Match Thread FA Cup, Hull City v Everton - Preview, Match Report and MotM Poll

[Toffeelover]

If people are trying to imply Gray and Gordon are having a pop at our fans. It's utter rubbish. They both came over after the game and applauded the fans (despite finishing on the bench) and gave their shirts to the travelling fans. They wouldn't do that if they were pissed off with the fans

They gave their shoirts to young Everton fans.

 

[mahermi1]

They gave their shoirts to young Everton fans.

Almost read that as shorts for a minute..

 

[mahermi1]

Mom Gray, followed by Gordon and Begovic. Decent and composed display from Gomes, Allan hard-working and combative.

 

[Toffeelover]

Almost read that as shorts for a minute..

Me and my typing, keyboard is too small.

 

[little elfin]

 

[everton1953]

Moyes would have said "we done good".

 

[Groucho]

No mention of the fact that the ref was allowing their scything tackles to go unpunished (Rondon on the edge of their penalty area being one example). Did not produce the yellow card on two occasions when our players were blatantly pulled back by Hull players. Did not give two blatant penalties that even the biased commentators admitted were penalties. Hull were only in the game for so long because the ref was 100% bent in their direction.

Or were you watching a different game to me...?

Why the nasty tone mate?

It’s nice to be nice.

 

[everton1953]

I think that Hull got their tactics right. Very quick, very aggressive in a way which would have brought a shower of yellow cards in the Pl. Gray and Gordon got kicked and pushed, and the ref was inadequate. In the circumstances, Gordon and Gray did particularly very well. Sadly, Rondon does appear to be a waste of space. I hope he is not selected again.

 

[ramacca]

Gray played very well at times yesterday and was very much instrumental in our win. It was a typical cup tie between a premier league club and one from the Championship at their place. But we found the grit and determination to see out the game. Which was much appreciated by our fans at the end despite the hostile atmosphere towards Benitez. Thought Townsend summed up the match and the team pretty well as did Benitez.

"It meant a hell of a lot. One thing we can say is we are still fighting," Townsend told BBC Sport.

"It seems in every game this season we've given ourselves a lot of work to do - we've either gone behind early or conceded a goal at some point," added the former England winger.

"But this team has character and when we cut the silly mistakes out early in the game hopefully we can go on a run and pick up some points in the league.

"We're getting players back, we've got a big squad and hopefully we can go far in this competition too."

Substitute Townsend returned from a fractured foot to win the game and under-pressure boss Benitez, who did not risk Dominic Calvert-Lewin after his recent return from injury, also praised Gray for playing through the pain.

"We started by making things difficult for ourselves but the reaction of the team, as usual, was quite good, which means that the players care," said the Toffees boss.

"Demarai played until we had to make the substitution because he was working so hard and Andros is injured but playing because he wants to help the team. That is the spirit you expect from our players."

Now for Leicester on Tuesday.

 

[Old Blue 2]

Why the nasty tone mate?

It’s nice to be nice.

You just rubbished the team's performance without mentioning everything that the Ref did not give for us. Had the Ref done things correctly, then they would have been nowhere near in the game to the extent that they were. The way it then panned out, they could have easily snatched a winner in the last few minutes, which would have been totally unjust.

I'm all for an objective, critical, view of our performances, but to just rubbish the team out-of-hand is just not right...

 

[Bluestar]

No mention of the fact that the ref was allowing their scything tackles to go unpunished (Rondon on the edge of their penalty area being one example). Did not produce the yellow card on two occasions when our players were blatantly pulled back by Hull players. Did not give two blatant penalties that even the biased commentators admitted were penalties. Hull were only in the game for so long because the ref was 100% bent in their direction.

Or were you watching a different game to me...?

I do agree, the FACup Giant killing rules were being used by the ref yesterday.

We could have been home and hosed in normal time but for him.

 

[Old Blue 2]

I think that Hull got their tactics right. Very quick, very aggressive in a way which would have brought a shower of yellow cards in the Pl. Gray and Gordon got kicked and pushed, and the ref was inadequate. In the circumstances, Gordon and Gray did particularly very well. Sadly, Rondon does appear to be a waste of space. I hope he is not selected again.

A ref certified to officiate at the highest level in English football was not inadequate. He deliberately did not give us decisions that were as clear as day. Until refs are visibly accountable, then that kind of rock-bottom, poor, performance from refs will continue...

 

[Groucho]

You just rubbished the team's performance without mentioning everything that the Ref did not give for us. Had the Ref done things correctly, then they would have been nowhere near in the game to the extent that they were. The way it then panned out, they could have easily snatched a winner in the last few minutes, which would have been totally unjust.

I'm all for an objective, critical, view of our performances, but to just rubbish the team out-of-hand is just not right...

Relax fella

 

[Caolam]

A win at Hull City seems to have polarised GOT. Some are looking at it as a disaster others as the reawakening of the sleeping giant. The truth lies somewhere in the middle. There were pluses and there were minuses.
Pluses include
a win;
Gray, Gordon, Gomes;
fight and determination;
no injurie;
team spirit; and
3 goals.

Minuses include
it was an under strength Hull City;
can’t defend set pieces;
conceded 2;
playing 5 at the back;
over run for first 20 minutes; and
Rondon continues to be the waste of a shirt.

I don’t think this win moves us on any nor do I believe it sets us back, for me all the issues we have in the Premier League remain. If it installs a bit of confidence in the players then very good let us see them kick on, if it emboldens Benitez in his belief that the tactics and selection policy he is following is the only way to go then I fear we may be in for a rude awakening over the coming weeks.

But today we are winners, so I would advise all blues to enjoy the moment.

 

[Daveysgingerlovechild]

Strange game yesterday. In patches we looked good going forwards, but we didn't half cede possession at times. It's not so bad doing that if you've got a solid defence. You can look to counter.

We need a midfielder or two who are genuine competition and back up. Two get swamped, but I'm not sure there's the (reliable) bodies to start a 3.

Rondon looks like he's ready for playing out his days in league 1.