Lyndon

I’m not convinced that pass to Alcaraz was on.

The quality of our football has improved so much that we can be optimistic even when we drop points. It has been a while since it was last like this. Beto's luck will improve. His misses were disappointing but if he and the team keep creating them, then he will bag a few more before the end of the season.

Neil (1) Neither was I. From the back row of the away section it seemed to me a shot at goal was the better option. There were defenders running back to cover a squared ball. I shall watch the recording with interest.

Agreed, Neil and John now that I've been able to watch the replay back properly. It felt like an obvious pass at the time but, you're right, it wasn't on unless he checked inside, at which point the two covering defenders would have been in his way.

I've amended the report to be more charitable to Beto.

Agreed it is something to be enjoyed that we are disappointed to come away with only a point.

Lyndon, I do feel sorry for those back at Toffeeweb charged with filling the void you have left. Rather than regaling them for being substandard, I will compliment you on your ability as a wordsmith.

Sitting here in Melbourne, your report is the closest I will get to ‘being there’.

Not long back. For the neutrals, that was a really good match to watch.

There is a difference in the players. At 1-0 down, even though we could and should have been in the lead, they didn't give in.

A bit sloppy at times in giving away possession and putting crosses in that were easy pickings for their keeper, but in the main a good performance and well earned point.

I thought Alcaraz had scored a beauty and was almost jumping from my seat. Close but not to be.

We still can't say we are mathematically safe, but it would take a strange turn of events for us not to be.

No problem Lyndon, I was only making an observation and not a criticism. It was more in disappointment that we didnt get the win. With 3 One on Ones Beto should have converted at least one. What impressed me in previous games are his incredible speed off the mark which gives us a huge options when we are defending against a high defensive line and before tonight is clinical finishing. He was at least 10m behind the Brentford defender for the third chance.

A great report as always, Lyndon, but a bit harsh on Beto in my view. He really only bollixed the first chance, where he made the wrong decision after regaining his feet. The second shot was well struck and saved only by luck, and the third was an elegant chip that was headed for a top corner finish. Flekken's save was brilliant, a worthy gamesaver.

It's also worth noting that we haven't had a striker in years who could even generate chances like this. Not since Lukaku have we had someone upfront with the pace and timing to split central defenders with regularity. Beto will never be a great finisher, but I submit he's significantly superior to the guy he replaced. (The one who is playing out his contract.)

That is good point Mike #8. I can't remember the last time I saw an Everton striker splitting the defence and bearing down on goal 3 times in a game (yes THREE times!). Lukaku left 8 years ago so it has been a long wait.

Disappointed with a point would not have scored the goal with dyche as manager one full.back crossing and another scoring from the cross another point from safety

Difficult to know if we should be angry at dropping 2 points or happy the undefeated run continues. For my two penneth I think Beto has had a great little run but last night perhaps his true ability shone through. His first touch is poor, his ability to hold a ball up with his back to goal is equally as poor, he is absolutely whole hearted and is a willing runner. He is most effective when running on to through balls, but beyond that I do not see a premiership footballer who will carry us forward. A great trier but not a quality striker.

I thought Beto was a tad unlucky last night, he made a mess of the first chance with a poor second touch but the other 2 were good efforts foiled by a combination of good goalkeeping and luck on the part of the keeper. He's a strong physical footballer and surprisingly pretty fast hence credit to him for making the opportunity and asking questions of the keeper. I wasn't down at all about dropping 2 points yesterday, it's night and day from Dycheball and great to be able to watch a game knowing we will give it 100% despite the injuries we have.

I thought Beto was unlucky not to get one last night and am confident if he plays all 11 games, he will pick up about 4/5 more goals at least.

It was notable that in the 2nd half Brentford played much deeper to nullify his threat in behind. That allowed us to gain territory and play in their half.

Under Moyes we actually try to move the ball, create space and trust the players. This led to numerous excellent crossing positions, which were wasted until the goal.

After we scored Brentford pushed up again and Beto got the final chance (which he did brilliant to latch onto). Against teams who play a high line and with players now attempting to create, he'll get chances.

It's fascinating watching Everton atm. After the tactical turpitude of recent years the change is fundamental. There's a coaching team who have a plan based on the players available, are willing to tweak and amend things and actual evidence (O'brien, Beto, Lindstrom) of proactive 1-2-1 coaching.

Coaching to try and improve things? Now there's a novel idea!

Thanks Lyndon for your top class reports. You're a fan but your reports are as good as if not better than those of the best football journalists.

The fact Beto is getting those chances is a step forward even if he was unlucky/not good enough on the night to convert at least one.

Equally as important as making chances is our general play. Night and day compared to what we've mostly seen for s good few years.

The players actually look competent football players!

A Lyndon Lloyd report with an afternoon cuppa (too early for a glass of …) what else could you ask for.

Moyes giving credit to Beto for getting into positions in order to get those chances is man management at its best - and one with which I completely agree. We need to exercise the purchase option on Charly at the end of the season; retain Pickford, Branthwaite, O’Brien and Garner as well as Ndaiye and we have the basis to start the long climb back to the higher echelons of the PL. Thank you Mr Moyes.

Moyes was NOT impressed with Harrison then - could be his last game for us with those stats

https://www.goodisonnews.com/2025/02/27/moyes-could-axe-harrison-from-everton-role-as-touchline-footage-emerges/

Considering we have, basically, only 11 fit players, with some of them running on empty, Mr Moyes is doing a miraculous coaching job.

Ashley Young is our go to sub seemingly for every eventuality, but so far has worked well. It allows O,Brien to move into a more attacking role as last night showed.

The nucleus of the team is strong, Pickford, Branthwaite, Ndiaye, Tarkowski, Alcaraz, Garner, Gueye, but we need productive wingers and full backs to progress. These players are out there and will not cost a fortune with proper scouting.

I am not a fan of Mr Moyes he became too pragmatic for me in his later years, but he seems to have blossomed and learned from his experience, it will be interesting next season with 25 fit players, to see where he can take the club.

James
Our non Premiership footballer has scored how many goals since he was first choice striker. And how does his stats compare to other Premiership strikers over same period. I’ll let our statisticians provide those answers but I’m sure Beto will come out well.
Because he failed to score last night doesn’t mean we should start Beto Bashing.

Just some thought.
Beto only got his meaningful playtime in recent matches. Yes, he "should have" scored...it was just obr of those days you can't score and Brentford keeper at his best.
Some very quick to draw conclusion he is nof good enough to play for us and in Premier league, mind blogging at best...

With respect, I am not slagging Beto off because of one nights performance and his missed chances, my criticism is of his general ability at holding balls up, playing with his back to goal, his heading and his all round ability to bring other players into the game. Yes, he's not a Harland but IMO neither is he good enough to lead the line as we go forward, a view based not on last nights performance but on watching him since he arrived at the club. He has his strengths, his willingness to keep trying, his effort and his determination and his ability to run the channels. Finally watch him next match in the penalty area, he reacts - he does not anticipate - and genuinely good strikers are always anticipating where the ball might go. He's the best we've got currently but we should not be basing any future plans around his attacking prowess.

I have been a silent devotee of 'Toffeeweb' for perhaps fifteen years but my respect for the work of Lyndon & Michael is such that I have now registered with 'Evertonia'.
My very best wishes to both fan sites; they can be complementary & deserve support and success.
Devotion to the cause through the (rare) good and (frequent) bad times is laudable.

Howard (21) Yes having two Everton websites to read and follow with great match reviews, which are a boon to overseas and disabled Bluenoses, is a bonus for a lot of Evertonians and Lyndon and Michael are both brilliant match reporters for us to read.

Thank you for saving me from acute embarrassment David.
I thought I had created an unenviable record by ending a thread with my first contribution to either site.
Lesson to be learnt; be more circumspect.