Match Thread Everton v Manchester City 31st March KO 17:30

[Maine road Man]

Realisitically we all expected a loss, you're far and away the best team in the league this year.
What gets to us is the manner in which we lost.
Our dinosaur manager picking our slowest and least aggressive midfield pairing available set the tone.
Players not wining their tackles and standing off for the goals.
Bolasie missing that sitter, you can't afford to miss chances like that against top sides.
Two things that stood out for me, the glaringly obvious attempts to punt it down the left to a trio of tosun, dcl and walcott, and the through ball for walker in behind bolasie. Both tried repeatedly, both never came off, yet no attempt to change...
Our upturn in effort clearly came as you guys put the foot on the brakes, the game was won by halftime and had we got a second it always felt like you had a couple more gears to go through if needed

Good post. Enough about City for now. Do you think a good manager would motivate your current squad to be top 6? I think so. TBH, I'm surprised Everton appointed BFS. There are so many managers out there who understand the modern game. Allerdyce is yesterdays man.

 

[Soap]

We were always going to lose against those plastic oil funded teams.

Not annoyed anymore just not arsed at all. Rather watch the wrestling these days and I hate wrestling.

 

[stretford blue]

Goodison has been a graveyard for us for many years, but I was quite optimistic leading up to the game. The first half was great football from my POV. Some of the best we've played all season.

Our first goal that Silva hooked back for Sane's volley was top drawer. Had Bolasie scored to equalise it may of been a closer game, but everyone watching could see we always had an extra gear if needed. At 3-0 we took out foot off the gas, obviously saving energy for Wednesday. I'm happy tonight

This is without doubt the best city team you've ever had and I'm pleased for those city fans I've known for years who had to endure the past years when you weren't competitive and your neighbours winning everything.even with all the money it hasn't happened overnight like us now you overspent on average players and appointed wrong managers ,my hope is Moshiri learns from his mistakes and like city have done appoint professional people from the top down only time will tell if he is capable of acheviach this .But imI sure you are more than enjoying the place your in at the moment.good luck against them .

 

[Steve0]

It's a citeh team that put 5 past the greatest Liverpool team in history, compelled the managers of half a billion pounds of talent to park the bus(Jose and Conte), toyed with arsenal and will break the points and goal scoring records...not that surprising ae lost.

Least we won the second half.

 

[Tak]

1st Half

MC’s formation was often 325 with the wide players Sane and Walker on each touchline. Sane on several occasions was in 20+ yards of space. MC were so good at passing and retaining possession that ceding a player in the middle was not a problem. They could then pass wide or play through the middle by the gaps left.

Notable was two occasions that Rooney was in discussions with the other players after a MC move. My guess is that the team were not fully compliant with instructions. Since later on Everton improved markedly after Rooney was replaced I suspect his performance was an issue. But MC were so quick it was hard to really work out what was happening live. I will say that while Bolasie was often seen joining the back line to cover Walker, Walcott maintained a position high up the pitch, so that Sane was in a lot of space for most of the half. Was this part of the plan? It seems unlikely to me.

At the announcement of the team my guess was a 451 with Tosun behind Calvert Lewin. With a plan to sit deep, win possession then pass long to a breaking Calvert Lewin or winger, with Tosun picking up afterwards. If Everton were to score I guessed it would be late on by breaking forward quickly with long passes if MC became either tired or stopped concentrating. In fact it was Calvert Lewin who was deeper, and the less fast Tosun at centre-forward. Everton did not play in the way I expected, and a combination of their disunion in midfield and the very fast, skilful play of MC led to the three MC goals.


2nd Half

Everton played much better in this half. The turning point was the substitution of Rooney for Davies. This happened quite soon into the half and my guess is that despite a change of the plan at half time he was still not getting it right. From this point Everton sat deep with two banks of players and were more disciplined at maintaining a shape between midfielders while MC had the ball. They were much more effective at forcing MC to pass wide but also crucially moved as a unit left and right to defend. When they had the ball there were long passes for striker and wingers. Eventually Everton did score – a good goal by a winger, Bolasie.

Some have said and this may be true that MC had stopped trying so hard once they had scored their goals and there may be some truth in this. However Everton’s second half plan was much improved on the first, and the execution by the players was much better once Rooney was taken off.

 

[f.t.r.s]

Good post. Enough about City for now. Do you think a good manager would motivate your current squad to be top 6? I think so. TBH, I'm surprised Everton appointed BFS. There are so many managers out there who understand the modern game. Allerdyce is yesterdays man.

I think without any bias we've got a solid quality base of a team.
We've a top quality keeper whose only going to get better.
Three potentially top class centre halves, mori, holgate and keane have all shown they have talent but need to be coached in the right manner to cut out the mistakes.
One of the best right backs i've ever seen who, hopefully when given the captaincy, will take his game and that of the team up to a new level.
A solid, premier league, minimum 15 a season stiker in tosun.
And a bunch of exciting youth coming through (dcl, holgate, davies, beni, lookman, vlasic etc)

we do need a clearout to stop the rot. Williams, martina, schneiderlin, the back up keepers, bolasie, klaasen, sandro etc should be moved on even at a loss to clear up wages and squad space.
the coaching setup needs replacing, with a progressive setup, ideally a fonseca, arteta (think he'll be the next guardiola tbh) type who can blend quick, technical, attacking football with grit and tenacious defensive ability.

Jagielka and rooney are worth keeping in reserve as wise older heads to help coach the younger players.

realisitically we need a solid back up keeper to keep pickford on his toes, a commanding centre half to bring out the rest of the group, a new lb,a ball player in the middle (arteta in his prime for us) and i'd love a more technical version of cahill. A left sided walcott and another tosun level striker (ideally someone with pace)

something like this:
pickford

baines/ricardo rodriguez mori/de vrij keane/holgate coleman

bernard nzonzi wilshere gana walcott

tosun

 

[dannyboy]

I think without any bias we've got a solid quality base of a team.
We've a top quality keeper whose only going to get better.
Three potentially top class centre halves, mori, holgate and keane have all shown they have talent but need to be coached in the right manner to cut out the mistakes.
One of the best right backs i've ever seen who, hopefully when given the captaincy, will take his game and that of the team up to a new level.
A solid, premier league, minimum 15 a season stiker in tosun.
And a bunch of exciting youth coming through (dcl, holgate, davies, beni, lookman, vlasic etc)

we do need a clearout to stop the rot. Williams, martina, schneiderlin, the back up keepers, bolasie, klaasen, sandro etc should be moved on even at a loss to clear up wages and squad space.
the coaching setup needs replacing, with a progressive setup, ideally a fonseca, arteta (think he'll be the next guardiola tbh) type who can blend quick, technical, attacking football with grit and tenacious defensive ability.

Jagielka and rooney are worth keeping in reserve as wise older heads to help coach the younger players.

realisitically we need a solid back up keeper to keep pickford on his toes, a commanding centre half to bring out the rest of the group, a new lb,a ball player in the middle (arteta in his prime for us) and i'd love a more technical version of cahill. A left sided walcott and another tosun level striker (ideally someone with pace)

something like this:
pickford

baines/ricardo rodriguez mori/de vrij keane/holgate coleman

bernard nzonzi wilshere gana walcott

tosun

Think our current squad is nowhere near good enough for top 6. Keane, Holgate and Mori aren't top centre halves in anyone's mind. We need a top class striker and a brand new midfield, which to be fair you have identified.

 

[Maine road Man]

This is without doubt the best city team you've ever had and I'm pleased for those city fans I've known for years who had to endure the past years when you weren't competitive and your neighbours winning everything.even with all the money it hasn't happened overnight like us now you overspent on average players and appointed wrong managers ,my hope is Moshiri learns from his mistakes and like city have done appoint professional people from the top down only time will tell if he is capable of acheviach this .But imI sure you are more than enjoying the place your in at the moment.good luck against them .

Cheers mate. You live in the rag stranghold of Stretford I see. My girlfriend lives there. Everytime I drive down chester road with the carbuncle that is known amongst City fans as the swamp, I have to put my sun visor down in my car. Saves me crashing! I hate Man-ure with a passion.

 

[Maine road Man]

I think without any bias we've got a solid quality base of a team.
We've a top quality keeper whose only going to get better.
Three potentially top class centre halves, mori, holgate and keane have all shown they have talent but need to be coached in the right manner to cut out the mistakes.
One of the best right backs i've ever seen who, hopefully when given the captaincy, will take his game and that of the team up to a new level.
A solid, premier league, minimum 15 a season stiker in tosun.
And a bunch of exciting youth coming through (dcl, holgate, davies, beni, lookman, vlasic etc)

we do need a clearout to stop the rot. Williams, martina, schneiderlin, the back up keepers, bolasie, klaasen, sandro etc should be moved on even at a loss to clear up wages and squad space.
the coaching setup needs replacing, with a progressive setup, ideally a fonseca, arteta (think he'll be the next guardiola tbh) type who can blend quick, technical, attacking football with grit and tenacious defensive ability.

Jagielka and rooney are worth keeping in reserve as wise older heads to help coach the younger players.

realisitically we need a solid back up keeper to keep pickford on his toes, a commanding centre half to bring out the rest of the group, a new lb,a ball player in the middle (arteta in his prime for us) and i'd love a more technical version of cahill. A left sided walcott and another tosun level striker (ideally someone with pace)

something like this:
pickford

baines/ricardo rodriguez mori/de vrij keane/holgate coleman

bernard nzonzi wilshere gana walcott

tosun

Fair enough, you raise some good points there. Only a matter of time before BFS gets the boot. I think Arteta will be learning fast under Pep, possibly make a top class manager, but he will need time and patience by any boardroom eager to sack at the first sign of regression. I think both Everton and Arsenal have weighed up appointing Arteta, we shall see...

Sometimes you have to go backwards to come forwards, and throwing cash about doesn't necessarily mean an instant change of fortune or success. Getting the right manager and coaching team in is crucial,but more importantly, getting the right owners who invest without meddling in team affairs is vital. And as much as people have criticized our owners,they are very astute businessmen and have improved the whole clubs infrastructure from top to bottom.

 

[Maine road Man]

At times yesterday @Maine road Man, the football you played was scintillating, however I genuinely don't think you got out of first or second gear.

Unfortunately for us it reminded me of a training match and we were fortunate that you didn't up the ante as it would have been a cricket score.

I think if we did go all out for the whole game, some team would be on the end of a 10-0.
I think we could have scored 10 at the swamp when we beat them 6-1 under Mancini. We have improved a lot since then..

 

[f.t.r.s]

Think our current squad is nowhere near good enough for top 6. Keane, Holgate and Mori aren't top centre halves in anyone's mind. We need a top class striker and a brand new midfield, which to be fair you have identified.

Their not right now, but I think given the right coaching and setup they've got enough ability and potential to be very good

 

[PhilM]

I think if we did go all out for the whole game, some team would be on the end of a 10-0.
I think we could have scored 10 at the swamp when we beat them 6-1 under Mancini. We have improved a lot since then..

Realistically I think you're correct; it wasn't a criticism before where I said you didn't really ease past first or second gear - it was a compliment.

The football was brilliant but you really weren't putting a shift in, rather you simply made it look easy and our deficiencies probably helped.

If you'd got into third or fourth gear, where you really exerted yourselves, then I think it could have easily been five or six before half time.

 

[evertony]

I get this is written post-match and if you were at the ground today (I wasn't), then hats off.

But why are we so worried about losing to one of the best sides in Europe? We're a squad in transition, with a mixture of young and new players, alongside those edging to the end of their Prem careers (though Baines and Jags would be in demand elsewhere).

Everyone knows Sam is a numbers man, and yes we could have been more competitive 1st half - the lack of closing down was awful for the all 3 goals - but why are castigating Sam after the start he had?! The fact is we've got a small chance of making Europe and the additions he's bought the squad (whilst giving young players a chance, too) is a plus as well. Look at where we started with Koeman, Walsh and the dross in our midfield - on display today again with MS, no Sigs, and Bolasie and Walcott not really present in the middle with an ageing Rooney.

Without 'throwing' games, there are obviously games he targets for points. Had Bolasie repaid his faith before they went two up today may have been closer for longer. If we make Europe after the mess Sam had to work with it's not much short of a miracle, given also the luck we've also needed with all the other teams around us showing patchy form too.

Heads up to the end of the season men!

P.S. By the way, I do find much of Sam's PR dire and agree totally with the guys in the BFS thread that perhaps end of season he should be replaced by a guy who can grow the team, but the way some of the fans are turning on him now will only damage the team and image of the club, too.

I stopped reading that when I read Jags and Baines will be in demand. The pair of them have been on the same level of Schneiderlin for the last three years. One only has one gear....reverse, whilst the Grass has been absolute dross since Pienaar departed for Spurs. Both well past their best

 

[evertony]

Fernandinho completed 62 passes in that one-sided first half for City. The Everton team completed 64.

Fernandinho was outstanding yesterday, complete midfield player out controlled the tempo of both teams. In a side with DeBruyne, Silva and Sane in the same zone that is some achievement.

 

[evertony]

We were given a lesson by a very good team. We're a millon miles away from this standard.

You don’t need to be at the same standard to give somebody a competitive game. As outstanding as that City team are and were yesterday, almost any team would have beaten us yesterday. We were an embarrassment. Moshiri needs to grow a pair rapid before his own reign starts to crumble around him.