Everton hold free-scoring Chelsea goalless at windswept Goodison

Well, Mr Dyche, this is your future possibly to be determined by 4 pm. Mrs T was eventually stabbed in the back and deposed.

I bet nobody saw that coming…

How bad is the weather at Goodison? The worse the better from our point of view. Jordan may be fancying his chances in one half.

No gung-ho thankfully.

According to the commentary, the Chelsea manager switched it up after 20 minutes to put them in the ascendancy after a pretty even start.

Seems really unlikely we will get another nil-nil. They have tonnes of options off the bench and we have a number of yellow cards to worry about. Will the egg-heads stir it up a bit in a surprising way or will we be simply putting faith in obduracy and praying for some wind assistance to stifle their potency?

3 points would be so good – up the fecking Toffees!

Fuck off, Dyche.

Harrison should have... but I will take the point. Well shut out, Blues!

Try again, the default auto setting uses too much bandwidth, stops the continual buffering.

Chelsea also had a couple of first-half chances.

Hard to expect too much more, especially when conditions were clearly so tough.

David James on the radio this morning was wondering whether Cole Palmer could really boost his assists this afternoon in the pursuit of the ‘double-double', and reckoned the delayed derby is a god send to the RS.

His smirk should look strained now and hopefully it will be totally wiped off his mug in the New Year.

Looking at our remaining fixtures conservatively, I reckon there is the potential for, oooh, 7, maybe 8 Nil-Nils up for grabs. That's 24, 25 points total.

Maybe I've got Mr Dyche wrong?.

One miserable chance all game, the Harrison one, which he should have squared to Doucoure, but didn't, and maybe Ndiaye denied by a great challenge.

That said, we restricted them to absolutely nothing and I have got to say we look solid.

But the sooner this clown goes, the better. If you're happy with these type of performances, well, more fool you. There's managers out there who'd do well better with this squad.

We went toe-to-toe with the best 2 sides in the Premier League in the last 2 games. Hung in there against Arsenal but this game, we were just as good as them, and actually created the better chances.

Bring on City!

Can't argue with that I suppose.

It's great to get a point against Top 3 sides and a clean sheet. But we should start winning games and increase the gap.

Not sure about City but we can beat Forest at home.

Christine (#14), thanks for that and will implement as soon as I get it translated, btw, I watch on the desktop via a dongle and had 2 good years but they now say that 10 kmsout from Perth CBD there are too many subscribers which is causing the problem!

On my phone, they tell me I'm not a subscriber, which is rubbish, and my telly is that old I get last week's programmes, but several times a day though.

But a point today was another great result. Hopefully, Broja can do the business.

I was worried before the game, but I thought we edged that.

He has had more than enough chances. I'm afraid I just give up on the Dyche selections.

The same goes for Harrison. Waste of space both of them.

As for Calvert-Lewin... had the potential to be a thoroughbred but turned out to be a Blackpool Donkey... no offence to Blackpool Donkeys meant.

The ominous thing today was Wolves looking much better and Southampton looking solid. We will continue to pick up around a point per game most likely but have to hope that 3 teams below us can't turn things around significantly.

We can't keep on drawing while potentially those around us begin winning.

I was dreading these 5 Xmas fixtures but 2 draws and a postponement is fine so far…

The manager must take at least some of the credit for that.

Slagging Calvert-Lewin for his performance today shows that you really, really don't know what you're on about.

Oh, and Chelsea are one snidey, dirty, cheating shower!

Oh, and the ref was shocking!

Hats off to all – especially to those belting out "Suspicious Minds" on the karaoke tonight.

Dire game.

For some, it's not a good result given we were the home team, but – given a few thought we'd get no points and hammered before Christmas – we can take solace we are grinding our results.

Let's see how we deal with a very out-of-form Man City - 🎅💙

We edged it because we carved out the better chances and restricted them to very little despite their huff and puff.

Also. the knowledgeable Goodison crowd (once again) gave Calvert-Lewin very warm applause as he left the field… Wonder why they keep doing that?

A point gained. I accept that an average of a point a game is what we need this season, so I am happy to take this one against strong opposition.

Calvert-Lewin, I get he's upfront on his own, but he got bullied and pushed off the ball constantly.

He is not a good striker, has imo no real attributes to be a striker either.

As far as how the game went... we battled – and I'm tired of battling for a point.

Yes we should be twatting these 4-0

And City,
And Arsenal,
And Liverpool,
And everyone else.

Ridiculous, isn't it?

If we try those tactics against Arsenal or Chelsea, and probably next week against Man City, we would also get stuffed.

As much as it is boring to watch, Dyche's tactics are producing reasonable results and I thought today that we created as many good chances as they did.

I don't understand the Calvert-Lewin bashing today; I thought he fought well for everything in a swirling wind which made instantaneous control difficult for all the players.

As someone said above, 5 points from the nightmare run when most expected none.

Sure, he's never been the greatest finisher, but if I was him, I'd be off as soon as I got a half-decent offer. Somewhere he gets to do more than just stand up front on his own up against three defenders.

It's just the way we have to play right now to get the points to make sure we stay in the Premier League for the new stadium. For a former England striker in his peak years, this must be incredibly depressing for Dom.

I'll wish him well when he goes.

The last 2 games against 2 free-scoring teams played right into his style and were quite effective. The weather today never helped but a defensive display was once again rewarded with a point.

We still missed goal-scoring chances that ,if not rectified, will still see us struggling.

I am not sure what the new ownership plans are but, to change the more defensive style of play, it will take a new manager. If they just want to stay in the Premier League, these are the performances to expect, unless we can sign a goalscorer.

But the players today deserve congratulations for providing us with a Happy Xmas.

I thought if we could sneak a win against anyone, it would be today. The Arsenal point was an unbelievable bonus and I was much happier with that point than today. These lot hate coming to Goodison and had a very weak defence today that could have been tested more.

Cucurella and Fofana both missing as well as James meant they had no full-back threat with Gusto much weaker on the left. Their centre-backs are also very shaky as we saw when we did get at them. With conditions favouring us also, I think they were there for the taking and you could see a lot of their young players just didn't fancy it.

A very good point all the same and if you would have offered us 2 points against Arsenal and Chelsea, I think most of us would have taken them and run.

Calvert-Lewin was outstanding. He won every one of those long balls from Pickford, and laid off more than a few of them perfectly. Roamed touchline to touchline to pressure the ball.

I'm hoping Broja and Chermiti will make a big difference for the rest of the season, plus little boosts to the squad in January and when others regain fitness allowing us to mix it more with all-comers.

On current form, I think we've got a better chance against a surprisingly clunky Man City than the very dynamic Forest unless we just concede possession to them.

Conor, perhaps you have seen much more of Chelsea recently than I have, because I thought they'd been dishing out footballing lessons, even with the likes of Gusto on the pitch.

The Spurs Boss should be sacked for that result and probably will before the weekend.

However, the idea that you consider Dave Lynch's utterly lame and witless post, comparing (fucking hilarious, by the way) Dominic to a Blackpool donkey, not to be out of order, is just you being contrary for the sake of it. Poor stuff.

Still carrying a couple of passengers. I would have replaced Harrison with Patterson but Lindstrøm played better than he has done and stuck with the opposition winger a couple of times and stopped his progress.

We looked more dangerous when Beto came on and, with Broja ready for the next game, I would look at one of them two to start versus Man City on Boxing Day, where 3 points are not out of the question.

Andy, my agreement with Dave was nothing to do with Dominic who I thought was excellent again today. I was agreeing that we could have been a bit braver.

Difference of opinion, and I'll stand by mine.

Remind me again of his goal-scoring record, how many 1-v-1s he's fucked up and lame shots at the keeper, not to mention him being yards behind play a lot of the time when on the rare occasion we break at speed!

You've got your opinion and I've got mine... get over it.

We probably created 2 chances today in 92 minutes of football – at home! I think we had 2 corners in 92 minutes of football… but Sean is doing a wonderful job according to some.

I am sick to fucking death of this ultra-negative manager with his ultra-negative tactics, this conceding 70% possession against nearly every team is not going to win us games.

This horrible bastard will 0-0 us to safety by playing ultra-cautious football, and if you're happy to watch that… well, fair play to you.

I'm currently on holiday and vowed not to watch it today, but against my better judgement, I did – and boy do I regret that decision.

I hope our new owners watched this today and thought "No, that's not what we bought into." It's abysmal and I am honestly sick to death of it.

6 out the last 7 games we've registered a blank, I'm cringing typing that and I honestly don't think we'll score again this season with Mr Blank in charge.

And we won't score 6 away all season. Just go, Dyche – you've sucked the life out of me.

In atrocious conditions, we kept them to 1 chance whilst we had the best 2 chances in the game.

Everyone put a shift in, Mykolenko had a great game against their wingers.

The Dyche subs were also spot on imo, Young was 1 foul away from a red, Harrison was knackered, and Calvert-Lewin had put a decent shift in.

The ref played whoever falls over first gets a foul. Is there such a thing as a decent ref anymore?

We are desperate for some quality from the midfield.

Roll on Forest.

The game itself was mostly enjoyable, as it was competitive and Chelsea, although relatively inexperienced, did put their foot in and were physical for large parts of the game. In fact, their physicality suited the way Everton set up and helped Everton to stay in the match – and fortunately Palmer had one of his most ineffective matches in a Chelsea shirt.

As for Dominic, he just doesn't have that aggressive streak in him to worry defences and it was only when Beto came on, did I think we might have an opportunity to take all three points as their defenders suddenly had something to think about.

If we can buy some sort of goalscoring threat in January, we might have a less worrying second-half to the season, else we will have to celebrate a point as we would a victory.

Happy holidays to all fellow Evertonians and let's hope that 2025 ushers in a better era.

Special shout to Pickford, who is far and away our best and most important player, wayward punts and passes be damned. And also Doucoure, another who gets a lot of flack and was at his best today, minus the goal we needed from him.

Lastly, to think where we'd be this season without Ndiaye. He lacks end product, but is the most enjoyable player on the ball we've had since our brief love affair with James.

Now with Chermiti, Broja, and Iroebugnam on their way back, plus hopefully Garner and McNeil, we can start nicking 3 points more often to push us up the table.

Still struggling with lack of quality on the right wing and attacking threat from fullbacks — what we would do for a Richarlison or Lookman out wide opposite Ndiaye, or an Antonee Robinson pushing forward — but today felt like something to build on. Proud of the boys today.

To get a point from each game, to me, is a fantastic positive; however ,unlike the Arsenal game, I actually thought we had 2 points lost against Chelsea.

Yes, Pickford made a great save in the first half, same as their goalie. Yes, they hit the post… but look at our big big big miss: Harrison had ages to think about what he was doing. Unbelievable!

Anyway, a great team performance and Tarkowski, as usual, was immense.

Well done, Blues.

That's 2 crucial results in a row, points we probably didn't expect to have and which could be crucial at the end of the season. Delighted to see the fight in the team, the result looked important to them.

I'm not Calvert-Lewin's biggest admirer but he put in a shift and, in a largely defensive team performance, he should be applauded for playing his part.

Ashley Young had another very good game until he got a bit rash, which I suppose is only natural when you keep getting stretched. You could also see Branthwaite, who I thought looked a lot better, trying to get us playing higher at times, and this will definitely help stop teams playing through our midfield.

Mangala is calm, Gueye energetic, and I'd like to see Lindstrøm playing inside as a third midfielder, because he might just be capable of bringing others into the game, which is not a strength of Doucouré's.

It was hard for every player in those conditions, especially Dominic, who is feeding off scraps, but his body language doesn't look right and I thought Beto was a much bigger headache for the Chelsea defence, although this might not have been the case if he had started.

I enjoyed the scrap, I enjoyed watching Ndiaye. My biggest wish is for us to sign another wide player with some speed, skill and trickery, simply because I think this will suddenly make Everton a lot more dangerous offensively.

Calvert-Lewin was excellent in the Dycheball role he was assigned today.

In the space of a week, we have competed against two very good sides in Arsenal and Chelsea and made them look ordinary.

I could be wrong here, not long got back from the game, but is that now 5 clean sheets out of 6, since Branthwaite came back from injury and started in defence?

Anyway once we find our 20-goal-a-season striker, I reckon we will be all right.

Ndiaye is a joy to watch.

Before the (postponed) derby game, most of us thought we'd get battered in our next five games. So far ,we've picked up two unexpected draws which is far more than I expected.

Fair play to Dyche in crafting another draw; let's hope the run continues over the Xmas period. Injuries and suspensions will force at least two changes, which is what I have been hoping for, for some time.

Not the worst 0-0 I've ever watched. I thought we gave as good as we got.

I can't see Friedkin sacking Dyche anytime soon.

Now I'm pretty sure we are pleased to keep two consecutive clean sheets and pick up 2 points against teams in the Top 6. Pickford now has the lead with 7 clean sheets.

However, while we play Dycheball, we basically defend with 8 players in open play. We may want our two wide players, Harrison and Ndiaye, to get further up the pitch but it's really clear that their main jobs are to support our full-backs when we are out of possession.

We talk about Doucoure getting up and down the pitch but so does Ndiaye who, despite his defensive duties, is still our main threat further up the pitch. When Harrison came off, Lindstrøm did the same.

While we stay in games at 0-0, eventually we will concede and have to chase the game. Maybe Dyche is okay with this philosophy but we can't with these players play a great defensive game and expect to create more than 1 or 2 clear-cut chances per game.

Having said that, with the 5 teams below us not passing us and all of them with a worse goal difference, we are 4 points off the Bottom 3 but 4 points behind West Ham Utd so, in the near future, we are not going to catch them – and so we will stay on the fringe or in the relegation fight.

So, for the time being, it's more Dycheball – even at home and away!
Happy Christmas to us Blues! Surely, surely 2025 is going to be better?

Just asking for a friend!

We rode our luck in the first half but ,with a bit more luck and quality, we might have taken all 3 points in the second. I thought Calvert-Lewin was excellent in making the most of the long balls aimed towards him. Ndiaye worked his socks off up and down the left flank giving Chelsea something to think about with his trickery on the ball as well as helping Mykolenko have his best game of the season.

I also thought Branthwaite was back to his best after a difficult few weeks. As well as getting in the face of Chelsea players at both ends of the pitch, Tarkowski did a great job mopping up at the back including one crucial piece of recovery work late in the game after a mistake by Gana.

An especially pleasing aspect of the afternoon was the way the home crowd lent their vocal support in the closing stages. That suggested the majority of fans appreciated the effort of our players, all of whom gave their very best to deliver a positive result.

Happy days!

You will be lucky to see Harrison in a Hull shirt. I know Leeds don't want him.

Our finishing is absolutely pathetic. I think if there was no goalie we'd still fail.

Why "score draws"? If they are 0-0... we're going down?

Ask any Spurs or Man Utd fans this evening if they would swap!

It was very noticeable that we suddenly started causing them problems when Beto replaced the totally ineffective Calvert-Lewin.

Very unusual for Dyche to make subs before the opposition and, although they were all like for like, they all did okay when they came on.

All-in-all, a good hard-earned point… which could have been three if we had a decent striker.

That is just one of the things that irks me with Dyche: he sticks to playing the same players, many, like you say approaching end of contract etc. We should be playing players who may be here for the long term, and mixing it with some experienced players – but not to the detriment of youth and players who have a future.

We bought Jake O'Brien at the start of the season, he had a very good pre-season, scoring a few goals, too. I think he has made sub (playing) once or twice. He wasn't exactly a bargain buy either, how must he feel?

All the top teams rotate their squad, even after a good performance, it keeps them all on their toes, and they usually select players with the opposition in mind! Not Dyche; if fit they play regardless of how they have played before.

The problem is we will not be able to afford to shift out most of the players. Replacing some of the out-of-contract players and loanees will be a huge task in itself.

Doing more than that will be neither practicable nor desirable. We will need to keep the core of the current squad and build on it.

So he is not a replacement for Branthwaite. He is a replacement for Tarkowski. You would want him to be dropped for O'Brien??

But No. Same old, etc.

We were playing the "in form" team in the Premier League. We matched them and thoroughly deserved the point. Had Harrison buried his chance, then we would have thoroughly deserved the 3 points!

I cannot criticize one player today. Pickford did everything, as usual, Tarkowski was immense at the back. Young and Mykolenko gave nothing away. Gana and his mate are improving every game in central midfield. Calvert-Lewin, as usual, ploughed a lone furrow up top and deserves every plaudit.

Those moaning about us not going gung-ho and trying to match Chelsea need their heads wobbled. We are where we are.

Conditions were shite for both teams but full credit to Dyche, the team and the support for a well-earned and deserved point.

Just going to dry off from the bevvy and the rain!!

We are now grinding out some excellent results against the best sides. We have been limited for options up front. We have many injuries yet we are battling extremely well.

Sean Dyche has had no support or direction from an absent owner and board for several years. I think we are doing bloody well considering. Team spirit is great and this was appreciated by fans at the game today. Excellent performance today. Well done lads.

Broja can now play going forward. I expect us to start picking up more wins and seeing a stronger available squad.

I very much enjoyed today. A gripping match. Things are looking up. COYB.

I was looking forward to them playing with the panache of West Germany in '66, Brazil in '70 or Holland in '74. Okay we'd have got battered and lost two valuable points, our Gol Difference would have been fucked, and our morale would be goosed.

But instead we've got two measly points in our fight against the drop. Bloody Everton That!

Most of us acknowledged a long time ago that we didn't have much in the way of offense and had very little money to buy class players.

We have had to dig our way out of relegation battles for a few seasons now and this is not much different.

With the second rate performers we have we can't expect to beat the money clubs but at least we are getting some points apart from the hiccup at Manure.

Anything can happen but it certainly looks like some teams are already doomed to drop.

City have been the best team in the Prem. for years but are having a horrendous run despite all the talent they have and we have to hope it continues.

Merry Christmas everyone.

Cucurella is a great player and a world champion but even he would find it difficult to overlap today given he didn't play as he was banned.

Great performance for me – two clean sheets against the 2nd and 3rd best attacking teams in the Premier League, and this one an equal contest, can't be sniffed at.

We might not have deserved 3 points at Arsenal but we could easily have had 3 today. Put Broja in that team and we'll win these games.

For fuck's sake, we are Everton – at home, not aginst fucking Tranmere!

I'm sick of setting the bar too low, let's go at teams. One win in three is better than two fucking draws and a defeat surely, let's go for a win instead of going not to fucking lose, for fuck's sake!

With better finishing (Harrison) or a bit of luck (if that defender had been half a second slower blocking Ndiaye's shot), we could have taken all 3.

Keeping clean sheets against Arsenal and Chelsea this season is no small feat. Well done, Blues!

Let these players off the leash and I'm sure we'll see a totally different Everton. Calvert-Lewin being one totally devoid of any service whatsoever cos of the tactics Dyche sets out every single game, no matter who we face.

Come top or near the bottom of the league, he chases left and right flick-on headers to no one. I'm pissed off watching him, how the fuck do you think he feels!!!

Hard for Calvert-Lewin to do anything with their centre-back draped over him all match. Kavanagh awful. Gave them almost everything while giving us absolutely nothing.

I figured a 0-0 draw before the match but it felt like 2 points dropped.

I'm not a Dyche fan. I want him gone. But the last three games, results and performances have been okay. 5 points from those three are more than realistic given our current expectations.

I expect 3 points from our next two games – 4 would be great!

Being realistic and knowing us, ManCity haven't won for a while and we haven't lost, so – as much as I hate to say it – we will get fuck all against them.

I hope I am so wrong. COYB

I make no secret of my frustration with Dyche's negativity but I applaud his pragmatic approach today against a talented Chelsea.

The manager I wanted, Nuno Espirito Santo, is showing his true worth at Forest, but would he have been given the time to turn us around, given the survival battles of recent seasons? I think not.

I'm old enough to remember our great teams since the early '60s, but also remember the dark days of Gordon Lee and others, producing season after season of mediocrity.

I think we are three or four players away from being a decent footballing side. However, with a fully fit squad, I believe our Premier League status is safe. Both Iroegbunam and Chermiti were showing good form prior to their respective injuries. Their return and the introduction of Broja gives attacking optimism.

I'm loathe to criticise players who give their all, but unfortunately come up short. In my opinion, Harrison, Doucoure and one or two others fall into that category, through no fault of their own. While there is no alternative, then I will bite my lip and applaud their honest endeavour.

Let's get through this extremely demanding festive fixture list and trust that Dyche might show more adventure in tactics and team selection against lesser opposition.

Clive Thomas robbed him of an f a cup final and a one goal wonder of Frankie Lampard Snr robbed him of another final.

I will not throw the league cup final in, with him only taking over after the Bolton semi, but throw in Bob Latchfords 30 goals, Andy Kings winner in the Derby, we had some bloody good football under Lee.

Sean Dyche's side have kept five clean sheets across their last six league matches.

If we score, we can still lose – it ain't rocket science.

Spurs did precisely that and conceded 4.

Chelsea have scored 22 games in the last 6 (PL and Europe), and they scored in every game in November too (including in score-draws vs Arsenal and United). Keeping a clean sheet this weekend, on the back of another defensive shutout at the Emirates vs Arsenal (who'd also scored 26 goals in the 8 games either side) is something we should be celebrating. Frankly speaking we already have 2 points more than any of us predicted over this period (and we still have the postponed game in hand against 'that lot' to play).

We all know that we severely lack forward firepower. Whether it's down to personnel, strategy, management or just bad luck is sort of irrelevant, we're the second lowest scoring team in the division (and we're only not bottom thanks to Wolves), but we're also the joint best defence outside the top 4, (and that's after getting smashed for 13 goals in the first four games).

Considering the above, I have absolutely no qualms about playing to our strengths if it gets the job done - KITAP1 may not be inspiring stuff, but if it gets the job done then sobeit. The club's mission remains pretty much the same as last time out, do enough to stay in the Premier League and give new owners a chance to make good on their ambition for the years ahead at a shiny new Bramley-Moore Dock!

I'm not saying people can't moan, 16 points from 16 is hardly cause for street parties, and god knows how we'll do against a struggling City or a high-flying Forest! But, if we can keep on keeping it tight we give ourselves a great chance of getting to the c. 38 required.

Happy Xmas all!

If, and a big 'if', this squad had a reliable, regular stream of goals coming in from the centre-forward and from across the squad, this team would be in the Top 7.

Lack of scoring is costing this squad now and over the last few seasons under Dyche and history proves for decades. But with cautious optimism, this is a new beginning for Everton. A win v Man City is achievable.

Merry Christmas every one, have a ball!

It's clear as day the problem is a goal scorer; neither Dom or Beto are the answer. Time will tell what Broja and Chermiti bring to the team, but we sure as hell need to find a goalscorer from somewhere.

It will be an interesting midfield when we have Mangala, Gueye and Iroegbunam all linking up in the middle of the park.

Before that Allardyce got Bolton into Europe too, albeit with maverick signings like Okocha and various others.

These two dinosaurs did as they did before the enriching-the-rich-and-fuck-the-rest PSR rules came into play - those rules thereafter neutering any meaningful enterprise by any club bar those who'd spent like buggery before PSR was instigated.

So, given that Dyche deffo knows how to defend with a less than glamourous squad, just how might he fare in the event of being able to sign attacking players of acclaim - which I hope is a core priority for Friedkin?

Anyway, well done vs Chelsea lads!

He also had youngsters in Burrows, Ratcliffe, Stevens, Richardson and McMahon coming through. It would have been interesting if those youngsters came through a year or so earlier. Kendall dropped on with some of those youngsters and Lee's addition of Sharp to the team.

Also the season my dad caught me smoking!!

Mustn't forget that it was Gordon Lee who brought us Graeme Sharp, Kevin Richardson and gave debut's to Kevin Ratcliffe & Steve Macmahon and I was a fan of Alan Irvine. Oh and
Trevor'Ross' backheel goal against Soton? The were a good team in the early '80's. The 4 - 1 midweek win against Villa.

Didn't we play Dukla Prague & Feynoord that season? The Frank Lampard FA Cup semi goal at Elland Road after Kidd got himself sent off at Villa Park. Beaten by a Div 2 team.

My first ever night match as a 10 year old was the 8-0 win at Wimbledon, 5 for Latchford & 3 for Dobson. Goodison felt empty.

Yeah, apart from the wheels falling off at the end I didn't think we were too bad under Lee.

Any way a hard won point on a day not fit for football. Now for City. COYBs.

My issue isn't that we conceded the majority of possession, didn't score, and struggled to control the ball against Chelsea.

My issue is that we have done exactly the same against far lesser teams in good weather conditions.

So no,no credit for the manager.

City away next. Guess how we'll approach it?

Then we'll do the same at home to Forest.

I still believe even before the (possible incomings) in the January Window, we do have the players to survive again, BUT Dyche doesn't, or won't utilise them, instead sticking to his (if fit) favourites, and playing many of them out of position !

A few years ago I met Ian Rush at an event in Singapore. I asked him about this - and asked, if Gordon Lee had opted to sign both, did he think he and Sharpy would've formed a good partnership. His reply was "We'd have won everything".

I'm not living in a fantasy world at all – I'm dealing with reality.

I don't know if this has escaped your notice, but your beloved Dyche’s Everton have failed to score in 6 out of the last 7 games – that in any level of football is absolutely shocking,

I'm not expecting us to go all gung-ho, far from it… but I pay a lot of hard earned money for my season ticket so I expect to see the side creating more than 2 miserable chances every game.

People can quote Spurs and Man Utd all they want – I personally don't give a flying fuck about any other side. I'm a die-hard Evertonian of 60 years, and what I'm witnessing at the minute is sucking the life out of me.

Doucoure had a good game yesterday but him and the innefective Harrison will keep getting picked regardless of form. The same goes for McNeil, another who flatters to deceive, Tarkowski had a miserable start to the season but kept his place; that said, he has been brilliant the last month or so.

So no, Phil, I'm not living in a fantasy world, I'm living in the real world, and I want more offensively than I'm currently witnessing – which quite frankly is shite.

Happy Xmas to you and yours. Dyche can fuck off.

The lesser teams play similar tactics to Everton and, as Everton ebb into the game, they get caught on the counter. The attacking tactics of Dyche as a counter-attack do not work with them being too deep based.

Unusually when playing the upper-table teams, Dyche initially tried to play a more offensive style of football which left Everton wide open. He has now retreated back to a defensive formation and does not avail of the space that they provide. The Everton midfield looks better because it is afforded more space, but Dyche does not have the tactical nous to exploit it attacking.

Well done in first game since the takeover!

Who are his favourites and who are the players Dyche isn't utilising?

We have a small squad of average players. I don't see anyone beating the door down from the bench.

I can see he gets on Derek’s nerves and can definitely understand the reasons why but your last post@114, reminded me of Ancellotti, who lost a lot of games we expected to win after winning many games by the odd goal, that we probably didn’t expect to win.

Is Dyche a good manager? I think he his because he has done really well keeping Everton in the premier league imo, and he also kept Burnley there for years without having any real money.

Can Dyche get his team playing more expensive football? I think he can because I don’t think it’s a difficult thing to do.

Can Dyche keep us defensively solid, while also making us a more offensive team?

That’s the conundrum imo, and this is not something we are going to find out until the club gives him some money.

Will he be given the chance? It would be interesting to see what percentage of Evertonians, think he deserves that chance

I think he should be given a chance in January to bring in one or two who will hopefully improve the attacking side without weakening the defensive side of the team. One on the best ways of defending is to keep the ball and at present, with Garner injured, we don't have the players who can successfully do that.

If he were to depart tomorrow, he would leave us with a solid defensive base. He would also leave with my thanks as, in my opinion, we were going down two seasons ago and his job in keeping us with the points deductions last season did not receive the credit it deserved.

I was really pleased with the subs, giving Beto 20 mins as Calvert-Lewin had worked his socks off. Also swapping Young for Seamus when Young was on a yellow which means he misses the next game so Seamus needed some minutes.

Now that we seem to have got a solid looking defence, I expect we will look a bit more attacking minded in a few games; we cant go gung-ho as we did earlier in the season as we saw what that gave us. I really think that a quick and silky right winger will make this team.

Also in answer to those opposing my assessment of Gordon Lee, I need only to remind them of Geoff Nulty. A dreadful player who Lee continually selected, while the dazzling skills of Duncan McKenzie were more often than not overlooked. I can't argue with the stats that have been quoted under Lee's management but I maintain that his approach was drab by previous standards of that period. I'd been brought up in the Catterick era and witnessed magnificent teams. After that, Billy Bingham, continued to produce attractive football, admittedly just falling short in terms of trophies.

Being an Evertonian for me has always not just been about winning, but the manner and style of football in which those victories were achieved. Having said that I reiterate that yesterday, given who was available for selection and considering the strength of the opposition, Dyche got everything right and the team's response was excellent.

We were playing five yards higher up the pitch early on in the season and we lost all four of our opening games conceding a staggering 13 goals in the process. That way lay oblivion. Tarks was all over the shop. Pickford was being repeatedly caught cold. Young, Keane and Seamus were demonstrating that the last thing they needed behind them was space.

Now our defenders have dropped five, Mangala and Idrissa are thriving in their deep lying roles too

If the recent five clean sheets don't tell you that the majority of our players are far more comfortable playing within the lowest of blocks, nothing will. Especially when you consider that in between those shut outs, they tried to come out to play at Old Trafford and got ripped apart again.

its simplistic football manager thinking to talk about using 4-5 different players in various attacking formations when the key members of the squad (the ones who will keep us up) simply don't have the athleticism to operate in both halves for the full ninety.

Dyche has the gig and if he gets anything out of the next two games he will probably keep it until the end of the season. The choice is simple. You can get behind him and roar the team over the line (like the last two seasons) or you can continue to astound others with your powers of observation by screaming that we are not very pretty to watch.

Of that list, only Ashley Young has shown consistently good form all season.

I agree to a point with what you are saying. It is up to O’Brien, Beto and Lindstrom in particular to make a compelling case for selection. The Manager has also lost Broja, Tim Iro, Chermiti, Patterson and Garner for periods due to injuries.

Would he have picked any of them regularly if fit over his favourites?

Probably not.

Which I think is Derek’s point. Dyche lost 1 first team contender in Onana during the summer, gained 6, and can be regularly counted on to select 1 of them for the remainder of the season.

That is Ndiaye who he plays out of position to accommodate Harrison on the right (out of position) and MacNeil at No.10 (out of position).

Let's be honest here – silly stupid mistakes by our own players gave Man Utd the confidence to come out and really beat us.

The only chances Arsenal had were given to them by more silly stupid mistakes by our own player, we know who it was, but we got away with it.

Hopefully now that players are mostly match fit and others coming back from injury, we will be able to play with more attacking play, and the bench will be stronger to enable more substitutes to be used. Dyche has had his hands tied with the use of subs because there wasn't a lot to choose from.

One difference between Forest and us in the last three seasons:

One has a positive spend on transfers of over £200m and one has a negative spend of £40m.

It really isn't difficult to work out who's who.

Most of Everton's matches, certainly at home, should be us controlling the game and looking to dominate. He's had time and proved that he can't do it. In fact, given some of his post-match comments (“the important thing becomes not to lose it”) he doesn't even seem to want to do it.

We'd be better off if we'd lost to Chelsea and Arsenal but beaten Brentford and Fulham (you might add Southampton away to that). Dyche's decisions and mentality mean we'll drop far more points than we gain.

Perhaps we'll have to swallow this appalling un-football until May, but I also hope the new owners are planning an almost complete re-set of the first team set-up.

Thelwell I have no judgement on, but Dyche, his coaches and all the loan or out-of-contract players can be swept away (Mangala and Broja have a chance of convincing me) and we'll need half a squad bringing in, which hopefully a new coach can have a say in building.

Above all, we need a coach who can show flexibility to adapt to different game situations. That seems to be out of fashion in the modern game, yet to me it seems to be the single most basic and important principle of being a coach.

Bingham did sign and select attractive players, McKenzie was one of them. Yes, Duncan could be frustrating at times, but there was no doubting his talent and vision.

The manager whose services we should have secured at that time rather than Gordon Lee, was the great Brian Clough, who may I remind you, was another manager who'd previously invested in McKenzie.

Everton's Board were far too conservative to appoint the outspoken Clough. Had they done so at that time, then the '70s and early '80s would have been an entirely different story. Our history would have indeed been one 'To make your heart go whooo-oo-oo-oo!'

Evidently we don't all agree that Duncan McKenzie was magic.

How Harrison didn't square it for an easy tap-in blows my mind. He's useless.

Considering Chelsea's impressive recent form, with five consecutive wins leading into this match, it's clear just how challenging it is to keep a clean sheet against them. "Not to lose it" is not an easy feat.

For other teams that attempt to play out from the back without the right players, it's often a recipe for disaster. Expansive, possession style needs a lot of good players which we don't have.

For this season, I'm happy to keep it simple to secure another season in the Premier League.

I don't disagree with you, but there are people who will tell you that every goal is a result of an individual error somewhere. The point being that, if you take a player out of his comfort zone, he is far more likely to make one.

If you accept our back four and the two midfield enforces
are more comfortable playing deep (and all the evidence would suggest they are), that leaves four places up for grabs. I've seen enough of Broja, Chermiti and Beto to believe Calvert-Lewin is a shoo-in.

I think Ndiaye has a trick and a jink and McNeil on his day can see the right pass, but otherwise we have very, very, little creativity.

I don't foresee any dramatic changes to the formation until we get new players.

Well, so far, we've got 2 points from a set-up perfectly executed by the team, and who's to say we cannot get something from Man City, which without doubt will be the same set-up?

Having said that, the games coming up don't seem to get any easier, so maybe we're stuck with the same set-up for the foreseeable future. Though sooner or later, Dyche is going to have to become a bit braver and try to win a few games.

Then again, his aim might be nil-nil for the next 22 games… which won't please the posters on the BBC HYS, and certainly not on here. But if it keeps us up, then sod them.

The name of the game this season is survival, not trying to please a few moaners who would like to see us attack teams but get hammered, but hey, at least we had a go!

I enjoyed his moments of magic but frustrated by his longer periods of mediocrity in a lot of games and he was like this with most of his clubs.

Each to his own, I believe he did/does well as an after-dinner speaker which might prove he is better on the stage!

A manager of the calibre Everton needs would be able to play one way against Chelsea and Arsenal, and a different way against 10-man Brentford. That Dyche said after that game that it became “important not to lose it” shows why he'll never be a long-term manager of a club anywhere near our size.

You play in different ways in different situations against different teams.

He also makes too many runs wide and doesn't hustle to get himself back into the box.

For this Everton squad, we cannot reasonably expect any better than the last few weeks. This is 9/10 stuff. Taking points off teams going for the title, this isn't 'yes, overall a good performance' this is 'terrific'.

I'm a fan of Calvert-Lewin but he is not the Calvert-Lewin of previous seasons when he did work hard all over the field, even defending in the full-back position at times.

Yesterday, he was controlling many of the upfield passes of Pickford with his chest but immediately losing the ball because he didn't fight hard enough to retain it and giving up possession of the ball too easily.

That centre in the first half, from the left of the goal, right into the keeper's hands, was very weak, he is just not the same player. I realise he definitely needs more support, yet, Broja, only briefly, and Beto have done better when they have come on – simply because they have been more aggressive than Dominic.

I have taken into consideration the terrible windy weather conditions which didn't help any of the players on the field yesterday.

I have always been in the "try and keep Dom" camp but it's clear he's checked out this season; we should try and get as much for him in January as possible.

If we got £15M for him, it's something. Personally, I'd sell him and Beto if a decent bid came in for the latter. Spend the money on a much-improved replacement. Broja and Chermitti can fill in.

Absolute myth that we were playing 5 yards up the pitch in them first 4 games, we failed to score in 2 of those as well adding to the recent catalogue of blanks.

The reason we shipped 13 goals was because of the defensive pairing of Tarkowski and Keane – the pair of them were so out of sorts, it was untrue. Be honest: Tarkowski is a far better player with the imperious Branthwaite alongside him.

Apart from the recent aberration at Man Utd, we've looked really solid. That gives you a base to get more players forward – something we've failed miserably to do. Dyche would be happy to draw every single game 0-0. That would be more than enough to see us safe.

But Colin, I want more than a 0-0 draw every game and Premier League survival – I want to be entertained every now and then whilst scoring a few goals in the process and creating chances. I really don't think that's much to ask. Bournemouth have just gone to Man Utd and wiped the floor with them. I recall one, maybe two chances recently when we went there.

I don't think for a minute we will go down, but we certainly won't rip up any trees in the process.

Yes, he's missed chances this season, but so have Haaland and Salah, dozens of them. The difference being that to every one chance afforded to Calvert-Lewin, Haaland and Salah receive at least six assists. Neither of those two players would fare any better than Calvert-Lewin in Everton's current set-up.

Beto and Broja have come on for the last 20-30 minutes at most, when Calvert-Lewin has already tirelessly run his socks off. The man has the most unenviable job in the Premier League.

I think it's time to part ways but I wish him all the best and hope to see him doing well wherever he goes.

I agree with your second paragraph entirely, who wouldn't? And what a lively occasion the derby games would have been before, during and after the game with Clough and Travesty of Justice managing the teams!

However, just as many have pointed out that Chelsea have been scoring all before them in recent weeks, they had also only kept one clean sheet in the last 3 months.

Then, when they were forced with a right-back playing left-back, a cumbersome centre-back playing right-back, and a centre-back pairing who had rarely played together, one of whom didn't look out of place at Fulham, then it's fair to say both Chelsea's attacking and defensive capabilities were severely weakened on the day. Conditions also no doubt favoured us.

I thought, at Arsenal, Sean got his tactics spot on and it was a superb point and all we could do with the chasm in quality. It was a brilliant defensive display.

After half-time yesterday, there was a clear message from Dyche to be more aggressive and for 15 minutes we were so. We had them rattled. They wrestled back control and then, for the last 15 minutes, I felt that Chelsea were beaten mentally and physically.

Sancho and Neto, their only real threats, had run their race and their subs Madueke and Nkunku looked like they didn't want to be on the pitch. We didn't need to be gung-ho but there was a clear opportunity, both from players and the manager, to smell blood.

The new owners have clearly told Sean he needs to win more matches, he repeated that on a number of interviews. The difficulty Sean will have is that opportunities will not always present themselves with how he approaches games.

The away matches at Man City and Bournemouth will, you would imagine, be similar in pattern to the Arsenal game; therefore, there will be a lot of pressure on the home games against Forest, Man Utd and Spurs to get a win or two.

This was not a game that we had any right to get anything out of from a form perspective but, as good a point it was, I don't think it's being overly critical to think that was one that maybe got away.

"Survival football has been the stable diet for the last few seasons."

Perhaps only fitting for the, er, Blackpool Donkeys we have running around (per Dave @28)?

[Brian, I think the word is 'staple'. Gave me a laugh though, so thanks for that.]

His glaring limitations are tolerated here because we lack genuine alternatives but, in a "proper" squad, he'll have splinters from sitting on the bench.

We just don't seem to do quality forwards. Even Gordon and Richarlison haven't totally convinced at their new tribes.

I'm thankful for the work Dyche has done at Everton and I'm impressed that he's stayed calm this season and gone back to basics to inch us up the table. If I was going to the game I'd be frustrated with his tactics, but I don't, so it's easier to stomach and maybe understand his rationale without becoming emotional about it.

I'm embarrassed by posters saying 'fuck off Dyche' and the like. They need to have a word with themselves, or keep their thoughts in their own heads.

Those who think that switching a few players around here and there in the starting eleven will solve things are also kidding themselves. We would need an entirely different coaching emphasis at Finch Farm to develop some potency in attack, as well as some new players. It's not about just sticking Ndaye in the number 10 role etc., etc.

Like you I don't believe Dyche has the skill-set to develop the attacking side of our game - though I'd be happy if he proved me wrong as he strikes me to be a decent bloke who is committed to the cause. He's demonstrated his ability to mould the defensive aspects required of a team at the top level, for which I'm thankful, but we would have seen some signs of the same progression in our attacking play if he had that in his locker. Unfortunately that's not been the case.

He has my full support until the end of the season to keep us in the premiership by whatever tactics he sees fit, an attacking player or two in January wouldn't go amiss either. However after that I would shake his hand and move on. We need a reset on the pitch, but we also need to be careful it doesn't backfire, the jury's out on whether the new owners can select the right man for the job.

It would surprise me if a Top 6 team came in for him. I think he would be far more suited moving to a Serie A or La Liga team

We have Beto, Broja and Chermiti available for the rest of the season and there is a case to possibly release him in January and at least get a few quid for him.

However, for the last 6 months, he's looked like a player running on empty, exhausted by the lonely furrow he occupies at the top of a non-existent attack. He doesn't run at 100%, his aerial threat is diminished, his touch poor, and his finishing predictable.

Not sure if a change of scenery would bring him much joy (sometimes with strikers, once it's gone, it doesn't come back), but it'll probably be his best chance of revitalising his career.

Out of the favourites you mention how many would you drop if we had a fully fit team?

Harrison has been dropped a few times already this season, and Lindstrøm hasn't justified his place above him. If fit, I would rather see Garner there than either one.

Doucoure hasn't got any competition for a spot, we haven't got the same energy levels out of any of our midfielders, hopefully Tim can step in when fit and press for his spot or maybe a new signings.

McNeil and Ndiaye are our most creative players and generally play when fit.

Tarks looks like a solid performer now that the partnership with Branthwaite is back in place. O'Brien or Keane aren't going to disrupt that unless someone gets injured.

Mykolenko is our only left-back, even when struggling for form, we couldn't play Young there as Coleman and Patterson were injured.

Young is currently in the team on merit. Injuries to Coleman and Paterson made it easy for Dyche. We all know we need new full-backs.

I just think we have a small squad with nobody really missing out on game time who will make a big difference.

We need pace in the squad and some guile.

Just read my post again and it gave me a laugh, shows you should always re-read your post before posting.

I guess you got my sentiment — or was that a neigh from you?

Is Chris Woods better than Calvert-Lewin?

I would say No but he's scoring most games because Forest play an attacking style of play and get plenty of players forward.

Interesting that the season Dyche was sacked Chris Woods had only scored about 3 Premier League goals, as Dyche couldn't work out how to combine Maxwell Cornet and Chris Woods well.

You may think it a myth that we played higher up the pitch but the Goodison faithful and thousands of other Evertonians got sick of the sight of Tarkowski chasing back into his own area in a state of blind panic when we had lost the ball – he never got there in time.

I still cringe as I remember him chasing back after being robbed trying a Cruyff turn – on the half-way line. You don't seem to be aware of the number of times teams were getting goal-side of our defenders in those early games.

If you are Keane, Young, Gueye, Mangala, Coleman or Tarkowski, the last thing you need to see is an attacker (any attacker) running away from you. You know you ain't catching them.

Luckily they have adapted and it's not happening so much because anyone trying to get round the back of them now will likely find themselves in the stand behind the goal.

Branthwaite has the pace to cover, but it's a good thing he is a natural enough player to be able to adapt, because the others don't.

I'm abashed to say I don't know a single player, including the chap you mention, who plays at Forest. But I do recognise the very basic faults Calvert-Lewin has in technique when playing the centre-forward role.

Although I might add, Gary Lineker was a very limited technical footballer but his sharpness and speed allowed him to score from anything near the box, so it was irrelevant.

His strength has never been shooting, but when the team was set up for him to score, under Ancelotti, he showed he could be a goalscorer, netting 16 goals in 33 matches in 20-21.

I hope for his sake he does leave. Had he been with a different club, I think he would have had a lot more success.

If you had asked me 6 games ago, I would have added Tarkowski to the list as he has committed multiple errors this season.

McNeil has been poor also, but has the mitigation that he was played out of position in the misguided attempt to play him behind Calvert-Lewin.

I agree, we need new full-backs and a right-winger.

It's the other games that present the problem and show his limitations. He cannot achieve the balance between attack and defence against lesser teams.

Many posters cite the limitations of the squad, with some justification. But he doesn't get the best from the squad, for me, unless we are playing Arsenal etc.

Ndiaye is wasted sitting alongside Mykolenko most of the game. He has to beat two or three players before getting to the edge of the opposition box, which is where he should be sat most of the game, to be most effective. Get him one on one.

We don't play a No 10 really. We play Doucouré as a false No 10, who sits with the rest of our midfield, occasionally getting forward to support he attack or press. Wingers are 2nd full-backs; attacking midfield are holding midfield. Full-backs never ever overlap.

With this philosophy, we can only ever set out to hold opponents and occasionally (usually at set-pieces) counter-attack. Yet for 15 minutes in the 2nd half yesterday, we forgot the plan. We took the game to Chelsea, they looked fragile at the back, we created clearer chances, and should have scored.

We could do this more often, we've shown we can. It doesn't need to be gung-ho. You can achieve a balance.

Unfortunately given Mr Dyche's limitations, I don't believe he can. Great pragmatist he is; tactically astute and balanced manager he isn't.

I think he's a fantastic footballer, but he lacks the one essential ingredient to be a striker - Luck.

I still havent seen play brought back as far as VAR went back to rob him of that fantastic goal at Tottenham. Then there was the header which brushed past Harrisons thigh and was taken away from him. I also thought the fourth goal against Wolves would have been given to any other striker...And that tackle against Newcastle this would surely have resulted in a penalty for Salah or Haarland ?

His shots hit the underside of the bar and bounce out. He hits the inside of the goalkeepers heel and it bounces the other side of the post. He's rule offside by a finger nail, has goals chalked off for others being offside.

I like him and rate him. I think some of the criticism levelled at him borders on the ridiculous, but he doesnt have the sort of luck usually associated with great strikers. the ball just doesnt bounce in off his arse.

Truth be told; I wont be too bothered when he fucks off and takes his bad luck with him

Napolean didnt want good generals. he wanted lucky ones

First off, our defence was excellent. When you consider how free-scoring Chelsea have been, it really was a masterclass imo.

Secondly, I don't understand why Pickford is never talked about in the same way as more fashionable keepers. I think he is an incredible asset who gives the defence the ability to be excellent. If he had been born in Rio or Sau Paulo perhaps he'd be recognised as the world class performer he actually is.

Finally, the bit that concerns me. There were times when we got it out of defence and I thought "Here we go, a fancy counter-attacking goal" and there was literally nothing. I understand the need to be solid against the top teams, but it seems there is no ability to attack when you have a chance. It just breaks down.

So yes we can defend, but does Dyche have the ability to defend and also attack when needed? I think he has shown this season, it's either or. He doesn't know how to balance it.

There were several attacks where we had 5 or 6 in their box. The truth is we have nobody in the side that finishes the chances we get.

We do attack but the ball invariably does not end up in the net.

Another stroke of good fortune in a fortunate week.

We generally don't balance defence and attack. The balance is shifted a long way towards defence.

It's evidenced by the many, many games where we have had very little of the ball, very few shots, and haven't scored in 6 of our last 7 matches.

"We don't attack" is an absolute statement but it's obviously intended to be "We don't attack enough to really threaten to score enough goals to win matches".

You lost me with VAR review. We all know VAR has made the game worse for all concerned besides the TV companies. It's embarrassing listening to people justify a living on TV reviewing decisions. He will be disappointed with that blah blah.

How about the countless times Chelsea players threw themselves to the floor to get easy free kicks?

I think we do attack, the point is that it feels like a driving test where you haven't been taught how to parallel park. You're a great driver, you know what parallel parking is and what it looks like, but your instructor didn't think it was as important.

Same seems to be true of our attack. They know what it looks like but it hasn't been trained, hasn't been seen as the most important thing by the instructor. So, as with anything, we don't do it well if it isn't practiced as much.

The guy previously led the line well, creating space for others, although he's not even doing that now, but let's face reality, he's not a natural “finisher” or “striker” if you prefer, and he never has been since the moment he joined us.

That's not a criticism either, it's just a recognition that it's not within the young man's gift and that's why those who have that gift come at such a premium.

Also, those suggesting it's because it's all down to lack of service, conveniently forget it's been a stark fact well before Sean Dyche arrived, who let's not forget has only been here for 2 years, as Dom has operated under several other regimes and managers, one or two even being recklessly gung-ho, playing alongside the likes of Sigurdsson, Gomes, Bernard, Richarlison, Walcott, Lookman, Bolasie, Digne, Baines, Coleman, Rooney, Townsend, etc, with no lack of service coming his way.

So things haven't always been like they are currently. Also, for those into their stats, Lukaku managed circa 68 goals in 141 games, playing alongside many of the same players during his time here. Whilst Dom's record is circa 56 goals in 229 games, even Franny Jeffers had a more palatable record of 18 goals in 49 games.

We're also constantly reminded of his “golden period” spread over a circa 6-month period split between the 2019 & 2020 Covid-affected seasons. When many of the games in question were played behind closed doors, which given his suggested long-standing psychological issues, may have made things a lot easier, taking significant pressure off him. (And is it a coincidence that it also recorded Michael Keane's best period with us as well?).

Which given the individual concerned raises the question did this have as much effect as Don Carlo's influence, although Dom himself has gone on record as suggesting Big Dunc was more of an influence than Carlo?

However, we need to finally put this to bed, and for me that moment came on Sunday, when Beto came on. Now don't get me wrong: I'm not suggesting for one minute that he's the answer, but I am comparing their influence on the game.

Up until that moment, the Chelsea centre-backs had a reasonably comfortable afternoon but, from that point, Beto's sheer awkwardness and physical presence caused them all sorts of problems and suddenly the tables turned.

So when a Denis Stracqualursi Mk II can have more of an impact than our first-choice forward, the message is clear:, it's time to cut our losses, take whatever we can get in January and move on.

Although personally I'd equally do the same with Beto, as he's nowhere near good enough either; however, that creates a problem with numbers… but there again, I'm not the manager.

When a few Chelsea players complained, I just sat there shaking my head thinking how much football has changed. I have always felt that you have got to be very brave in football sometimes, especially when you are trying to score a goal or stop an opponent scoring a goal.

It won't be long before I walk out of the stadium for good and probably never return because I do find myself shaking my head a lot more with both the theatrics of certain players and the infuriating inconsistency of certain referees.

We have, hopefully, attackers and defenders. This bloody 'offence' business boils my piss. This is proper football not that bloody nonsense they play in America. So stop it!

Thank you. Goodnight, God bless.

Raising a glass of Jamesons to all ToffeeWebbers and to the memory of your Charlie. Slainte!

On par with Chelsea with possession? Or with goal attempts? Or how many players we deployed in the final third?

But the fact is that Chelsea has a sharp spear with a broken shield and we have a good armour but with a blunt knife. Would it be wise to play to your strengths and restrict your opponents' strength as much as possible?

I saw a team (Spurs) being stubborn, trying to impose similar style of play with their opponent but got cut into pieces.

I remember young Pickford playing for the relegated Sunderland and how many saves he's made. Just keep it tight in front of him and he will keep out the rest. Reminds me of Nigel Martyn.

Good post – hard to argue against your logic and analogy.

Can you believe that even a lustrous member of ToffeeWeb's aristocracy – Rob Halligan – used 'offence' the other day! Big Rob! My heart sank.

Didn't Don Revie, in the '60s play a complete successful season with the same strong defence, quick break tactics?

I recall this because I was at uni in Manchester '65 through '68, and lived in a shared house with 5 Leeds Utd supporters. That was difficult but at least we had that fantastic FA Cup win in '66.

Call me a gluttn for punishment 'cos my first job as a graduate was in Newcastle-on-Tyne and I married a Geordie lass. Our 55th anniversary comes up next April, so it's been lasting prison bars, Ha! Ha!.

Another interesting statistic – after conceding 13 goals in the first 4 games, which we lost, we have now conceded only 8 goals in the next 12 games, which is pretty impressive.

On the other hand, we have the 2nd lowest goals scored (14), and 18 other teams in the league have scored more goals than us. So, should we be worried?

I am slightly worried because we need to start scoring more and winning some games to put some points daylight between us and the Bottom 3.

Can Broja and Chermiti start firing? Can Tim and Jimmy come back in the midfield and give us more control in games? Can Seamus or Nathan fly up and down the wings and put in crosses for our centre-forwards to score?

My team when everyone is fit:

Ndiaye Broja McNeil
Gana Mangala Garner
Mykolenko Branthwaite Tarkowski Coleman
Pickford

With Calvert-Lewin, Chermiti, Lindstrom, Iroegbunam, Doucoure, Young to come in off the bench to try and change things.

I like that team with the exception of Tim Iroegbunam who you have completely overlooked.

I would put him in ahead of Garner because of his forward play.

Yes, the same was said on Sky Sports. The replays show he was out of control. That wasn't as obvious at the game, especially from 130 yards away.

There was also an incident later in the same half when Tarkowski got a free kick awarded in our box. The ball went up in the air and Jordan leapt high as if to collect it but instead elbowed the Chelsea player who had fouled Tarkowski (Jackson?) on top of the head. He was pumped up that first half.

But anyway, not often we get the benefit and Chelsea's antics were disgraceful, so Karma…

'Young's suspension at least gives the younger squad members a chance, like the lad Coleman, he's only 35 but has he enough experience?'

We'll soon find out…

We won one on Sunday, let's move on.

Do any other goalies in the Premier League come under anywhere near the same scrutiny as the England Number 1?

If he doesn't go to block the shot or catch the cross and the opposition score, he is berated; if he takes the player out whilst trying to make the save, he is berated.

The ref, who was less than 20 yards away, didn't give anything. The people hundreds of miles away are ruining or running the game depending on what you prefer.

What did the so-called experts make of the challenge from the Brighton defender on Killman? Or the 2nd yellow pullback from the Spurs young Swedish midfielder?

I did want VAR as I thought it would be applied more honestly than subconscious bias refereeing but what it has done is spoil the game and exaggerated the bias.

It's not football anymore – as the Wolves fans sang a couple of weeks ago – and it's hard to disagree.

That might be because Calvert-Lewin joined us as a midfielder – which was the role he had always previously played.

Somewhere during his Everton career, he was "converted" into a "striker".

Perhaps, it's not his natural position.

Firstly, Hugh, you're spot-on that Dom started out as a box-to-box midfielder at Sheffield United (and the similarities to the Doucoucre are all too apparent) although that was during his progression through their academy ranks, where it's fairly common to find yourself starting out in one position, only for the coaches to find another home for you.

However, as part of his progression, he was loaned out to Stalybridge Celtic, and it was they who experimented with him as a centre-forward, with some apparent success when he went on a run of 5 goals in 6 games. At which point Sheffield Utd unsurprisingly recalled him and extended his contract, and so started his career as a centre-forward. With us subsequently appearing on the scene shortly after he'd returned from another development spell out on loan as a centre-forward at Northampton.

'Penalty kick' is also correct. Remember that American English is the dominant version on the planet.

It has more to do with nuances, than grammar.

In the UK we tend to take "offence", when affronted by something that disturbs our sensibilities and become "offended", usually if we are verbally "attacked".

In football, our defence… defends, but our offence doesn't offend, it attacks (or at least, that is the theory – LOL).

Now, that does not mean that we do not get the odd U.K. commentator using ‘offence’ in the style of Uncle Sam in much the same way that Dallas had catastrophic impacts on ladies’s hair in our island.

If that's true then what a sorry state of affairs!

You should feckeng try living with it all day long Brian!

Have a nice day.

Or am I being offensive?

Joyous day, everyone.

Word redundancy doesn't seem to be in their comprehension.

He has proven his detractors wrong.

Yes, he is human and makes the occasional mistake but no more than any other player. Howeve,r he can be a bit rash and has been a little lucky, especially that challenge on Dick Van Dike and that one last Sunday but I wouldn't swap him for anyone.

“Do not be deceived: God is not mocked, for whatever one sows, that will he also reap.”

"I'll fuckin' have you for that, lad."

Merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, or whatever tickles your fancy🥂🥂🍻🍻🧋🧋🍸

Whatever the answer, a Happy Hanukah to all! (Or is it Chanukah? Or Hannukah?) All 3 of us Jews on here can debate that one.

And I’ll second everything Christine 214 said. This is now the year and season of hope for us Blues, and I’m grateful for all on here, as well as for the tremendous hospitality you all showed me in April when I came out there. It was truly the best present an old man could ask for.

Every pan, dish, cup, glass, has been used times without number and the poor dishwasher is a nervous wreck. Even the knives and Forks she keeps for best, have had a severe battering...what's that about anyway, it's just cutlery.

In the laundry there's a pile of towels that you'd need a team of Sherpas to climb.

But I wouldn't have it any other way - glad its only once a year though.

A house full of 11 people for 2 and a bit days is down to 2, soon to be 1 as herself is off to the sales and I'm going to sit and watch the boxing day cricket in a silent house - bliss.

The game kicks off at 10.30pm, well past she who must be obeyed's bed time.

I fancy us to get something but what do I know?

Now. Will the usually generous Everton turn up tomorrow or have we turned a new chapter? City can’t get a win for love nor money…….then we roll into town.

Not going to make any game predictions anymore albeit regardless of result I predict we’ll still be 15th in 24hrs time.

Now I’m in the airport, preparing to fly home to a family all isolated in their rooms with Covid.

Trust me, none of you wants to see my contribution to the debate over Merry versus happy!!

No way I’ll be able to clamber out of bed for tomorrow’s game, but I will replay it later. COYB!

Regarding Mike’s comment about sitting Shiva, it’s a beautiful tradition of shared mourning among our tribe in which family members mourn the death of a close relative for 7 days at home, and others visit the home to pay their respects and grieve alongside the family.

Let’s grab a point or three to make tomorrow a little merrier and happier for all, those who are enjoying their holidays and those suffering from maladies and stressors, big and small.

Hopefully you had a good journey home and I hope your family is on the mend soon from the Covid.

To put City in place would be great and hopefully at leat a point today.

UTFTs!
💙🤍🍀🍀🐝🐝

Hopefully after today's game you're both happy and merry.