87 Minutes

They’ll always hit you when you think there is optimism.

I missed my meet-up with Brendan, but the very kind stewards let me into the ground and I took a seat in the front row of the Paddock in front of the Bournemouth supporters. I was moved along after the first goal when I celebrated. I got asked by a steward if I supported Everton, to which I politely answered with a simple “Yes”.  Strange question, but he smiled at me and gave me a wink and told me to move along further down!

87 minutes. Game safe, that’s it. But this is Everton. I don’t need to say anything else about what happened after that, we all saw it.

I don’t know what to say about the match. Probably the best we’ve played so far this season in my opinion… for 87 minutes.

Ndiaye was by far our best player. He’s exciting to watch and has goals in him. I was surprised Calvert-Lewin got taken off. Personally, I would have left it. As the old saying goes, don’t fix what isn’t broken. I never see the point in late changes. I was disappointed we didn’t bring young Dixon on. With his pace, he may have countered that winger as Bournemouth targeted our right flank.

 Maybe it was just where I was sat, but I noticed Tarkowski drifting out wide and almost playing as a right back at times. He was right in front of me on several occasions. But other than that, we were mostly in control until those last bizarre late minutes.

I did my usual and was sat in the Arkles talking to a couple of Northern Irish lads. One was a Bournemouth supporter, the other a Kopite who had travelled with his mate. They couldn’t believe they won it as much as we couldn’t believe we lost it.

I’ve said many times, that I think Dyche will be here until his contract runs out at the end of the season. I’m not going to criticise him too much. In hindsight, some poor decisions with regard to the substitutions, but he needs to turn this ship around as I feel he is losing some of the fanbase and possibly now some players. I suspect it could change when new owners come in, but I’m still not sure who we would bring in. I’d look at the continent if we decide to change.

Nice chat with Brendan and Brian yesterday. It’s often therapeutic talking to fellow Evertonians, even after suffering a defeat in that manner. I don’t like international breaks, but hopefully this one gives us a chance to have a re-think because we need one.

Brendan, until next time. Likewise, Lee, we will meet at some point.

Back home at the weekend. Different reasons. We’re laying a stone on my grandmother’s grave at Allerton, as she has sat in a pauper's grave. I never met her as she was gone before I arrived.

I was always taught to end on a positive. There is still a long way to go and we are in the next round of the League Cup with matches we can win coming up. Villa next, so I’ll no doubt have banter with the in-laws, although half of them support Wolves, Liverpool, with the odd West Brom one. Onto the next one.

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