***Everton v Champions Official Match Thread***

[zuricity]

Looked at the second goal. Dias was sold a short pass and recovered it very well finding Doku fortunately. Doku in to Gundogan who fed Kova. Kova scored falling over.

Did you not see it live ? The lay off from gundo was a bit poor, but kova managed enough power on the shot inspite slipping as he shot. Take it anyway, settles the nerves and gives City 3 pts .

[blues2win]

I did but you pick up details on replays sometimes.

[Mase]

O’Reilly has done fine at left back provided Gvardiol gives him cover. We have a problem there and he’s solved it pro tem. What’s wrong with that? I bet you O’Reilly is thrilled to be playing in the first team. There’ll be a lot of changes after this terrible injury hit season. Let’s see how we go then. For now scrape top 5 and win the Cup. Most teams would be thrilled.

Pretty much bang on -

“I mean, my second Premier League goal, it’s an amazing feeling,” he declared.

“And it was an amazing feeling running over to the fans to celebrate. It’s crazy. It feels like my dreams are coming true.

“But it’s only the start. I need to keep going.

“I mean I’m enjoying it [playing left-back]. It’s a tough challenge adapting to that new position.

“But I’m just learning every day. I’m just glad I’m getting some game time.”

[Hazy2]

Great to see us get the job done. Nico. A player.

[salford city]

Great to see us get the job done. Nico. A player.

Would like to see young Nico alongside Rodders legs and strength. Throw in the other Nico and suddenly we have options

[stupot]

Cracking result that, only 2 in contention for MOTM and that's O’Reilly and Gvardiol but they'd only lost 1 since Moyes came back and that was 1-0 to the dippers so this was a tough game and other than the header that hit the post and a couple of routine saves for Ortega they never threatened

[Mase]

Cracking result that, only 2 in contention for MOTM and that's O’Reilly and Gvardiol but they'd only lost 1 since Moyes came back and that was 1-0 to the dippers so this was a tough game and other than the header that hit the post and a couple of routine saves for Ortega they never threatened

The header that Branthwaite had where Ortega made himself big was a decent chance.

[Redna]

3 pts. Spoiled bastards we've become.
Wembley next.
St Beneathus day aswell.
CTID!

[Whassat]

What a player Nico is turning into. Very nicely tutored by Pep.

[sheblue]

A very poor performance but a huge relief to get the 3 points.
But pep got away with it in many ways. Why he left bernard silver on when he had his worst game of his career was mind boggling.
And Kev, cheers but time is up. Gundog, hopefully he's only staying on in a coaching capacity because he is not at this level anymore.
This won't be popular but nunes had a good game and has improved a lot in recent months.
Nico O has been excellent he's made a huge difference to us. Looks like he has a very bright future as a midfielder.

[Mase]

A very poor performance but a huge relief to get the 3 points.

You’re not allowed to be honest and say we didn’t perform well, otherwise you’ll be accused of being spoiled. Bernardo was class! What a player!! Our football was sublime - fast, direct, Everton couldn’t cope with us.

Pep’s tactics were spot on. And look at the coaching he’s doing with O’Reilly - forget about the academy he’s spent years in, it’s Pep that’s making him into this fantastic player.

Brilliant game.

[Mase]

I think we can all agree that Josko is a CB and not a LB. Hes been great since moving back inside. MOTM yesterday.

[blues2win]

Agree about Josko although to some extent we miss his line breaking passes. Still with teams sitting deep against us he gets plenty of the ball. Maybe we’ll play a back three next season with Khusanov on the Right and Dias central. In that case we need a couple of wing backs. O’Reilly can play left wing back but Pep seems to see him playing in attacking midfield.

[blues2win]

https://x.com/ofbmar/status/19138677386 ... 9Awxy5lqVQ

These clips of Josko show he played plenty of line breaking passes so I was wrong about that. He’s got decent pace too. Not sure where Ake fits in next season if he stays. Rotates occasionally with Josko I suppose. Certainly he’s no wing back.

[Mase]

https://x.com/ofbmar/status/1913867738658886142?s=61&t=6ifllXVJePmO9Awxy5lqVQ

These clips of Josko show he played plenty of line breaking passes so I was wrong about that. He’s got decent pace too. Not sure where Ake fits in next season if he stays. Rotates occasionally with Josko I suppose. Certainly he’s no wing back.

Class that. I think we need to be realistic with Ake - he’s going to be injured and a bit part player. Has his use in the Cups I think, but we can’t go into next season relying on him or Stones to stay fit. Although I think Stones will only have a year left on his contract so expect him to be giving 100% and fit for every game.

[MIAMCFC]

Great to see us get the job done. Nico. A player.

Would like to see young Nico alongside Rodders legs and strength. Throw in the other Nico and suddenly we have options

Yes. It shows that Pep, has trust in him and Nico has what we need. The goal is a thing of beauty, and very few players have that instinct. It’s like a combo of Sergio and Lampard. One player read the play. It’s like we have our own Bellingham. Sorry Mase, I know that’s a swear word hahaha….