A Mickey Mouse performance dumps Blues out of the Carabao Cup | OneFootball

Wolves 2 - 0 Everton

Everton took on Wolves in the 3rd Round of the Carabao Cup at Molineux tonight with David Moyes making more use of his squad with seven changes but spurning the demands that he make a decent effort to win a trophy for Everton this season.

The resulting performance was abysmal, with no answer to Wolves' first-half strike, and a second goal eliminating any chance of progression.

Tyler Dibling makes his first Everton start

David Moyes gives starting roles to the neglected ones: McNeil, Alcaraz, Coleman, and the hugely promising and hugely expensive Tyler Dibling, with Tierno Barry leading the line in place of Beto.

First Half

The Blues kicked off in their traditional strip and looked to work the ball upfield. Wolves got forward a couple of times and put in crosses that were headed clear. But Coleman committed a foul, Wolves wasting the free-kick, Everton happy enough to let them play the ball around without too much of a press.

Everton worked a chance for O'Brien to do his long throw thing but Barry could only head wide. Dibling got his first touch and was immediately among four Wolves defenders, getting the ball out to O'Brien for an overhit cross.

Alcaraz was looking to dictate forward play through the middle but his passing wasn't accurate enough. But a lovely Alcaraz pass to Dibling should have brought a corner, his shot deflected wide. But apparently not.

Wolves responded but could not fashion a chance and committed a foul. O'Brien had time and space to pick out Barry with his cross but the header was poor.

Belgarde got behind and Garner had to concede a corner that caused a bit of pinball panic before it was cleared. Garner played a great ball to Alcaraz but his shot was too easily blocked, albeit for another long throw that saw Keane produce an excellent header that Johnstone pawed away from the top corner.

But with no real danger, Wolves took the lead after Travers parried a shot from Arias and Munetsi finished thanks to a deflection off Keane.

Dibling was coming into it more but Barry showed some frustration that drew a rather early and unwarranted yellow card when he was tackled but no foul given.

Wolves got forward again and Hwang's shot needed the deflection behind by O'Brien, nothing coming from the ensuing corner. Everton won a free-kick but did not threaten from it. McNeil almost got a chance but the ball from Barry would not run for him.

Tarkowski played it forward well for McNeil but he lost it. Another long-throw chance for O'Brien but it was cleared and a daft header by Iroegunam almost let Wolves counter. Garber did well to dispossess Hwang, Coleman tried to set up Alcaraz but the Argentine lost his footing and the ball.

A good Wolves move saw Stran Larsen flick the ball goalward but Travers read it well to deny Munetsi. The ball broke for Alcaraz and he tried to get Barry set but his shot was blocked, and he chased it down to win a corner which was cleared but Wolves messed up the counter.

Second Half

Five changes would have been warranted but Moyes at least decided on two, Beto and Dewsbury-Hall on for Barry and Alcaraz mistake by Wolves gifted the ball to Dewsbury-Hall but he was surrounded, Dibling winning a corner. It was played back by Beto but Gaerner got underneath his wayward effort.

Wolves worked a good attack, Coleman tested before Andre powered his shot a couple of feet over the bar. Beto turned well with the ball and drew a foul. But Dewsbury-Hall's free-kick did not threaten and Everton had to work it aound, Dibling and Dewsbury-Hall trying but failing to create much on the right.

Munetsi's shot won a corner and that needed defending as the intensity of the game increased a little. But Everton's forward play broke down with McNeil and Wolves happily enjoyed more possession. Hwang got forward and made space but drove his shot high.

David Moyes took more action, Grealish and Ndiaye coming on, and Grealish wanting a penalty with his first touch, Everton were immediately having a lot more of the play and pushing forward with intent, but not getting anywhere near deep enough into the Wolves area.

Grealish was drawing a foul each time he tried to run forward. And when he did get the ball he was taking too long, But finally he swung one over to O'Brien at the far post, a difficult chance that Johnstone fielded.

Gealish was fouled again just outside the left side of the box, Garner clipping the bar with a decent delivery. Ndiaye lost the ball high up on the right and \Wolves advanced, Hugo Bueno firing over. But they were defending Everton's attempts with maximum effect, frustrating the Blues at every turn.

Garner got a half-chance, forcing a diving save from Johnstone. O'Brien then won a corner, a series of good balls in followed, all defended away by Wolves with 15 minutes left to get a goal, Mykolenko the last change for Coleman.

Good space was created for Iroegbunam who absolutely shanked his shot when something a little more professional was required. Shocking.

Ndiaye couldn't keep control of the ball but it came back to him for a snapshot across goal, with Everton looking less and less likely to score. Grealish danced forward with the ball but it was taken off him.

Another move seemed to set up Ndiaye but he let the ball bounce across him and had to fire wastefully from a narrowing angle.

But disaster at the other end on the counter, Arokodare released by a good pass and he beat Travers all hands down with an elegant chip to send Everton packing with 3 minutes left.

It got fractious as the last few minutes of a really very inadequate performance by Everton was played out another chance of a trophy for David Moyes extinguished very early in the season.

Wolves: Johnstone, Bellegarde, Santiago Bueno [Y;71'], Krejci, Doherty, Hwang (68'  Rodrigo Gomes), Andre Trindade (87' Agbadou), Hugo Bueno, Larsen (68' Tolu Arokodare), Munetsi (81' Joao Gomes [Y:90+3']), Arias (81' Toti Gomes).

Subs not Used: Bentley, Wolfe, Hoever, Lopez.

Everton: Travers, Coleman (78' Mykolenko), Keane, Tarkowski, O'Brien, Garner [Y:90+1'], Iroegbunam, Dibling (59' Grealish), Alcaraz (46' Dewsbury-Hall), McNeil (58' Ndiaye), Barry [Y:32'] (46' Beto).

Kick-off is scheduled at 7:45 pm BST and it's live on Sky Sports+, Channel 404.

Mike Hayes 2 Posted 23/09/2025 at 18:52:31

Fingers crossed we win this COYB 💙

Jerome Shields 3 Posted 23/09/2025 at 18:57:24

The Premier League was always going to be the priority. Going to see the younger players.

Hopefully Everton can keep in the competition for a while to get them match practice.

Kieran Kinsella 7 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:07:39

We just beat them so why change the formation and lineup? If it ain't broke?

Plus why the best 11 at home for Mansfield if this isn't a priority?

Shaun Parker 8 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:11:22

Where is Rohl?

Don’t tell me he is injured already?

Shaun Parker 10 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:12:50

This team should be more than capable of winning tonight. It’s still a strong enough team to win.

Andy Crooks 11 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:14:45

I think that looks a bold and exciting lineup. Also the best bench for a very long time.

Mike Dolan 12 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:14:58

I hate that we start an important game with this type of team selection. Surely we should be at least starting the game with a stronger line up.

We need to be thinking about playing in Europe and this competition is one of the three ways in. I think it's kind of stupid to weaken the starting 11 down to the level of the opposition.

Why are players in need of a rest so early in the season. Is it all the European games we've been playing in the last three weeks. Traveling across the park to Anfield must be really exhausting.

Jeff Armstrong 14 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:17:01

Team of strangers, and it will show.

Jim Bennings 15 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:17:16

Röhl must be injured already I assume.

Caught the Everton curse less than a month in, lol!

Martin Berry 16 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:21:50

Moaning about Moyes giving a few players who are not quite first eleven a run out, others moaning if he hadn't used this opportunity to make the squad more competitive... who would be a manager?

The good news, folks, is that the manager has built a squad, with excellent players to come off the bench if we need to get the result, so give it a rest.

There's enough talent there to win at Wolves.

Bill Hawker 17 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:32:36

I see some saying we're not taking it seriously. Are you kidding?

We want to start the same players that just played a few days ago in a tough match?

The whole point of having a deeper squad is being able to rotate players and prevent possible injuries. We finally have a decent group of players that can give the other players a break and still put out a good squad for the first time since I don't know when.

I for one am perfectly fine with what we're putting out there tonight based on what we've had in years past.

Kieran Kinsella 20 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:36:13

Martin

A few? He's made seven changes! Only a few remain.

Craig Walker 21 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:45:44

I always dread penalties in this competition. We seem to exit on penalties nearly every season. Can only relax with Everton with a 3-goal lead on 90 mins.

7 changes but at least the bench looks strong. Big night for Barry to try and grab his chance up front.

Dave Williams 22 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:47:32

Moyes can't win can he! Criticised for not using his squad, then criticised when he does. Slagged off for not picking young players then slagged off when he does.

I hope he can rub some noses in it and turn in a good performance.

Steve Shave 23 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:52:27

Exactly, Dave,

Moyes is always getting it from someone. Some of these lads (like Alcaraz and Dibling) will be eager to impress. COYB.

Christy Ring 24 Posted 23/09/2025 at 19:56:44

I don’t understand having two left backs on the bench, and a right back on the left?

Kieran Kinsella 26 Posted 23/09/2025 at 20:21:45

Brilliant from Travers. Flaps at the first ball then parries the shot into the danger area.

He's right to give them game time, but he's made it very difficult for them by not giving them any minutes in previous matches.

Moyes deserves criticism because he's managed his squad very poorly recently, leaving tired players on the pitch to fail to get a result and allowing others to atrophy and lose match sharpness on the bench.

So yes, he's got it wrong in both ways so will get criticism whatever happens. Let's hope these lads can get something done, or at least the regulars can change the game from the bench.

Michael Kenrick 29 Posted 23/09/2025 at 20:34:07

Errr... five changes needednow, Mr Moyes.

Or this game -- and this trophy --- could be toast.

Kieran Kinsella 30 Posted 23/09/2025 at 20:35:49

Is the focus to use the EFL cup as a brief series of testimonial games for Coleman?

So Moyes throws together a midfield who've never played together before and guess what happens? They look clueless. No coordination and nerves spreading.

That header from Tim was special and not in a good way. McNeil literally has done nothing. Dibling looks like he's waiting for balls to come his way that never arrive. Charly does the odd Roy of the Rovers surging run but little else. Barry reminding of me of Anichebe, no control and lots of petulant whining.

We could have just started with our inform first 11 and already have buried these clowns. Luckily they're complete crap so we still have a chance.

John Wignall 32 Posted 23/09/2025 at 20:36:54

Poor all round player's don't look up for or just not good enough tactics awful as well

Ernie Baywood 33 Posted 23/09/2025 at 20:37:48

Take away the Grealish, Dewsbury-Hall, Ndiaye link-up and we're nowhere near the same team.

I've enjoyed seeing those little moments from Dibling but he's not really demanding the ball enough. McNeil looks rusty. Alcaraz doing okay.

Really feels like Barry needs something. Looking a bit forlorn. He can't even get a throw-in at this point.

Almost sad to see Coleman looking so far off the pace.

Bill Fairfield 35 Posted 23/09/2025 at 20:41:25

Yes even worse than that Scott.

Mark Andrews 36 Posted 23/09/2025 at 20:46:36

Has Dyche come back? WTAF was that?

Two left-backs on the bench but Seamus playing there instead. McNeil looks utterly disinterested and I think we signed Thierno Barry's non-playing twin. Subs please, let's try to rescue this failed experiment.

1 change?!

Rob Hooton 37 Posted 23/09/2025 at 20:46:42

I'd make 3 changes at half time.

McNeil, completely anonymous and contributed nothing. Off for Grealish.

Alcaraz, few decent moments then ruined with poor decision making or pass. Off for Dewsbury-Hall.

Coleman, not a left back and can't compete at this level. Off for Mykolenko or Aznou.

Then see if we need Gana for Iroegbunam after 20 minutes, and Ndiaye or Beto for Dibling or Barry.

Jack Convery 41 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:16:48

I posted the other day that Paco Alcácer a former Spain CF is on a free.

Just the arl arse we need up front. Scored plenty of goals for Dortmund, Valencia, Barca and Villareal.

Ernie Baywood 42 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:17:06

Iroegbunam looks like a footballer until he gets the ball. Then it's evident he has no idea what he should do with it.

He's abnormally poor.

Peter Gorman 43 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:32:29

What a piss-take!

Joe McMahon 44 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:36:31

Thanks again Moyes, for not taking this seriously.

This is why I didn't want Moyes back. Too cautious, negative, and wrong team selections.

Mark Andrews 45 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:37:06

Embarrassing performance. Moyes got that so badly wrong. Totally underestimated Wolves and made too many changes.

Players out of position and some awful performances. We'll rue not buying a decent striker because Barry is so far off the pace it's frightening.

Are we allergic to the League Cup?

What worries me is that consecutive losses sap confidence.

Mihir Ambardekar 47 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:39:43

What a pathetic performance! No positives.

Are we ever going to play some good football and win?

Tommy Coleman 48 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:40:09

Dreadful attitude from the team.

Got what we deserved.

Jerome Shields 49 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:40:12

I can't believe it! Moyes has the brass neck to throw that game.

I thought he would prioritise the Premier League, but would try to stay in the Carabao Cup to give players match time and build up the squad depth for selection. But that team wasn't set up to give younger players match time. It was set up with negative tactics and nick a goal.

If that didn't happen, no worries. Players did not believe in Moyes's tactics, hence the performances.

Anthony Dwyer 50 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:41:33

Embarrassing.

Shocking, shocking performance, not a single positive. Squad players not good enough.

Also, I said it before the season started: we needed another centre-midfielder as Iroegbunam & Garner is a Championship centre-midfield pairing.

Si Cooper 52 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:43:14

Just powderpuff stuff. We can't change gears at all without the end results getting wayward.

Some decent skill on show at times but no bite.

Shaun Parker 53 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:43:17

Give the fans who travelled there, their money back. Shocking, pathetic, whimpering performance.

Wolves are awful but we made them look half decent.

Mike Allison 54 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:43:50

Moyes has been abysmal since the international break. He's costing us points and cost us a chance at this trophy tonight.

You can't keep half your squad completely off the pitch for weeks then throw them all in at once. He's also seemingly set on consistently playing people out of position.

We're shooting ourselves in the foot on a regular basis at the moment, it's extremely frustrating.

George Cumiskey 55 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:44:22

I'm with Moyes on this...

Let's get out of this competition ASAP and concentrate on staying out of the relegation zone. 👍

Tommy Carter 56 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:44:36

Moyes summed up in just a few days, I'm afraid. No stomach for a derby or a decent cup run. Just wants to do his 38 Premier League games in which he gets results mainly against the teams we should at home, the odd away result and one or two big home results against big teams a season.

It's his formula. And he'll convince a lot in this world that this is the best we can possibly do and we should be grateful to have him.

This man couldn't put a pot in the cabinet if his life depended on it.

Kieran Kinsella 58 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:44:45

I hate saying “I told you so” and hoped to be proved wrong but the obvious proved correct.

Throwing out the B team who are out of form, never played together, was bloody stupid by Moyes. That cost is the game and the competition once again.

Craig Walker 59 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:46:31

A team who can't win? Bring on Everton! #

Typical Carabao cup performance. Only surprise was that we didn't go out on penalties.

A lot of worrying signs. The centre forward spot looks weaker with Calvert-Lewin gone. Tim Ireogbunam was dreadful tonight.

We play some neat stuff with Grealish, Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall but we have nobody up front to capitalise. Travers didn't fill me with confidence. Alcaraz and Dibling didn't take their chance of a start.

Just when you think we've turned a corner, the old problems of resting players and others not stepping up and poor options at the top of the pitch cost us. We'll be trying to get a forward in January again.

Colin Glassar 60 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:46:32

This morning some wag predicted a win over a “woeful Wolves team”.

Mate, if you want to stop a losing streak, Everton and Moyes are your gift from heaven.

Andy Kay 61 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:48:08

Seriously, is anyone actually surprised by our results at Anfield and in the League Cup? It's years of rinse and repeat. Don't blame the players, blame the management.

Seamus at left back? For fuck's sake! Moyes is not the Moyesiah, never was, never will be. For every couple of good results, there is always a Leeds, Liverpool – and now Wolves – utter crap performance.

Nothing will change, we'll never challenge and our appalling League Cup history rolls on. While Palace and Newcastle look at their silverware, Forest back in Europe... but he 'gets' the club.

Hopefully the Freidkins do a Roma sooner rather than later.

Gary Mortimer 62 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:48:17

When will Moyes learn how to play cup matches? Play your best players against the league's bottom club and then look to rest some of them if we have gone ahead and have broken the spirit of the other team.

But No! Let's play crap for 45 minutes and then try and chase the game... he's used these tactics, totally unsuccessfully, for whatever team he's managed for 20 years!

Apart from the usual, Moyes takes a stapler to a gun fight, the fact that he did not sub the diabolical McNeil, no effort to go along with his lack of pace and energy, is just baffling.

McNeil's showing reminded me of an Anthony Gordon performance when he'd decided to leave the club, just couldn't be arsed to break into a trot, never mind try a sprint.

Ian Wilkins 63 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:48:29

Truly awful. A shocking set-up first 45 at Anfield followed by a shocking set-up tonight. Thank you, Mr Moyes.

Some of our squad players are embarrassing. Because we're not in the bottom 3 after 5 games, we suddenly think we're better than we are.

Ryan Holroyd 64 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:49:06

Absolutely shocking. Shocking line-up, performance and result.

Zero goals in this team.

Very worrying.

Mike Hayes 65 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:49:14

I can only assume that Beto and Barry practice missing goals - if it wasn't for Pickford being in goal they'd never find it! 🤷

Kevin Molloy 66 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:49:57

One thing I do know, that goalie is fucking dreadful. Where would we have been without Pickford?

Imagine having Travers for the last 5 years. We'd be in the Conference.

Tony Heron 67 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:50:53

Almost a week's gap till the next game but Moyes decides to rest players!!

Early season, you need to build confidence and momentum, but the tactical genius throws up the opportunity, thinks he can just put any team together and all will be well.

That's 7 games played and lost 3, the last to one of the worst teams I've seen in the Premier League.

Mike Price 68 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:51:51

That was shocking on so many levels. Moyes with his ridiculous team selection, the absolute confirmation Coleman should never have received a new contract.

The second string were pitiful, the goalie was Sunday league and we've had our pants, well and truly pulled down, with both our useless strikers.

Mike Oates 69 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:53:20

Moyes will say, as he's done already, as a fringe player you need to play and show your credentials but McNeil, Alcaraz, Barry and Dibling let themselves down badly. Not one decent performance by any of them. Felt for Dibling as he needs the ball early in space, but we took an eternity to get it over to him.

Then to compound it, Grealish and Ndiaye came on and frankly they were way out of sorts. Overall a very poor performance from manager to most of the players.

So much for Tarkowski's rant about how we're going places in the Cups.

As I said in Live Forum, Coleman unfortunately is past it and needs to retire.

Mark Andrews 71 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:55:26

West Ham must be pleased they have us next.

Phil Wood 72 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:58:09

Win the war then swap players around.

Wolves looked shaky until they realised we were clueless. Gave them the confidence to play. Suicide against weak opposition. Another Cup run over.

Well done to the supporters who made the journey. Deserve a refund.

John Williams 73 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:58:14

Now you know the reason why no other club went in for Dibling.

Plus all you experts shouting for our great fringe players to be selected, but it's now the manager's fault for picking them.

The Dog & Duck managers will have a field day.

Brent Stephens 74 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:58:47

I'm still going to turn up at BMD on Saturday.

Fewer tears that way.

Sam Hoare 75 Posted 23/09/2025 at 21:59:50

I was advocating earlier for a few changes and giving the likes of Dibling and Aznou and Barry and opportunity but Moyes probably pushed it too far. Even so, he must surely have expected some slightly better performances from the fringe players.

Really disappointing stuff in a competition we might have gone further into. Not helpful for any momentum we may have built and an opportunity missed.

Colin Glassar 76 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:00:22

Why would he do that, Pat? I felt sorry for Dibling having to play in that side. He must've thought he was playing in a Championship team.

And what's going on with Röhl? He played a few minutes and now he's disappeared into the void. He did have an injury history in Germany. I hope he's not another crock.

And how bad was McNeil? He didn't look bothered. Alcaraz was just as bad.

Merle Urquart 77 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:01:13

Posted on the live forum but compelled to post again...

This man has learned nothing in the last 20 years absolutely nothing. Expect to see everything you've seen before until he eventually gets the boot.

It was all so fucking predictable tonight, formulaic balls up. Bad selection, tick... Going behind, tick... throwing the big guns on to salvage the game, tick... leaving with nothing, tick.

Fucking miserable dour dickhead. Someone gave a shout for Nuno. l'd have him in in a heartbeat. As for Moyes, he's a spirit-crushing cunt who can fuck right off!

Simon Dalzell 79 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:02:42

You've lost me, Brent, but I'm pretty thick.

Brent Stephens 80 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:03:29

Anybody else think Grealish isn't quite as good as we'd hoped?

Bobby Mallon 81 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:03:56

Brent,

No; he's better.

Brent Stephens 82 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:04:38

Simon.

We play Monday - but if you turn up Saturday, there'll be nothing to cry over.

Kieran Kinsella 83 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:05:00

Pat

You're right. Look at the facts. Must win game. Best defender out injured. What do you do? Drop 7 other starters including the England Number 1, a £100M player, and last season's star man.

To add to it, you've two right-backs and two left-backs in the squad and fail to play any of the four in their correct position.

Brent Stephens 84 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:06:07

Bobby, how often did he beat his man tonight?

Merle Urquart 85 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:08:48

Brent...

The damage was already done before thicko McTavish decided to throw the better players on.

l could fucking scream!

Jim Bennings 86 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:08:56

Same shite different season.

New stadium same shite

To quote Ange "it's who we are mate".

A club that is boring, no bravery, no identity and zero bollocks to even try and break that mould.

We spent a whole summer messing about with this and that, going to America not addressed the lack of a right back, not addressed the lack of pace all over the pitch and are now much even weaker up front than we were last season, and that's saying something because last season was fucking dreadful attacking wise.

You do wonder sometimes what we are and what we are ever hoping to achieve.

Clubs like Brighton and Bournemouth keep churning out good teams, Palace sell their best players every season yet keep producing results.

We never seem to progress, our only move on the board is regression.

Josh Horne 87 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:10:25

Moyes is just not interested in cup competitions; tonight was just an inconvenience to him.

He would choke if we ever got to the business end of one. This way, there is no added evidence that he can't cut it when it matters.

Brent Stephens 88 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:11:02

Merle - the better players lost the second half.

Jim Bennings 89 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:13:17

I don't want to see Iroegbunam again starting a match. Coleman must now be kept just for the interviews, this isn't a player capable anymore of modern day football demand.

Barry needs to bulk up and start getting tough mentally ASAP otherwise he's going the same way as all of our other shots in the dark from overseas, another weak showing that tonight from him, it's easy to say no service but how much service did Wolves front men have? They at least looked lively and showed for the ball.

For a club famed for its Number 9 and strikers over the years, I'm fucking ashamed of our options this season, Beto and Barry the only choice in the entire club roster...

Absolute negligence of duty.

Jack Convery 90 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:13:18

We have 7 players who have proved they can take us forward, with their performance: Pickford, Branthwaite, Garner, Grealish, Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall, and Gueye (though his influence for the future is limited, given his age).

Dibbling, O'Brien, Barry, Iroegbunam, Aznou and Röhl are works in progress. Patterson, McNeil, Coleman, Beto are yesterday's men. Keane, Mykolenko and Tarkowski will need to be upgraded over 2 or 3 windows.

A centre-forward who can hold play up and pass and score a dozen goals at least is a must -- no shit, Sherlock! 2 attacking full-backs are needed. Aznou can cover left-back; O'Brien can cover right-back... but we must bring in new full-backs asap.

Moyes in my opinion, unless he suddenly changes his spots, will go in the summer. Only a European place will keep him in the job if I read TFG correctly.

Kieran Kinsella 91 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:14:23

Brent,

That's an interesting take. The one good player who sat on the bench for the first hour isn't as good as we thought?

No-one else disappointed you?

Brent Stephens 92 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:15:36

Yes, Kieran, a whole lot of others disappointed me as well.

Tom Bowers 93 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:18:47

Moyes lost us this game like he did at Leeds. Poor starting eleven said everything against a poor Wolves eleven.

He didn't want to progress in this Mickey Mouse Cup -- like many times before.

This was an embarrassment and now it's three games on the bounce without a goal. Looks like the bubble has burst and only a good result against the Hammers will get rid of the awful taste this game left.

The power of positive thinking is beyond Moyes.

Dave Abrahams 94 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:20:31

He picked four players to start who have hardly kicked a ball all season and another one, Tim Iroegbunam, who hardly kicks a ball whenever he plays.

Lots of poor performances in that first half but we never really improved when the ineffective Dewsbury-Hall came on followed by Grealish who did nothing. Ndiaye tried hard but to no effect and Beto, who wasn't great but better than the other subs. I didn't include Mykolenko who wasn't on long enough.

Another kick in the plums for those who went tonight expecting to see an Everton performance in this cup competition spoiled by the initial line-up The follow-up didn't do anything to improve their spirits or of those of us who watched it from the comfort of our own warm houses.

I wouldn't like to be any of the fans travelling back at the moment, especially my grandson, who like many lads of his age, has never seen Everton win Dewsbury Hall!

Jimmy Carr 95 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:21:18

I don't really blame Moyes for the line-up, I can certainly see why he gave the likes of Alcaraz, McNeil and Dibling some game time.

I didn't watch it, only listened; we sounded dire though. With that level of performance from players like Alcaraz and McNeil, who've played well for us in the past, you have to wonder whether they are pissed off at being fringe players.

Re Seamus, I don't know why you'd pick him out of position over the young left-back. Strange one.

Bill Gall 96 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:22:32

Well, so much for wanting a good cup run.

I think this is the first or second game Wolves have won this season.

Why do we even bother entering cup games if you are going to treat them like friendlies?

Tony Abrahams 97 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:23:04

Jerome @48,

I think you called it the other day when you said Everton will only be in one competition in the New Year.

The last four days feel like I've gone back in a Time Machine regarding David Moyes, although my suspicions were really heightened 5 days ago when I began to read what Moyes was saying the day before the Liverpool game.

Robert Tressell 98 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:24:07

Disgraceful.

Insult to the fans this one.

Daniel A Johnson 99 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:26:11

Virginia as a back-up keeper always looked solid. I wasn't sure why we got rid of him. This Travers is a god damn joke. He was awful in pre-season and still looks bad.

Plus in Beto and Barry we have the worst strikeforce in the Premier League.

Give Grealish a few more weeks and he will want out ASAP.

What's happened to McNeil?? He's fallen off a cliff. Playing like he wants to be sold.

Josh Horne 100 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:26:52

Jimmy, they made no case to even be fringe players.

We've got no squad depth and that was laid bare tonight.

Kieran Kinsella 101 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:32:25

Spare a thought for Dibling. Experienced Grealish has had the luxury of playing with another creative player in Ndiaye and knowing Gana is there to cover mistakes.

Moyes hung Dibling out to dry tonight with no quality on the other wing and no Gana. Thus magnifying the focus on Dibling to produce magic. He failed, he's subbed off, then Grealish comes on along with Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye. What does that do for Dibbling's confidence?

Why not give him a run with the better midfielders? He has a massive price tag through no fault of his own, limited Premier League experience, and is under pressure. Is that a good way to manage him?

Reminds me of early Ross Barkley being subbed off and dropped for any mistake by Moyes. Armstrong is probably better off at Preston; otherwise, he'd have been in there tonight too... alongside the bomb squad.

Christy Ring 102 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:32:33

My big worry: we've nothing upfront. We have to push Ndiaye up there now.

I felt we made a mistake in the summer, a lot on here were glad our striker left; in my opinion, be careful what you wish for.

Andy Meighan 103 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:36:03

Tom Bowers @93.

We scored at Anfield on Saturday courtesy of Gana Gueye... but I digress.

I've done nothing but praise Moyes since he came back, but sorry not tonight. He can fuck right off... that line-up was abysmal and insulting to every fan who went there (again).

To play an ageing right-back at left-back while having 2 left-backs on the bench was astonishing. To play the one-paced half-arsed, shit attitude McNeil was insulting, and to pick Iroegbunam who has stunk all season was a joke.

I'm sick of this club's losers mentality and my early season optimism has disappeared like our cup run. I'm afraid it's going to be another season of mediocrity, nothing new there then.

We don't play until Monday night yet he still didn't field his strongest side! Incredible considering how the players and management were bigging up how important the competition was. Talk is cheap and once again we've gone out with a whimper, absolutely embarrassing.

Fuck the manager, fuck the team, and fuck the stadium. I'm sick to the back teeth of watching feeble cup performances.

Mike Price 105 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:36:45

That performance has exposed a lot of weaknesses and it has suddenly made the West Ham game critical.

If we lose that and have to rely on Beto and Barry for goals, then we're in for another major struggle this season.

The Goodison factor has always been our saving grace in times of dire need but that safety net is gone.

Jerome Shields 106 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:37:18

Tony #97,

I don't even need to know what Moyes said before the game. I know the mentally.

But I am genuinely surprised he threw the game tonight. I never thought of him as being cynical. I don't blame the players for this one.

As for after Xmas, he doesn't have the squad and is making no effort to build depth. Anyway, Finch Farm work to rule after Xmas.

It needs the fans to show their disapproval, and let him know he can't get away with this as Barnsley fans were cheated tonight by Moyes. Less games at Bramley-Moore Dock. It will be interesting to see who Wolves get next round.

Tony Abrahams 108 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:38:03

Phil @72, those first three words describe David Moyes, best illustrated by the great Robert Zimmerman, in his classicIdiot Wind. In the final end he won the war -- after losing every battle.

Someone's got it in for every single Evertonian who will once again be on the end of loads of ridicule after witnessing such an embarrassing display.

Phillip Warrington 109 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:38:37

We are not good enough to rest players and expect to win.

It's that simple.

Anthony Dwyer 110 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:39:54

Travers shite.

Coleman done.

Tarkowski & Keane don't do well together.

Iroegbunam not good enough.

McNeil doesn't want to be here no more.

Dibling and Alcaraz very disappointing.

Barry and Beto not good enough.

Kieran Kinsella 111 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:42:44

Also, Alcaraz. He's Bob the Pole 2.0. Brilliant on loan. Utter crap from the first day of pre season once we gave him a permanent deal.

There was a reason Southampton, Juventus, and even Flamengo passed him on.

Andy Crooks 112 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:56:10

The team selection was bold, un-Moyes like and, with hindsight, unfair and damaging to some of the younger players. I think there was a worrying lack of urgency seeping through the team and the subs didn't improve things.

I don't think anyone involved can say they gave their all and that is an insult to Evertonians and a total lack of solidarity with the Blues who travelled to watch that surrender.

That was a hugely damaging defeat which will not be helped when some shameless platitudes are delivered by the coach or whatever other shameless sap is wheeled out.

The least we can expect is McNeil to appear in a dunce's cap because he was a disgrace.

Denver Daniels 113 Posted 23/09/2025 at 22:58:28

A Moyes 3rd Round Cup exit. What a shocker. It's so predictable you almost have to laugh.

Moyes is vanilla ice cream. He'll do when there's nothing else but you soon tire of it.

Pete Neilson 114 Posted 23/09/2025 at 23:08:05

Didn't hear anyone in the away end who was confident once we saw the starting eleven. Far too light weight and so it proved. Iroegbunam, McNeil and Alcaraz particularly poor.

We've made a handful of encouraging signings over the summer but scratch the surface and we're weak. It'll take a few more windows to fix. To think that starting eleven was strong enough was an error or hubris.

Unsurprisingly, no cutting edge in attack again. Maybe time to try Ndiaye in the centre and forget about a big target man. Nearly a week to West Ham which takes on increased importance if we're going to recover some momentum and optimism.

Christy Ring 115 Posted 23/09/2025 at 23:10:03

Let's be honest: we were dreadful.

I know you try give the fringe players a go, but playing Coleman at left-back, and two natural left-backs on the bench didn't make sense

Also Tim Iroegbunam has done nothing this season, and our MotM in the last round, Armstrong, was allowed go on loan, another mistake.

Chris Jenkins 116 Posted 23/09/2025 at 23:14:53

The poor performance of Travers again highlights the ill-thought-out decision to allow Joao Virginia to leave and return to Sporting Lisbon.

We just have to hope Pickford doesn't suffer any serious injuries or gets suspended. If either of these situations occurs, we may well be in very serious trouble.

Merle Urquart 117 Posted 23/09/2025 at 23:17:34

It was criminal... no excuse for resting players with no game until Monday.

That was a big "Fuck You" to the fans with a team selection like that. He's pissed on the season already.

West Ham is now a knife-edge game when it didn't need to be.

Annika Herbert 118 Posted 23/09/2025 at 23:21:46

John @ 73,

Isn't it the manager's job to select a team he thinks can win? So how do you not blame the manager for that balls-up of a team?

A lot of those picked tonight had barely kicked a ball, yet were thrown together by the Moyesiah. Yes, they performed badly, but some of those selections were downright ridiculous.

I have read stories on TW praising Moyes for bringing on young players. But it's something I have rarely noticed in his previous stint, or this one so far.

The leopard will never change his spots. Nor will Moyes.

Colin Glassar 119 Posted 23/09/2025 at 23:35:07

I think we all agree that we will need a few more windows to really strengthen the squad in all areas but is Moyes the man to take us forward? Does he really know how to utilise a strong, talented squad? His team selections and substitutions are bizarre and lacking in creativity.

I will never forget a game a few years ago when, losing 2-1 at Goodison, Moyes took off a striker and brought on Tony Hibbert with minutes remaining.

You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

Don Alexander 120 Posted 23/09/2025 at 23:44:10

Tonight was yet another reminder that any team who've spent a protracted period of being unable to beat anyone must go on their knees in gratitude when Everton become their next opponents.

"Out with the old boss, in with the new boss, we won't get fooled again" is the mantra from the philosopher Townshend but, alas, tonight is sooooo redolent of catastrophes for several recent decades.

What doesn't Friedkin understand about this, and what's he going to do about it???

Chris Davies 121 Posted 23/09/2025 at 23:51:22

In the Premier League game, we were 3-1 up and cruising. Moyes replaced Gana and Dewsbury-Hall and we were absolutely dominated for the rest of that match.

Why on earth would you start without those two?? It does feel like it was thrown.... for fuck's sake!

Rob Halligan 122 Posted 24/09/2025 at 00:18:40

Well that was a fucking disgrace, probably even worse than the Bournemouth fiasco a couple of years ago.

Only one person to blame and that is Moyes. I'm sick and tired of manager after manager putting a weakened team out in cup games, with all the best players on the bench.

The team that finished tonight should have been the team that started, get the lead then make the substitutions. It's always difficult chasing a game, no matter how poor the opposition may be.

McNeil played like he didn't want to be there, so why was he not hooked at half-time? Iroegbunham was probably worse, for duck's sake, I doubt if he could pass wind properly!!

And what was the point of replacing Coleman with Mykolenko? It was just a like-for-like substitution, and not one that could have any impact when chasing the game, unless Seamus was carrying a knock?

We had one decent attempt on goal, the free kick that Garner rattled the bar with. Other than that, every attempt we had seemed to be fired high and wide.

I don't recall their keeper making one save. Though having not long got home I would have to look at the stats, or any highlights to confirm that, but I doubt very much it was a game I would like to watch any highlights of.

Moyes needs to ask himself some serious questions if he wants to see out the remains of his contract, because many more poor performances like that and he will be out the door.

If the team he now selects between now and the third round of the FA Cup perform like that, then he will definitely be out the door.

Sean Kearns 123 Posted 24/09/2025 at 00:21:34

Total piss take!…

Jake at right-back and Seamus at left-back means two players out of position! Why not put Seamus right-back and Jake left-back? Then at least only one is out of position…

Why is it all over-complicated! These are professional elite athletes who can play regularly. We should have played the team from the weekend and rested players when we are 2-0 up!!!!

After managing us on and off for around 20 years why the fuck couldn't he see this coming!! We all could!….. And I'm a staunch Moyes supporter.

Starting a Premier League season with no recognized full backs and only two forwards -- who are both shite -- is an absolute farce!!! Get some free agents in, for fuck's sake!! Where is the next forward out of the academy! We need a saviour…

Fuck feelings or upsetting anyone, Jordan should play every single game for us. Travers is shit…

I'd seriously consider a false 9, maybe Ndiaye up front at this point. Beto and Barry are beyond shit…. I'd take the number 9 off Beto as well. He's not worthy of the shirt. The big lummox… Give Apostolos Vellios a ring!

Kieran Kinsella 124 Posted 24/09/2025 at 00:31:52

Rob,

Well said. My question is: what's the logic for seemingly prioritizing the league?

We aren't going to win it or get CL, we don't appear to be in a relegation battle. So why “rest” players for the league?

Best case we get top 8 which might mean the Europa or Conference League... if someone already qualified for Europe wins them.

Alternatively, we could try and win five games, and qualify for said European competition and win a piece of silverware. At the risk of what?

Finishing a place or two lower from the middle table range? Seems a no-brainer to me but Moyes is the genius running the show.

Rob Halligan 125 Posted 24/09/2025 at 00:54:18

It's amazing how quickly you can forget things.

I said earlier that I don't think we had a decent attempt on goal, apart from the free kick that hit he bar, but having just watched a brief 2 minutes highlights on the official site, there were two other good chances:

Michael Keane brought a good save from their keeper with a header from a throw-in that was sailing into the top corner.

And James Garner brought another good save with a low shot to the keeper's left which he did well to parry away from danger and have it go for a throw-in.

Still shit though.

Chris Davies 126 Posted 24/09/2025 at 00:58:20

One last gripe...

The side he put out tonight was/is relegation fodder. We know this from previous seasons. It's simply not fair to expect any (Dibling particularly) of those young boys to play in among that lot.

Timmy Iroegbunam should've gone to Preston, while our prestige young boy should've stayed.

Chris Davies 127 Posted 24/09/2025 at 01:01:50

Not quite finished...

That keeper is a steaming pile of shite!

Colin Malone 128 Posted 24/09/2025 at 01:06:19

We need to get a freebee centre-forward ASAP.

Valencia, ex West Ham forward. Back playing for his country.

Sean Kearns 129 Posted 24/09/2025 at 01:31:04

Colin #128…

Valencia played for us too! And was quite good

Bob Parrington 130 Posted 24/09/2025 at 04:07:55

Clearly Moyes wants to focus on the Premier League and was prepared to sacrifice the Carabao Cup, while giving a number of the previous starters some minutes.

IMO, not as stupid as it may appear considering our revival process.

Mick O'Malley 131 Posted 24/09/2025 at 05:57:26

I'll never understand any fan who doesn't want to progress in any cup.

In the '80s when we entered the Simod Cup and Zenith Data Cup that replaced Euro competitions, I was gutted when we lost in the final.

I'm absolutely sick to death of the loser mentality of this club and some of the fan base, I'm sick of getting shit of kopites and I'm pissed off with negative managers who play boring safety-first shite.

I honestly wish we'd have stuck it out with Marco Silva because we would never have went down that season he was sacked.

We kicked off cos we got our usual thumping at Anfield and chased him and since then it has been a nightmare with the likes of Allardyce and Dyche.

Now Moyes is resorting to type with the cowardly safety-first shite. I'm not sure I'll ever see Everton win another competition as I enter my late 50s...

Andy Meighan 132 Posted 24/09/2025 at 06:07:16

Mick 132.

I'm 66 and, even if I live to 96, I don't think I'll see us win another thing.

And by the way, spot on with everything you said, nothing's changed. I was full of optimism a few weeks ago; all of a sudden, I'm getting a feeling of déjà vu.

Totally fed up.

Paul Johnson 133 Posted 24/09/2025 at 07:14:20

I second everything Mick O'Malley says.

Mike Corcoran 134 Posted 24/09/2025 at 07:28:31

In the cold light of morning, considering the back-up we have after the first eleven, considering what a few injuries to key players will do to the team, maybe this cup has been chucked early doors.

Ian Jones 135 Posted 24/09/2025 at 07:46:56

I feel the headline is a bit harsh on Mickey Mouse. He was a true professional who always delivered on the big stage whereas Everton on that showing..... please feel free to finish that sentence.

He'd probably be embarrassed to have his name linked with that performance.

Phil Wood 136 Posted 24/09/2025 at 07:47:24

Semi-positive start to the season now teetering on the brink.Loss to Leeds in the league, draw with a wobbly Aston Villa, loss to a poor Wolves side in the Cup is not great after a handful of games. The win at Wolves in the league nearly turned to disaster. Two goals up on the back of a great start to the game nearly blew up in our faces.

This West Ham game is huge for both teams. It is an early cup final. Win and we look flatteringly near the top of the Premier League. Lose and we will be 2 or 3 points off the Relegation zone yet again.

The Psychology of the West Ham game cannot be understated.

Jack has had a great start to the season but the opposition have now started to take him seriously once again and are marking him hard. The Refs appear to have now waived the auto free-kick card that he got at Man City. Playing for us, they are now treating him as a diver and he isn't given the protection he had at City.

Last night gave us a vision of the Everton we have seen in past seasons. The weak one in which we lie down and die but escape relegation by the skin of our teeth.

We have nowhere near turned the corner until we can put 10 points between us and the bottom 3.

The usual relegation fodder promoted teams have turned up to fight it out this season. We won't have the luxury of a free hit.

West Ham at home is a must win or we will struggle as usual.

Terry Downes 137 Posted 24/09/2025 at 07:53:07

Anyone tell me that keeper is any better than Virginia? He looked dodgy as fuck to me, another waste of money -- even if he was a free?

Another balls up from the man that never learns... How many times is this? And the FA Cup will be the same.

Kunal Desai 138 Posted 24/09/2025 at 08:20:12

Disappointing to go out of a cup competition, I expect it will be similar in the FA Cup. The Friedkins I suspect will see progress in the bread and butter which is the league and a top 10 finish.

Disappointing as it is, I'd still have Moyes over the last three clowns that have managed us and almost relegated us. Moyes will be here for two seasons at least. It's who the Friedkins appoint thereafter that will be interesting to see.

Andrew Ellams 139 Posted 24/09/2025 at 08:35:48

I saw a comment elsewhere last night that sums up modern football to a tee.

Tim Iroegbunam was signed to appear on a balance sheet -- not a team sheet.

Bill Fairfield 140 Posted 24/09/2025 at 08:37:20

Wish Moyes could read the comments on here. He might just realise how much he's let down and disappointed the whole fan base.

It feels like back to Square One.

Peter Mills 141 Posted 24/09/2025 at 08:39:31

I was watching an interview with our CEO, who was saying that the players had asked for the ‘win bonus' pool of money to be spread around everyone associated with the first team squad, including physios, kit staff, chefs etc.

I hope a few of them will be sharing their thoughts with the manager and players over the next day or two. Imagine that poor coach driver getting home at 2:00 am -- “Sorry love, the new carpet is going to have to wait for a while”.

Shout out to Rob H, who travelled as usual, endured that farce, got home just before 1:00 am, and found the courage to watch the “highlights”.

Steve Brown 142 Posted 24/09/2025 at 08:42:07

Well said Mick @ 131.

Spot on.

Steve Brown 143 Posted 24/09/2025 at 08:42:15

The big problem with the tactics, selection, gameplan and player attitudes over the last 2 matches is that it has killed the momentum and that was building up nicely since the Brighton game.

The manager and players have to take a long hard look at themselves in the coming days.

The mentality of Moyes and the squad has also been wrong in the matches, regardless of your opinion on whether we could compete with Liverpool or afford to rotate players for the Wolves game.

They have let the fans down yet again, particularly the thousands who travel to away games.

David Bromwell 144 Posted 24/09/2025 at 08:42:55

Re our reserve keepers, I too am not at all sure about Travers; whatever happened to our own Harry Tryer? He's been really good out on loan for 3 seasons and not sure where he is now.

However, last night's shambles was similar to the game at Leeds, and the manager must acknowledge that the teams he sent out were not fit for purpose.

Geoff Harrison 145 Posted 24/09/2025 at 08:52:18

The moment that lost us that game was the moment when the Wolves team saw the Everton team sheet.

Imagine: you are incredibly low on confidence after 5 straight league defeats, you can remember a few short weeks ago being outplayed by an impressive Everton team. And then you learn that you don't have to face that team.

It was David Moyes who gave the Wolves team that confidence; and he is the only individual to blame for that performance.

What is even more puzzling is wondering what Moyes thought he would achieve. This represents a turning point. Momentum is lost.

Joe McMahon 146 Posted 24/09/2025 at 08:57:30

Mick,@131, with you all the way, I turned 56 a couple of weeks ago.

Moyes is a coward (a very rich one). Does he really want to have managed Everton over 2 stints clocking up 13/14 years without winning just one single trophy. Bo Diddy in all these years.

I too never wanted Marco Silva gone, nor Moyes back.

Peter Mills 147 Posted 24/09/2025 at 09:01:06

Our season so far:-

Leeds - awful.Brighton - could have been 1-4 down at halftime. Mansfield - uninspiring, did enoughWolves - played some lovely stuff at times, nearly blew it.Villa - toothless. Liverpool - pathetic for the first 30 minutes, during which time the game was lost.Wolves - awful.

A mark of 3.8 out 10 from me; must do better.

Dave Abrahams 148 Posted 24/09/2025 at 09:09:51

Come on, Moyes, be a man and resign like your predecessor did because he realised the job was too big for him.

That's how you got the job, you've made more than enough money out of Everton in the past.

Mind you, going by your efforts this season, you already realise you are not good enough and have started picking the teams and using the tactics that will get you your comics and P45 and another big pay day.

Colin Glassar 149 Posted 24/09/2025 at 09:12:35

Great post, Mick 131, I don't know if I'll ever see Everton win anything again. Sad but true.

We won't go down with Moyes at the helm but we won't be challengers for anything either.

I appreciate what he's done since returning, ie, saving us, stabilising the club etc… but can he take us further? This is not a knee-jerk reaction, it's a simple question regarding our future.

Bill Gienapp 150 Posted 24/09/2025 at 09:16:35

Oh, Moyes is a craven loser?

Colour me shocked.

Paul Hewitt 151 Posted 24/09/2025 at 09:18:27

Like I've said previously, I like Moyes.

But sadly I agree: we won't win anything with him in charge.

Sam Hoare 152 Posted 24/09/2025 at 09:21:56

I was keen for Moyes to make a few changes and in particular for Dibling, Barry and Alcaraz to get a run out but seven felt too many. It seemed especially pointless to play Coleman at left back (why buy Aznou??!) and Travers. If Pickford was playing I don't think that first goal happens and it's a different game.

Poor selection by Moyes. Though that said I think some players really let him down. Dibling is the most expensive teenager we've bought, you'd think he'd be raring to go and desperate for the ball but he didn't seem to want it. And McNeil is a seasoned pro who has been one of our best creative players in recent years and yet looked totally disinterested and ineffective.

A real let down from both manager and players. We cannot rely on Grealish, Gueye and Ndiaye every match. We'll lose 2 of them for December at least.

Paul Hewitt 153 Posted 24/09/2025 at 09:34:02

Let's just end this myth that we remain a big club; we don't. Big clubs win things -- or at least try too. Last night we didn't even try.

If I owned the club, Moyes would be getting a very angry owner asking what the hell was he doing last night. I doubt TFG will do that...

Jimmy Carr 154 Posted 24/09/2025 at 10:05:20

Sam (152)

McNeil must want out. As you rightly say, he's been a decent player for us, something must have gone on?

Moyes doesn't seem to fancy Alcaraz much either, that could go the same way.

Seamus at left back?

Young players like Dibling, Barry and Aznou may already be wondering if they made the right move.

Moyes has work to do if he wants to keep players happy and bring them along with him. It certainly didn't work out last night. Massively disappointing.

Dave Williams 155 Posted 24/09/2025 at 10:25:50

Too many changes, though he had to give Dibling and Alcaraz a start. That team on paper was plenty strong enough to win the game and it was tactics and motivation which were the main problem, not selection, though playing Coleman at left-back was stupid.

Our main problem is the lack of a decent centre-forward and whoever scouted Barry needs to look at himself!

Play Ndiaye through the middle or find an experienced free agent. Folk keep saying we won't be in a relegation fight but I wouldn't be too cocky at this stage. We should be nowhere near one but we can't keep performing badly.

Nicholas Ryan 156 Posted 24/09/2025 at 10:51:23

Ian [135].

Cracker!

Ian Wilkins 157 Posted 24/09/2025 at 10:54:52

Everything was wrong with that last night.

Disjointed, square pegs round holes, underprepared, unmotivated, misplaced arrogance that we're somehow a great squad that only has to turn up. We're not. We're a million miles off it. We're mid-table from a set of mixed performances, we could easily go either way depending on next few results.

The problems from the Summer aren't going away anytime soon. No decent striker ( let's be honest two very poor recruits). No quality in full back positions. Lack the Gana replacement or stand in.

All this was evident all Summer and we failed to address any of it. I can't let our reserve keeper off either. He was awful again last night. Can't be trusted.

Mid table mediocrity may well be progress from recent flirtations with relegation but it shouldn't be enough. Everton fans deserve better than throwing away cup opportunities in this manner and conceding the game at Anfield at the kick off.

I'm sure TFG will also have expected more.

Mick O'Malley 158 Posted 24/09/2025 at 10:56:01

Colin at 149 and others, thanks.

I'm just so frustrated, our wonderful away fans probably took time of work etc yesterday to go and watch that pitiful display spending their hard-earned to then watch some of the players just go through the motions.

It costs a fortune to follow your team nowadays to be served up a display where it looked like half of them couldn't be arsed.

Colin Malone 159 Posted 24/09/2025 at 11:15:46

Sorry.

I meant Antonio.

David Bromwell 160 Posted 24/09/2025 at 11:52:59

Antonio, Moyes will obviously know him well, and that might be the problem.

But I always enjoyed/feared watching him and he could teach Barry the art of centre-forward play, assuming he is keen to learn.

Andrew Ellams 161 Posted 24/09/2025 at 12:10:43

The problem now is that I don't think we'll see much more of Barry, apart from some late substitute appearances.

Beto is our man until May because I doubt our owners will go striker hunting in the massively over-inflated January window.

Jerome Shields 163 Posted 24/09/2025 at 17:05:57

I still think that Moyes was brought in for continuity and because of the successful move from Upton Park to the London Stadium.

My concern is that you need big cup nights at Bramley-Moore Dock, at least till January, to keep the move momentum going. The Premier League should keep the momentum after that.

I see there are threads on Moyes and the game. I won't be looking at them.

I just got a glimpse of Moyes's pre-derby presser on this thread. It made we want to throw up.

Bill Watson 164 Posted 24/09/2025 at 23:48:58

What a wasted trip and appalling team selection by Moyes.

When will our managers ever learn that, in these games, you should start your strongest side and then, if the game allows, give your squad players some game time?

Once again, we've thrown away the chance to progress in this competition.

Kieran Kinsella 165 Posted 25/09/2025 at 02:20:37

When Moyes arrived, it was only 7 years since our last trophy. Bearing in mind we'd gone a decade and a half without one before 1984, people were willing to give Moyes the customary (at that time) 3 years to build a team. People even extended that and bought Bill Kenwright's 5-year plan. A year or too late, we finally got to a cup final. But after that, patience ran out.

Now it's been 30 years since we won a trophy and Moyes has been manager for more than a third of that period. If he thinks competing to be the best of the rest in the league and throwing cups is good enough now, then he's sorely mistaken.

Moyes out.

Dave Abrahams 166 Posted 25/09/2025 at 17:15:46

Bill (164)

If you asked a 100 fans how you would start a game with the team, I think you would close to 95 saying start with your strongest eleven and see how they progress

Not the way Everton's manager started Tuesday night's game or the way he finished the derby game, being honest, trying to change the game with two subs 4 minutes from the end!