Everton v Newcastle. 30th Sep @ 20.00.

[Royal Blue Jersey]

It was just complete and utter complacency on our part. Newcastle didn't do anything special. They just improved upon their absolutely dire first half performance.

I think we did what was needed in the first 35 minutes - took advantage of woeful defending, played some nice stuff, got the goals.

The rest of the game we were poor. There is really no getting away from that. I just hope it was a lack of concentration which can be nipped in the bud ASAP as opposed to something more psychological. Really don't know what we were playing at in the 2nd half - even before then. We gifted an ordinary side a way back into the game and obviously they gained confidence. It wasn't some sort of massive assault on our goal - we just invited them onto us.

Delighted with the 3 points though, and that confirms a really good start to the season. Lukaku is just what we need. Coleman was awesome tonight (Baines was off-colour unusually).

Was tactical mate. We set up to overload the right (Coleman, McCarthy, Mirallas) to deal with Ben Arfa. It resulted in Newcastle's best player being substituted at HT having done sweet FA. We left Baines the left side knowing Debuchy is poor and that Osman can go wide when defending and Distin can cover when needed. Baines was just left isolated alot first half because of this, but he was taking one for the team. Much better 2nd half but then we conceded 2 goals and had less control on the game. We had no answer to Cabaye, who came on and was a world above anyone else in black and white.

 

[Toffe3m4n]

Yeah a lot was made of Lukaku & Barkley by Sky but I thought Coleman wasn't far behind in the MOTM stakes. Great game from him.

Bainesy was pretty average though I thought..

 

[Deco]

Coleman is incredible. That was a special match, very tense. Next weekend is HUGE for our season.

 

[SLAVEN BILIC]

Don't think Newcastle outplayed us second half they just turned up and made it a contest. We weren't bad they just reacted to a bollocking. Apart from hitting the the post, a wonder goal and a defensive lap what did they do to really threaten us. They played a lot around the middle but we forced them into mistakes, we just couldn't slow the ball down to our tempo we just wanted a fourth there and then, little bit of patience needed in the last 20 minutes. Cat wait until Saturday.

 

[Lien]

Phenomenal. He absolutely nailed Ben Arfa every time. Just excellent going forward and defensively. Possibly the greatest thing Moyes ever did.

Alot of good performances tonight: Coleman, Baines, Jagielka, Howard, Osman, McCarthy, Barry.

I know I'm sounding really negative, which I'm not because I'm buzzing here that we're 4th and unbeaten, but honestly I don't have a clue what you mean about most of those players having good games.

Lukaku was great. Coleman was great. Barkley and Mirallas both looked dangerous, the former of whom continues to play way beyond his years.

Beyond that, I really don't see anyone else worth pointing out as being particularly impressive. Barry, McCarthy and Osman, all to slightly different extents, gave the ball away more times than I care to remember. The excellent work they were part of in the first 30-35 minutes was really damaged by alarmingly sloppy play in the 2nd half. Baines, by his standards, was frankly mediocre - not that he's not allowed the odd slightly off game.

I felt we took advantage of hideous Newcastle defending, we played some really good stuff at the start, then took our foot off the gas, took out the ignition, got out the car and went for a stroll in the countryside.

 

[dion]

On another note, I hope we go to Man City and get at them on Saturday. They're there to be attacked.

Is Barry available for this?

 

[Sharpattack]

I don't know how anyone could be happy with that performance.

 

[toffee-fellaini]

Is Barry available for this?

No, so will need Gibson for this.

 

[TomDixie]

We were looking shaky near the end with dealing with high balls into the box (a weakness last season) but we saw it out.

First half we were utterly dominant. Lukaku was fantastic and Barkley has made a starting spot his own.

I did think Kone could've been brought on with 10 minutes to go as Lukaku looked knackered and he could've held on to the ball, pressured their back 4 more etc.

 

[SLAVEN BILIC]

Is Barry available for this?

no gibbo will have to come in

 

[nigelcoyb]

Our cocks are enormous.

 

[Del]

I don't know how anyone could be happy with that performance.

Why??

 

[EFC Si]

thought newcastle were very fortunate to get two. We were unplayable at times, thoroughly satisfied. Well done Everton

 

[MickM86]

Wonderful first half, looked a proper team. Second Half was the opposite, we looked slower and the pace has gone, Lukaku was playing deeper and at one point was at right back. Great to get the win but shouldn't have conceded twice, almost nearly levelled as well and Newcastle were lively second half. I think Deulofeu needs to look up more and play the ball, he won't score from those angles. Gonna try and watch some highlights if I can.

 

[MickM86]

James McCarthy played well. I like him a lot, great vision.