Match Thread Everton V Southampton 3pm Monday 2nd January

[ToffeeTim]

Went with Valencia because his introduction turned the game in our favour. Special mention all to Barkley and Lukaku who were excellent.

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Valencia doesn't seem to be able to last more than about 75 mins. The longest he's played (other than the league cup match with Norwich) was the game vs Arsenal, when he came off at 79 mins and was obviously knackered.

It is common to find that if a player is not used to playing 90 minutes it's difficult to play 90 minutes. Needs a run to get fully match fit.

 

[hibbo'sclass]

Ross for me. The fans in the main stand/ top balcony need to take a look at themselves though - the groans cascading down to me in the family enclosure in the build up to the second goal were disgraceful. He was going nowhere down the right and turned back - the groans started, this while we were winning 1-0 and still in possession. I couldn't believe it especially as he then contributed to the best move of the match, the build up to the pen from the same bit of pssession. Those fans are clueless. Leave the lad alone.

My servants shall hunt you down and do unspeakable things to you for this comment - booooooooooo.

Voted Barkley - thought today and at Hull he has played well when Davies is on the pitch.

 

[Rook]

Valencia did good things in short amount of time.

 

[Blue Cheese]

Diamond Barkley for me

 

[Blue Cheese]

Davies by a mile. I love how Lukaku can miscontrol a ball into the net and everyone thinks he's Aguero again

Pipeth thee down, foolish boy

 

[sheedy3]

best thing about today was seeing the lads genuinly hug after every goal..hopefully they understand now what the crest means...not a great game but a result we needed

 

[obc]

awesome, NBCSN broadcasting the highlights o the match now.

 

[Southern Yankee toffee]

best thing about today was seeing the lads genuinly hug after every goal..hopefully they understand now what the crest means...not a great game but a result we needed

I don't know, when Rom scored he looked like he was over it (us.)

 

[rbm]

I don't know, when Rom scored he looked like he was over it (us.)

He always has one eye on the exit door anyway with his people sniffing the wind for any interest from Manchester or London or Spain. You don't have to scratch too far below the surface to see he thinks he should be elsewhere. That's the way it is in the game nowadays. A high profile player always has his eye on the prize.

 

[Khalekan]

Cheers Andy,at least we're learning how to win "ugly"

That wouldn't be my definition of "winning ugly", Dario.

Stoke earlier in the season....now that is

I thought we were scintillating in the last twenty five minutes.

Really went for the jugular after the first goal

 

[evo1878]

Happy with 3 points but please someone explain to me..

Start the match 4-4-2 with calvent-lewis playing along side lukaku looking bright.. he gets injured and he changes the formation to a 4-2-3-1 leaving lukaku totally isolated, we play gash..then takes lennon off and puts valencia on and goes 4-42 and we are playing well..

Surley should have just put valencia on as first sub?

Anyway good 3 points.

Koeman already answered your question mate. He said that he could've put Valencia on straightaway but he already had it in mind that he would be highest impact with 30 minutes to go and that's why he waited.

 

[Bluebonic]

I voted for Gueye as he was the only Everton player on the park who looked like premier league level! I though the entire team stunk for the first hour but once again playing some one (anyone) up front alongside Lukaku to take defenders with them turns the tide. I genuinely hope this clicks with Koeman, Lukaku is ten times the player when he has a striker up alongside him. i thought Barkley played better (although as most of his passes were backwards I could not give him man of the match) and seems a different player with Davies alongside him. He made. Wonderful run back to cover for Seamus at one point and that seemed to get the crowd on his side, which seemed to lift his head. Hopefully he will learn that showing effort when it is needed will keep the fans on his side.

 

[Bluebonic]

Sorry, that first sentence should have ended "in the first half"

 

[Jeff Jones]

Best we've played this season.

Hmm, I'm happy with it, but 1st half v Spurs, 2nd half v Arsenal and, especially 2nd half at Sunderland were
my stand out performances.

I'm looking forward to a ninety minute special. FA Cup Final would be a good day to produce one.

Dead risky saying that, but hey, you can only hope.