Match Thread Everton v Southampton - Preview, Match Report and MotM poll

[spudmuncher]

The question still stands. We beat a team that will also struggle to reach that. I don’t think you can get the party poppers out just yet.

And these are the very games we've lost the last few seasons .... so let's look at it positively ... but you're right about the party poppers

 

[royalblue66]

A very good 2nd half - pick of the players Decouree MOTM before his fantastic goal - Rhico - Coleman.....all had great games ......a great starting win .......our midfield was one man as Allen was awful.....imo....

And our Taisman Wobes baby

 

[banno]

Doucoure for an immense performance and Richarlson followed closely for work rate and returning back to how we know he can play.
Great win for us and a good start but still going to be a tough season.
The friendly against Man Utd and the goal for Soton still shows we have mistakes in us. Don't think Benitez will suffer fools for too long

 

[bluelife]

COOOOME ON YOU BLUEEES

 

[Yank]

Still not a fan of the coach but my personal dislike is much smaller than a win.

Very happy with the 2nd half.

Richarlison proves again why he is the man

 

[banno]

And these are the very games we've lost the last few seasons .... so let's look at it positively ... but you're right about the party poppers

We are under no illusion of finishing top 4 or probably top 6 but every win deserves the party poppers out knowing we are not a great side

 

[superkeeper]

Went with Doucoure MOTM, but could’ve given it to Richarlison. For a lad that hasn’t had a break since the start of Covid-19, he didn’t look like a lad that was running the risk of burnout.

 

[Sagat]

Doucoure for an immense performance and Richarlson followed closely for work rate and returning back to how we know he can play.
Great win for us and a good start but still going to be a tough season.
The friendly against Man Utd and the goal for Soton still shows we have mistakes in us. Don't think Benitez will suffer fools for too long

That's the major concern really and I think it's what caused a change in system last season. We looked like we were going to score 4 every game for a spell but our dodgy defence costs us far too often.

I'm absolutely fed up with these players trying to play from the back. For years we have seen them constantly give it away and yet another season comes by and it all happens again

 

[kleew]

Players Rating

Pickford: 5 - Had a few poor kicks out of bounds. Could handle corners better. He clearly plays better with good defenders around him (England).

Coleman: 7 - Same old commitment

Keane, Holgate: 2 - Need a calm general along side, bundle of nerves with ball under their feet

Digne: 7 - Reliable and committed as usual

Allan: 5 - Still a bit off the pace, and commit rash foul to overcome his frustration

Doucoure: 8 - A work horse and clearly plays to Rafael's intention of him to be more forward into the box, a cracking of a goal that hopefully is not one off

Townsend: 8 - whipped in menacing crosses that our CFs need to have their timing rightly tuned to engage, a timely good assist

Gray: 7.5- lively and proof he can develop further with his speed driving into the box

Richarlison: 8.5 - A blinding cross that had everyone caught off guard, luckily not for Calvert-lewin

Calvert-Lewin: 8 - Does what a good CF does, score

Iwobi: 8 - Created the foul and assisted, was instrumental in the build up to 3rd goal as well

Yerry: 5 - Came on as a sub, could have been the calming General at the back

Gordon: 5 - Came on as a sub and had little time to proof anything


Rafael: 8 - Clearly the "one,two touches and pass" ideology to pass the forward makes our team more forward oriented rather than sideways and backward (aside from our two nervy CBs). The team also looks fitter after pre-season as can be seen from the pace in the 2nd half, unlike last two years their conditions are to be questioned. Hopefully he can proof all doubters wrong half way into the season and beyond.

COYB uttf

 

[Toffeelover]

Half time changes shows Rafael can read a game. In his interview on BBC he held up that there were mistakes he made but corrected them.

DCL's goal was shades of Gray.

 

[RomanReigns]

And these are the very games we've lost the last few seasons .... so let's look at it positively ... but you're right about the party poppers

Aye we needed to beat Sheffield United at
home to keep our European dream alive and we lost to them even though they had already been relegated

 

[Cmonefcsortitout!]

Much much better in the 2nd half, actually enjoyable to watch for a while. A deserved victory in the end. Well done to Rafael and the players for the 2nd half. Nice to hear cheering again, not the boos that the first half deserved! COYB!

 

[AmericasToffee]

When was the last time we won after trailing at the half?

September 2015

 

[gonetomorrow]

I think Gray will be an asset. He's very quick and obviously keen as anything..

 

[canuckblue]

September 2015

No wonder I couldn't remember. Then again, some days I can't remember what I had for breakfast.