Match Thread Fulham v Everton (Sunday 22 Nov 12:00)

[Dublin blue 75]

A straight into the side RB is critical in January. This allows Godfrey, Holgate, Keane and Branthwaite to be the first four options at CB. Mina needs to be punted, seems like a likeable fella but he is terrible.

 

[Ryu79]

I think the clarity of Allan's play and his fitness are one of the biggest differences between the first few games of the season and the recent tougher spell.

He was immense in the first half winning posession and releasing quickly. From the off in the second half he was less active and had trouble getting the ball out - the result is more route 1 and less play into space, and James/Richy inching deeper and deeper to try to help...only it's not where they are effective and it exposes fitness too.

Don't think Carlo told them to sit back today or asked James to come deeper for it. Those things don't flatter this side - they just couldn't get out of their own half after the break.

 

[marcus]

A much needed win, but why did we take our foot off the pedal in the second half we almost let them back into the game...

We were much better first half & should have continued to be positive second half, attack is the best form of defence...

However our midfield appears to be low on energy & intensity & fitness so maybe this did not help matters...

We must beware next week against Leeds as they are full of energy & could outrun us in all departments...

We must get more energy from midfield as better teams will cut right through us...

Still a win is welcome & we can build on this with good performances from DCL & Iwobi in particular...

 

[LouReedwalkonthewildside]

Iwobi was good, lets hope it wasn't a one-off for him.
Allan was more like his earlier of the season self and good to see Doucoure getting forward again and getting a reward for it with what turned out to be the winning goal.
I just can't work out why we get so shaky at times. That second half was just like the 90 against Southampton. Nobody could make a pass and were scared to come out of the box. Where are the vocal leaders on the pitch?
DCL MOTM.

Going forward he was really good today, the problem he's always had though is consistency...

 

[toffeepie1878]

watching songs of praise, surprisingly calming after watching an Everton match

 

[superkeeper]

It wasn’t pretty viewing second half, but three points is all that, especially after our recent form. Today does highlight how crucial to the team Richarlison is, the amount of times he gets back and recovers the ball in our defensive third as well as his usual direct attacking nature when he has the ball is something that we’ve badly missed in our last three games.

First half, I thought Iwobi was having his best game for us, got involved in the goals and was a general nuisance on the right hand side. Had nowhere near that impact in the second half, but he wasn’t alone in that. James was anonymous until he moved into a more central position and became involved more and it was no surprise that we went up a gear as soon as that happened. Second half, think we rode our luck with our defensive nature and we won’t be up against sides as bad as Fulham every week and we’ve already seen what happens to us when we’re not playing Fulham and it’s another game with 2 goals conceded.

Still, in a good spot in the table and got 3 points while playing crap for a half. I’ll take that

 

[jaycee]

Strange game,at ht you are thinking this could be 5/6,then we switch off,we never seem to maintain a 90 minute performance,Iwobi done well,DCL, Davies done a job when he came on,its a win and another 3 points that will do

 

[Jamo Martinez]

Yep. I'd argue it was Iwobi's best performance in an Everton shirt.

Defo his best 90 minutes. He's put in some good preformances coming off the bench but usually stinks the place out when he starts.

 

[toffeepie1878]

Surprised and happy with Iwobi's efforts today.

Trying to be patient with Mina but beginning to think he needs to take a long holiday away (far away) from our defence.

don't know what Carlo was smoking to put Mina in the team

 

[Zezti]

Going forward he was really good today, the problem he's always had though is consistency...

Yep. He can be a useful player at times but those times are few and far between.

 

[Khalekan]

Yep. I'd argue it was Iwobi's best performance in an Everton shirt.

It most definitely was.

 

[Chewbacca]

Woeful for 70 mins but 3 quality goals (that could have been 6) in the other 20 was pretty much the par for the first four games as well to be fair.

No defence will look confident with Pickford behind them but Mina needs to see the door sooner rather than later.

 

[Daz1878]

Voted for Digne, although I thought he could have done much better for their 2nd. DCL & Iwobi also good. Disappointed to see us play like that in the 2nd half, but always good to get 3 pts. Mad to hook Richarlison at that stage, given that he's the one player who can make a lightning-fast break, hold the ball in their half, keep it at the corner flag, etc. The 2 subs we made almost looked as if we were playing for a point, not looking to get all 3.

 

[tommytowne]

A win's a win however it comes given our past three results.
A good trough of our support wouldn't have been the slightest bit surprised if it had ended 3-3.
Glad to see DCL back on the scoresheet but would love to see a clean sheet sometime soon.

 

[deipnosophist]

Toss up between Crab and Eton Dom for motm...gave it to Crab because he’s battling debilitating homesickness. I hope Mrs Iwobi (his ma) sends him his boyhood mattress ASAP (a la Snail Keane’s mum)