Match Thread Fulham 1-2 Everton. Sat Feb 7th. 3pm

[Kevsleftpeg]

In fairness, on form it should be Tarky who drops out for JB not Michael Keane. Tarky hasn't really been as solid this season and got turned easily again a few times yesterday.

Michael Keane is still just as bad imho. It’s just our expectations are so low if he only messes up once or twice a game we are relieved.

 

[Eggs]

Definitely and that is more evident when he is playing next to Keane. Branthwaite is a much better partner for him and likewise possibly for Keane if it went the other way.

….there’s a huge element of leadership in Tarkowski’s position in the team that shouldn’t be underestimated, especially with Moyes tendency to select so many young footballers.

Going out onto the pitch, you look around for players who are winners, who won’t be intimidated by the opposition. I’d be sure it’s also part of Gueye’s involvement. Both will be transitioned in the next 18 months but don’t underestimate their influence on performances like yesterday.

 

[coollino]

….there’s a huge element of leadership in Tarkowski’s position in the team that shouldn’t be underestimated, especially with Moyes tendency to select so many young footballers.

Going out onto the pitch, you look around for players who are winners, who won’t be intimidated by the opposition. I’d be sure it’s also part of Gueye’s involvement. Both will be transitioned in the next 18 months but don’t underestimate their influence on performances like yesterday.

Get your hat ready

 

[Iana]

Apparently there was abit of trouble with their mob after the game.

A few of our fans were stabbed with pitta breads and had hummus rubbed in their eyes.

Need to watch your back round Fulham these days.

They were wholemeal ones as well…top,top firm.

 

[Bkk Andy]

I think Tarkowski has lost a yard of pace. His reactions are definitely slower. With Brathwaite fit he has a decision to make soon.

He's definitely in decline and it looks like it might be accelerating. He definitely can't be starting next season unless it's an emergency. I don't know how he'd cope being a sub either. It's not something that he's had to face before.

 

[Exeter_Gently]

They were wholemeal ones as well…top,top firm.

"Proppa Norrty" as Mr Daniel Dyer of East Londonshire would say.

 

[Vaughan]

For the second goal, would the trajectory of the ball have taken it into the net if keeper hadn’t punched it in?

If yes, should it have been KDH goal?

i don’t think it was heading into the net and a defender or attacker would have struck the ball had leno not punched it

also it didn’t deflect , he completely changed the trajectory

hilarious goal

 

[Iana]

Had a fantastic day down at the Cottage yesterday.

Lunch by the river, 3 points in the bag and a post match celebration with other Evertonians in the Eight Bells pub and a very short journey home.

Sitting in the home section of the Putney Stand next to the away fans is a surreal experience. The Fulham fans near me seemed to be more intent on having a social catch-up than watching the match…two blokes behind me spent the whole of the first half talking about moving house!

Hats off to all Evertonians who gave the team tremendous support throughout…it was great to see and hear.

 

[Swartzy]

Yeah the ball wasn't heading in, but that could have been possibly the 3rd O'Brien goal involvement ruled out, if they had.

 

[smileychap]

i don’t think it was heading into the net and a defender or attacker would have struck the ball had leno not punched it

also it didn’t deflect , he completely changed the trajectory

hilarious goal

O brien is my player highlight this season.

Apart from his volleyball moment, the application he's shown to make RB work, readiness to use his size up the other end... We haven't even seen the best of him in his proper position yet which is CB. Stand out attitude to help offset the atrocious planning around FBs this season.

Seeing him and JB back, with Pickford .... Solid as.

 

[liamefc91]

Not sure its been mentioned but i love the reaction after equalising… kdh obviously celebrating but in a rush to get the game going again because they knew they could go on to win it

 

[ClausThomsen]

Pitty you had to go and look up league average and spend time typing up all that when you and everyone else on here knows exactly what i ment.

Your concern and pity for my wasted typing time is touching. Not to worry though, it really didn't take more than a google search, some very simple maths and a couple of minutes to type up.

Similarly you could have saved yourself some typing by posting what you meant rather than stating an entirely fictional scenario about league positions as a fact.

 

[ClausThomsen]

In fairness, on form it should be Tarky who drops out for JB not Michael Keane. Tarky hasn't really been as solid this season and got turned easily again a few times yesterday.

Agreed. Keane has been awful on several occasions over the years but for the last two seasons he has often played much better than Tarkowski.

But because Tarkowski makes overt displays of pub league aggression and winds opposition players up he gets a free pass from a lot of people. It has it's place for sure and he's a great backs to the wall sitting deep defender but ultimately there's a reason clubs with real ambitions have never come sniffing.

Looking forward to the day we get an actual RB in the squad and those two are competing for a place on the bench behind O'Brien and Branthwaite at CB.

 

[Cameron Manning]

Michael Keane is still just as bad imho. It’s just our expectations are so low if he only messes up once or twice a game we are relieved.

I think you are being very kind to Keane there Kev.

 

[Cameron Manning]

Agreed. Keane has been awful on several occasions over the years but for the last two seasons he has often played much better than Tarkowski.

But because Tarkowski makes overt displays of pub league aggression and winds opposition players up he gets a free pass from a lot of people. It has it's place for sure and he's a great backs to the wall sitting deep defender but ultimately there's a reason clubs with real ambitions have never come sniffing.

Looking forward to the day we get an actual RB in the squad and those two are competing for a place on the bench behind O'Brien and Branthwaite at CB.

If O’Brien and Branthwaite become a regular pairing then be ready for O’Brien to get plenty of stick, he’s not that good a footballer whatever position he plays in although right back shows how poor he is and even though right back isn’t his proper position a lot of fans think he has played very well there, I beg to differ.