
Evertonians, the stage is set for one of the most emotional nights in our club’s history—the final Merseyside derby at Goodison Park. A
nd in a crucial boost for the Toffees, left-back Vitalii Mykolenko could be back in action to help fight for the blue half of the city!
The Ukrainian warrior missed Saturday’s FA Cup clash against Bournemouth with a minor calf issue, but in his press conference on Tuesday, David Moyes delivered the news we all wanted to hear:
“He [Mykolenko] started some training today, so hopefully he’ll be available.”
With everything on the line, Everton need every bit of strength and passion to take on Liverpool in a showdown that will be remembered.
This isn’t just another derby—it’s the last one at Goodison. The ground where we’ve celebrated historic wins, felt the roar of the Gwladys Street, and made memories that will never fade.
With three straight league wins under our belt, and now the possibility of Mykolenko’s return, there’s belief in the squad.
We’ve seen resilience. We’ve seen heart. And now, it’s time to send the Reds back across Stanley Park with nothing but regret.
Reader Comments (68)
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2 Posted 11/02/2025 at 16:42:02
3 Posted 11/02/2025 at 16:48:11
I'd go so far as to say embarrassing.
4 Posted 11/02/2025 at 16:58:14
You might want to look back at one or two of Lyndon's prematch posts to see what fans expect.
I'm not saying you should copy that but it may give you some insight into what goes on for example predicted lineup and tactical assumptions.
In other words a bit more meat on the sandwich.
5 Posted 11/02/2025 at 17:03:19
Whatever happened to Anjishu Roy?
6 Posted 11/02/2025 at 17:09:19
7 Posted 11/02/2025 at 17:13:07
'The W' is guaranteed!
8 Posted 11/02/2025 at 17:44:11
9 Posted 11/02/2025 at 18:29:22
Cut Charles a littler slack here. He's been here Five minutes FFS. Let the fella get his coat off
Get on with your job of discussing the game and give the new boy a chance to grow into his.
10 Posted 11/02/2025 at 18:48:02
11 Posted 11/02/2025 at 18:55:02
12 Posted 11/02/2025 at 19:04:06
13 Posted 11/02/2025 at 19:07:17
By the way, who's the older brother, you or Colin?
14 Posted 11/02/2025 at 19:08:40
The minimum requirement has to be a commitment to the club, to watching the game, assessing previous performances and detecting any nuances in approach that nudged the result in a different direction. Then you take a deep breath and use current form as your springboard to deliver a preview that takes not just personnel but performance and playing style into account to suggest how the team might set up and fare in the next game.
If you're effectively a journeyman writer who takes on a gig for no other reason than monetary reward or career progression then you don't put those additional hours in because you're not that interested in Everton FC. So you throw in a bit of jingoism to pad out some facts you got from the internet, file that and move on.
As I said earlier, that approach is fine for sites that churn out previews for every game in the premier league, but it's not enough for a dedicated fan site like ToffeeWeb was only a couple of weeks back.
15 Posted 11/02/2025 at 19:10:01
16 Posted 11/02/2025 at 21:39:18
This is piss poor
Piss poor preview.
Gobsmackingly inauthentic, copy and pasted, empty drivel.
Just no sense of what this last great occasion means, on any level.
This is bad.
So bad.
It IS like when your favourite pub gets a corporate takeover.
No more dominoes team…it’s done.
17 Posted 11/02/2025 at 21:49:27
Still, plenty of players have had shocking debuts, too early to write him off.
18 Posted 11/02/2025 at 22:09:14
19 Posted 11/02/2025 at 22:10:11
This is an absolutely, mind-bendingly appalling match preview.
Unfortunate for Taudin ‘the hole’ that his first piece coincides with one of the, if not THE most poignant fixtures in our History.
Zero sense of the trepidation and anxiety surrounding this game.
Zero sense of the how much this means, basically.
20 Posted 11/02/2025 at 22:57:14
However, the tone of the match preview above is so appallingly bad and let’s face it, akin to the Skanditrash photo fit rubbish our neighbours over the park seem to revel in that I feel this site is no longer for me. I’m also left feeling cold about the offering on Evertonia.
So from me it’s goodnight goodbye and thanks for all the fish.
21 Posted 11/02/2025 at 23:54:25
come on.
22 Posted 12/02/2025 at 00:26:00
So if you are going to do a review of this game, reflect on the atmosphere, which will be feral, hateful and that's just the St Johns Ambulance Brigade volunteers. Goodison on Wednesday night will make the Collosseum, look like a picnic. Evertonians everywhere will be living on their nerves until the whistle is sounded for a well earned victory. Think along those lines and you might start to get the idea.
PS: Look at an EFC Match Programme and do the opposite. We don't want insincere propoganda we want the blue truth, warts and all. COYBs 2 Nil to us AGAIN !
23 Posted 12/02/2025 at 02:05:37
That player is not generally considered a standout performer for us "Toffees".
24 Posted 12/02/2025 at 07:23:40
Yes a bit late and terse with the pre-match, at least a keel-hauling in latter days for that ! Hoping as always for a win, but please, please, No Doucoure !
25 Posted 12/02/2025 at 07:31:32
26 Posted 12/02/2025 at 07:43:01
Pickford
O’Brien Tarkowski Branthwaite Mykolenko
Lindstrom Gueye Garner Ndiaye
Doucoure
Beto
Alcaraz could come into start but I suspect Moyes will want Doucoure’s running given we will have little of the ball. Harrison might replace Lindstrom and Young will start if Mykolenko is not fit enough.
They are definitely vulnerable defensively and the first goal will be crucial. I imagine it won’t be a gratifying watch and KITAP1 is the like approach! Will be a long evening for Beto but he has to try and impose himself on the game and hopefully we can get balls in behind, Van Dijk is not as quick as he used to be.
27 Posted 12/02/2025 at 08:31:07
Lets just beat them
28 Posted 12/02/2025 at 08:31:34
29 Posted 12/02/2025 at 08:44:01
30 Posted 12/02/2025 at 08:56:56
31 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:04:14
In yesterday's presser, one of the journalists pointed out an interesting fact - not sure I heard it right, because for some weird reason, I can almost never hear the questions, but Moyes (and Dyche's) answers are (were) always loud and clear. Anyway, he said that the derby results at GP stand at 41 wins apiece! That is one weird statistic. Anyhow, that makes it even more imperative to get the win before signing off from the GOL.
Moyes has dropped hints that he liked what he saw from Jack Harrison and Charly. And we cannot have 2 poor footballers against the RS in the form of Beto & Doucoure, otherwise the ball will keep coming back at us, so I would drop Doucs to the bench. I could see Moyes employ a back 3 with Mykolenko and Harrison as wing-backs. Gueye and Gana in the middle. Alcaraz and Ndiaye just behind Beto
Beto
Ndiaye Alcaraz
Mykolenko Gana Garner Harrison
Branthwaite Tarkowski O'Brien
Pickford
SUBS: Doucoure, Lindstrom, Iroegbunam, Young, Keane, Virginia
To give a perspective on players out injured/unavailable: Calvert-Lewin, Broja, Chermiti, McNeil, Coleman, Patterson, Mangala
I hope we get a fair referee for once. Nervous excitement
32 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:13:36
33 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:24:15
34 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:33:21
I think Sam has nailed the starting team. That's assuming that the Ukrainian Warrior is fit to start.
Part of me really wants us to start Alcaraz. And I definitely want to see us go right at them for the opening part of the game. Make it brutal and chaotic.
But I expect Doucoure and I expect us to be sensible early.
35 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:38:18
Peter Reid and Ian Rush at The Old Lady, Rush Talking about how he was gutted when Gordon Lee told him was good enough for EFC.
36 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:41:20
I think he will add some goals, possibly from free kicks, which help especially coming from midfield also adding energy and fight in that department.
37 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:49:20
38 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:55:13
Dave, thanks for the extra bit of info re Alcaraz.
I only saw brief highlights of the Cup game and my assumption was that Alcaraz and Ndiaye may be too similar and unlikely to be in the same team.
Looks like my thinking is incorrect.
A friend says he could be similar to Tim Cahill. Has a bit of everything including a bit of devilment.
39 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:16:41
Michael Oliver will be refereeing us for the 60th time - more than any other referee in our history.
We have not had a penalty awarded to us in a derby at Goodison since April 2003.
The last Liverpool player sent off at Goodison was Biscan in April 2001, 24 years ago. Since then, 9 Everton players have been sent off in Derby matches at Goodison.
You can bookmark this for tomorrow.
40 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:25:13
41 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:28:47
42 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:38:28
Let’s be a more more patient and give the lads time.
43 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:40:19
44 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:40:34
45 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:41:56
I met Ian in Singapore at an event in the late noughties, and asked if he was aware (he was) and if he thought he and Graeme would've worked well together. His reply was he thought we'd have won everything.
46 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:44:30
Use your own fecking brains, all the important bits are in there the rest would be flannel.
The important part of the site is the discussions between ourselves.
47 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:45:30
48 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:52:05
49 Posted 12/02/2025 at 11:01:26
50 Posted 12/02/2025 at 11:53:43
We know they are capable of scoring at any time so it needs a really strong performance all around.
C.O.Y.B C.O.Y.B.
51 Posted 12/02/2025 at 11:59:55
52 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:05:42
53 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:07:05
54 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:16:22
in the build up to the final Derby at the first ever purpose built football ground. One of the founders of the football league will host for the final time the Gobshites from across Stanley Park. I hope they wipe their collective feet on the way in.
Goodison will be hosting several thousand Norwegians who have taken the trouble to see their team, whilst most local RS will be in the pub or on the sofa wearing their scarf around their wrist.
The faithful will be hoping Dour Dave has finally grown a pair and start the game on the front foot. he has instructed the whole team to kick seven shades of shite out of More Salad and St Virgil of Mordor.
And after we win I hope Jamie C drowns on his own saliva and Gary N stays frozen looking at his own reflection in the mirror. So we never have to listen or watch them ever again.
No doubt the team will be same as the last game and I am hoping they step up. Last ever derby COYB
I do believe that Ajay's post was better but I needed to vent. Fuck the RS.
If anyone needs any clarification on my stance or if I am being a bit vague, drop my me line. As my neighbour still looks at me funny after my noise when we won 2-0
Love to all blues and Cosmic waves to George
p.s in the state of balance, my late dad was a RS and I do miss him
55 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:36:35
56 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:38:27
I expect to see him mainly in the Doucoure role but he's quite versatile which will have been part of the attraction in this stretched squad. Will be interesting to see where Moyes uses him.
57 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:44:04
The last ever Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park will bring back images, emotions and thoughts from all the matches gone before. Everton fans will, of course, want to see players throw themselves into challenges, to run hard throughout, and to try to score some goals.
Everton's chances of getting a win are not considered high given that the reds are flying in the league and in Europe. They boast a very strong first 11, which appears to be mostly available for selection. However, Everton have had some successes over the years against what was seen as superior opposition.
For me, the chaos that had one of our best ever sides barred from European competition is the number one reason that I have a particular revulsion to their open top bus parades. That event may be in the distant past, but it very much could have been a sliding doors moment for Everton Football Club. Whilst we descended into decades of being an also-ran, things worked out pretty well on the other side of Stanley Park.
Having said that, and not ignoring Steven Gerrard's attempt to break our leftback in two, it would be nice to see a fair and respectful last match between two well decorated sides that share a historic city. For many, the rivalry may be too far gone at this point, but respect for opponents is a big part of other sports and is a feature of any good kids' sports team. I am sure some of the away supporters will feel nostalgic and possibly even sympathetic to the Everton cause tonight.
In terms of team selection, the Doucoure/Beto prong was very ineffective on the weekend. I would throw Alcaraz in instead of Doucoure to mix it up. Harrison actually looked more dangerous than Lindstrom (!), so there is a decision to be made there. There could also be a role for Iroegbunam in a 3-man midfield. Having said that, Moyes is still Moyes and I expect few if any changes to the starting 11.
Hoping it's an enjoyable last derby.
58 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:57:38
Players MUST give everything tonight and give us Evertonians
a night to remember this last time - everybody is tipping an easy win for them - please not!
COYB.
59 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:06:14
everybody is tipping an easy win for them”………including one of our own regular posters. No prizes for guessing who!
60 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:11:10
61 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:18:51
62 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:24:47
63 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:25:42
So I hope Moyes preaches calmness, we revert to Pickford's long ball game, and we go with Ajay's team no. 31. And hopefully we can enjoy the game, it will be sad if we loose, and wonderful if we win, but right now I would settle for a draw given the teams respective form this season.
64 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:30:59
65 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:37:59
66 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:41:24
They will ease themselves in and start to get familiar about articles, we have been here well over 25 years, some longer, we know off by heart about build up, predicted line ups etc, let’s try to help the new guys out.
Once an article is written, we normally add our own story to it anyway, what starts off as a topic, swerves to Super Bowl, a fistful of dollars, or a guy shitting out on deal or no deal, but that’s the way it is with us posters, we make our own stories, once an article has been put up.
Anyway back to the main topic, Mykolenko returns, I hope so because Mykolenko always seems to do a damn good job on Salah, seems to always have a decent game against them.
Get in their faces again like last season, give them very little space and pray like hell Beto has his Leicester boots with him instead of his deep sea diving ones against Bournemouth.
We can win this, I never fear the Red shite at Goodison, and certainly not under the lights, get that noise level intimidating and watch them shit themselves and freeze again.
Up the Toffees.
67 Posted 12/02/2025 at 14:51:35
68 Posted 12/02/2025 at 15:46:29
Leatherface Molby. Love it. lol
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1 Posted 11/02/2025 at 16:37:32
A quick Google of the author suggests someone into digital marketing with an interest in e-commerce in France.
Something about these articles feels very wrong to me. People being shoehorned into positions where they pretend to be ardent Evertonians when they're clearly not. That's fine for official sites but implanting them into fan sites is quite disturbing.