Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
My mind is blown.
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Former Everton Centre Forward Duncan Ferguson steps into management.....
- Thread starter The Penalty Box Dancer
- Start date
Old Blue 2
Player Valuation: £35m
So's mine. If Dunc had carried on much longer at Fylde, they'd be taking him to the dugout in his coffin!
Yarrgh
Player Valuation: £70m
It's what he potentially would have wanted if he'd probably have existed in this theoretical timeline on the balance of probabilities.
Let it hit midnight and the gremlins will sort it out.
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Everton vs Chelsea
27th November 2023
Ferguson's second game and first back in front of the Goodison faithful. Seamus Coleman returned to the fold after injury and James Garner came in for the injured Amadou Onana. Andre Gomes made the bench hoping for a chance to revive his Everton career. Everton were nearly one down after 36 seconds after Sterling was played in down the right but Pickford saved at the near post. It's all coming down Coleman's side in the opening minutes and Sterling is beating him every time. Mykolenko had space on the left and room to get the cross in, he found Calvert-Lewin in the box who headed past Sanchez to make it 1-0 on 13 minutes! Coleman won the ball back from Sterling which earned the praise of the crowd and played it back to Tarkowski who passed forward to Doucoure, he tried to pass back to Tarkowski but didn't see Jackson intercept and slot past Pickford to equalise on 29 minutes. Doucoure gave it away again a few minutes later to Caicedo and he played in Madueke, with a cut back to Enzo Fernanes but Pickford saved comfortably. Coleman was playing better winning the bacll back in key areas, he got it to Harrison who passed to McNeil and then fed it down the left for the run of Mykolenko, his low cross into the box found the left foot of Danjuma who slotted into the bottom right corner! 2-1 to Everton! James came down the Everton left beating Doucoure with the cross, Madueke got it in the area and his shot deflected off Tarkowski and beat Pickford to make it 2-2. What a first half at Goodison Park! Two minutes later Cole Palmaer played a through ball for Jackson which had Tarkowski beaten and he put it past Pickford to give Chelsea the lead. Chelsea were on fire and it was hard to contain them, Madueke's ball from the right into the box was good enough for Jackson to toe poke it past Pickford making it 4-2 on 55 minutes. Ashley Young came on for Jack Harrison with 30 minutes to go. It was well and truly over for Everton with 15 minutes to go when Cole Palmer had space to curl one into the bottom left corner from the edge of the 18 yard box, not even a challenge. Jackson got his second 9 minutes later holding off Branthwaite to slot, embarrassing for Everton now. Calvert-Lewin almost got a goal back but he hit the pot from Danjuma's cross. Everton had nowhere to hide after falling apart in the second half, in what was a close game in the first. Chelsea were far too good for their opponents and work is needed at Everton.
PLAYER RATINGS
Sheffield United vs Everton
2nd December 2023
A 17:30 kick-off at Bramall Lane and with Brentford and Burnley picking up wins this afternoon, Everton dropped into the bottom three prior to kick-off. Changes were made with a midfield three of Gueye, Doucoure and Garner. Dele was back from injury and named on the bench this evening. Doucoure had a chance on 35 minutes when he took the ball down in the box from Garner's corner, his shot was saved at the post and players in the box were begging for the ball across. Everton were getting corners in the first half, Garner's ball to the near post found Branthwaite but his header was easy for the keeper. Everton were the better side but on 56 minutes they were caught out by Robinson's long throw which Norwood got on to and scored from a tight angle making it 1-0 to the home side. McBurnie played it wide to Baldock and with a first time pass to find Archer who put it past Pickford making it 2-0 with 20 minutes to go. Everton made the change with less thsn 20 minutes to go, Beto came on for Doucoure and Fereguson went two up top. It was all Everton now and they looked more fluid. Dele was on for Everton and was dictating the play, he got the ball out wide on the right and put in a good ball for Calvert-Lewin to nod in at the far post! 2-1 and Everton in with a late shout! Everton threw everything they had at Sheffield United but they defended very well and tonight they took all three points.
Sky Sports: Duncan, not a great night tonight but the performance was better. Dele made the difference when he came on, does he get a start against Crystal Palace?
DF: Dele offered a lot in the short time he was on the pitch and done his best to move us forward, we got a goal out of it and he got an assist. He done well tonight but the main thing was getting the points which we didn't get.
PLAYER RATINGS
Crystal Palace vs Everton
5th December 2023
Tuesday night football at Selhurst Park and three desperate points required for The Toffees. Ferguson made changes bringing Ashley Young in at Left Back and Nathan Patterson at Right Back. As predicted, Dele got a start in the midfield three and Beto led the line for the Blues. Good starr for Everton, Young with a cut back to Doucoure who shoots just over after the first minute. Eze took the ball in the opposition half on 35 minutes, Tarkowski wasn't quick enough to step out and it was played through the middle for Edouard who got between Patterson and Branthwaite to make it 1-0. Everton hit back a minute later when Young played the free-kick to the far post and Tarkowski's header bounced into the back of the net! Everton cleared the Palace danger on 38 minutes and Dele took it down, he played a fantastic forward ball for Beto who beat the last man and dinked it over Henderson to make it 2-1 to Everton! Was he offside? VAR will check. The Palace players surround the referee. The VAR decision came back - no goal! Everton made subs in the last 20 minutes, Godfrey replaced Branthwaite, Harrison replaced McNeil and Garner came on for an injured Doucoure. It's Dominic Calvert-Lewin on for Beto with 10 to go. 96 minutes gone, Young with a free-kick on the edge of the 18 yard box, it took a deflection off Ward to go out for a corner. Garner's corner came to nothing and it is looking like it's a point apiece. The game came to an end and Ferguson picked up his first point as Everton manager, surely things can only get better?
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
UPCOMING FIXTURES
27th November 2023
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Ferguson's second game and first back in front of the Goodison faithful. Seamus Coleman returned to the fold after injury and James Garner came in for the injured Amadou Onana. Andre Gomes made the bench hoping for a chance to revive his Everton career. Everton were nearly one down after 36 seconds after Sterling was played in down the right but Pickford saved at the near post. It's all coming down Coleman's side in the opening minutes and Sterling is beating him every time. Mykolenko had space on the left and room to get the cross in, he found Calvert-Lewin in the box who headed past Sanchez to make it 1-0 on 13 minutes! Coleman won the ball back from Sterling which earned the praise of the crowd and played it back to Tarkowski who passed forward to Doucoure, he tried to pass back to Tarkowski but didn't see Jackson intercept and slot past Pickford to equalise on 29 minutes. Doucoure gave it away again a few minutes later to Caicedo and he played in Madueke, with a cut back to Enzo Fernanes but Pickford saved comfortably. Coleman was playing better winning the bacll back in key areas, he got it to Harrison who passed to McNeil and then fed it down the left for the run of Mykolenko, his low cross into the box found the left foot of Danjuma who slotted into the bottom right corner! 2-1 to Everton! James came down the Everton left beating Doucoure with the cross, Madueke got it in the area and his shot deflected off Tarkowski and beat Pickford to make it 2-2. What a first half at Goodison Park! Two minutes later Cole Palmaer played a through ball for Jackson which had Tarkowski beaten and he put it past Pickford to give Chelsea the lead. Chelsea were on fire and it was hard to contain them, Madueke's ball from the right into the box was good enough for Jackson to toe poke it past Pickford making it 4-2 on 55 minutes. Ashley Young came on for Jack Harrison with 30 minutes to go. It was well and truly over for Everton with 15 minutes to go when Cole Palmer had space to curl one into the bottom left corner from the edge of the 18 yard box, not even a challenge. Jackson got his second 9 minutes later holding off Branthwaite to slot, embarrassing for Everton now. Calvert-Lewin almost got a goal back but he hit the pot from Danjuma's cross. Everton had nowhere to hide after falling apart in the second half, in what was a close game in the first. Chelsea were far too good for their opponents and work is needed at Everton.
PLAYER RATINGS
Sheffield United vs Everton
2nd December 2023
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A 17:30 kick-off at Bramall Lane and with Brentford and Burnley picking up wins this afternoon, Everton dropped into the bottom three prior to kick-off. Changes were made with a midfield three of Gueye, Doucoure and Garner. Dele was back from injury and named on the bench this evening. Doucoure had a chance on 35 minutes when he took the ball down in the box from Garner's corner, his shot was saved at the post and players in the box were begging for the ball across. Everton were getting corners in the first half, Garner's ball to the near post found Branthwaite but his header was easy for the keeper. Everton were the better side but on 56 minutes they were caught out by Robinson's long throw which Norwood got on to and scored from a tight angle making it 1-0 to the home side. McBurnie played it wide to Baldock and with a first time pass to find Archer who put it past Pickford making it 2-0 with 20 minutes to go. Everton made the change with less thsn 20 minutes to go, Beto came on for Doucoure and Fereguson went two up top. It was all Everton now and they looked more fluid. Dele was on for Everton and was dictating the play, he got the ball out wide on the right and put in a good ball for Calvert-Lewin to nod in at the far post! 2-1 and Everton in with a late shout! Everton threw everything they had at Sheffield United but they defended very well and tonight they took all three points.
Sky Sports: Duncan, not a great night tonight but the performance was better. Dele made the difference when he came on, does he get a start against Crystal Palace?
DF: Dele offered a lot in the short time he was on the pitch and done his best to move us forward, we got a goal out of it and he got an assist. He done well tonight but the main thing was getting the points which we didn't get.
PLAYER RATINGS
Crystal Palace vs Everton
5th December 2023
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Tuesday night football at Selhurst Park and three desperate points required for The Toffees. Ferguson made changes bringing Ashley Young in at Left Back and Nathan Patterson at Right Back. As predicted, Dele got a start in the midfield three and Beto led the line for the Blues. Good starr for Everton, Young with a cut back to Doucoure who shoots just over after the first minute. Eze took the ball in the opposition half on 35 minutes, Tarkowski wasn't quick enough to step out and it was played through the middle for Edouard who got between Patterson and Branthwaite to make it 1-0. Everton hit back a minute later when Young played the free-kick to the far post and Tarkowski's header bounced into the back of the net! Everton cleared the Palace danger on 38 minutes and Dele took it down, he played a fantastic forward ball for Beto who beat the last man and dinked it over Henderson to make it 2-1 to Everton! Was he offside? VAR will check. The Palace players surround the referee. The VAR decision came back - no goal! Everton made subs in the last 20 minutes, Godfrey replaced Branthwaite, Harrison replaced McNeil and Garner came on for an injured Doucoure. It's Dominic Calvert-Lewin on for Beto with 10 to go. 96 minutes gone, Young with a free-kick on the edge of the 18 yard box, it took a deflection off Ward to go out for a corner. Garner's corner came to nothing and it is looking like it's a point apiece. The game came to an end and Ferguson picked up his first point as Everton manager, surely things can only get better?
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
UPCOMING FIXTURES
6 f*****g 2 against Chelsea, is he bloody Roberto Martinez in disguise!!!!
We've just done 457 years watching him.with Fylde and it looks like he'll be out on his arse by 4:57pm after the mancs game if we don't get a result.
Making Jackson looking like a prime Terry Henry and Derek Drogba rolled into one ffs
We've just done 457 years watching him.with Fylde and it looks like he'll be out on his arse by 4:57pm after the mancs game if we don't get a result.
Making Jackson looking like a prime Terry Henry and Derek Drogba rolled into one ffs
I've just woken up and read that 2-6 as 2-0 through my bleary eyes. Days ruined now mate and I hope your Wednesday wife gives you a savage beating
Cameron Manning
Player Valuation: £35m
So is mine, been reading this thread for five years and can’t wait for the end of this story,hope to fxxk it’s got a happy ending
I've just woken up and read that 2-6 as 2-0 through my bleary eyes. Days ruined now mate and I hope your Wednesday wife gives you a savage beating
She said she will give me a beating, but has to wait until Wednesday.
Hopefully she calms down by then
Assemble the kidnapping bus
The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
F.A CUP THIRD ROUND DRAW
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The Penalty Box Dancer
Player Valuation: £35m
Everton vs Manchester United
9th December 2023
Erik Ten Hag caused a stir in his press conference claiming Duncan Ferguson lacks the passion to be a top flight manager with Duncan Ferguson replying by simply saying "I don't have time to convern myself with his opinion." The comments caused a bit of controversy before kick-off and certainly fired up the Goodison Park crowd. We all know how difficult Everton can be under the lights here and when that siren hit you could feel the ferocity around the stadium. If this crowd cannot inspire an Everton performance then we don't know what will. The team news came in and Doucoure and Onana were both out with injuries which saw the midfield three of Garner, Gueye and Dele. Ashley Young kept his place at Left Back and Beto was given another start up top. The match started and United began to press, Danjuma got the ball on the right and beat Luke Shaw which saw encouragement from the fans, he got the cross in but Onana beat Beto to it. Amrabat lost the ball to Danjuma 2 minutes and the winger was coming forward and Martinez got in there to win it back. McxNeil had the beating of Amad and got the shot away from outside the box but it was easy for Onana, a good opening 10 minutes from Everton. The fans are with Everton all the way here, Danjuma down the right, passed inside to Gueye who threads a through ball into the box for Dele, he took the shot and Onana saved well putting it behind for a corner. Man Utd had a free-kick from shooting range on 20 minutes and Pickforsd got across to push it wide for a corner, great save. Amrabat came forward for Man Utd but Branthwaite tackled but mis-hit the clearance, Martial got to the loose ball, spotted Pickford off his line and found the net with ease, 1-0 on 25 minutes. 38 minutes on the clock, Wan-Bissaka beat McNeil and played it into the box for Diallo, Young tackled but Diallo went down inside the area, the referee gave the penalty! That is never a pen! Young did go into the back of him but Diallo made a meal out of it. VAR will take a look at it and they awarded the penalty! The boos ring out around Goodison Park. Eriksen against Pickford, he goes to Pickford's left and [ickford guessed correctly! What a save! Everton still in this one! Man Utd have really stepped it up since going a goal ahead, Martial knocked it down in the box for Diallo, Beto got a slight touch but Diallo got his shot away and slotted into the bottom corner making it 2-0 on the verge of half-time. I think Pickford could have done better with that. Five minutes after the restart Diallo was able to get forward and play a pass into the box for Martial to score again and make it 3-0. Everton made their first change and it was the struggling Beto going off for Calvert-Lewin. Dele was pushed forward to play off Calvert-Lewin. Ferguson made more changes with 30 minutes to go. Both Young and Patterson went off and were replaced by Coleman and Mykolenko. Jack Harrison came on the right side for Danjuma. Everton pressing well and forcing United into mistakes, it was given away to Garner, with a quick pass to Calvert-Lewin, out wide to McNeil and over to Harrison who lost out to Shaw but battled back and won a throw-in. Everton need to do something now and make this count, all players were in the United half, Coleman played a great ball to Harrison, he got into the box and knocked it low into the back of the net, 3-1! Dele done well and knocked it out left to McNeil who was in space, he got the cross in and Calvert-Lewin arrived at the far post and Onana tipped it over the bar. Coleman again with the ball down the right, he gets it into the box towards the head of McNeil but it ran loose, McNeil chased it down and crossed it back in, Calvert Lewin! Tipped over the bar again! Everton's last change sees Christie come on for Dele, ten minutes to go. Christie got onto Pickford's long ball and played it across the box for Calvert-lewin who was caught by Amrabat, that has to be a penalty, the referee waved it away! Garnacho came down the right and he was knocked into touch by Coleman. Five minutes added on, Everton have done brilliantly but still trail. Gueye came forward, got it wide to McNeil, he put it low into the box and Calvert-Lewin slotted! It's 3-2! United kicked off but Everton won it back, Harrison on the right, played it down the line for Christie, put low into the box for Calvert-Lewin but his shot is deflected over the bar by Lindelof! The match came to an end and what a second half performance it was from Everton. They worked hard for every ball and pressed with intent. Man Utd did not deserve all three points this evening and certainly got away with it. Duncan Ferguson applauded the effort and the fans were in full voice despite the defeat.
Sky Sports: Duncan, what a game, that performance deserved something, how do you feel after that one?
DF: We played very well, worked very hard, we had them in the second half and they know it themselves, we were so unlucky and Onana was excellent for them. If our lads put in performances like that every week, I have no doubt we will start to get more wins this season.
SS: There was controversy, what did you think of the penalty?
DF: It wasn't a penalty! Young done his job by getting close to him but he went down far too easy and the referee caved. Calvert-Lewin was tripped in the box and he got nothing, VAR didn't even look at it. Something needs to be done because there is no consistency in the game at all.
PLAYER RATINGS
Bournemouth vs Everton
16th December 2023
It was a trip down South for a Saturday 3pm kick off against 11th place Bournemouth. Ferguson spoke proudly of his team and mentiomed how they were hard done by last time out against Man Utd. Ferguson also believes the team are close to their third win of the season and is confident the team has what it takes to move away from danger. A change in formation saw a 4-4-2 with Beto and Calvert-Lewin up top together. Onana and Doucoure were still out injured so Garner and Gueye formed the central midfield. Mykolenko came back in at Left Back and it was nice to see Youssef Chermiti and Lewis Dobbin named on the bench. 13 minutes gone and Everton get a corner, McNeil played it to the near post for Beto but it was cleared to the edge of the box to Danjuma who came forward and cut it back on the edge of the box to James Garner who hit a flighting shot that went through the defence and into the right corner! Cook played it back to Zabarnyi on 40 minutes but he missed it and Beto was in on goal, Zabayarni done well to recover and forced him wide and in the end Bournemouth got the ball back, if only he went towards goal. McNeil won it back and played it to Calvert-Lewin, with a nice pass to the right he set Patterson off down the wing, he played it inside to Danjuma who got past two and nudged it into the area towards Beto who got his right foot around it and tucked it away! 2-0 to Everton! It was harsh to see an additional four added minutes at the end of the first half and Billing got one back for Bournemouth when he got a lucky deflection off Gueye to see it roll in. Everton looked nervous in the second half and Ferguson signalled to slow it down a bit. With just over 20 minutes to go Ashley Young came on for Dwight McNeil. Brooks came down the right and got past Mykolenko, he found Solanke in space but Pickford was quick off his line to take the ball from him. Mykoleno heaxed Brooks' corner away but only as far as Phillip who put it straight back in, Pickford came for it and got a hand to it but Solanke was there to knock in the loose ball and make it 2-2. Branthwaite came off for Keane and Calvert-Lewin was replaced by Chermiti with less than 20 minutes to go. It was a great comeback for Bournemouth and they put Everton under pressure in the second half. They tried to ride it out but unfortunately they came unstuck yet again. It's a point on the coast but will feel like defeat.
PLAYER RATINGS
Everton vs Luton Town
23rd December 2023
Everton need three points at home to try to create a gap from the bottom three. Luton are yet to win a game in the Premier League with the away side currently bottom with 6 points. Amadou Onana was back from injury and named on the bench. Ferguson went with 4-4-2 again deciding to play Beto and Calvert-Lewin together. Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend both returned to face their former club. There was a coming together between Barkley and Coleman on 9 minutes, a heavy challenge from Barkley which saw him go off with a foot injury and Coleman had a gash to his hand which was patched up. Ferguson demanded Everton played quicker coming out from the back and Tarkowski played a long volley forward for Calvert-Lewin to chase, he stayed onside, cut it back to Danjuma who knocked it back to Coleman and the cross came in for Gueye but his header was easy for the keeper. Branthwaite came forward with the ball on 37 minutes and played it wide to McNeil. he found Garner who teed up Mykolenko but his shot was blocked from inside the area. Coleman passed forward to Danjuma who dribbled forward from inside his own half, cut inside and got towards the penalty area and his shot was turned behind by the keeper, great run from Danjuma. It was about time someone took a risk. Everton have been wasteful from corners this afternoon but it was a better ball in from Garner and Tarkowski nodded on to Beto who put the header over the bar. With 25 minutes to go Dele was brought on for Garner. Danjuma took the ball from Coleman on 75 minutes and set off on the attack down the right, the fans urged him on, he got to the byline, cut inside and knocked it to Beto who blasted into the top corner from close range, 1-0! Chermiti came on for Calvert-Lewin with 10 minutes to go and Onana replaced Gueye. Ferguson was almost certain of his first win but with seconds to go Ogbene was allowed space to take the shot and hit the bar. A close one for Everton. The whistle was blown and we really saw what Danjuma is capable of, using his speed and skill to get down the line. It caused problems for Luton and Everton get their third win of the season!
BBC: Duncan, your first win as Everton manager, how do you feel?
DF: It's important to win our home games, it might not have been stylish but it was a hard working performance. I said it was coming and we keep going and keep building on it.
BBC: Sheffield United beat Spurs today which keeps the hot on your heels.
DF: We know the teams below us can shock the bigger sides and that's why we just have to keep our attention on getting points on the baord, playing consistently and maintaining that level of effort.
BBC: Arsenal to come on Tuesday, are you ready for that one?
DF: Under the lights at Goodison, we've beat them before, we can beat them again. I know how good they are, they're top of the league for a reason. We have to be at our best but just look at our performance against Man Utd a few weeks back, the level is there, we just need to build the confidence and the results will come.
PLAYER RATINGS
LEAGUE TABLE
9th December 2023
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Erik Ten Hag caused a stir in his press conference claiming Duncan Ferguson lacks the passion to be a top flight manager with Duncan Ferguson replying by simply saying "I don't have time to convern myself with his opinion." The comments caused a bit of controversy before kick-off and certainly fired up the Goodison Park crowd. We all know how difficult Everton can be under the lights here and when that siren hit you could feel the ferocity around the stadium. If this crowd cannot inspire an Everton performance then we don't know what will. The team news came in and Doucoure and Onana were both out with injuries which saw the midfield three of Garner, Gueye and Dele. Ashley Young kept his place at Left Back and Beto was given another start up top. The match started and United began to press, Danjuma got the ball on the right and beat Luke Shaw which saw encouragement from the fans, he got the cross in but Onana beat Beto to it. Amrabat lost the ball to Danjuma 2 minutes and the winger was coming forward and Martinez got in there to win it back. McxNeil had the beating of Amad and got the shot away from outside the box but it was easy for Onana, a good opening 10 minutes from Everton. The fans are with Everton all the way here, Danjuma down the right, passed inside to Gueye who threads a through ball into the box for Dele, he took the shot and Onana saved well putting it behind for a corner. Man Utd had a free-kick from shooting range on 20 minutes and Pickforsd got across to push it wide for a corner, great save. Amrabat came forward for Man Utd but Branthwaite tackled but mis-hit the clearance, Martial got to the loose ball, spotted Pickford off his line and found the net with ease, 1-0 on 25 minutes. 38 minutes on the clock, Wan-Bissaka beat McNeil and played it into the box for Diallo, Young tackled but Diallo went down inside the area, the referee gave the penalty! That is never a pen! Young did go into the back of him but Diallo made a meal out of it. VAR will take a look at it and they awarded the penalty! The boos ring out around Goodison Park. Eriksen against Pickford, he goes to Pickford's left and [ickford guessed correctly! What a save! Everton still in this one! Man Utd have really stepped it up since going a goal ahead, Martial knocked it down in the box for Diallo, Beto got a slight touch but Diallo got his shot away and slotted into the bottom corner making it 2-0 on the verge of half-time. I think Pickford could have done better with that. Five minutes after the restart Diallo was able to get forward and play a pass into the box for Martial to score again and make it 3-0. Everton made their first change and it was the struggling Beto going off for Calvert-Lewin. Dele was pushed forward to play off Calvert-Lewin. Ferguson made more changes with 30 minutes to go. Both Young and Patterson went off and were replaced by Coleman and Mykolenko. Jack Harrison came on the right side for Danjuma. Everton pressing well and forcing United into mistakes, it was given away to Garner, with a quick pass to Calvert-Lewin, out wide to McNeil and over to Harrison who lost out to Shaw but battled back and won a throw-in. Everton need to do something now and make this count, all players were in the United half, Coleman played a great ball to Harrison, he got into the box and knocked it low into the back of the net, 3-1! Dele done well and knocked it out left to McNeil who was in space, he got the cross in and Calvert-Lewin arrived at the far post and Onana tipped it over the bar. Coleman again with the ball down the right, he gets it into the box towards the head of McNeil but it ran loose, McNeil chased it down and crossed it back in, Calvert Lewin! Tipped over the bar again! Everton's last change sees Christie come on for Dele, ten minutes to go. Christie got onto Pickford's long ball and played it across the box for Calvert-lewin who was caught by Amrabat, that has to be a penalty, the referee waved it away! Garnacho came down the right and he was knocked into touch by Coleman. Five minutes added on, Everton have done brilliantly but still trail. Gueye came forward, got it wide to McNeil, he put it low into the box and Calvert-Lewin slotted! It's 3-2! United kicked off but Everton won it back, Harrison on the right, played it down the line for Christie, put low into the box for Calvert-Lewin but his shot is deflected over the bar by Lindelof! The match came to an end and what a second half performance it was from Everton. They worked hard for every ball and pressed with intent. Man Utd did not deserve all three points this evening and certainly got away with it. Duncan Ferguson applauded the effort and the fans were in full voice despite the defeat.
Sky Sports: Duncan, what a game, that performance deserved something, how do you feel after that one?
DF: We played very well, worked very hard, we had them in the second half and they know it themselves, we were so unlucky and Onana was excellent for them. If our lads put in performances like that every week, I have no doubt we will start to get more wins this season.
SS: There was controversy, what did you think of the penalty?
DF: It wasn't a penalty! Young done his job by getting close to him but he went down far too easy and the referee caved. Calvert-Lewin was tripped in the box and he got nothing, VAR didn't even look at it. Something needs to be done because there is no consistency in the game at all.
PLAYER RATINGS
Bournemouth vs Everton
16th December 2023
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It was a trip down South for a Saturday 3pm kick off against 11th place Bournemouth. Ferguson spoke proudly of his team and mentiomed how they were hard done by last time out against Man Utd. Ferguson also believes the team are close to their third win of the season and is confident the team has what it takes to move away from danger. A change in formation saw a 4-4-2 with Beto and Calvert-Lewin up top together. Onana and Doucoure were still out injured so Garner and Gueye formed the central midfield. Mykolenko came back in at Left Back and it was nice to see Youssef Chermiti and Lewis Dobbin named on the bench. 13 minutes gone and Everton get a corner, McNeil played it to the near post for Beto but it was cleared to the edge of the box to Danjuma who came forward and cut it back on the edge of the box to James Garner who hit a flighting shot that went through the defence and into the right corner! Cook played it back to Zabarnyi on 40 minutes but he missed it and Beto was in on goal, Zabayarni done well to recover and forced him wide and in the end Bournemouth got the ball back, if only he went towards goal. McNeil won it back and played it to Calvert-Lewin, with a nice pass to the right he set Patterson off down the wing, he played it inside to Danjuma who got past two and nudged it into the area towards Beto who got his right foot around it and tucked it away! 2-0 to Everton! It was harsh to see an additional four added minutes at the end of the first half and Billing got one back for Bournemouth when he got a lucky deflection off Gueye to see it roll in. Everton looked nervous in the second half and Ferguson signalled to slow it down a bit. With just over 20 minutes to go Ashley Young came on for Dwight McNeil. Brooks came down the right and got past Mykolenko, he found Solanke in space but Pickford was quick off his line to take the ball from him. Mykoleno heaxed Brooks' corner away but only as far as Phillip who put it straight back in, Pickford came for it and got a hand to it but Solanke was there to knock in the loose ball and make it 2-2. Branthwaite came off for Keane and Calvert-Lewin was replaced by Chermiti with less than 20 minutes to go. It was a great comeback for Bournemouth and they put Everton under pressure in the second half. They tried to ride it out but unfortunately they came unstuck yet again. It's a point on the coast but will feel like defeat.
PLAYER RATINGS
Everton vs Luton Town
23rd December 2023
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Everton need three points at home to try to create a gap from the bottom three. Luton are yet to win a game in the Premier League with the away side currently bottom with 6 points. Amadou Onana was back from injury and named on the bench. Ferguson went with 4-4-2 again deciding to play Beto and Calvert-Lewin together. Ross Barkley and Andros Townsend both returned to face their former club. There was a coming together between Barkley and Coleman on 9 minutes, a heavy challenge from Barkley which saw him go off with a foot injury and Coleman had a gash to his hand which was patched up. Ferguson demanded Everton played quicker coming out from the back and Tarkowski played a long volley forward for Calvert-Lewin to chase, he stayed onside, cut it back to Danjuma who knocked it back to Coleman and the cross came in for Gueye but his header was easy for the keeper. Branthwaite came forward with the ball on 37 minutes and played it wide to McNeil. he found Garner who teed up Mykolenko but his shot was blocked from inside the area. Coleman passed forward to Danjuma who dribbled forward from inside his own half, cut inside and got towards the penalty area and his shot was turned behind by the keeper, great run from Danjuma. It was about time someone took a risk. Everton have been wasteful from corners this afternoon but it was a better ball in from Garner and Tarkowski nodded on to Beto who put the header over the bar. With 25 minutes to go Dele was brought on for Garner. Danjuma took the ball from Coleman on 75 minutes and set off on the attack down the right, the fans urged him on, he got to the byline, cut inside and knocked it to Beto who blasted into the top corner from close range, 1-0! Chermiti came on for Calvert-Lewin with 10 minutes to go and Onana replaced Gueye. Ferguson was almost certain of his first win but with seconds to go Ogbene was allowed space to take the shot and hit the bar. A close one for Everton. The whistle was blown and we really saw what Danjuma is capable of, using his speed and skill to get down the line. It caused problems for Luton and Everton get their third win of the season!
BBC: Duncan, your first win as Everton manager, how do you feel?
DF: It's important to win our home games, it might not have been stylish but it was a hard working performance. I said it was coming and we keep going and keep building on it.
BBC: Sheffield United beat Spurs today which keeps the hot on your heels.
DF: We know the teams below us can shock the bigger sides and that's why we just have to keep our attention on getting points on the baord, playing consistently and maintaining that level of effort.
BBC: Arsenal to come on Tuesday, are you ready for that one?
DF: Under the lights at Goodison, we've beat them before, we can beat them again. I know how good they are, they're top of the league for a reason. We have to be at our best but just look at our performance against Man Utd a few weeks back, the level is there, we just need to build the confidence and the results will come.
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