They say, once in a Blue Moon, a team comes along that dominates English top-flight football. Step forward, Manchester City.

It's been strange few weeks. After the growing sense of optimism following clipping the Eagles' wings at the death, Everton were overwhelmed by 5 minutes of Haaland showing why he is Europe's best striker and a Manchester City team who are slowly putting their mark on this Premier League season.

Anyway, enough of them… and it wasn't all that bad. Collectively, we gave it a fist in periods and could have scored at least one ourselves, making it a closer contest than the final score suggested.

A lot of the matchday commentry and different takes have been done already, so I'll just pick out a couple of players.

Jordan Pickford: I'm not going to slate him, as it's not my style,  but he didn't look right. Were our centre-backs sat too deep on top of him? Or was Haaland's presence making him think twice?

Michael Keane: Mostly performed well. Keane didn't have his best game, looked nervous and spoilt it anyway with a trademark "watch the ball go over his head" for one of their goals.

James Garner: Garner is a holding midfielder. He can do a needs must job at right back, but is 3rd choice in that birth in my view.

Iliman Ndiaye: Pick of the bunch again. He'll leave a gap when he goes. Hopefully that's just for Afcon and we'll see him back for the run in.

Beto: He's a conundrum. We've got him for now. I won't say anymore on strikers.

Jack Grealish: Put the hype behind him. Don't worry, Jack, you'll be back in the England squad soon.

Reality check? We sit mid-table, equidistant from the relegation and European qualification places. Our aim is the latter and we can achieve it. Why not? I believe we can and will. Belief and consistency are words that stick out.

Back on the road next weeks to put Tottenham to the sword, meeting some of the usual ToffeeWeb gang in the usual haunts. For those who haven't met me, look left as you walk in and shout "Danny!" I'll no doubt attract my usual gathering of away supporters on the way up from Euston and that makes for an interesting trip back.

Last season, the travelling Tottenham contingent entertained me after Ndiaye and the Blues smashed 3 goals past them, only to end up trying our best to give them it back. It left them arguing amongst themselves all the way back. There are some interesting dynamics with London supporters. I would say the best to travel with are West Ham and Chelsea.

We're well-positioned to put Tottenham to the sword and there is no reason why we can't… or won't. Believe, Everton, like I and thousands of others do. When matchday comes, that switch flips and I only think about winning. Still over a week away but I'm in that zone now.

I always say, it's early doors, but a win and 7th- or 8th-place is on the cards, making an early stake for Europe. That's where I'm at.

Reader Comments (5)

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Eric Myles
1 Posted 20/10/2025 at 14:47:47
Welcome back Danny!
Kieran Kinsella
2 Posted 20/10/2025 at 15:07:10
Danny,

We don't have a great record at Spurs as you know but we do have a decent record versus Mr. Frank so hopefully that holds up. Plus Spurs are wonderfully inconsistent right now so hopefully we get something.

On Garner, I agree with you he is not a right back but I don't know I'd say he is third choice. Coleman is finished sadly. Patterson never made it to begin with. O'Brien is solid if we sit deep, and no one has room to run at or around him. If we move up field at all he can get horribly caught out and leave massive holes. I think Garner is better in that particular scenario as he is used to filling that hole as a defensive mid when a fullback goes forward. But none of our options are ideal there. Plus I'd rather not use Garner there as he has been probably our most consistent midfielder so far this season.

Rob Dolby
3 Posted 20/10/2025 at 15:14:55
Danny,

I thought Pickford was class yet again. 2 121s with the best striker in Europe and he won the battle.

A header from 6 yards out he got studs on and the second through the legs of tarkowski with a slight deflection took the ball away from him.

Ndiaye was great first half but probably used up a lot of energy as he didn't track the full back who crossed for their first. Both CBS caught ball watching instead of marking Haaland.

Alcaraz misused as a winger when the lad is clearly better inside.

Dibling and mcneil get 5 mins at the end when both would have been better suited playing wide instead of Alcaraz.

City are a top team but aren't as good as they have been. Betos studs or the ref giving a pen could have made all of the difference.

Roll on next week. Maybe the bubble is bursting on Thomas Frank. Grealish back will give the team a boost.

Someone posted on one of the other threads about not just the strikers scoring. Our team is lacking in goal threat from most positions. I think Ndiaye, Grealish, Alcaraz and mcneil want to score and impact games whilst most of the others are happy passing it to Grealish.

Mark Murphy
4 Posted 20/10/2025 at 15:27:59
Kieran, were at home, not at Tottenham.
we can do these.
Kieran Kinsella
6 Posted 20/10/2025 at 15:44:48
Mark

Well in that case easy peasy. Spurs can get a look at a decent new stadium which puts their crappy old one to shame.

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