Everton finally look like a proper unit

There were big individual highlights in Everton’s performance, with Pickford’s reaction and Garner’s influence setting the tone. There was a growing belief that the table would be attacked.

I really can’t remember a game where every Everton player played well and scored 7 or more. Fair play for Pickford too. His head may be gone after last week, but that just goes to show how mature he is now compared to when he first arrived. Another world-class save.

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Jimmy Garner is just a top footballer. He’s the most complete player I can remember we’ve had. This shows his intelligence, knowing what Beto wants as a striker and playing to his strengths.

It was almost a replica of our 4-0 win over Leicester City, with Jimmy bringing him on early in the game, although this time it ended in a much more difficult situation. He looked like peak Crespo against Liverpool.

Beto and Idrissa will convert moments into goals

His other goal started with some fine work from Idrissa who, as usual, sniffed out danger and scored with a deft touch. Beto, playing Fofana, looked nonchalant before bursting into space with plenty of room to shoot. Huge luck, but fair play to him, he deserves it.

Ndiaye then converted his goal one-on-one with a fine win in the air. It’s the kind of ruthless, simple thing we don’t always do well enough.

KDH and levels still need to be improved

KDH has been so good for us that I wouldn’t dig him out for a second, but if he improves his passing game, he can take the next level. He’s a great ball-carrier with an instinct for being in the right position to create or score a goal, and he has a powerful engine, but he can be wasteful in his pass selection.

His crosses rarely beat the first man and his through balls are often cut out or passed to the goalkeeper. Compare him to Jimmy who rarely concedes the ball. His passing accuracy is usually above 90%. Garner’s fitness also sets him apart, as he never stops playing.

Moyes, faith and the big picture

The magician is simply extraordinary. Hopefully he means it when he says he wants to win for Everton. In terms of ability, he could play for any team in the Premier League and his level will rise once he plays with better players around him. In fact, we limited his performance because some of the players around and behind him were average.

It may sound a bit psychological that we should be pushing for the Champions League given our performances in recent years, but you have to remember that Newcastle and Villa have been successful in recent seasons. Even Manchester United did it this season despite sleeping half the time. Before (Emery/Howe) came in and qualified for the Champions League, those two were in a similar position to us.

This is also a testament to Moyes. I’ve said it many times: his football may be boring, but half his team isn’t very good. He has managed to take us from a relegation position to the top half of the table, which despite being very tight, is still not far from fourth place as most of the players are the same as those who came before him.

He managed to get more help from the likes of Keane and especially Garner. He even got McNeil fitter and running more because he was pretty much just a Palace player.

Tonight, after Brighton won, the Reds lost and Fulham beat Burnley, it was a huge result. It’s a tight game but the teams in front of and around us are in contention and Liverpool and Chelsea have no easy remaining fixtures. Villa should be in the top four because they are friendly.

Next we will play Brentford, we are stronger away from home. Hopefully Leeds can do something tonight and then we can correct the blow they gave us and get four or three points ahead. Liverpool got Fulham first and then us. If we beat the Reds then we have a chance of getting into Europe. Apart from Manchester City, we can win the rest of the games.

I also watched an interesting video of Kieran Maguire speaking to the Everton Fans YouTube channel. He introduced our FFP situation and Chelsea, then talked about the improvements TFG had made and what the investment in the team over the summer was actually like. He may not have considered the possibility of us qualifying for the Champions League but after tonight we are in it.

The next two home games couldn’t be tougher, but at least we go into them with confidence after beating the current Club World Cup champions in three games and keeping clean sheets.

Written by BlueNose1878 March 21, 2026 22:11:28

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