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A great comment on this is attached below...not mine btw
 
 
Multiple things wrong with this article. 1) Everton currently have 34 points, 4 points more than they had at the same stage last season. 2) Everton are currently 2 points off 1st place in the league. At the same stage last season, Everton were 12 points off 1st place. 3) Everton have 4 away wins so far this season - the same number they achieved in the WHOLE of last season. 4) You're comparing a home win over Man Utd with an away win over Man Utd, and a home draw with Arsenal with an away draw with Arsenal as like-for-like achievements when they clearly aren't. 5) Moyes never won away at 'Sky 4' club in 11 years at Everton. Martinez won away at Man Utd in his first attempt. 6) Everton have a better goal difference than they did at the same stage last season. 7) Everton have conceded less goals this season, than they had done under Moyes at the same stage last season. Everton are in a far better place under Martinez than they were under Moyes. Author seems to be a Moyes apologist.

"A giant-killing in the FA Cup final, the misery of relegation, a dramatic transfer in the final minutes of deadline day – 2013 has been a rollercoaster for Everton’s player of the month":
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/mad-year-turns-out-well-for-evertons-james-mccarthy-9019101.html
 
I love this quote: “It’s been a year of ups and downs, highs and lows, but nothing tops signing for a club like Everton.” Good lad.

Laudrup wasn't paying attention, Mike. He was reminiscing his Barcelona days via day dreams, in fact, judging by Swansea's form over the past 8-9 months, he's been doing it a lot.

Hi guys, firstly I would like to say well done to your away support today, the best I have seen at the Liberty.
 
Secondly, great game today, you beat us with 2 great finishes.
 
Now, the reason I wanted to post on here....our joke of a steward.
 
We are located in the East stand, to your left, where all the singing starts.
 
We could not believe what we were seeing when that idiot threw out that young lad that gave the ball back to Gerry. We were all booing and chanting to let him back in.
 
Anyway, please accept this apology on behalf of all right minded Swansea fans.
 
One day, we may beat you in the Prem.
 
BTW, you have a great manager there in Martinez, he is doing a great job and I can see you in CL next season if you carry on the way you are going.

"A giant-killing in the FA Cup final, the misery of relegation, a dramatic transfer in the final minutes of deadline day – 2013 has been a rollercoaster for Everton’s player of the month":
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/mad-year-turns-out-well-for-evertons-james-mccarthy-9019101.html
 
I love this quote: “It’s been a year of ups and downs, highs and lows, but nothing tops signing for a club like Everton.” Good lad.

"A giant-killing in the FA Cup final, the misery of relegation, a dramatic transfer in the final minutes of deadline day – 2013 has been a rollercoaster for Everton’s player of the month":
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/mad-year-turns-out-well-for-evertons-james-mccarthy-9019101.html
 
I love this quote: “It’s been a year of ups and downs, highs and lows, but nothing tops signing for a club like Everton.” Good lad.

gareth farelly kept us up..that's all i can ever remember about him

'In a sense, Barton was right: Barry is a manager's player rather than a darling of the media or the terraces.'
 
"The job I do is an unspectacular one so maybe the Everton fans have the ability to look at the game a bit differently to fans at other clubs and appreciate what I do...."
 
Knowledgeable fans us Blues .

This. I know I've said this before, but I don't understand why people say he wasn't great the second time around. 6 assists in 9 matches played. I'm not sure those were all starts either. Sure, there were no goals that time around. But his effect on our play was dramatic.

Maybe we could put in a cheeky joint bid for him, Ryan "The Scottish Messi" Gauld and John Souttar? Dundee United's young trio are attracting an increasing amount of attention, largely due to all the clubs checking out Gauld, but we've been linked with Souttar for a while now and if we made an offer for all three (maybe with a loan back for the rest of the season) we might be able to steal a march on all those clubs sniffing around Gauld.
 
I jest. I think.
 
http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/sport/dundee-united/everton-join-gauld-chase-1.146968

Im with MikeO. I can certainly see where the logic is coming from but there seems to be a Myth that Everton where defensively sound under Moyes and that Martinez was completely incapable of getting his sides to defend.
 
As we all know, in recent seasons we have not been tight at the back. Didnt it take us until January or something stupid to keep a clean sheet last year? After 3ish years together under Moyes we were still seeing the same mistakes between Jags and Distin (in terms of their lack of cohesion as a partnership) and at the moment they are probably looking as good as they ever have done, especially Distin. When Moyes came in he made us really difficult to beat and I loved that as it was exactly what we needed but we have never looked the same in that sense since Lescott was sold. We went through spells but nothing more than a handful of games.
 
At Wigan Martinez could actually get his team to defend. When they were 5 at the back against some of the big teams they looked excellent. The problem was that he could only afford Championship defenders (which is a compliment to Caldwell) and the PL defenders he brought in systematically got injured and rarely played together. Its hard enough buying a ball playing defender when you have mega bucks lets alone when your shopping in the bargain bucket. As a result a lot of individual errors cost Wigan last season and the season before and whilst I wouldnt argue that Martinez should take some of the responsibility for forcing his players to play a certain way, its not like it didnt work when all the cogs were fit and available.
 
I certainly dont deny that the players here have helped Martinez implement what he wants on the pitch but to credit Moyes for our defensive play especially when McCarthy and Barry have had such a big impact in those defensive midfield areas is incredibly harsh on Martinez and his ability as a manager.

“I knew when I heard Martinez was coming in I’d get my chance this season,” he says. “I’d seen the way he was with Callum McManaman and James McCarhthy at Wigan, that he gives young players their chance.
“I knew I was the type of player to suit him because he’s a really tactical manager who likes to build up the play. So I felt confident this could be the season I’d break through.”
 
I love that!

Why Barcelona chose Everton to educate their latest prodigy:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/why-barcelona-chose-everton-to-educate-their-latest-prodigy-8990909.html

Why Barcelona chose Everton to educate their latest prodigy:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/why-barcelona-chose-everton-to-educate-their-latest-prodigy-8990909.html

Haha. Motd couldn't have made us look any worse and utd any better.

Well that's the second game in a row that we've controlled from start to finish, which shows that we're growing and getting more accustomed to the tactics that Martinez has implemented.
 
First half we lacked the intensity that we showed in the derby. It's understandable but it was still disappointing to go back to doing everything too slowly. We had all the ball and kept hold of it extremely well but due to the slowness we really did struggle to create much. So while we were the dominant side it was hard for us to get through Stoke, they may have a new manager but they're still a very well organised side. It was looking like it'd be another game against them where we'd have to grind something out of the game. It was telling that on one of the few occasions that we changed up the pace of our play in that half that we opened them up and managed to get our noses in front. It was a sublime bit of interplay between Pienaar, Deulofeu and Barry to work the opening. You could argue that there was a bit of luck that the ball found it's way from Barry to Deulofeu but that luck was earned because they had the balls to take the chance. Getting the goal right before half time was key I think. If we'd gone in 0-0 I don't think we'd have played the way we did in the second half. It was a kick in the bollocks to Stoke and a confidence boost for us (and for Deulofeu).
 
Second half we were much, much better and now as well as controlling the game we were dominating it. We weren't fully fluent in our play but we played much quicker and with bucket loads of confidence, which meant that we no longer struggled to create chances. We were creating them almost at will. Each and every one of our players looked like they were enjoying themselves out there. Especially Deulofeu. He looked like he was having the time of his life. I know I was enjoying watching him play. Literally every time he got the ball I was on the edge of my seat, just waiting to see what he'd do. It was no surprise that we went on to score another three goals this half, and in truth we could have had even more goals.
 
The biggest things to take from this game are that despite us not being anywhere near our best we still managed to completely control the game, score four goals against a good defensive side, stop the opposition being a threat and keep a clean sheet. Roll on United.
 
 
Howard - Barely needed at all but kept his concentration well so that the couple of times he was needed he was perfect.
 
 
Coleman - I really must be missing something with him this season but I'm not seeing the rampaging attacker from last season, and yesterday was no different. He looks reluctant to push forward when he gets the ball with space in front of him. Maybe it's a tactical thing, I don't know. I did think he handled himself well defensively yesterday. Especially early on while Deulofeu became accustomed to being asked to track back etc. And even though it was flukey as hell he was in the right place at the right time to get a goal.
 
Jagielka - Despite us not being tested too much defensively I thought he still managed to look very solid. He was in complete control all game long, and his distribution was pretty good too.
 
Distin - His distribution wasn't quite as good as Jags', IMO, with a couple of misplaced tackles and long balls to no one, but he looked unruffled in his general defensive play.
 
Oviedo - With not playing much recently it was understandable that he might start out a bit hesitant. And he did. He just kept things simple and didn't really try much. But as the game wore on his confidence visibly grew and he pushed further and further up the pitch and his interplay with other players improved. His goal highlighted how his confidence had grew - shooting from outside the area on his weaker foot. We didn't feel Baines' absence whatsoever as an attacking force. In fact, you could argue that Oviedo was a bit of an improvement as he also got himself an assist, which is something Baines doesn't have this season.
 
 
Deulofeu - I'd wanted him to start and the lad did not disappoint at all. He was eager to impress right from the start (probably a bit too eager at times) and was a constant bright spark for us. His positivity is a beacon for others, he was never wanting to take the negative option or the easy option. It was go forward or go home. Their left back will be having nightmares for weeks because Gerard tore him apart at will. The end product wasn't always there, which needs to improve (and will the more he plays), but he makes things happen. While the end product wasn't perfect he still managed to score a beautiful goal and grab himself an assist. So he is learning. And his ability to run at pace and have amazing control of the ball was just frightening. I thought he also worked hard defensively too. At first he seemed a bit confused about what was being asked of him (not an unwillingness to help out) but the longer the game went on the better he positioned himself to help out Coleman.
 
McCarthy - Probably his best performance for us yesterday and I hope the doubters are coming round. He dominated the midfield for us. He might do it more quietly than Fellaini but he's no less effective. Not much got past him all game long and he was incredibly disciplined - not only in tracking runners but also not launching himself into any tackles that could have brought his fifth booking of the season and a suspension. He was also our engine room, his energy levels knew no bounds. What I loved most about him yesterday was his willingness to drive forward with the ball, which is something he's more than capable of and I've wanted him to do more. Yesterday he did and he almost got himself his first goal for us because of it.
 
Barry - Quietly but methodically mopped up everything in front of the defence. And due to our dominance he was also able to push forward at times.
 
Pienaar - He won't get the plaudits that Deulofeu did from many but I thought he oozed class yesterday. He buzzed about all over the pitch, linked up well with every one, played a massive part in our first goal, he used the ball intelligently all game long (I doubt he gave the ball away very often), he worked hard to help out Oviedo. He made us tick and gave the likes of Deulofeu that platform to do their thing. He just did everything for me. There wasn't a negative point to his game, IMO. My MOTM.
 
 
Osman - Look, there's no doubt we lost quite a lot by having him play in place of Barkley and after his first half showing I thought it was going to be another typical game of his where he doesn't really do anything wrong but he doesn't really do anything at all. But second half I thought he played well tbh. He got himself involved and kept the ball moving for us.
 
 
Lukaku - A quiet game from him with the odd glimpse of his obvious class. The main one being his movement for his goal. That was top quality. If he's still going to score when he's not on his game then it doesn't really matter.

"Every time Everton leave Gerard Deulofeu on the bench, his contract decrees that the money they have to pay Barcelona for his season-long loan rises. Saturday's derby against Liverpool might be the day Roberto Martinez decides to save the club some cash and give the 19-year-old winger his first league start."
 
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/pete-jenson-barcelonas-gifted-gerard-deulofeu-can-make-the-difference-for-everton-in-saturdays-derby-8950451.html

this has nothing to do with this thread, but is anybody getting slightly pissed with everyone cumming over southampton... we also have three english internationals in our first team, an excellent youth setup, spent far less than this club and never got relegated in the meantime....yet nothing is ever said about us but saints are supposidly a role model for other teams in the premiership at the moment.

If Kone had played like Lukaku last Saturday the mob with pitch forks would already be assembling. Give him a chance ffs.

Congratulations to Amy Fearn for becoming the first woman to referee an FA Cup match (albeit between two non-league teams). I couldn't help but notice that one of the assistant referees in that game was black. This begs the question: Why, in the 21st century, are almost all referees white males? It's like the world of commercial aviation: almost all pilots are white males. In some jobs, it seems, it takes an awfully long time to overcome stereotypical hiring. Maybe we need some affirmative action to allow women and minorities to break into these fields.
 
Plus, we need to keep holding feet to the fire - such as in the case of Andy Gray, whose comments against a female assistant referee were disgraceful.

Another interesting feature and interview with "Mr Martinez", this time with Henry Winter:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/10422651/Roberto-Martinez-is-transforming-Everton.html

Another interesting feature and interview with "Mr Martinez", this time with Henry Winter:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/10422651/Roberto-Martinez-is-transforming-Everton.html

Another interesting feature and interview with "Mr Martinez", this time with Henry Winter:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/everton/10422651/Roberto-Martinez-is-transforming-Everton.html

Equal treatment from refs would help.

Wow, I'm SO surprised!
 
I didn't like it but it is what it is.