I certainly came away thinking "Wharton is the real deal" reminded me of a young Ben Watson only better -

I agree with all of this. The players really bust a gut last night and it was one of those games where the subs really gave the advantage to the billionaires club. I also thought the ref issues and the delayed kick off caused our players to lose focus at the start of the second half. It was the same for both teams so you can't complain, but that was my take.

Taking this game in isolation I feel much better about things as the players showed they have the heart for the battle. Lerma looked like he shed a tear when he scored. The Everton game is all about the result though. After the previous two seasons it would be great to beat them at their place. Maybe the away fans could invade the pitch!

Edited by taylors lovechild (13 Feb 2024 7.21am)

Good to read positive comments about the game at last. A different and enterprising lineup and the new boys looked were a revelation. Munoz and Wharton excellent. Franca, for a 19 yr old got stuck in although he gave the ball away a few time and tired towards the end. Lerma's goal was a delight.

From my seat in front of the TV it certainly looked like the whole team really made a huge effort. Hope Roy goes with the same lineup next week, but swaps Johnstone for Henderson.

Dad and I watched games standing on the muddy slope of the Holmesdale Road end. He cheered and I rattled.

At last we played some of our young talent. They gave us hope fight and something to be proud of. OK not the final polished article but alt least we had hope.
We attacked!!!
I thought those days were over.
All our new boys bar the keeper looked very good.
Whoever brainwashed our management to play attacking football needs to keep the pressure on.
Chelsea played very very well and for 90 minutes our young boys gave them a run for their money. If we keep playing our youngsters they will improve. Really.
Bring back Johnston and everything will be fine. Really.

Let's start from the fact that despite the 23% of possesion(during which in the fist half we didn't give them any chance to shoot)the overall performance was much better than the Brighton and the Arsenal one. If you allow Gallagher to shoot then you are in trouble. The third goal was an unfortunate Munoz sliding. Roy's changes could have come a bit earlier and IMO at the moment it took place, Ozoh would have been a better choice than Ahamada. The facts are that you concede two goals in injury time(again). As for the Henderson haters, his record is fourteen goals in the last four premier leauge games. Personally my wish is for the best of the team's interests(i.e.results) and I believe that with Sam in goal we are in a better position to achieve it.

A lousy result but we fought and bar a couple of individual errors when we ball watched as opposed to marking Gallagher, we looked better than we have for a while.
Wharton is looking comfortable and is a real talent and Franca will grow up quickly.
Munoz is an upgrade and one hopes that with Ward fit that Hodgson will not be tempted to tinker.
It was a positive defeat in my mind but the late goals scenario is very frustrating - we do not try and shut the game down when we should.
Anderson couldn't pass wind last night - from what I saw - which is a shame as it is normally the best part of his game.
Everton will, as others have said, be tougher than that and I expect a defeat there, which means the Burnley game is an absolute 6 pointer, which along with maybe three other fixtures might save our bacon.
Fan support was amazing!!!!!