Everton 3-1 Saints - Match Thread

[Mr X]

Few Boos at everton 

[Turkish]

Good first half. Looking surprisingly solid at the back and a real threat going forward. Armstrong look a handful. Great finish for his goal. Tino, wow, looks absolutely class. 

Edited 14 August, 2021 by Turkish

[OttawaSaint]

Bonus:

Wont be needing my half time wank. Jizzed myself already after that cracking goal and Tino’s great feet.

[AlexLaw76]

that was a good old ding dong of a half

[Suhari]

Very encouraging.

The big question though: do we still do shit second halves?

[Turkish]

6 minutes ago, Saint Matty 76 said:

We look good here but Djenepo and Walcott are so poor. 

Walcott in particular looks miles off it. 

[Sheaf Saint]

4 minutes ago, RedArmy said:

Shame we’ll only get £25m for Tino. He’ll be worth double that at least. 

That's only if Chelsea exercise their right to buy him back. They might not.

[badgerx16]

I thought AA's big issue was that he lacked pace.

[Disco Stu]

No complaints there. Livramento looks unbelievable. 18 is he? Wow. Adam Armstrong has hit the ground running which we desperately needed. Still nervous about holding on but we look sharp. Hopefully the home fans start to turn.

Edited 14 August, 2021 by Disco Stu

[Mr X]

Just now, Suhari said:

Very encouraging.

The big question though: do we still do shit second halves?

This all pointless if we don't turn up with the same mindset in the second half, come on saints! 

[obelisk]

Frenetic stuff but Saints giving a good account. Just needs Walcott to get into the game really.

[Baird of the land]

Feel Perraud has struggled a bit. Not terrible but much improvement hopeflly to come.

Livramento, yeah he's going to play for a top club.

Mccarthy fab, claim and punch. Don't think Forster would have come for either.

Stephens lot of very good stuff, one moment where he switched off and let Calver Lewin run off him

Armstrong, who needs ings.

[Viking Saint]

Good solid half. Hoping we don't revert to type and switch off second half. Livramento looks the mutts nuts and Armstrong has got some serious gas. Encouraging.... 

[OttawaSaint]

HT scores:

Everton 0-1 Saints

Burnley (Tarkovsky) 1-0 BHA

Chelsea (Alonso, Pulisic) 2-0 Palace

Leicester (Vardy) 1-0 Wolves

Watford (Bonaventure, Sarr) 2-0 Villa

[davefizzy14]

Get in! Great first half that Armstrong class goal, he's a goalscoring machine Tino is just absoutley class

[CanadaSaint]

Really clever tactically by Ralph. They know how much Livramento offers going forward so they’ve encouraged him to do so, with the less creative JWP dropping into the RB slot to cover him.

[Turkish]

Just now, badgerx16 said:

I thought AA's big issue was that he lacked pace.

Really? When he chased Keane down he was about 20 yards behind him and nearly caught him. He looked quick

[Viking Saint]

1 minute ago, Turkish said:

Walcott in particular looks miles off it. 

Don't worry, Redmond will surely replace him..... 

[CB Fry]

Very good half of football for us. Livramento looking insane 👌 👌 👌 

Let's see if we can string two good halves together for once.

[Lord Duckhunter]

So far so good. The front 2 look a real handful & the full back has fully justified his selection ahead of KWP. Walcott picks up some good positions, but flattered to deceive a bit . We’re passing  with pace, and quick into the tackle. Positive so far 

[qwertyell]

0-1 ht. So far so good. Wouldn't say we've been amazing, but we're bright. Bit heart in the mouth whenever Everton go direct, but we knew about their aerial strength going into the match.

Ward-Prowse isn't fit. Hasn't managed to get a set piece off the floor yet. And Walcott a passenger as usual. But everyone else is putting in a shift.

Lovely finish from AArmstrong - great that he's got that first goal monkey off his shoulders straight away.

And then there's Livramento... Don't want to jinx the kid, but his quality is outstanding. Looks like he could play any position on the pitch.

Richarlison being on a booking is something we should play on in the second half. He's a hot head.

SArmstrong on for Walcott at the break, Diallo for Prowse after an hour?

The longer we can hang in there, the more this crowd is going to turn against their team.

COYS

[Teddeer]

That half from Tino was absolutely incredible for a lad his age up against Richarlson. He has been sensational and I can now see why he was picked ahead of KWP. Going forward as well, he picks his moments and has loads of skill and confidence. Great finish from Armstrong to get him up and running. My only disappointment has been Theo who has done very little. Same again second half Saints.

[skintsaint]

Well played lads. Surprisingly decent half. Everton there for the taking...just be solid for 10mins 2nd half.

[stknowle]

2 minutes ago, Suhari said:

Very encouraging.

The big question though: do we still do shit second halves?

Yeah, that’s the worrying bit. I want to see us play like the same team that played the first half unlike SO many times last season.

[badgerx16]

2 minutes ago, Turkish said:

Really? When he chased Keane down he was about 20 yards behind him and nearly caught him. He looked quick

Not like you to miss the sarcastic tone of a post. All the time we were chasing him people were saying that was the case.

Edited 14 August, 2021 by badgerx16

[NewYorkSaint]

I really think the story will end up being that Saints have played a blinder this summer. Every signing so far looks somewhere between good and sensational.   Tino's class was pretty clear pre-season. So damn exciting to see Adam hit the net.  And let's not forget how amazing Che Adams has been playing of late. That was a magnificent set up for the goal. Adam and Adams could be a big big story for us this year.  

[Sheaf Saint]

3 minutes ago, Mr X said:

Few Boos at everton 

They are already going into meltdown on the GOT forum.

My only worry is that we all know how other managers seem to be able to make some tweaks at HT and find a way back in, with Ralph unable to counter it. 

If that happens today, they still won't give Benitez credit for it. He's on a hiding to nothing with their fans.

[The Cat]

Salisu done well so far up against Calvert Lewin too. If anything Salisu has bullied him.

[iansums]

1 minute ago, qwertyell said:

0-1 ht. So far so good. Wouldn't say we've been amazing, but we're bright. Bit heart in the mouth whenever Everton go direct, but we knew about their aerial strength going into the match.

Ward-Prowse isn't fit. Hasn't managed to get a set piece off the floor yet. And Walcott a passenger as usual. But everyone else is putting in a shift.

Lovely finish from AArmstrong - great that he's got that first goal monkey off his shoulders straight away.

And then there's Livramento... Don't want to jinx the kid, but his quality is outstanding. Looks like he could play any position on the pitch.

Richarlison being on a booking is something we should play on in the second half. He's a hot head.

SArmstrong on for Walcott at the break, Diallo for Prowse after an hour?

The longer we can hang in there, the more this crowd is going to turn against their team.

COYS

The monkey goes on your back, not your shoulders, sorry to go all MLT but it needed saying.

[Lee On Solent Saint]

Hopefully keep it tight for the first 10/15 minutes of the second half. Have to expect Everton to come out full on. 

[Toussaint]

2 minutes ago, stknowle said:

Yeah, that’s the worrying bit. I want to see us play like the same team that played the first half unlike SO many times last season.

Well, it’s a new season, crowds are back, new blood in the team, maybe, just maybe, we’ll break with recent tradition!

[Saints foreva]

We do look a bit vulnerable at crosses coming into our box which is a concern.

[Saint Fan CaM]

Brilliant goal created by Adam's and finished superbly by Armstrong. Timo is an absolute handful with skill aplenty. CB pair looking OK at the moment but I suspect there'll be a mistake or lapse of concentration made before the game is over. Would love us to beat the baggies to win our first opening day match since forever. COYS!

[Suhari]

1 minute ago, Sheaf Saint said:

They are already going into meltdown on the GOT forum.

My only worry is that we all know how other managers seem to be able to make some tweaks at HT and find a way back in, with Ralph unable to counter it. 

If that happens today, they still won't give Benitez credit for it. He's on a hiding to nothing with their fans.

We do have decent options on the bench now, which is a novelty.

Hope RH uses them with a little guile.

[The Cat]

Anyone see the Burnley goal? Here's an example of the new way they are using VAR as the Brighton defender was clearly pushed over as the corner came in but it was allowed to stand.

[Mr X]

2 minutes ago, Sheaf Saint said:

They are already going into meltdown on the GOT forum.

My only worry is that we all know how other managers seem to be able to make some tweaks at HT and find a way back in, with Ralph unable to counter it. 

If that happens today, they still won't give Benitez credit for it. He's on a hiding to nothing with their fans.

Why do they hate benitez so much? 

[igsey]

2 minutes ago, The Cat said:

Salisu done well so far up against Calvert Lewin too. If anything Salisu has bullied him.

Yes, I think we were all fearing the worst after the game last season but he's done well so far. 

[Toussaint]

4 minutes ago, The Cat said:

Salisu done well so far up against Calvert Lewin too. If anything Salisu has bullied him.

A big win for Salisu if it stays like that, because last season it was embarrassing.

Edited 14 August, 2021 by Toussaint

[Saint_clark]

8 minutes ago, obelisk said:

Frenetic stuff but Saints giving a good account. Just needs Walcott to get into the game really.

Armstrong on for Walcott at half time for me.

[Sheaf Saint]

1 minute ago, Mr X said:

Why do they hate benitez so much? 

It's a mystery...

 

[Turkish]

5 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

Not like you to miss the sarcastic tone of a post. All the time we were chasing him people were saying that was the case.

Ah yes, Missed that. 😉

[suewhistle]

Well, just done my half time prayer..

I was surprised KWP wasn't playing but I recall he got a knock in the last friendly and Livramento has had a stormer. Armstrong scoring on his debut may not mean 3 points if my prayers fail, but it'll do wonders for his confidence: we all saw how Che took a bit of time to get going when he missed a few.

Walcott hasn't done too much but he's done defensive cover well. We're still not fully clicking -  I agree with the comment that JWP is not 100% - but we've still got Diallo and Stewie on the bench.

 

[The Cat]

Anyone sticking money on Everton now seeing as we always lose there and never win the first game of the season?

[Teddeer]

Maybe because he managed Liverpool?

[hypochondriac]

I thought it was mad not to pick kwp but fair play I was wrong! I'd maybe play livramento on the wing he looks incredible. 

[miserableoldgit]

11 minutes ago, badgerx16 said:

I thought AA's big issue was that he lacked pace.

Also no "one on ones" with the goalkeeper...apparently... 

[CanadaSaint]

A. Armstrong picks the top corner with a right foot rocket, nearly beats Pickford low right with a left foot howitzer, puts the CDs under constant pressure with his pace, and already has mid-season understanding with Adams. Unbelievably, right now he’s looking like an upgrade.

[CB Fry]

1 minute ago, The Cat said:

Anyone sticking money on Everton now seeing as we always lose there and never win the first game of the season?

No I think we're home and dry, what with us being so good at holding on to leads.

[Toussaint]

Just now, hypochondriac said:

I thought it was mad not to pick kwp but fair play I was wrong! I'd maybe play livramento on the wing he looks incredible. 

Kwp didn’t finish last season that well. Livramento does look impressive. 

[Saints foreva]

Salisu and McCarthy. Shite.