11/02/2025 68comments  |  Jump to last

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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Paul Jones
1 Posted 11/02/2025 at 16:37:32
Very weird tone to this write up. Ukrainian warrior?

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.

Liam Mogan
2 Posted 11/02/2025 at 16:42:02
What's with all the bold type?
Kim Vivian
3 Posted 11/02/2025 at 16:48:11
Sorry - awful pre match write up this. Simply awful.

I'd go so far as to say embarrassing.

Jay Harris
4 Posted 11/02/2025 at 16:58:14
Charles,
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.

Liam Mogan
5 Posted 11/02/2025 at 17:03:19
Maybe English is not Charles' first language.

Whatever happened to Anjishu Roy?

Rob Halligan
6 Posted 11/02/2025 at 17:09:19
No predicted line up?
Liam Mogan
7 Posted 11/02/2025 at 17:13:07
Don't need no stinking line up. Myko the Warrior is back!

'The W' is guaranteed!

Kev Jones
8 Posted 11/02/2025 at 17:44:11
Paul #1 totally agree.
Colin Crooks
9 Posted 11/02/2025 at 18:29:22
Come on Guys.

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.

Mike Gaynes
10 Posted 11/02/2025 at 18:48:02
Amen, Colin #9. It's our pub. And he's the new bartender from out of town. It'll take time for him to fit in and learn what the regulars like.
Liam Mogan
11 Posted 11/02/2025 at 18:55:02
That boss bartender who always knew who was next and remembered your round has gone to a better pub just across the street, Mike. 🤣
Andy Crooks
12 Posted 11/02/2025 at 19:04:06
Give the guy a break. Time will come when he finds his voice and is one of us. I like your analogy, Mike. It's Woody replacing Coach behind the bar.
Mike Gaynes
13 Posted 11/02/2025 at 19:07:17
Perfect description, Andy.

By the way, who's the older brother, you or Colin?

Paul Jones
14 Posted 11/02/2025 at 19:08:40
I partially agree with you Colin, but we all know the ingredients for a good match preview on this site.

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.

Mike Gaynes
15 Posted 11/02/2025 at 19:10:01
Liam, he's moved from the Winslow to the Bramley-Moore, just ahead of the crowd.
Andrea Jacobs
16 Posted 11/02/2025 at 21:39:18
You’ve lost this one, Mike
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.
Roger Helm
17 Posted 11/02/2025 at 21:49:27
“Mykolenko may return…strength and passion…” - that’s it? My six year old granddaughter could have done as well.

Still, plenty of players have had shocking debuts, too early to write him off.

Ian Bennett
18 Posted 11/02/2025 at 22:09:14
Might be worth asking chatgpt to write next one...
Andrea Jacobs
19 Posted 11/02/2025 at 22:10:11
What does Michael Kenrick think of all this? Nothing apparently. His silence speaks volumes.
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.
Paul Swan
20 Posted 11/02/2025 at 22:57:14
I jumped over to ToffeeWeb in 2015 when Blue Kipper bowed out. It was nowhere near as good or edgy as Blue Kipper but at least, it was at the heart of everything, a forum for us blues. People who celebrated, commiserated, shouted and cried and understood what it is to be cursed (and blessed) to be an Evertonian. I must admit I have visited less than I used to of recent times. Also as a season ticket holder who can’t bear to listen to away games on the radio so relied on the live forum I had become frustrated by the negativity, inane nonsense, politics and drivel which all to often now feature on that site, I hardly ever join.

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.

Paul Kossoff
21 Posted 11/02/2025 at 23:54:25
YouTube has some weird a I sites, one especially about us. It's so false and has an a I voice pretending to be a blue with all the click bait headlines. Well this article has a I all over it, sorry if it has been written by a human but some of the plaudits for "Mykolenko’s return, "
come on.
Jack Convery
22 Posted 12/02/2025 at 00:26:00
Awful. Must do better. Only a true blue would understand. This is supposed to be a review of rhe last Derby at Goodison, forever, no more, end of and yet this review is hogwash, sorry to say but it is. The only Ukranian Warriors are thos on the front line in Eastern Ukraine. Ask Mykolenko if he likes being called a Warrior. I bet it would make him cringe. I said the other day, TW now is like walking into what was Groundside Pub, to find the new owners know sod all about EFC and even less about how the Fans minds work, when thinking about EFC. We hate the RS, we want them stuffed and mounted and kicked back to Mordor. Oh and it's not just us. A few years ago they were called the club all other fans despise. They get away with every trick under the sun, penalties galore for sod all, look at Bournemouth last week.

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 !

Anthony Jones
23 Posted 12/02/2025 at 02:05:37
"And 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!"

That player is not generally considered a standout performer for us "Toffees".

Derek Knox
24 Posted 12/02/2025 at 07:23:40
Mike @13, they are both a pair of Crooks, but not related :-)

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 !

Alex Kociuba
25 Posted 12/02/2025 at 07:31:32
Site is going to shit already. This is an AI generated article.
Sam Hoare
26 Posted 12/02/2025 at 07:43:01
Here’s a predicted line-up:

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.

Colin Crooks
27 Posted 12/02/2025 at 08:31:07
Wouldnt be my choice Sam, but I think you've called DM's

Lets just beat them

Liam Mogan
28 Posted 12/02/2025 at 08:31:34
AI has reported horror at being linked with this match preview and will see any accusations of involvement in court.
Colin Crooks
29 Posted 12/02/2025 at 08:44:01
Give it a rest Liam FFS.

Dave Abrahams
30 Posted 12/02/2025 at 08:56:56
We need three in central midfield for this game with Alcaraz being one of them, central midfield is the engine room that makes Liverpool tick, it’s got be matched.
Ajay Gopal
31 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:04:14
Come on guys, if you think you could do a better preview, then out with it! Let me do my small bit...

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

James Hughes
32 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:13:36
Charles Taudin. Give Ajay a Job please, nice work Ajay
Ian Jones
33 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:24:15
So, where is Alcaraz's best position. I don't know enough about him yet to form an opinion.
Ernie Baywood
34 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:33:21
You did hear right, Ajay. It's 41 a piece at the Old Lady.

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.

James Hughes
35 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:38:18
Apologies for any liberals on here, but this is a nice article from the Daily fail.
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.

Link

Dave Abrahams
36 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:41:20
Ian (33), Going by the short period he was on the field v Bournemouth I think he showed enough to let us know he will a good addition to the squad in various positions, wasn’t frightened to hold onto the ball and looking to find a teammate with a pass, a bit unusual tith most of this Everton squad.

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.

Joe McMahon
37 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:49:20
Thanks James, and I didn't know about Lee's dismissal of Ian Rush. Not good enough for Everton, just when you think you've heard it all. Kinnell.
Ian Jones
38 Posted 12/02/2025 at 09:55:13
Joe, Rush would have made a great centre-back for Everton on the basis that we often use players out of position.

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.

Steve Brown
39 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:16:41
Some facts sent to me last night.

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.

Steve Brown
40 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:25:13
James @ 35, what about those pin-strip flares Reidy is wearing!
Paul Hewitt
41 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:28:47
FFS can we at least give the new guys a bit of time. They've been in 5 minutes and already some are moaning. I'm sure they will get it right. I'd love some of you to start a new business and get it spot on from the beginning. Anyway hoping for a win tonight, but not optimistic. Won't tell you what score I think it will be.
Steve Brown
42 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:38:28
For those criticising the pre-match report, try translating it into Hindu or French. Or other any language at all.

Let’s be a more more patient and give the lads time.

Rob Halligan
43 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:40:19
Paul # 41……..you mightn’t, but I could! 😂😂😂
Paul Tran
44 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:40:34
My understanding was that Lee wanted to buy both Sharp and Rush. The board told him he could only have one, so he chose Sharp. The same board that wouldn't buy Shilton because £300k was too much for a keeper.
Matt Traynor
45 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:41:56
Joe #37, I've told this story a few times, but Lee could've signed both Sharp and Rush, but elected just to sign Graeme.

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.

Raymond Fox
46 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:44:30
Some people just love to moan and criticise.

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.

Andy Crooks
47 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:45:30
Mike @13, Colin's my dad!
Liam Mogan
48 Posted 12/02/2025 at 10:52:05
The important part is the moaning and criticising. 🤣
Raymond Fox
49 Posted 12/02/2025 at 11:01:26
I'm very good at criticising Liam, so my wife says, actually moaning also so I shouldn't be so rude.
Tom Bowers
50 Posted 12/02/2025 at 11:53:43
If we can put the brakes on their offence early (particularly Salah) then we have a shout.
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.
Kevin Molloy
51 Posted 12/02/2025 at 11:59:55
this is such a hospital pass. Passing on this fanatical website to people from a different continent, who aren't all that fussed about footy, let alone Everton. It's not the new owners fault. but I'm afraid the crowd is on the pitch as far as Tweb is concerned.
Paul Hewitt
52 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:05:42
Of topic but I see our sponsor stake has had its licence to operate in the UK revoked. Everton have been told they have to stop using the stake name by 31 march or face a fine.
Liam Mogan
53 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:07:05
Kevin 51 - surely you mean a Doucoure pass?
James Hughes
54 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:16:22
In the spirit of the Great post from Ajay, my pre match report.

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

Dave Abrahams
55 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:36:35
Ernie (34) I know that you were only quoting that Mylolenko is a warrior but that was news to me!
Sam Hoare
56 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:38:27
Ian @33, I think Alcaraz is best suited to a deep-lying 10 or possibly a box-to box central midfielder. His best assets are driving forwards with the ball, shooting from range and a tenacious work rate. He could also play out on the wing though he's not the quickest. He's good at pressing but a bit impetuous and prone to rash decisions, hence safer to play him further up the pitch.

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.

Anthony Jones
57 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:44:04
I'll have a go then:

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.


Oliver Molloy
58 Posted 12/02/2025 at 12:57:38
We need the DOGS OF WAR approach tonight, take no prisoners, get stuck in and have Slot pulling his hair out !!!
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.
Rob Halligan
59 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:06:14
Oliver…………..”

everybody is tipping an easy win for them”………including one of our own regular posters. No prizes for guessing who!

Paul Hewitt
60 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:11:10
I am rob. They are by far the best team in the league, probably Europe. I don't see the problem?.
Rob Halligan
61 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:18:51
Dear god! 😡😡😡
Brian Williams
62 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:24:47
Talk about "went over his head." 🤣
David Bromwell
63 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:25:42
Sadly the pre match atmosphere tonight will be toxic and all the players are likely to enter a bear pit. Almost certainly the referee will dish out a few early bookings in an effort to cool things down. In these circumstances our players need to be ultra careful as the very last thing we need is for someone to be sent off.
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.
Paul Kossoff
64 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:30:59
Jack, do the pre match write up, you are qualified more than the new owners of t w. Coyb 👮👮👮
Paul Kossoff
65 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:37:59
Paul 60. You are a blue, please don't ever praise those bastards no matter what they win. They are the dirtiest, most coniving, slyest, luckiest, use every trick in the book, looked after, evil bunch of self appreciating self centred twats in existence. Praise when its due, but come on, praise them, never!
Brian Wilkinson
66 Posted 12/02/2025 at 13:41:24
Jesus Christ, give the new guys a chance, cannot expect them to turn into Shakespeare or Wordsworth overnight.

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.

John Daley
67 Posted 12/02/2025 at 14:51:35
Here’s my derby ‘preview’ if anyone is interested….though, admittedly, it’s more ‘wankers’ than ‘warriors’:

Link

Kieran Kinsella
68 Posted 12/02/2025 at 15:46:29
John Daley

Leatherface Molby. Love it. lol


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