harrison will keep on slowing the final attack down, because he has to keep switching the ball to his left foot, which then allows defenders to regroup, whereas a through ball to him on the left, there would be no need for him to stop then cut in on the other foot, this would allow him to take it without breaking stride, and a run on goal.

The above could be an option in the second half, start Dom and Broja, then the second half, the option of both Lindstrøm on the right and Harrison on his preferred left.

That's two tactical subs you could make for starters, option of a striker and midfielder on the bench for two more, and final sub the option to use both Young and Coleman for like for like swap.

It's obvious Patterson is not getting more than 5 minutes a game, but by giving Young 70 minutes and Coleman 20 minutes, it allows both to put a shift in, without being flogged to death.

Can't protest too much of course because we are grinding out draws, but surely we can't rely on that philosophy till the end of the season.

Other teams around us will win some games; at the end of the day, one win is equal to 3 draws !

As soon as Dyche came in, he started playing him on his favoured left side and he looked a different player. The same is happening with Harrison, he keeps getting played on the right-hand side, a switch to the left and you will see a big improvement from the player.

Harrison is not a bad player, there is talent there for sure, but he needs to be attacking from the left.

Correct, Derek, we need a Plan B and stop flogging the same 11 to death, week after week. No wonder McNeil is goosed, he plays every single game for the entire match, even in the cup games. The manager is burning him out.

I respect him enormously for everything he does accomplish on the pitch, but he has never in his career scored a great goal.

Mike, I honestly can't believe you posted that mate.

Tell me which of these aren't great goals. 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, 21, 23, 25, 31, 45, 50.

We've been playing so "anti-striker" football for that long that people just forget what the lad can do. If you put Haaland in our team he'd struggle to score! I mean that.

Link

Calvert-Lewin certainly has the speed to play wide. Not sure about his ability to cross the ball, though.

From what I've seen of Broja, so far, I would like to see him start a few games. He certainly seems to have decent speed and reasonable control, good for the through ball, eh?

And the change for Calvert-Lewin might charge his batteries somewhat, as he seemed to be absent for much of the City game. I know it's a lonely role for him and constantly with 2 defenders keeping him under control but he seems to have much less strength than Broja.

I'm happy with Ndiaye playing where he is but I would like to see Lindstrøm in the central area rather than on the wings.

I feel we can get a lot more from this squad going forward but I am proud of the way the team has performed in the Arsenal, Chelsea and Man City games that, for most, were definite zero pointers for Everton.

The lad is jaded, shagged out or demoralised (use whatever adjective you want) and is miles from when he was at his best. The negative body language is clear, as is his ever-decreasing effectiveness.

Any striker forced to play without service, constantly challenging for 60-yard punts is bound to get frustrated. He's been flogged like a shire horse. Where once he was out jumping centre-backs and using his strength to out muscle, he's now passive and deflated.

He needs moving out of the first XI and, for his own sake, moving on. The playing style is not going to change in the short term, so stick Broja up there and take advantage of his desire to impress.

He looks to have a wider skill set than Calvert-Lewin and hopefully 6 months under Dyche will not destroy him. It's a hard ask, the single striker role, especially when the service is so rudimentary.

I think he has checked out and is hoping for a move away, I don't blame him. He has lived through this shit show of a club for many years, how many managers? How many relegation scraps? Carlo's tenure aside when has he had consistent and good service? 1 V 1s are definitely not a strong aspect of his game unfortunately.

I think the booing of him when he fractured his cheekbone really changed him, he alluded to that and the fans being on his back as playing a part in his mental health struggles.

Mike, I usually find myself aligned with many of your views and I feel I see the game similarly to you. I agree in your positive appraisals of his all round game but disagree on the quality of goals, he has scored some lovely goals for us.

I think he just wants a change. I don't blame him, if he can attract someone like Newcastle, I think it would go well for him. I can also see him being interested in some of the Spanish and Italian league links.

It is with a heavy heart that I think it is time to say goodbye and I wish him well; I think I would have picked Beto ahead of him for the last few games. I actually think we might sell both of them this window and spend on a decent replacement. Chermiti and Broja are ample back-up.

For a team that delivers quality crosses into the box, he's a 10- to 15-goal-a-season striker. Maybe a few more if he gets on a good run. Alas, we are not a team that delivers lots of quality crosses into the box. Hence the goal return is pretty low.

What he's not good at is running with the ball, imaginative link up-play, striking the ball cleanly, and one-on-ones. These are all the things which require real ability. Calvert-Lewin is a basically a mediocre footballer who has turned himself into an effective player through hard work. I suspect he's become a much better player than was ever expected of him.

If you want the workrate, physical attributes, and the genuine talent, then it tends to cost a lot of money. The likes of Nunez (£85M) and Hojlund (£70M) are good examples of that – and even they are struggling to get double figures in the Premier League.

Cheaper players can certainly score goals – but they tend to require a bit of patience and / or a team that plays entirely to their strengths. Such as Wissa (£10M) at Brentford and Wood (£17M) at Forest. I can't imagine either of these two being a huge hit in the current Everton set up. We just don't have the same attacking quality, flanks or pace as these two sides.

I do think Broja looks like a good footballer, but his goalscoring record (even taking his injury into account) is pretty poor. He's the sort of player who might take a season or two to develop – but could get 15 goals (maybe more) in a decent footballing set-up.

Twin strikers needed if we continue to play hoof ball, one feeding off the other. Absolutely pathetic tactics to play hoof ball to a lone striker expecting him to win it, control it, run 30 yards and stick it in the corner.

We do not play to our strikers' strengths, criticism him for failing to win, create and finish. Cross the damn thing to him to run on to. I sodding hate seeing a centre forward running channels with no one near.

Secondly, Broja, so far I am not impressed. On the 4 man break he played the ball to the wrong player and took too long in setting it up and releasing... a bit ponderous.

Sean Dyche football nullifies all hope for any kind of forward, so a non-clinical one has no hope at all.

Everton for decades (apart from the Lukaku years) don't score goals, and it's going to be many more years before this will be fully rectified.

The biggest issue the team has is the awful negative manager. And to think some wanted Marco Silva out. He got us Richarlison, beat Man Utd 4-0, and won 1-5 at the Dyche Moor.

It's not sustainable for a centre-forward to consistently play every game with these tactics and be effective. Calvert-Lewin is shot. We've arguably ruined him. But we have to be realistic and take him out of the firing line.

I am pretty sure it was £35M that got us Richarlison. Not sure Silva really deserves the credit.

But I do agree that it's strange to keep talking about Calvert-Lewin when frankly, other than workrate and defensive duties, Doucoure and Harrison were absolutely appalling yesterday (and usually are) in what are critical positions for a counter-attacking side.

Two of the greatest goals I have ever seen scored at Goodison have been scored by Dom. Last season's dDerby goal was a beaut and the goal v Palace under Lampard an absolute gem!

And like you said, the occasion both times make them iconic for me.

As for Calvert-Lewin, he will play better when surrounded by better players who play closer to him. However, if he was not making a contribution, he would be dropped. It's hard to expect him to go around with a smile on his face when he is so isolated.

A very good result yesterday with a piece of real talent leading to our goal. Forest are up next, another team in the Top 6, we seem to play one every week.

Another cagey game but we can get a positive result as they like teams to over-commit and hit them on the break. That's not us at the moment!

Whereas Wolves will go out and beat Man Utd. Even Southampton look more of a threat than us…

Yes, we have Harrison in the team every feckin' week.

I was actually shocked when against the Chavs he actually beat a defender and got a cross in!

The 2 decent seasons, 19-20 & 20-21 were the exception not sure the rule.

Some great goals but not a great goalscorer and a distinctly average player who just happens to be able to jump high.

He'll go to a decent team. He'll get the money he wants. And he'll score goals and contribute to the side.

And people will ask why he couldn't do that with us.

But it's just horrible to watch most of the time, even clubs in and around us seem to play with more adventure than we do.

Dyche sets us up not to lose and yet does after-match interviews saying we need to be better in the final third; well, try changing the tactics and players so we can do better in the final third. Why oh why he picks Harrison, week-in & week-out, if you are looking to be better in the final third, he has played around 46 games for us and scored 3 and none this season.

Calvert-Lewin, our main striker this season, has scored 2 in 17 games and last season scored 8 in 39. So it's not difficult to see why we don't score many when 2 of our regular front 3 have such poor goals return.

I haven't checked but I would imagine goals per game ratio Doucoure wouldn't be pulling up any trees either. So either it's having poor forwards or poor tactics or both; but, for us to get better in the final third, something has to change.

He's nowhere near as good as Isak and he doesn't want to go to the areas Haaland (or even Chris Wood for that matter) goes with the same intensity.

The way Broja brings the ball down under control with one touch is something Calvert-Lewin can't do. The way he drove forward from our box yesterday and traveled 60+ yards (or meters, you meatpies) and then found a teammate rather than running away from help is something Calvert-Lewin doesn't do.

Whether Calvert-Lewin will score more in a different team is questionable, but it was blatantly obvious from the play where we overloaded the City defence that the team lacked pace and incisiveness.

With an opportunity like, that you have to make a go of it. Lack of pace meant we made a fist of it.

In fact, whenever I see photos of this team, it's the same. They may not be the greatest but it sure looks like they're committed to the cause and each other.

Shouldn't be overlooked what the management have developed in this maelstrom era. Well done.

Calvert-Lewin was awful but how you can stay focused playing in a team that is employing such dreadful tactics, must be extremely difficult, but then City scored, I remember Dyche calling Dominic over and they seemed to be deep in discussion, and then his whole demeanour changed.

The shackles came off, we slowly stuttered into the game, and then the incredibly hardworking Doucouré put in a percentage ball, and Ndiaye, had the touch, calmness and precision to put us level.

The game changed, City still had a lot more possession, but Everton's belief continued to grow and with a bit more quality (the biggest thing in top-level football), they might have even nicked all 3 points.

From the minute Dyche and Dominic had that discussion, I thought our centre-forward changed from disinterested into a proper player, especially during the second half, when excepting that bad touch when he could have ran in behind, he was definitely playing at a 9 out of 10 level.

It would have been interesting to see him paired with Broja but only the bravest or stupidest of managers would have tried this, especially because a point at City is still regarded as a fantastic result, however they might be playing.

The early part of the game was so depressing because it looked like we couldn't play… but, by the end of the game, this had changed and hopefully it's going help our confidence.

I'm confident confidence would massively improve with another wide player like Ndiaye. I'm glad you mentioned the FA Cup, Peter, because, if you get draws against the better teams, then, with a little bit more luck and confidence, who knows?

Let's get a seance going, let's all come together and let Goodison go out with a bang!

I've got to echo your thoughts on Jack Harrison, he is a player I've been willing to succeed because he genuinely wants to succeed… but to no avail.

All this work rate is fine but he offers next to nothing going forward and is absolutely the same defending. He has little joy in that department, with opponents going past him like he's not there.

When he eventually receives the ball, it's incredible how often he fucks everything up, losing the ball the majority of the time and at best winning a corner but mostly throw-ins.

He is definitely past his sell-by date. Is there any way Everton can end this loan deal next week or are we stuck with him and his large wages with no real advantage to Everton?

A month ago looking at the fixtures I think many would think after Wolves the next chance of points would be Forest and Bournemouth. Now, however, they may both be the hardest to get anything out of!

It was a poor decision by Broja. I'm sure Harrison thought it would go left and it surprised him.

Now with new owners, there should be some money to strengthen the team if we can find the right players.

The only way we will become a top team is to have top players; it's easier said than done though with the restrictions on spending and its difficult to see how you get around that problem.

Just watched how Salah scored the 3rd RS goal v Leicester. A finisher of that quality would make a great difference.

If we got another winger, perhaps Ndiaye could provide that quality if played in a more central role?

We are likely to get more of the same in the next three, which would be disappointing.

I don't know if Broja realised that passing the ball to the left was the wrong ball but I think that Doucoure was already running into an offside position as he does far too often.

I've read on another thread that Broja was screaming at Harrison to give him the return ball for an easier attempt at the goal. Inever saw that myself on the day and I don't think it's on the highlights.

So we must play to our strengths, give them nothing and who knows, we might beat them both. All good runs must end at some point.

I love Seamus Coleman to bits – we'll miss him when he actually is past it. About 5 years time…

What a ridiculous comment, has scored plenty of great goals for us, and there isn't a striker out there who'd all of a sudden start banging them for us, the way Dyche sets us up.

I've said on many occasions Salah, Kane and Haaland would struggle for us, the amount of chances we create.

Dominic in my view has played really well this season, but at times there isn't a man within 10 yards of him so what's he meant to do?

Bring Broja in up top on his own – or Beto, or Chermiti – and not one of them will score many goals because of the way we play.

Arsenal away overhead kick – there's a belter; and there's been some classic headers along the way. Then again it can't be easy watching Dom struggle on your tv screen, can it?

The return of Broja, Chermiti and also the option of Beto may start something soon but Dyche has to be brave enough to rest Calvert-Lewin.

It would be nice to keep Young out of the Forest game as he escaped three penalties the last time.

Forest and the ''hated'' Bournemouth would be nice wins but very difficult. Still, there is much better concern for optimism in the New Year.

The next three games are a different sort of test. Hopefully we see a bit more of Broja and Lindstrom, since they have a bit of quality and do need games and minutes. Maybe even Harrison Armstrong sharing the load with Doucoure?

Who knows, by the time we play Peterborough, we might even have some new signings?

Thanks, John – I'll have to rewatch it and see who I mixed him up with.

But he has done a good job with the defence. I'll give him that.

I believe if we can add two or three players with pace, passing and shooting ability; he will also do a good job with the attack.

Dyche has been in management for over 10 years. Not once has he managed a team to attack. It's not in his DNA.

I have this vision of you both jumping up in turn at some self help addiction group in a run down Community Centre somewhere in Liverpool.

Thankfully however we can do that from the comfort of our laptops on ToffeeWeb.

Now about the bed wetting John...

Fine, everybody, I'll amend the subsequent sentence to "never scored a great STRIKE."

And he never has.

Brian #151, that eliminates the headers, and as to the others you listed...

11 is a well-placed mis-hit.

14 is a well-placed roller.

21 is routine from short range.

23 is acrobatically superb but no rocket.

50 is another well-placed roller.

What has never been seen from DCL is a top-corner screamer like what we've seen in recent seasons from even nonstrikers like Keane and Gray and Townsend and McNeil (indeed, I can't recall Dom ever going top-corner anything) or a side-netting outside-of-the-foot drive like Ndiaye pulled off yesterday.

Dom can do lots of fine things on a football pitch. Kicking a ball with power is not one of them.