Match Thread Everton 1-1 Wolverhampton Wanderers 19:30 Weds 7th January 2026.

[Bluewater]

The longer we play slow football going forward, that is give it to Grealish who slows the play down, then we'll struggle at home. Slow play allows teams to get back and defend. Add to that the reluctance to cross the ball or shoot and our play is ponderous and non threatening. Away from home it can work at times, but we also play quick counter attacks away which works. Teams counter attack us at home and that's how we've conceded so many goals at home.
Last night was better because we played 3 in midfield. We definitely miss our flare players Dewsbury-hall and Ndiaye. I'd also say Alcaraz who can get the ball and turn to attack. I'll add Dibling to that who has been misused and underused by Moyes.

We've got the cup to look forward to on Saturday and unless we go far in that competition our season will just fizzle out. That is unless Moyes changes tact and plays adventurous attacking football, which we have done but not to often at home.

 

[MikeyMike]

Foreign ownership has spread wealth and scouting expertise outside the old 'Sky 4'. Palace winning cup/shield. Brighton in Europe last season first time etc. The Americans won't invest in something only 3 clubs win.

Chelsea Club world cup got more recognition than I recall in previous years, too.

So more football, more 'start up' type influence in traditionally smaller clubs, and the league has gotten flatter as a result, more clubs in with a shout = watchable. Format of CL is doing the same. More variety, 8 different qualifying games... Bit of luck/ intrigue in there.

So yeah, Prem doing ok in terms of viewers.

Even we're not out of Europe (statistically, speaking). Possibly tactically and at a player level right now, yes. But nothing 3-4 fresh faces couldn't impact quickly.

The point above I think is more about the quality and nature of what we're watching at times, and how changes in style, rules and officiating affect that - and TV too ( and it's commercial influence).

The hair pull wasn't a red, but by the letter of the law it is. But the shoving and dark arts, time wasting etc that go on are fine, apparently...

This will always be an evolution. By and large the prem averages 3ish goals a game, on pitches like snooker tables ( even in Jan ) with players from all over the world, watched as you say more than ever.

So we've in effect, 2 games:

- a TV game, primarily where fans add atmosphere, that's doing well
- a game attended by fans, who experience TV/ VAR based officiating and the stop start nature of the game.

There's an earlier comment in this thread about the similarity to American football and it's stop-start 'plays'. TV and officiating are pushing the game a little that way, unfortunately.

A lot of truth in this, but also the reason the game is “flatter” is also because so many clubs qualify for Europe now, so a smaller club is almost certain to take at least one spot every season. And with the strength of the PL, we can expect a smaller club to win the Europa Conference relatively often.

As you say, the real change is felt by the fans at the match. VAR in particular has spoiled experience, as has the over-officiating which seems theatric and aimed at TV viewers.

There were loads of empty seats last night - and not just at our game. Watching the highlights it does seem that a fair number of match going fans are not happy with the relentless mid-weeking of the game.

 

[Armaghtoffee]

Look at our home record in Goodison last few seasons. It was awful.

Our problem is when teams sit back and let us have the ball. For me that’s why our home form has been poor for the last 3 years.

 

[blue1948]

Our problem is when teams sit back and let us have the ball. For me that’s why our home form has been poor for the last 3 years.

I agree ,we don't have the speed to counter and revert to the long boot from Jordan followed by the ball coming back ,I swear my lad would have better tactics and he is not interested in football.

 

[Gilbert..]

Our problem is when teams sit back and let us have the ball. For me that’s why our home form has been poor for the last 3 years.

As much as people dont want to hear it we are still mid table quality. We havent good centre forwards. And we've possibly the worst fullback options in the league. Its not a huge surprise we struggle often at home when the onus is on attack. Most decent teams attack you with overlapping fullbacks at home to try and pull you out of your shape.
Moyes isnt the most adventurous manager i wouldnt disagree with that.
But i still dont see the quality there.

Posted the other day as a quick example. Brentford. Their left back on the bench would walk straight into our team as first choice.

 

[Papa Shango]

Watching the incident in slow motion, you can almost see Keane’s thought process thinking he’s got the shirt then realising it’s the hair and letting go.

Crazy decision to give a red. Would’ve been different if he’d pulled / yanked the hair to drag the player.

If that’s a red, I’m telling all our players to grow their hair long because it would be a major advantage every time a ball goes into the box from corners and throw ins!

At the risk of sounding like an old man shouting at clouds, the game has truly gone.

Loads of players have long hair.

Its very rare anyone pulls on it.

 

[Ring master]

Dont think i've been this annoyed since the last time we did not win - Saturday That draw feels so much like a defeat, and we've dropped the ball with the 4 games we have just had. i expected double the amount of points won to what we gained

 

[Sheedy's right knee.]

A lot mentioned about him slowing the play down but I think every time Mykolenko went outside him he didn’t take the option of the pass because of the end product.

 

[MACCA75]

I’m delighted Wolves and their awful fans are being relegated mind.

 

[Furey1878]

We can't hide from the fact it was another awful performance, despite the ref and VAR ruining it.

 

[arch stanton]

Because it stopped him seeing the ball ,if you think that is acceptable then the game is finished .Cameras all around and player doing that and more .

so a player shouldnt budge into another when challenging as that would put them off a steady look at the ball. It was a foul, it was probably a yellow card, violent conduct? Get a grip.

 

[bcblue1878]

Do you seriously think that Salah would be given a straight red card at Anfield for touching someone's hair, or a second yellow for clapping his hands 15 yards away from the referee?

Probably not by an “experienced” (note I didn’t say good!) ref like Taylor or Oliver, but that game last night was the ref’s second PL game, and he was probably very aware he was being closely assessed and had to do everything by the book! That said I thought he had a decent first half but lost the plot in the second half!

The other factor in all of this was the VAR was Cavanagh who is one of the worst referees around, and doesn’t need any excuse to shaft Everton whenever he can!

 

[SpiritOfTheBloos]

Thing is with these refereeing and VAR controversies is it always detracts away from us being absolutely rubbish, stupid behaviour for the dismissals and deserved nothing more out the game

Funny isn’t it, these decisions wouldn’t matter if we were 3 nil up. Yes the consistency is appalling and officiating standards in the gutter. But do feel it focuses our anger elsewhere when it should first and foremost be directed to towards that pathetic display

 

[sbbefc]

Maybe it's the last two games but nearly every season one mid table side at Xmas has a run of bad form that pulls them towards the bottom dogfight, could we be this seasons contender?

We already have more points than what was needed to stay up the last couple of seasons. In theory we could drop down the table and finish 17th but we aren't going to be anywhere near a relegation battle. We have twice West Hams points with over half the season gone.

 

[Bkk Andy]

That's not true though. It came out that last year was the worst viewing figures for Sky Sports for the footy.

Sky sports? The world is a lot bigger than sky sports.