Blues win the points if not the accolades

I can understand Seamus coming back to deal with Zaha but Mason should be one of the first on the team sheet?

A slow midfield again and slow back four.

I'm not fussed on this side but Carlo knows best I hope!!

You took the words out of my mouth. I feel exactly the same about Holgate & Coleman.

The midfield is obviously a worry but Carlo doesn't seem to have faith in Tom and in his presser spoke of 3 from 2 so doesn't see Mason there either. I think he is just resting him and sees this as the ideal game.

He would have been decent in CM today. Our CM players both have a tendency to go missing and if they do I can see an early substitution. The S-men must be ripping it up in training to merit selection and we can only hope Carlo has got it right.

Bob @ 2, I could understand that with Sidibe in front of him, maybe Walcott has been rejuvenated, since his goal, but dropping back is not his forte, but as you say I trust Carlo knows what he's doing.

And: 2) it allows for Holgate to come off the bench not just for a centre-back, but also for a defensive midfielder. Could be very smart.

ps: I know we collectively dislike Schneiderlin but he's played okay since Silva was sacked. Sigurdsson also playing quite a disciplined role too at times – albeit more off the ball than effective with it. Still fancy us to win what is likely to be a crap excuse for a football match because of how Palace will set up.

And no, that is not necessarily an endorsement of today's selections.

We've had years of managers who were very easy to predict their starting XI and default line-ups and tactics, to the point of the timing of their like-for-like substitutions.

Carlo continues to pick an XI best suited in his mind to the opposition to both nullify their threat whilst enhancing ours.

Zaha is their danger man. Sidibe is defensively more of a liability than Coleman. Coleman comes in. We don't have much cover at centre back, what with Gibson and Feeney (already injured) loaned out last week. Wise to protect the three we have by rotating them.

That he has opted for the two S's in midfield is more of a concern and does not augur well for Tom Davies. But then, in Duncan's first fire and brimstone game v Chelsea they were excellent. Cringeworthy v 'them' in the cup.

Iwobi not yet 100%. Bernard increasingly does his best work at Goodison, so an easy switch. Bernard's difference in home to away form both a blessing and a concern.

Plenty on the bench to change the game at any point.

There is a lot of brawn and muscle in that Palace midfield compared to our own. Can we play sufficiently enough football around them rather than get into a scrap with them? That could well be the key to the game.

Seems to work with Sidibe in front of Seamus, but I trust Carlo knows better than we do. Holgate being benched, unless it's due to a knock, is puzzling, if not in defence he's certainly a lot quicker than Schneiderlin in midfield and better defensively too.

On a side-note, Jay, any words of encouragement as regards Cebolinha and a possible Summer move?

Something very amiss in a player and his club president claiming Everton's manager and star player – Richarlison – have been in direct contact with him about a move to the club, but absolutely zero confirmation from us.

Palace like to mix up with attacks down the wings and lumping it to the far post.

They may be an average team in a poor run but it only takes Zaha a few seconds to unlock a defence and he'll love trying to have a run at Keane when Coleman disappears up the other end. Likewise Benteke is capable of bullying both of our central defenders.

Big questions will be asked to our right sided defenders and the lack of pace within the centre of our defence and midfield doesn't provide much confidence.

Wouldn't be my team selection but hoping for a win by any means.

Excellent control, turn and escaping from his marker by Walcott. Superb cross. Top drawer finish by Bernard. A dropping ball on the volley not easy. The Brazilian steadied himself and ensured a clean strike before the ball fell to him.

Then it all got a bit scrappy. Pity Theo got injured, because he was playing well in all aspects. Carlo evidently exasperated at Sidibe not being ready to come on. Sidibe played as if he hasn't woken up yet.

Palace really not offering a lot, but one goal is never enough. Just need a bit more quality and composure on the ball and take the chances when they come.

Carlos selections will attract limited scrutiny while he continues to win... but this constant rotation reminds me of Benitez or Ranieri.

Surely he knows his best eleven by now?

We continue to win though. Can't complain. Stormy set of fixtures coming up. Need to up our game for those.

Just let that sink in for a bit.

Carlo is making a massive difference.

We've got some table-jumping games coming up. Let's go for a ride.

Our own incompetence allowed Palace a way back into the game.

I personally think that is the poorest goal Pickford has conceded in an Everton shirt. That is the goalkeeper's all day long.

Thankfully, before they could get a lift from that goal, out of nothing we re-took the lead with a brilliant individual effort from Richarlison. The key was the final touch to open his body and almost immediate shot which caught their keeper out.

We improved marginally, but there was still so many basic errors all over the pitch which could have allowed them back into it.

Great header from the corner from Richarlison which merited a goal, but nice that Dom gets on the scoresheet again. Same combo should have given us an even more flattering scoreline minutes later.

Carlo will not be happy with the performance, but take the result.

Schneiderlin – MotM, anyone?

Still missing that midfield lynch pin. Morgan and Siggy acquitted themselves well enough, but it will be of highest importance to get in some quality over the summer to help compliment Gomes when he is back

Pickford. Well... he needs to sort his shit out.

Sigurdsson was poor but I think Morgan Schneiderlin is getting better every game and is the best of our fit central midfielders. Richarlison was great. Dom laboured but, aside from the goal, wasn't great. He was up against some big lads and the ref didn't help him.

Shame Walcott went off because that was a brilliant cross for the assist. Bernard did well but was kicked out the game. The defence was much poorer without Holgate. Also, Keane went left to Digne, so that answers the recent debate on that one.

Two weeks off now. We need to work hard as there's some tough games coming up and “destiny” to prevent.

On the positive side, Richarlison was magnificent and Schneiderlin had an excellent game. His diagonal long balls were top quality.

Richarlison though... he gets better and better with every game.

Honestly, Tim Howard was better and so was Joel Robles. Pickford may be England keeper (why I don't know), but he's no Nigel Martyn, and never will be.

3-1 and people still moan... WTF?

The passing in the first half started off crisp and direct, but after their goal it all went to panic stations, with schoolboy blunders.

Pickford always seems to have that brainfart in nearly every game, but luckily today we managed to end the game with 3 undeserved points, but I'll take them.

Priceless facial gestures from Ancelotti. If you’ve not seen it, find it and watch. Hilarious.

Another 2 weeks of fine tuning and training and another step forward expected! Arsenal will not be looking forward to the next game as they are in a bad position. A win at the Emirates and it's game on!

A truly horrible game, but maybe it's indicative of how poor the Premier League is; if we had beaten Newcastle, we'd be 5th in the table!

So if (and it's a big if) we keep this run up, who knows?

[Get a grip, Dave, we're talking about Everton, so we probably do know!]

This is very, very impressive from Carlo. I thought he'd become a cheque book manager and massager of big egos but he's showing impressive coaching and motivation.

Depressing how this season has gone. Such fine margins have killed what could have been a major breakout season. Every game under Ancelotti is showing how poor and inept Silva was.

A few six-pointers coming up after the break. A real chance to make further progress... or sink back into obscurity.

Ancelotti is assessing what we have and will be deciding over the rest of the season who to get shut of and who he can improve or coach to play in his team next season. Hopefully already identifying targets to bring in. Players that will improve the team would be nice and who possess a strong mentality.

In the interim, we don't look good but are picking up excellent results. 6 points from the next 4 games would be acceptable.

Points in the bag are what matters, it gives us the chance to pull out a show stopper or two against Arsenal away next time, and then at home to Manchester Utd.

Both below us in the league and inconsistent. Those matches are winnable and European football is firmly on the table to play for now. I also expect Chelsea to drop some expected points, so who knows?

Credit to the manager and his team for putting some spunk back into the club and us fans. It's miraculous our season is alive and kicking still after the way it started.

Every single guy on the pitch looks revitalized to one degree or another.

I gave Richarlison MotM, but Morgan was spectacular. I also thought that was Coleman's best match since at least the home loss to Man City, but more likely since last season.

What does that mean?

It's tough for keepers, the little errors are jumped on whereas Calvert-Lewin missed a tap-in at the death which could have been the difference had we not got the third. Still a bad mistake... but it will be forgotten.

The next run of games will be ones where a daft goalkeeping error, or a simple tap-in missed, will cost us the points. Sockgate will hopefully be enjoyed on MotD (if they still bother with it with no Red Shite).

When Dunc took over, a reporter asked him how the dressing room had taken news of Silva's sacking and his answer was: "It was a mixed reaction" – lack of togetherness – but now they are starting to look like a team.

Yes, there are a few passes going astray but Carlo is rotating a lot to a) counter the opposition's strengths; and b) give the players a chance to impress. Healthy rotation breeds alertness which was sadly lacking under Silva. We're going in the right direction so let's enjoy it!

It's okay to rotate your team but to leave out the player who's been MotM for the last 6 weeks (Holgate) is very strange and could've cost us dearly.

Sigurdsson was the worst player on the pitch again.

Pickford knows now that he has 12 games to save his career. I don't think Ancelloti will think twice about getting rid of him if he doesn't pull up his socks big time.

Mina and Keane were poor... a really mystifying decision by Carlo to sit out Holgate. Sidibe was horrible, his coming on really altered the dynamics of the game.

Sigurdsson and Schneiderlin formed a decent central midfield partnership. Bernard and Calvert-Lewin, apart from their goals, were nothing great. In fact, I think only 2 players can hold their heads high – Schneiderlin and Richarlison, who was poor in the 1st half, but he grew into the game after Ancelotti must have told him at half-time to cut out his antics.

I think Schneiderlin and Richarlison in the 2nd half, were the difference between two poor sides. Lots of work to do for Carlo in the break.

Then you see it on here with those who choose to ignore Pickford's world class save (a certain goal) and concentrate on his error(s). Evertonians didn't used to be like that!

Schneiderlin also played well but we missed Holgate badly at the back. Keane and Mina were poor.

An important win because, on that form, we will get nothing from the next 4 games. Our lack of care with the ball is sometimes astonishing and I'm sure Ancelotti will have that at the top of his list of problems to solve.

Everton looked the better side until Walcott went off and I was a bit surprised when he was replaced by Sidibe. I was pleasantly surprised by Schneiderlin for the first 20 minutes when he became his usual "didn't want to know" self and Sigurdsson was awful. Again, I was more surprised when he subbed Bernard rather than one of those two but Davies showed a lot more effort than either of those two in a midfield that seemed to fail to realize they were playing for the same side.

The quicker Mr Ancellotti can get them working as a complete team, the better... but, at the moment, I can see more I'd like to move on than keep... and this after a game we won! For me, Mina was our best.

I thought Schneiderlin had one of his better games.

Funny as always to read all the negative remarks about selection before the game has even kicked off. The changes Carlo made were quite obvious really, and especially bringing Coleman in.

Schneiderlin has been our best midfielder all season. It's about time people noticed that. Use your eyes. I'd like to see how him and Gomes look together. Sigurdsson is also playing in a different role... so again, let's give him time to acclimatise. Schneiderlin is benefitting from not having to sit in the hole between the central defenders and his confidence is growing. I'm pleased for him.

All-in-all, another win and within touching distance of a European spot. I've even read on here that this squad isn't good enough for Europe. Of course, if we finish in a spot, then we quite obviously are. The idea is to finish as high as we can and attract a couple of quality players in the summer.

We've allowed certain players the room to keep improving and now it seems to be working out. If we can keep this momentum going, I'm looking at 4th. We have to play all the teams around us next... who'd've thought it?

It's confusions like this that mean I generally number my replies...

I agree. It gets a little tiresome. Sooner or later you concede a goal or make a mistake. That makes it easy for people to say "So-and-so is shit" because, at some point in the season, said player will have a moment for them to say "I told you so."

Sorry for any confusion to Steve, Steve and Stephen.

Everton's threat was mainly from the wings, with very little through the centre. Calvert-Lewin did not play well. Richarlison was the main threat. Walcott, when he was on, played exceptionally well. Bernard was good, but seemed to be carrying a injury.

Sidibe was off sorts after Sockgate. Coleman played Zaha off the pitch. The defence was good, but Keane still shaky. Quality ball in from set-pieces was the difference. Pickford had that headless look on him for most of the game.

I still think midfield are not getting on the ball enough, surrendering space and the ball too much. Very little quality ball through the centre.

A good win, though, and suberbly played first goal.

In our previous 11 games (not counting today's win!): We have the third-best record in the Premier League. Yet we are "shit" and a "poor side". If we are a poor side, then what is the form of the 17 teams who have done worse than us over this long string of games?

This team is playing hard, for each other, and trying to play attacking football. Can we get better? I hope so. I, for one, am enjoying this spell.

Best part, though, was when Schneiderlin gave Sigurdsson the eyes and a facial gesture, because he gave Morgan the ball straight back (instead of turning) in the period of the game that Everton were all over the place, just after Palace had equalised.

The crowd were rightly fuming at Sigurdsson, but the irony was Schneiderlin's face, because all's Gylfi had done was give him the type of ball he's been constantly playing for the last 2 years, and how much better and calmer did Schniederlin look, now that he's finally trying to expand his game again!

A poor match, Calvert-Lewin never got hold of the ball anywhere near enough. Bernard wasn't in it much apart from his goal, and Sigurdsson also struggled badly, whilst Sidibe just looked like he hadn't prepared properly, obviously not expecting to get onto the pitch so early, which shows how important Schneiderlin was in the midfield today.

I don't care about the performance today as it's the next fixtures we will need to perform in.

I agree with your comments; however, we have a break now where Carlo will get the sloppy play we saw today sorted.

As for our next 4 games, we will pick up points.

Arsenal away: draw
Man Utd home: win
Chelsea away: draw
Liverpool home: draw.

I'd settle for that now.

Also, it does appear likely we'll have Gomes back! Never thought I'd say this but I'll take a Gomes - Schneiderlin midfield duo and, dare I say, be happy about it.

I'm with you all the way on Pickford.

He's been crap for the last two seasons!!!

On that I do agree.

However, I trust in Carlo to get it right.

Just a pity we threw away points at Brighton, Leicester and at home to Newcastle. We could've been up to 5th but that's Everton for you. COYB.

In the meantime, what a solid performance from Richarlison and (!) Schneiderlin. Richarlison's goal after a long run was superb. Calvert-Lewin keeps scoring (but oh that missed chance). And I could see Bernard's similar chance going into Row Z but he did well to stay over the ball.

Why do I / we have to keep saying how deplorable the refs are?

Anyway, I'm happy. I'm clapping.

Ancelotti must be giving game time to assess all his squad, why else leave Holgate out, other than to look at Keane again?

I think he has problems with a few, most notably:

Coleman, whose first touch and passing are very poor;
Sidibe, who is just not consistent enough;
Keane, who creates panic;
Sigurdsson, who is neither a good 10 or a good defensive midfield player;
Pickford will stay as he's normally a good shot stopper, with excellent passing qualities, but he will cost you 5-6 goals a season with his mistakes.

I think the rest, including Schneiderlin, are good enough as squad players. Clearly he wants another right winger to give Walcott a challenge, and a central midfielder, and if he can get one. I wouldn't be surprised to see Gilfy and possibly Davies leave, and also a right back, maybe Kenny will return but I'm not sure he's got the height required to be a back four defender.

But anyway, the real tests are ahead with Arsenal and Chelsea away, Man Utd and Liverpool at home. Tough challenges and I think 6 points would be a good return, anything more would be a real bonus on our road to the Europa League.

Pleased for the squad and Schneiderlin in fairness kept the midfield together.

Always tough versus Palace and hopefully we've got the grit and belief now to face up and embrace the next four games.

All very tough, but all games we can get a result, barring no daft lungs, and stray passes and soft goals.

Arsenal away, I fancy us, despite it being a bogey ground. We are due some luck there. Deny there forwards space and we can beat them.

Carlos toughest run of games, but we have got belief and hopefully can get a decent run going.

Not arsed about what the RS do, leave them to do the spouting.

I would love to ask Ancelotti what he saw in Sugurdsson's performance that possessed him to keep the Icelander on the field for 85 minutes? When Holgate came on for the last 8 minutes, he brought a calmness and authority to the midfield that wasn't there with Sigurdsson. He also won some headers that were constantly lost by Keane and Mina, besides putting some good passes forward.

Schneiderlin played well, and Richarlison scored a great goal that brought him to life. He looked like a good player where previously he was as poor, as were most of the players around him, from both sides.

Another good result, which is the most important thing to take from the game, but performances will have to improve and maybe Ancelotti can get those performances to match the results in the next few weeks. I would be made up if he got that band to perform again that played today; now that was entertainment.

Exceptional goal from Richarlison and Pickford showed us the good and the bad in his game. Well done on keeping Zaha pretty quiet, other than his cross for the goal. His frustration showed late on with a tantrum aimed at Seamus.

Presumably Gylfi is still in the team due to lack of options as he offers very little now. Anyway, on to Arsenal with confidence.

This season, he's playing in a different formation and obviously a different position. He hasn't been playing half as bad as is being made out.

Schneiderlin I can't see as MotM; okay performance. Didn't he watch Benteke run off him for their goal? Maybe my eyes deceived me.

We won a game that could have slipped away but, for me, the difference was our young Brazilian.

If we are going to challenge the big boys, Mina will need to be replaced. His hacks out had something of the Zingaris about them... And that attempted overhead kick which nearly gave Palace the lead shortly after they equalised... Dear me. I thought I was watching a dying daddy-long-legs.

Anyway, another win over a team we should expect to beat is good news considering we haven't been doing that for years. If we can continue the run through the next 3 or 4 fixtures, things might get very interesting.

Calvert-Lewin had a poor game but he got his goal and the deftness of the header to send Richarlison on his way was a delight.

I didn't agree with the team selection, but we won. A winning manager never has to explain his selection. So it's a 'Well done' to Ancelotti! No player can say he isn't giving them their opportunity to secure there place here next season. He's giving them all a fair crack.

The "dead" season may have a fair bit more life yet...

We always seem to struggle against the bottom teams who come for a point and play well against the top sides.

Let's hope we get quite a few points out of the next 4.

Europe here we come.

Richarlison proves yet again that he is our best player by some distance.

The range of performance levels from Schneiderlin is ridiculous. Today, he was fantastic... but, when he has a poor game, it's usually a right stinker.

Playing Keane from the start proved to be the right thing to do against the aerial power of Benteke.

Sigurdsson again was missing for most of the game. I would rather have Holdgate in there.

Hopefully Walcott and Bernard are not too seriously injured.

From my seat, it looked like Pickford dived over the shot though he did redeem himself minutes later with a good point-blank save.

A win is a win, Ancelotti seems to be making a habit out of winning with a typical Italian style.

I think Richarlison has matured this season. Last season, when things went wrong he would get sulky, remonstrate with refs etc. Now he just gets fired up and makes sure he makes or scores a goal. He is using his passion as a strength instead of a detriment.

Who do you see us losing too in the next 4 fixtures?

I’d take 7 points though.

Our play wasn't great today but the players seem more engaged and confident. The big difference from the previous managers — no one was hiding.

Absolute liability... like Keane.

I watched Derby County, old Wayne was pulling all the strings from midfield, he was pivotal in everything they did... Why can't Gylfi?

Get a grip.

The guy is a class act and feel so fortunate to have him at my club. We are second in the form table, unthinkable in November. Confidence and winning brings higher standards and players shouting at each other is a good thing.

Not buying players in January allows Carlo to assess the squad in its fullness. No player is safe from being shown the door in the summer.

Must go!! Off to Skegness for my winter break!!

After seeing Derby County escape punishment by their owner buying the ground for twice its original price, any posters know if this is a way we could sneak through the loophole?

Anyway, back to today's game, not pretty at times, but again no heads dropping after we concede a goal, we seem to have found a way of getting results.

Even at 2-1 there was some nice one-touch football between Digne, Richarlison and Calvert-Lewin.

Even with bringing Holgate and Davies on to nullify any threats, we continued to counter-attack. Carlo has built belief in the team and is not afraid to change things and rotate, teams are finding it harder now to work us out, less predictable.

Long may it continue.

These days, I expect us to win, which tells me an awful lot about Ancelotti and his predecessor.

Hope he's flying the plane I'm catching tomorrow!

None of the two of them are assured about anything they do... positioning, covering, pace... and dare I say it, tackling.

Mina is better than Keane, who is one of the most slow-witted centre-halves I've ever witnessed... but I'd have them both replaced so I don't have to watch them through my fingers.

The recent form table really has no relevancy to that analysis.

Selection was eyebrow-raising but, given we didn't play well last week, a lack of options and a tactical tweak (Coleman), I think fair dos. I still wondered with a long break upon us whether it was worth the changes, especially Holgate, but the end does justify the means.

Playing two centre-halves who are carbon copies of each other is bound to have an effect but, I guess, against a side who barely threaten to score, Ancellotti figured it worth the risk.

Keane was caught out on the halfway line for the goal. Mina is just a whirling dervish without any grace. His judgement is erratic and, whilst he's better than last season, I just cannot see a player there. Chuck Pickford in the same bucket; in time, he will be replaced. His save percentage is down there with the bottom dwellers. It happens too often to be coincidence.

I think, despite my gallons of ‘Carlo Cool-Aid', his changes in the second half were very good. In changing the shape to 4-5-1 and a half-pitch press gave Palace the ball and cut the supply to Zaha, forcing them back or long. A canny move since Palace are a one-man team and, Zaha apart, are terrible with the ball. We had the players to spring the counter-attack when required. We saw the game out with control.

Ancelotti's showing the difference in quality to every manager we've had since Big Joe.

Alex #89, that's a great anecdote. Any idea what sunny beach they were headed for?

Ciaran #102, Mina is a very assured tackler -- on the rare occasions he goes in for a tackle. One of the things I like about him is that he generally stays on his feet, doesn't go to ground until it's absolutely necessary. But when he does go in, he goes strong and rarely fouls.

Colin #94, I think you can be assured that Gylfi is playing exactly where and how Carlo has told him to play.

John #103, Mina doesn't have an ounce of grace, but I think his positional judgement is actually quite decent for a centre-back of his limited Premier League experience (only 36 games), and I think it will only get better with time and Carlo's outstanding coaching.

I thought Mina did the impossible today, he played worse than Michael Keane. Between them, they made Benteke look like a quality centre-forward today. Those two, with Pickford and Sidurgsson it really was the dope squad, and nothing to do with drugs.

Cheeky word for Seamus today. Without the ball extremely good, Zaha barely got touch. With the ball, well it's over for him, not good enough technique. Expect to see him play against the better sides though.

I think that sums up where he is at. He's regression to Hibbo is all but complete!

I think we're on stronger ground focusing on the two great goals and a performance of great effort that should be a pre-requisite for each game.

Carlo is taking a look at all his players, trying different things, weighing up who can play a part for him in the future. Meanwhile, he is under weekly pressure to win games. He is doing rather well.

This was no classic, but we won 3-1. Pickford gets slated for letting in a goal, perhaps justifiably, but he also made what looked like a great save. Seamus dealt well with Zaha. Schneiderlin did some nice things. Richarlison's goal was superb. Calvert-Lewin fought hard, and played a major role in all 3 goals. Gritty substitutes were brought on to see out the game, and this time they did so.

A very satisfactory afternoon as far as I'm concerned.

I've seen you have this argument previously. Suffice to say, I don't agree that he's 'very good' at tackling. His timing is suspect.

However it's not the day for a prolonged debate on it. I'll simply welcome your suggestion and faith that he'll improve. He's certainly the more likely long term Everton player between him and Keane... so improve he must.

However I will say Keane got caught badly on the halfway line and the ball went to Zaha who slid it through to Benteke. Consecutive mistakes get punished.

It's irrational for you to say the form table is an irrelevance.

When will you consider Mina and Keane not 'absolute liabilities'? When we are 5th in the league? When and if we are challenging for European places?

The point is: How would you be judging the centre-halves of the teams who now are performing consistently worse than we are? I suspect you would be calling them more of an 'absolute liability' than Mina and Keane.

The man is as savvy as his suit!

Form guides don't uncover individual mistakes... to argue otherwise would be irrational.

Ciaran #111, I think I posted elsewhere that Mina has played only 36 Premier League games. (By contrast, the "youngster" Holgate has 57 appearances.) He didn't play at all well today, but he's got a great work ethic and a legend for a manager, and I'm confident in his improvement.

As to Keane, he has value against sides that play lots of high balls into the box, and today he was more asset than liability, but you're right, he simply doesn't have the talent for where this club wants to go.

Yeah, it was a scrappy sort of a game but that is what you get when defenders don't give the attack any time and space on the ball.

I agree that Schneiderlin played well; so did Digne, the lad has that bit of class when he's fully fit. Unfortunately, him and Richarlison will have the very best clubs sniffing around come the summer.

I don't know what to make of Pickford; you can hardly call him reliable, he's very up and down.

Anyway, the ship's on still waters now, thanks to Ancelotti and Furguson – long may it last.

But someone, and I forget who, tried to make the point to me on here that Ashley Barnes was a better player than Richarlison and that Ashley Barnes would outscore Richarlison this season.

These points were made less than 6 months ago.

For me, it was simply a microcosm of how everybody has an entitled opinion on this game, but also, how little about the game some people know.

Ultimately, that person's opinion is worth exactly the same as mine. For whatever that is worth.

Mike @104: you say that he is under instruction from Don Carlo; he was just the same under Silva... he flatters to deceive.

I really would like him to be our best player. He is almost flawless in tight situations and nearly scored today in a pinball of a move in the second half in their penalty area. However, in patient build-up, either he manages to hide behind opposition players... or, if he is given the ball, he invariably gives it back to whoever dared involve him in the play.

I have never seen him turn and run at the opposition (like Tom Davies tries to do but is not as gifted), like players such as James Maddison, Jack Grealish and Mason Mount. Our very own Gylfi posesses just as much technical ability as these players but he is not playing to his full potential. It frustates me to an inconsolable level.

So, ToffeeWebbers, please offer me an explanation that allows me to 'love' our most expensive player.

He may be as technically gifted as those mentioned but he's slower, a lot slower.

Priority for the summer has to be finding a way to replace Pickford without unduly harming the morale of the squad.

They are now on a long winless streak and got tanked 7-0 AT HOME to middling Guimaraes today.

Porto-Benfica just kicked off for anyone interested. Porto need a win or Benfica will start disappearing over the horizon.

Catching up with other Blues, Lewis Gibson has played the full 90 minutes in Fleetwood's last two games, winning both. On the bare facts, that looks a good loan placement.

Less happier news on Jonjoe Kenny. Last week he missed his first game for Schalke going down with a virus. On return to training, he tore his ankle ligaments. No news on how severe it is.

I like them old-fashioned sayings. I had a good mate, gone now, he used to say when in company and two or three people would start talking at the same time “One fool at a time”. I thought of that today, a couple of times, when I was watching Keane and Mina trying to perform... hilarious but not funny.

The fine-tuning will come in the summer with a couple of class players arriving, plus the return of our best right-back from Germany. In the meantime, he continues to work on what we have.

Calvert-Lewin has been transformed; Mason Holgate is international class and a leader; Bernard is improving, Moise Kean likewise, and Morgan Schneiderlin is showing glimpses of what he was like when he first arrived.

Mina is fine with Holgate alongside him as we need that combination of physical power and pace with good ball skills. Gylfi continues to disappoint but could have scored a fantastic goal – not a team player.

February is Carnival month here in Brazil. It's only meant to be over a long weekend, but the Brazilians do like their parties.

Trust me, after a month of near 24-7 Samba music – even in the shortest month of the year – you wouldn't be so well disposed to it!!!

One thing of note which may have been mentioned already: another player breaks his drought against Everton. There's gotta be some science behind this.

Always interesting to hear the other sides perspective on the game.

I don't think Seamus Coleman will be leaving Everton at the end of the season (unless he himself wants to) which I don't think he will.

Another welcome three points from a poor performance against a struggling side, the next four games should give us all a real indication what Ancelotti has about him.

But even so, he's conceded 37 goals on 100 shots on target (I didn't count the 1 penalty he's allowed). That's terrible; it's actually bottom table terrible.

I've read some defenses of him saying that we give up better quality chances so he's unfairly judged. Except his xGA says he hasn't. That he "should" be around 34 goals conceded. The big issue is that 3-4 extra goals conceded is going to play a huge role when it comes down to our Goal Difference. A big enough role that it could be the difference between 6th or 9th.

We need more than 1 clean sheet, desperately.

Undoubted ability and talent. The odd flashes of brilliance. Dubious positional sense, non-existent off the ball. No bottle for big lads, Bernard would beat them both in a 50/50.

Under Ancelotti, there isn't room for a Number 10. I can see us trying to offload him in the summer but, like so many of our players, they are on stupid money making them almost impossible to move on.

I can't. You described him as I see him myself. He is the weak link in Everton imposing and controlling midfield, in my opinion. Just plays as a link man.

I thought that, if Sigurdsson played deeper, it would have him more on the ball and would have stopped him becoming annoymous. Though Ancelotti is playing him deeper, he still is not on the ball going forward or making attacking passes.

He is also still prone to losing possession and making negative back and side passes, inviting pressure. There is no chance keeping momentum going with Sigurdsson in midfield.

Palace had too much room in midfield in the first half and got to dominate it in the second half up to just after their goal. It was the same in the first half against Watford.

Carlo has got this.

The results speak for themselves and, for those still finding room for a moan, I offer this: with Silva, we lost games to Norwich, Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Burnley and the player's looked woeful. Silva was out of his depth and had no clout with the players.

Ancelotti is a class operator who wins football matches whatever the circumstances. He just seems so relaxed about it all, as if he knows his teams will win far more than they will ever lose, it's just the expected and accepted way.

Everton are, for once, in the best of hands.

Surprised at the team announcement before getting in but, as per the last few games, for whatever reason it has worked out.

I still think Carlo is giving everyone a chance in slightly different formations to see how they perform before he makes season-end decisions on everyone.

Extremely surprised to give Schneiderlin my MotM. He not only was the best midfielder today but he was giving everyone stick when they didn't perform. He's doing his transfer options full justice, long may it continue, well to the end of the season that is.

I have given Pickford stick recently and nothing he did today has altered my opinion. He is just not up to scratch I'm afraid.

When I look at the points we threw away under Silva, I could cry. We would be well up there if not for his incompetence.

Put another way, we would not have Carlo Ancelotti as manager if not for Silva's incompetence.

However, there was the Newcastle game which blew two points in a farcical minute and a half, among others where we should have had all three points, but I suppose it's those sort of games we learn from.

I would love to know who Carlo would get rid of if they weren't tied into ridiculous contracts, and he could more-or-less, within reason, create his own team. I know it's all hypothetical, and we will probably never know, but I do believe we are eventually going in the right direction.

There's a good player in Pickford – but he's almost like the goalkeeper version of John Stones. Worth seeing what Carlo can get out of him over the course of a season and with a proper stand-in to provide competition. Wouldn't be getting rid just yet. He's got time to mature.

I think Duncan Ferguson deserves some credit for starting this off, especially when you think he had almost a non-existent midfield through injuries.

At one point, Holgate was the midfield general, the bench had either strikers or defenders that we had to call on, such was our crisis in midfield.

I am glad we did not bring anyone in during the transfer window, except for Branthwaite.

Ancelotti is trying players in different areas. Silva's team was so predictable, but Ancelotti is mixing it up and teams are now struggling to read how we play.

Confidence is back with a few players, heads are no longer dropping.

What we need now is stability and a step forward in the summer.

It feels close to early 1983s, football matters in life were changing, in the balance of law and life in football and life.

I'm happier these last 40 days, than the previous 25 years. The club has a manager, and a proven manager.

Carlos man management, coupled with Duncan's passion and inspiration, will see us get into the Europa League this season.

Everton's, slowly on the up and up.

We will beat Arsenal.

Small beginnings but a great start under Carlo. Big fixtures, due soon, this squad can get good results in the next four games.

Richarlison was MotM for me, Schneiderlin next... then probably Coleman. I was disappointed in Calvert-Lewin again, his movement and desire and willingness to seek the ball and find space and show for teammates seem lacking still. I feel he could be so much more and give more too.

I've seen enough of Pickford; come back, Joel Robles and £30M, get rid in the Summer.

Unforgivable; he should be fined by the club.

I wouldn't have it any other way.

● The Greenwood goal that allowed Man Utd to equalise;
● At least 1 free kick (can't remember against whom) that went in very low;
● The 1st Watford goal last week, which was actually quite close to his body.

We need a very good backup goalie in the summer – Stekelenburg is getting old, Virginia is too raw to be given a chance this season. The Lössl saga was very strange – was he even on the bench for any of the games this season? A very strange in and out.

When Ciaran says Keane and Mina are a liability, he's not saying they are one of the worst partnerships in the league (although there is an argument for that). He's saying that in terms of us taking the next step.

The claim that Mina stays on his feet made me laugh out loud. I've lost count of the number of times he is sitting down as the ball hits our net.

Keane can't judge the flight of a ball and Mina heads it with his ear. They are a disaster waiting to happen.

You point to the position in the league as some sort of evidence that there are worse defenders... who cares, Dave? The fact is, we need better ones to go to the next level... and let's not forget that the improvement we have seen since Silva departed has happened largely as a result of that partnership being broken up.

You won't find me arguing against selection between now and the end of the season. Between himself and the big fella, Carlo has ground out enough results to earn himself a few free swings. Nobody expected European football. That would be seen as a bonus. So he is in the position to experiment all over the park. Everyone is getting a shot.

Holgate's benching proves good form will not prevent the Italian from sitting you down so he can have a look at others. Nobody is guaranteed a game.

Ancelotti is a football manager. He is not a magician. He can't be expected to turn this ugly duckling into a very fine swan. It's gonna take sweeping changes to turn this disjointed mishmash into a consistent coherent football team. Everton Football Club is now winning the games we expected them to win – a huge step in the right direction.

Carlo Ancelotti (and to a degree, Duncan Ferguson) will have to do more next season than simply not be Marco Silva. They will both know that. If they are going to prove themselves, they need better tools. There needs to be a cull, too many in this group are simply not good enough.

Either Keane, Mina or both will need to be moved on and replaced by genuine quality. I personally would keep Mina if we had to keep one of them because I think he has the greater scope for improvement. But if somebody offered us our money back...

Okay, we don't have the best squad, although I do agree we do need some new tools, but a cull is not practicably possible due to both FFP and the ridiculous contracts that some are on.

I do however expect a few quality signings in the Summer as far as we are allowed to; there will be some going due to expiration of contracts, and possibly a few offers for those in the last year or so.

Having said that, I feel we will not recoup much by virtue of those who do move on.

Arsenal are still adapting to Guardiola's Fanboy. Man Utd are hot and cold. Paranoid Mourinho is pouting again at Tottenham. Lampard's young team is a work in progress. Sheffield United will be undone once sides realise that their centre-backs are often out of position. Wolves are knackered from putting in the effort in Europe.

We aren't the best side but look at who we are up against.

I remember last season when we had the four same teams in a row, albeit they were home games, yet we took 10 out of the 12 points. Arsenal and United are nowhere near the force they have been, although still dangerous sides, and we can beat them. Chelsea have been unpredictable at home recently, so a draw would be seen as a great result for us. The RS. well say no more We need to beat them bastards. So prepare yourselves for a pleasant surprise in the next four games: 10 points out of 12!!

Finally, talking about the RS game, I'm hearing rumours of Everton fans selling their tickets to RS fans for the derby match. Trust me, any RS fans in any other part of the stadium other than their own section, will be ejected and if it's a season ticket holder whose seat they are in, will have their season ticket taken off them. The less there is of them bastards in the stadium, the better, so please, think twice before you consider selling your ticket for the derby match.

Obviously playing for England means a lot to him and having Southgate with the bosses adds more pressure. He's a guy that needs more support, especially after that game. His save on the line probably laid the foundation of Everton pulling away.

Some will say he needs a cooler head, but a player needs his mentality to achieve the heights he achieves.

Ajay (#153), I think you are right about lower shots; I am sure Alan Kelly will be working on that with Pickford this week.

On the other hand, Seamus plays Zaha, their best player, valued at £100M, off the pitch & the feeling is that he's “past it”.

Baffling!! One thing for sure is that Gylfi was absolutely pathetic. I'd like to see his stats... 2 tackles??

Reading this thread and people talking about Ancelloti giving everyone game time has also given me another theory, because I'm sure it will be easier to get rid of some players if they are part of the squad and still playing every few weeks.

This might change over the next few fixtures and, whilst we all love positivity, I'm still worried about what a good team could do to Everton, because our midfield is just not good enough, especially away from Goodison Pk.

That rumour has also come from Liverpudlians, Rob, because they're the ones who sell their tickets to the Scandinavians, and they have also been known to snatch them back once they've been paid. Everyone has heard about Ticket-Master, but only Liverpudlians, know about Ticket-Snatcher!

I'm gob-smacked by what you are reporting. Any Evertonians selling their derby tickets to Kopites should be horse-whipped.

If you can't make it or simply don't fancy it, there are thousands and thousands of blues brothers who will buy your ticket.

Give them nothing

Individual mistakes will be made, but this squad has improved immensely

Because I can't for the life of me think of any other reason why he was on the bench.

My thoughts exactly!

I don’t buy Carlo is giving all the players a runout either to assess them. All Italian managers change system and line ups regularly! Try and predict the juve or inter teams every week, it’s impossible bar 4/5 players. He wants European football! He is desperate for it! I think he has players already lined up who have said they will come ( e.g Allan ), but have stipulated we must be in Europe.

Like all true Evertonians, I was banging the Moyes drum a few weeks ago, but I may have been mistaken on that one, all things considered. In fact, I've just read a piece with him drawing parallels between Everton and the Hammers, and this is what he said:

"When I got to Everton, they were just happy as long as we stayed outside the bottom three. And I hated that." — the cheeky cheeky bastard.

Don't think many of us expected Carlo, but to think any but a tiny few wanted Moyes back is drivel.

I do get the feeling though with Ancelotti we have a manager who knows what they are doing and we haven't had one of them for a very long time.

With Martinez his fanciful ideas, philosophy and a lack of a Plan B undid lots of Moyes hard work in terms of getting the squad organised, disciplined and fit. It was season after season of decline under him.

Koeman was half arsed at best (put the bare minimum of time in), thought he could flash the cash and speed up his promotion to Barcelona. The hammering by Arsenal and then him being seen out laughing and joking with friends that night summed him up, the result was he got the sack.

Silva again was all slick image and big ideas, for every 2-3 wins then came a long run of bad results. The team had a lack of fight and no backbone.

Now with Ancelotti ably supported by Ferguson we seem to have some know how about the place. I think for the first time in years the players now trust the manager and believe in his methods, hes a winner after all and knows how to get things done. Duncan Ferguson is no mug and when he says Ancelotti is World Class I'm willing to believe him.

By "true evertonians" I assume you actually mean "awful bloody eejits"..

He's become such a self-publicist. But he's a “winner“ because “that's what I do“. Unless it's a Sky Six team where his away record (I recently read) was one win in fifty.

Thankfully I think Moyes chances were blown away after Ferguson did so well and we now have a managerial team to be proud of and we can all get behind them at long last.

If we cannot become the real deal in the next two seasons with the set up we have now, I give up.
We are in the best state we have been in for a mighty long time.

We will need to sign a couple of worldies to bridge the gap between where we are now and where we want to be, but I can see it happening.

As far as the rest of the season is concerned we are doing well, but we are certain to hit some rocky patches, maybe sooner than later.

His reaction to the Newcastle game was particularly telling. It wasn't the end of the world in the same way as when we've scrapped some wins without playing well enough; it isn't yet a sign of a glorious future.

I never considered a Moyes return in any shape or form viable.

Theres a significant difference between considering it as a potential shitshow of a reality... and 'banging the drum' for it... nevermind labelling those same people as 'true evertonians'.

It was daft to even consider it was a good idea.

Give us a shout when you revisit earth m8!

Just read you next post Kevin@184 and agree with every word. The shite he was talking about trying to replicate Leipzig and another club, who have brought loads of kids through, when he got the West Ham job again, had me thinking who David, was genuinely trying to kid.

I haven’t stopped thinking since I’ve been out the game, was another thing he said, so thank god for Duncan Ferguson, because it’s quite possible Moyes, would have came back to Everton, if Duncan hadn’t steadied the ship!

I’m sorry I criticised you Duncan, because you definitely saved my career as a match going Evertonian, so thank you very much mate!!

They have all been deemed good enough to join Everton, according to various posters on ToffeeWeb. At some point earlier in the pre season and since they have been suggested as potential players to "do a job" for us.

Add to that sorry shower of journeymen Benitez, Howe, Dyche and, ahem, Moyes who,again,were up to the task of sailing this once great liner in the opposite direction of the iceberg.

That the Lord that Ancelotti was available.

Another win on the board and 3 goals to boot. All heading in the right direction.

Long long way to go but dare I state a quick fact? We’re actually only 5 points off a CL spot...yes I know but it’s theoretically possible and we’ve currently got the second best form in the league and one of the best managers on the world.

Fk EL - let’s aim for CL.

We get the point. But the repetition in the match reports is getting rather tedious. And did I detect an edit to the original draft of MK's report? I may well be wrong but I thought that in reference to our third goal the initial match report description alluded to Richarlison being unmarked. He most certainly wasn't unmarked. He made the ground to first elude and then outjump his marker. Again, a somewhat negative pronouncement on a Richarlison contribution, and a contribution which every other spectator in the ground would have said was a fantastic header.

We've all heard about the "tough run of fixtures" coming up, but I'd ask, are they historically tough, or this year tough? The 7 more challenging (I guess) matches we have coming up are Arsenal (A), United (H), Chelsea (A), the RS (H), Leicester (H), Spurs (A), Wolves (A).

Under Silva (and Dunc for 3 of them), we earned 9 of 21 pts in the first leg of those exact same matches. Granted, more of these are away, but why can't we match those same 9 pts, if not better them? Let's say we do (match them).

Our other 5 remaining matches are Norwich (A), Southampton (H), Villa (H), SHU (A), Bournemouth (H). Why can't we pull 12 of those 15 pts?

9 + 12 = 21. That would be 57 on the campaign, and highly likely in a Europe spot. I've now ruined everything lol.

To those who look on the positive side of the game, fair enough, each to his own way of looking at football games, but most of those fans would have to agree there was a lot, I mean really a lot, more to moan about than to praise, so do I/we forget all about the dross and just talk about the good things that happened, I can turn a blind eye to the occasional bad move and mistake but that game was littered with them.

Truth was it was such a poor game and performance by Everton for most of the game, there wasn’t many to pick from for man of the match, and as usual a goal scorer is always in the running, witness Mina last week, so I wouldn’t begrudge Richie getting the award, but it most certainly didn’t mean he was a star for ninety minutes.

Players become crap for one game and also absolute stars for the same one game, truth is Richarlison, along with others, has had a lot more poor games than good ones this season.

Fans all over the country have a huge respect for his efforts.

Top, top man

He's a long way to go at 22 but I think he's starting to show that he's a major talent, and more importantly that he's going to fulfil his talent.

Richarlison did very little until he won the game for us - which is the mark of a £100m footballer I suppose. His goal was magnificent, and his header that led to DCL's goal was superb. Without him, we would have drawn at best.

Can't knock the results since Carlo took over, even though it's been a relatively easy run on paper. Sunday Times report got it just about right though - "best league in the world"? You're having a laugh.

Thanks for the perspective of the match-going fan. I had a similar view playing the match back on my DVR... lots and lots of mistakes. But I would give Richarlison somewhat higher marks, because some of his awkward decisions were partly due to the lack of coordination around him. It's appropriate that some individual brilliance won this game, because the team cohesion was utterly absent.

He is of course hostage to the type of chances we concede, under Silva we often gave teams grade A chances so that skews things a bit. Under Ancellotti far fewer and poorer attempts from the opposition.

But to your point, the Messina goal last week had less than a 5% chance of being scored, Benteke’s yesterday less than 2%.

His main strength is said to be his shot stopping. Yet Everton cannot drop him. Hmm

With Everton improving (a little) and getting positive results why take the goodness out of it by slating and belittling players

He may get better but he’s currently a hologram. I’d snap anyone’s hands off if they wanted to buy him.

Everton are quietly extracting themselves out of the doldrums and it's no coincidence since Carlo took over.

We shouldn't worry about Euro qualification just yet, more that we should be concerned about maintaining the momentum that Carlo can develop the squad into one that will be serious contenders next season and in that regard I would be quite content to see the return of Gomes and Gbamin be delayed until the Summer to make sure both will be totally fit and raring to go.

Ray (213), yes the wind didn’t help the flow of the game and it was strong, but a lot of these players know how to make useless passes with or without the wind, one player made a five yard pass out for a throw in attempting to find a teammate who was yards away, it’s happened for the last few seasons, very poor basic passes from professional footballers, continually, I trust it won’t occur too often under the present manager.

He's somehow established himself as a regular starter in the premier league.

I suppose I'm just seeing the squad being damned if they do and damned if they don't at the minute. For me I'm just delighted with points on the board and confidence rising.

It’s going to cost you Andy quite a bit of money getting to Wembley and other arena’s in the next few years.

Like any Evertonian, I would love to watch performances of first class football, but those performances can only be provided by players of the highest quality, which we lack at this time. I have always maintained that the average football supporter wants his team to [1] play well and win, [2] to play badly and win, he will tolerate a draw in any event, but a defeat in any guise is unacceptable.

I have learned through experience that anything can happen in a game of football, and I now attend matches with an open mind, a couple of months ago some fans would have travelled to Goodison with the view that a victory was guaranteed, because it was only Norwich City [0-2] and a few weeks later would have thought, 'There's nothing down for us, after all it's Chelsea' [3-1]

I am as disappointed as anyone when Everton play poorly but I've learned to live with it, my philosophy is, 'If you can't lose don't play, and if you can't watch your team lose don't go.' As important as football is to us, there are far more important things in life. Best wishes John.

We’ve had a bad team for a long time. You know better than anyone that is not going to change overnight. But what has been re-introduced over the past two months are organisation, fight and resilience. I’m happy to give the team a free run over the rest of this season, there will be some good and some bad. I happen to think there may be a bit more of the former than the latter.

For now, I’m made up that the team, and I, have got their mojo back. It’s great to be looking forward to matches, and really caring about the results. And Marine won 7-0 away yesterday!

I’m made up Marine also made your day brighter yesterday, and as you said not too long ago, you get a lot of pleasure watching them with their honest endeavour, or words to that effect. I hope both teams continue to improve, it will make life easier and happier.

Hope you are doing okay Peter, still haven’t paid you for the Harry Catterick book, which I thoroughly enjoyed and learnt from. Best wishes.

I just hope to acquire the robust sensibility of John Mac Sen. as I near my pension!

Toffees, what are we like!?

If I buy a red scarf will someone sell me their ticket for the Derby please so I can my daughter to the game?

I don't know how many times I've said myself that when the likes of Man City and now that lot over the park play badly or lack lustre, but still manage to get the win then that's generally the sign of a team that will lift silverware.

We start doing it and there's complaints?

Newcastle was just one of those games, we weren't great, but still good enough for to win that one also (leaving out the last mad minute).

A few new players in the summer and playing like we're playing now, well have a few of these Sky babe teams looking a bit nervously at us!

There seems to be an obsession with how we play rearing its head again when people should just be happy we have won. Look at where we are at in the table now and the run we have been on – that is to be celebrated when you look at life before Dunc and Ancelotti.

I had my reservations about Ancelotti when he first came but I am happy to be have been proved wrong. What his appointment does show is how key the manager is to any team. He is getting a better tune out of the same players as Silva and winning games with them – something that Silva could not do the majority of the time.

Let's just be happy for once that we are winning and climbing the table – not miserable because we didn't have 90% possession or win 10-0.

I just have to say, Schneiderlin was excellent today, tackles and interceptions all over the place and far more forward passes than backwards. If only he could keep this up rather than reverting to type.

Of course I would like Everton to win every game playing like Barcelona in their pomp but, in order for that to happen, it requires Barcelona type players. I have also come to terms with the fact that even players of the highest standards make schoolboy mistakes, but obviously not as many as less talented individuals, the common denominator being the fact that they are human.

I favour some players more than others but I don't castigate individuals, I tend to consider that they are not good enough collectively, and disappointment is my main emotion. Granted that approaching the age of 82 my passion may be somewhat diminished, but I still experience delight and dismay... unfortunately more of the latter in recent seasons. I feel sympathy for the youngsters of today who have witnessed mostly inferior performances, but I would say to them "Keep the Faith, nothing lasts for ever".

Regarding your planned visit from Canada, it would take something monumental to prevent me from meeting you at the Central Hotel on Sunday March 15th @ 12:00 pm. It looks as though you will have to put up with me as I haven't noticed anyone else expressing an interest.

It's not quite the same players. Marco Silva had Gomes for much of his tenure this season and Gbamin for a couple of games which makes the recent resurgence all the more remarkable.