“I told them I had 3 meetings at Burnley that felt touch+go. I’ve had 4 already here, so I asked how we connect in a way that is beyond that. There were things that needed changing”
How Dyche ‘juggled sand’ to lead Everton through the toughest of seasons
Don’t think there are many PL players more misunderstood than
@richarlison97
. Opposition fans & pundits see a Prima donna, but for Everton he is a warrior who always turns up when needed most. Got goal his relentless pressing deserved today
Handball decision labelled “ridiculous” on Match of the Day. Quite right. Only person at this point who seemingly thinks it wasn’t a penalty is the VAR official from Greater Manchester + Manchester FA
Lampard says Mason Holgate had been sick in build-up to the game - didn't train yesterday and travelled separately - but wanted to play today. That spirit typified Everton's performance
Idrissa Gueye: “It’s special. I told PSG if I am going to leave it will be for one team — and that was Everton. There's no better feeling than coming home. I'll give my soul to this team."
Not a yellow card - Fabinho pulling player down on edge of box for a free kick. No attempt to play ball
Not a yellow card - Alexander-Arnold stopping Gordon’s run into the box. No attempt at ball
Yellow card - Gordon initiating contact in box
Glad we’ve got priorities right
Everton fans planning to display 'we stand with Ukraine' banner featuring image of full back Vitalii Mykolenko in his national team kit during Saturday's match against Manchester City
Forest (away), Newcastle (home) &. Chelsea (home). Nine points out of nine, six goals scored, zero conceded
An outstanding week for Everton who continue to build apace under Sean Dyche
Lampard: "We have to have a strong link with the academy - make sure that the players know that if they perform they can move into the first team and there is a pathway there."
Kind of quote that will be music to the ears of
#EFC
's young prospects
Boreham Wood’s Kane Smith, a big Everton fan, is currently celebrating on the pitch in a Tony Hibbert jersey. Maybe not what I expected to see this Sunday evening
Gordon goes over to clap the remaining Everton fans, gets applause back. Deserves that for the effort he put in. Raises his hand up apologetically and then limps off. Wasn't on him
FT Everton 2-0 Liverpool. Outstanding from Sean Dyche's side, who are now 8 clear of the relegation zone. Best performance of the season by far
"You lost the league at Goodison Park" ringing around Goodison followed by Spirit of the Blues
Dwight McNeil's defensive numbers (almost) off the charts last night
48 pressures (Next best for
#EFC
26!)
7 tackles
5 interceptions
4 blocks
Quite a shift off the ball...
Understand Everton made a formal complaint to the Premier League this morning over the officiating in recent matches. Not just about Rodri handball, but other decisions too
@TheAthleticUK
In his post-match interview with Sky Sports, Carlo Ancelotti labels Digne sending off "a joke" and says Everton will appeal decison.
"Maybe all this talk all week against Pickford & Richarlison affected the decision and if so it's not right, it's not fair."
A 99th-minute winner for the 10 men. Richarlison legging it to the other side of the pitch to celebrate with teammates. Inflatable dinosaurs thrown away in disgust. A protester tied to the post. Giant wire cutters to remove him. Iwobi the hero.
The chaos of Goodison wins out
Lampard on Jordan Pickford: “The reason he takes shit is because he’s a brilliant footballer. For me the save against Chelsea wasn’t just save of the season, it was save of the Premier League. He’s a dream to work with.”
DCL: “I’ve got to give the manager credit for taking pressure off because previously it killed me. The cycle of rushing to get me back fit, returning too soon & breaking down had to stop. He came in & said, ‘This will stop’. We’re all reaping the rewards”
Find the continued fascination with Jordan Pickford’s England place quite odd. Ramsdale has a good game - Pickford trends, should be dropped etc. This for a player who helped England to Euros final over the summer and had a blinder of a tournament. Don’t get it
Heitinga exclusive - “There was an immediate connection. Every match was like a final. I played many games with injections. Others did too. I’ve followed all the scores since I left.
#EFC
is my team. It’s true what they say: ‘Once a blue, always a blue’.”
Vitalli Mykolenko really growing into his time at Everton. One of few to carry momentum from Manchester United game into last night. Been solid and full of energy, in the most testing of circumstances. Incredible in light of everything else going on
Pleased for Richarlison. Leading the line for his country at a WC is the pinnacle for him - and he deserves it. Gave everything for Everton - a big reason they stayed up - and always been a much better player than most on the outside gave him credit for. Getting the rewards now
Anthony Gordon fully deserving of his ovation. Worked so hard off ball & playing with real swagger. Can tell he now feels fully at home at this level. Imagine what the response from the fans must have meant to him...
Abdoulaye Doucoure is set to reject a call-up for the Africa Cup of Nations to stay with Everton in Jan/Feb
Huge boost for Sean Dyche. No player has more goals or goal involvements since he took over
Dyche on Doucoure: "He certainly doesn't need to apologise. He knows you can't raise your hands in football. I thought at one stage he might have snapped his (assume Kane's?) eyelash which would have been tragic."
Thought that was a very encouraging first PL start for Youssef Chermiti. Held the ball well, some nice flicks and showed pace to trouble defenders in behind. Plenty of potential
The worst bit of this all is that Cavani, Bailly and Fernandes all escaped without *any* card. Turned into a dirty game and the officials have lost the plot
Lucas Digne today
1 assist
3 key passes (joint-most)
5 aerials won (most)
7 clearances (joint-most)
#EFC
have a left back operating at the very top level
Lampard on Richarlison: "I've loved every bit I've seen from him. The group love him. His mobility, his aggression, his quality is a great thing to have in your squad. I think he can achieve what he wants at Everton because we are an ambitious club."
Rare to see a 22-year-old lead the line as well as Calvert-Lewin does, by the way. Runs channels, wins headers and looks more & more threatening week on week. He’s a gem
You can start to see now how Everton might click in midfield once Gueye fully up to speed. Some good options there with Onana & Iwobi excelling + Garner brought in on deadline day. But a word for Tom Davies - come in and done a job in tough run of fixtures. Been v useful asset
Jordan Pickford named Everton's Player of the Season.
Anthony Gordon wins Players’ Player of the Year & Young Player
Vitalii Mykolenko gets Goal of the Season
#EFC
estimate their marketing, social & PR activity for James signing reached in excess of 400m people within 48 hours of Colombian's announcement.
Includes activations in Times Square, Bogota, US & Liverpool
James underwent a medical yesterday ahead of signing an expected three-year deal. He would be the marquee signing that Moshiri has long craved 🔵⭐
The story of transfer so far, featuring 7.30am private jets & calls with Carlo👇
Time is running out for Yerry Mina at Goodison but he showed last night how important he can be in the run-in. Made 13 clearances - most in the Everton side. A warrior
Striking how many players, pundits/commentators & Bournemouth fans have commented on Sunday's atmosphere. Fair few saying it was the best they've ever experienced. Goodison magical on days like that
What a breath of fresh air that was. Everton hungry + committed, moving confidently through the thirds. Been a long gong time since they played like that. And they scored first! Just about the perfect bow for Lampard
It's encouraging to see Everton go for this profile of player. Young & hungry rather than ageing star on way down. This has to be the model now in the main
Really well crafted goal, with Everton playing through the thirds to open up Palace. Lots to like - Doucoure’s pass, Gana’s control on the move, the finish
Saw at the end how pleased his teammates were for him. Seems to be strong camaraderie in group