O'Brien's crazy handball an early Christmas present for Arsenal

Everton 0 - 1 Arsenal

A heavily depleted Everton squad put on a decent fight against Arsenal at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday night, but for a bizarre handball penalty given away inexplicably by Jake O'Brien.

It should have been a huge night for Everton, welcoming former Premier League leaders Arsenal to the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the first time. But that penalty would prove decisive.

Jack Grealish started and Merlin Rohl made his return from injury on the bench as Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall missed out, the midfielder picking up a hamstring injury against Chelsea last weekend.

The Blues were also without Jarrad Branthwaite and Seamus Coleman, while Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye are now unavailable having joined the Senegal squad for Afcon.

Two goalkeepers on the bench, just in case, along with Dibling and Aznou, both still struggling for game time from the Boss.

Mikel Arteta is without Cristhian Mosquera, Ben White, Gabriel, Kai Havertz and Max Dowman for tonight’s game.

First Half

The visitors kicked off but Everton kept playing it back to Pickford for the long punt upfield to try and confound Arsenal. A great challenge by Keane on Gyokeres got the juices flowing early on as both sides started in a pretty cagey manner.

Grealish looked to release Mykolnko down the left but his ball was poorly overhit. It was nearly 10 minutes of back and forth before Everton were the first to almost mount an attack, with two hopeful crosses into the Arsenal box that were easily repelled.

But Everton won the first corner off Saliba, delivered well to the crowd at the far post by Garner for an Everton throw-in that won another corner, and a ridiculous mortar delivery by McNeil that flew over everyone and out behind.

But Everton were at least making it difficult for Arsenal to play their game, Saka unable to get past Mykolenko. Grealish tried to force his way down the left wing but was triple-teamed. And it was 18 minutes before Saka on the other side got behind the Blues defence, Zubimendi lashing it high and wide.

Arsenal mounted a more fluid attack, Gyokeres heading Saka's deep cross well wide. A similar attack saw Gyokeres cynically try to get a penalty by collapsing in front of Jake O'Brien.

But from the corner, Jake O'Brien strangely stuck both arms straight up as he defended the cross in, and clearly handled the ball. Penalty. Plus a yellow card for Mykolenko and much argument with the referee. Gyokeres smashed an unstoppable spot-kick over Pickford's desperate dive.

Grealish played a tempting ball through for Garner and Barry but Raya was onto it in a flash. Garner was quick to steal the ball off Calafiori only for Alcaraz to gift it straight back. Everton almost got forward from a free-kick won by Iroegbunam but ended up sending it all the way back to Pickford.

Alcaraz did his giveaway trick again, and Tarkowski went through his man for a free-kick and a yellow card. But all Arsenal did was pass the parcel around without really trying. Rice fired over.

Arsenal finally played a good throughball for Gyokeres and Tarkowski defended it superbly. Barry and Califiori collided in the air, the Arsenal player falling painfully on his back. Time was added to added time before the game resumed.

Tarkowski got the ball forward but Grealish saw his chance vanish, then Garner crossed too close to Raya. Alcaraz yet again gifted the ball to Arsenal and they surged forward, heading wide. Alcaraz made partial amends, winning the ball back and pushing one up through for Barry to chase but there was no chance he could do anything with it as nearly 7 minutes brought the first half to an end.

Second Half

No changes of course from David Moyes who probably thought a one-goal deficit meant we were playing well.

Alacarz had an early chance to play a good ball into the Arsenal area buyt chose the wrong option. An O'Brien throw caused chaos and panic but no handball. The Blues kept up the pressure but Barry and was it Alcaraz tried to head the same cross from Tarkowski and it went harmlessly through to Raya.

The respite was brief. Gyokeres almost getting through before it looked like Saka would bang in no 2, but somehow it was blocked away behind Pickford.

Barry got a chance to chase a ball down with Zubimendi tripping him up, probably outside the area... just. Did the ref point to the spot before changing his mind? Very odd.

Everton kept up the forward pressure but poor control of the ball let down, McNeil just not up to it. Gyokeres booked for delaying the restart.

Saliba kicked Barry's leg as they competed for a bouncing ball in the Arsenal area. Grealish screamed for a penalty and it went to the VAR but was cleared.

Hincapie clearly held back Barry but no sanction for the Arsenal player. McNeil's high looping free-kick was watched all the way by Raya. Grealish looked set for a left-wing slalom but soon lost the ball and an onslaught on the Everton area ensued.

A sweeping Arsenal move saw Trossard played in and he curled a great shot onto the post. Time for some changes by both sides. Saka stayed down for ages after Grealish accidentally trod on his foot.

Another stronger Arsenal attack saw Zubimendi also smash his shot into the post as Arsenal looked to wrap things up.

Beto did brilliantly to win the ball back off Salibi but it led to another awful balloned cross from McNeil that was meat and drink for Raya. At the other end, Keane marshalled Saka well, denying him a corner.

Changes were finally made in midfield by Moyes, some young lad called Dibling coming on and doing his Grealish impression on the right.

Mykolenko had to be alert to block a cross from Timber behind for an Arsenal corner. But Everton kept pushing Arsenal back, without really creating any worthwhile chances.

Rohl did well to break an Arsenal press and scamper away but nobody seemed interested in following him; a shockingly poor moment from Everton.

Everton tried again to put some pressure on but Saliba won the contest with Beto this time. Saka tried to dribble in, beating Mykolenko but not Keane, who got his toe to the ball for a corner, cleared.

A terrible moment saw Rohl play a blind pass that put everyone in trouble, Tarkowski almost scoring an own goal. Panic followed Saka's brilliant corner that Pickford punched away but it came back in for a crazy pinball session.

The final added minutes were hectic, with the Blues feeling they might just still get a goal, even though any form of fluid play was lacking, and the whistle finally went on another home defeat for Everton.

Subs not Used: Travers, King, Patterson, Aznou, Welch, Campbell.

Arsenal: Raya, Timber, Saliba, Hincapie, Calafiori, Odegaard (88' Merino), Zubimendi, Rice, Saka, Gyokeres [Y:56'] (65' Gabriel Jesus), Trossard (80' Martinelli).

Subs not Used: Arrizabalaga, Eze, Norgaard, Madueke, Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly.

Referee: Samuel BarrottVideo Assistant Referee: Michael Salisbury

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Jake Mcdonough 2 Posted 20/12/2025 at 19:00:10

Mcneil and JOB Two out of position players playing on the same side gonna be long night

John Williams 3 Posted 20/12/2025 at 19:08:03

If you turned up at the ground with a pair of boots, you would probably got on the bench.

Oliver Molloy 4 Posted 20/12/2025 at 19:17:53

If rumours are true that Richarlison would jump at the chance to come back to Everton - they need to go get him !

Gavin Johnson 5 Posted 20/12/2025 at 19:30:33

McNeil on the right is a ridiculous decision.

Billy Shears 6 Posted 20/12/2025 at 19:37:09

Put Mac on the left & put Jack on the right!

Paul Griffiths 7 Posted 20/12/2025 at 19:51:00

Such a weak bench. Anyway fingers crossed.

Edward Rogers 8 Posted 20/12/2025 at 19:53:45

Just your fingers, Paul?

I've got everything crossed (even the missus!)

Kevin Molloy 9 Posted 20/12/2025 at 19:58:32

let's hope the wind off that Dock is a swirling.

They don't like it up 'em, them cockneys.

Bill Gall 10 Posted 20/12/2025 at 20:27:48

What's he doing with his hands that height???

John Wignall 11 Posted 20/12/2025 at 20:31:44

Unbelievable from O'Brien.

Paul Kossoff 12 Posted 20/12/2025 at 20:33:07

Well done, Jake.

You're a man, not fucking 12!

John Wignall 13 Posted 20/12/2025 at 20:43:46

Arsenal look poor tonight...

But Everton look worse. Too many passengers.

Kieran Kinsella 14 Posted 20/12/2025 at 20:52:43

What an utterly tedious slow paced first half. Looks like two groups of old age pensioners doing light exercise.

One stupid handball the only moment of note. Did both teams overdose on Ambien?

Michael Kenrick 15 Posted 20/12/2025 at 20:56:02

Just so slow, Kieran. This horrible possession football. And us, safety first back to Pickford.

Alcaraz really poor until the very last seconds. It'll take a miracle.

David Wall 16 Posted 20/12/2025 at 21:07:02

Jake O’Brien doing what Pickford should be doing in the 6 yard box, getting his hands to a cross

Paul Clements 18 Posted 20/12/2025 at 21:52:36

Criticism of David Moyes at this stage is ridiculous! What more could he do with such a depleted squad?

The 1st team, when fit, is a match for most in the Premier League, and after only one transfer market. Having a squad is a massive issue, but this will take time.

Have patience, fellow blues.

Kevin Molloy 19 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:01:51

Wow, only caught the last 10 minutes.

We looked as flat as fuck.

Ian Bennett 20 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:08:22

Handball by O'Brien, but I ain't convinced it would go the other way. They'd found a way to waive it away for a push. Same as the Salina kick on Barry. Would go one way, but not other.

VAR is there to help the Sky favourite, remember.

Football is bent, hello, hello.

Craig Walker 21 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:09:30

We need at least one forward early in January. Beto and Barry are Championship standard.

I thought a bit more fight tonight and we could have got something. I don't think Arsenal were vastly superior despite their resources.

Worryingly, the subs added nothing which shows the paucity of options with Dewsbury-Hall and Ndiaye unavailable. It's not as desperate as previous winters but it's frustrating that the same limitations are costing us in such a tight Premier League.

We wasted money over summer on Barry, Dibling and the young fullback, Aznou. Dibling looks lethargic and leggy when he comes on.

Ray Jacques 22 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:14:04

Every time we play a decent team, our ongoing and never ending issues of poor full-backs and absolute dross up front come back to haunt us.

Nine points needed from the next four games and we will be looking good, but the lack of a decent forward needs sorting first week of January.

Ashley Roberts 23 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:24:59

Not much between the sides but Arsenal the better side with strength in depth.

Not sure what O'Brien was doing. I thought defensively we were sound and Tim and Garner were good. We just had nothing going forward and Charly was poor today. Barry and Beto did not have many opportunities and McNeil is just too slow.

I think we now know why Moyes has not played Dibling. He looked lethargic and looked way out of his depth. I thought Merlin did okay when he came on but we definitely need strikers in January.

I know Mykelenko has been getting bad reviews recently but I thought he defended well today. Just a few players short of a reasonable team.

Merle Urquart 25 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:27:24

An absolutely atrocious and incompetent performance from all concerned there. I was particularly disappointed with Alcaraz and Grealish too.

We are light years behind Arsenal and l'm just sorry I've got tickets for the next three home games already.

Dave Abrahams 26 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:28:43

Another poor scrappy game.

John @ (13) summing it up for me saying “Arsenal looked poor tonight but Everton looked worse with too many passengers”.

Definitely with some 4's 5's and 6's if the ratings are marked correctly.

Merle Urquart 27 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:34:47

By the way, are our players under instruction to slow down our attacking play?

We broke up more of our attacks than the Arsenal defence did tonight.

Rob Jones 28 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:38:04

Context is fine, but you still look at that team and think "what the fuck?" Barry is a bollard, O'Brien is Brigadier Block (With His Hand), McNeil is abject on the right-hand side. Tenth with this team is forgivable.

But still: was Patterson found in bed with Moyes's wife and daughter? Because O'Brien is a perfectly good centre-back, but we're crying out for width, and whatever his deficiencies, surely Patterson would offer more at right-back than Mr I'm Eight Foot Tall But Use My Hand Rather Than My Head. Dibling should get the start next week. Patterson should get a game. We need width.

Fuck. I need to walk, because that performance has pissed me off.

Kieran Kinsella 30 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:41:46

Merle

I didn't get the lack of pace. It was like watching Reidy in that veterans game v Roma. Yeah, McNeil is slower than Ndyiae but not like snail slow surely?

Both teams seemed to have a strategy of standing off and doing nothing then appealing for a penalty on the rare occasion that the ball got into the box.

Jim Bennings 31 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:46:05

Shite game, let's be honest, we could still be playing now and not have scored.

Until we get pace out wide, and I include the fullbacks in this, because Mykolenko and O'Brien absolutely do my head in at right and left side, and a proper striker, one that has a brain and a bit of beef on him, then we might as well forget Top 12.

Simon Dalzell 32 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:47:33

Tedious garbage. £40M for Dibling and he can only get 15 minutes among that pile of crap. Rohl to a smaller degree.

Scene is set. 52,000 thousand, a state-of-the-art new stadium and a shockingly poor team. New manager to start, then just about a full team of players required.

Bill Gall 33 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:48:12

Game of 2 penalties in a poor game: 1 given, 1 not given.

But I suppose you stay in first place on the referees decision with assistance from VAR, who I don't think even looked at the Barry incident when he was kicked in the penalty area.

Apart from that, with a weakened team, it was a decent effort, but shows how poor Everton are with certain players absent.

Hope the Everton management team can do something to strengthen the squad in the transfer window as every team has injuries to cope with, and we definitely missed the 2 players on international duties.

Ralph Basnett 34 Posted 20/12/2025 at 22:48:28

I would defo try and get Patterson on the park against Burnley. O'Brien has been found out in that position. I would also rest Tarkowski who looks done.

I'd much rather have McNeil stay at Finch Farm and start Dibling.

Michael Kenrick Editorial Team 36 Posted 20/12/2025 at 23:04:24

Great post from Allan Board on the Live Forum:

Missing 3 key players -- I don't include Gana -- Branthwaite is the 3rd.

However, if you continue to rely on the same players, week-in & week-out, and refuse to give game time to others, that's what you end up with. Football today is an 18- to 20-man squad rotation -- if you don't do it, you end up with favourites which kills the confidence of the squad as a whole.

Tonight was all the evidence I needed to see that our bench and extended squad is being isolated and confidence ruined. It's called inclusion... and all the teams that win things have had it.

Wake up, Everton, it's not 1985 anymore.

Mark Taylor 37 Posted 20/12/2025 at 23:04:45

How can we pay £40M for a third-choice right attacker when we have no real money?

Michael Kenrick Editorial Team 38 Posted 20/12/2025 at 23:09:23

Christy,

Your comments had nothing to do with the Everton v Arsenal game.

I moved them to the Premier League -- Matchweek 17 thread, where they belong. Please do not post off-topic.

Tony Abrahams 39 Posted 20/12/2025 at 23:11:27

Christmas 2025: Everton played 17, points 24.

Christmas 2023: Everton played 18, points 26, but because we were deducted 10 points, the table was changed to Everton played 18, points 16.

The club is now in a much better financial state, but the team haven't won a trophy for 30 fucking years, so I think we need to question why this type of statement was put out, less than two weeks ago, thanking the fans for staying with the club through our darkest times?

We only lost two creative players and, although we battled hard, we simply never had the craft to really trouble Arsenal, but we are out of our darkest times?

I don't like being negative but somewhere along the way, this club of ours has forgotten what professional football is all about, and the real reason what Everton Football Club, should exist for.

Kevin Molloy 40 Posted 20/12/2025 at 23:12:12

You can rotate, Michael, if you have appropriate quality in the positions.

The problem we have is, after 6 years of no investment, we have a reasonably good first eleven and then the drop off to the rest of the squad is enormous.

So taking off Ndiaye or Grealish to give Dibling half an hour could turn a crucial three points into a draw.

Annika Herbert 42 Posted 20/12/2025 at 23:31:48

Paul @ 18, what more could Moyes have done?

Started a right winger rather than McNeil to start with. Made substitutions earlier etc.

Moyes has done a decent job since taking over but that doesn't exempt him from criticism.

He could even have replaced O'Brien with Patterson to try and give us something going forward. If we are going to lose, at least go down fighting.

Moyes will never change tactics, always safety first, score first if possible, then defend for our lives.

Let's see how he lines up away at Burnley. A game we need to win or, at the very least, not lose.

Brendan McLaughlin 43 Posted 20/12/2025 at 23:38:22

We lost the match because...

Ian Bennett 44 Posted 20/12/2025 at 23:57:09

We've been a non-entity for decades. If we weren't, we could go out and sign any player, and they'd come. We are way down the pecking order of professional football. Even Kenny Tete told us to get to fuck.

Go in for Guehi and Semenyo. Both would instantly lift the quality of the squad to Michael's demand for a 20-man squad as it's not 1985.

Guehi and Branthwaite at the back, Semenyo, Ndiaye and Grealish, would be a potent attacking 3.

Chances of that happening, absolutely zero. Nothing to do with Moyes either. You could put King Charles in the dug out, and it would make fuck-all difference. We are a mid-table club and it's going to be a slog to turn it around..

The fan base might be big, but the club profile remains way off.

Swapping O'Brien and McNeil for Dibling and Patterson would've achieved nothing. Fresh legs, but never going to have the quality to undermine a side that's been assembled for a billion quid.

We are under-gunned against the big boys.

45 Posted 20/12/2025 at 00:18:56

Hi guys, in fairness, my comment on the Live Forum was aimed more toward the overall mentality toward a squad's use at Everton over many years, and the long-term damage it has created.

I fully take on board that currently the "reserves " are not world beaters, but neither are any of the first team! For Everton to move on and become anything like "current "in the Premier League, the ethos of squad rotation has to be accepted by the club's hierarchy and actively encouraged -- I don't believe this to be the case presently.

You can always give reasons why you shouldn't or can't change -- successful businesses and people take risks and are proactive in their positivity toward such matters -- and state reasons why it should be changed.

This team aren't getting relegated -- there is some real dross in the Premier League, so now is the time to experiment and be brave under pretty much a stress free environment. If you just leave it and accept mediocrity, you can forget Everton ever competing again.

Managers will protect their own profile, so the key is to go after guys who take a risk, but with the acknowledgement of its owners and long-term staff that they are in agreement.

As nice as the new stadium is, that isn't going to make Everton great again -- a risk-taking club ethos based on player rotation throughout its entire structure, from under-7s to the first team will, because the winning teams already have it.

Moyes is an okay fella... but there is a reason why his record against the best teams is bad historically; strength in depth is not his forte and his reliance on square pegs in round holes simply doesn't cut it anymore -- not if you want to compete at the high end of the table anyway.

Look at Aston Villa: modern manager who has a squad system in place now, he has done an unbelievable job, but it's risky to a degree. They already are beating the "top" teams regularly and I wouldn't discount them this season.

Everton have been dormant for 30 years -- time to get with it, modernise the football structurally, and take risks. You won't win the raffle if you don't buy a ticket lads! Us as fans will always back the team after all.

The fella at Palace is not getting the backing he deserved, by the way -- rumblings abound... perhaps his aspirations are not being mutually reciprocated by its owners? A fella not unlike himself would be a start.

Paul Hewitt 46 Posted 21/12/2025 at 00:33:31

Ian @44. Absolutely spot on mate.

But unfortunately some fans still live in the 80's. Idiots.

Colin Malone 47 Posted 21/12/2025 at 00:33:49

We were our own worst enemy today, with passing and possession.

Barry is the nearest centre forward to Brett Angell that I've seen in a blue shirt. He is awful. Two full-backs and a centre-forward please, Father Christmas.

Mike Corcoran 48 Posted 21/12/2025 at 00:43:24

Get Grealish off the left touchline and get him involved in the middle.

Dwight on the right? Ridiculous, he can barely use his right peg, should have been on the left. It was obvious to a few I spoke to before the match.

Barry is soft and just doesn't get there quick enough. Praying for a load of decent business on 1 January. And the exodus of Blues fans from the 75th minute was just embarrassing.

Andy Meighan 49 Posted 21/12/2025 at 00:44:39

Let's have it right, we never laid a glove on them tonight. I don't think we had a shot on target all game.

The lack of creativity is worrying. Yes, we lost nearly an entire midfield, but we're forever being told it's a squad game... Not for us, McNeil is definitely not a replacement for Ndiaye and never will be, totally anonymous, every set piece rammed down the keeper's throat.

The only 2 players for me who came out the game with any credit were Iroegbunam and Mykolenko.

As for the forwards... words fail me, yes, the service was poor but the pair of them are atrocious. Goodnight all and Happy Xmas.

Stu Gre 50 Posted 21/12/2025 at 00:50:38

Oh what a very Moyes shit show. Apologies, but I have spent so much time and money following Everton over the years and a lot of it has been watching Moyes hoodwink fans.

Today, I watched a team that was set up to not win, I don't remember us having a shot in the first half. We have a manager who knows a lot of the fan base will back him, knows he won't get us relegated, and knows he is just protecting himself. His head is so far up his own arse, the only thing that ever comes out of his mouth is shite.

Now people will talk about a depleted squad, but for fuck's sake, that doesn't mean you don't owe it to the fans to give it a go. McNeil v Dibling -- there should have only been one winner in that but of course the youthist won't pick a younger player.

And yes, we are missing players, but I guarantee that Portsmouth will give it a go when they play Arsenal in the FA Cup and their squad is literally awful.

Moyes will win a couple, lose a couple, win a couple, lose a couple and we'll be safe. Whoopdeedoo. He is one of the, if not the biggest reason we haven't won anything since 1995. What I paid to watch today was an abomination. Do one Moyes.

BTW, I might have had a beer.

John Pickles 51 Posted 21/12/2025 at 00:54:39

It's about a nailed on Nil as you are likely to see. Arsenal could have brought their 7th choice keeper and he wouldn't have been troubled.

We huffed and puffed but we were never going to blow Arsenal's house down. Plenty of heroic 50/50 balls won in unimportant areas and some throw-ins that we fought hard for, but Arsenal have about 6 players that are happy to attack the penalty area when given the chance; we have 2 and they aren't available.

They can all pass when under pressure, we can't. I bet MotD looked very one-sided as they had about 5 or 6 chances to our none.

Lastly, could someone have a word with Tarkowski. If he has to do one of his trademark bullet headers when the ball is hoofed up to him in acres of space, could he, just for once, send it roughly in the direction of an Everton player.

Derek Thomas 52 Posted 21/12/2025 at 00:58:10

Prior to O'Brien's brain fart (or some other 'Everton That' thing happening) I could see us getting a draw and -- if we really got the breaks -- a 1-0 win. The replacements for the missing and injured didn't set the world on fire.

Allan @ 45; Well said, but Moyes is not the Manager who can properly handle a squad of 18 to 20 players, any of which who could lay claim to being genuine first XI quality.

So which do we fix first? Getting 18 genuine first XI starters? Or a manager who can get a tune out of them?

It's a bit of a cliche but the less choice he has, the less opportunities he has to dither and second guess himself.Any sort of draw or win and... from a personal satisfaction point of view, he would've gone home to his tea thinking, "How good was that -- it doesn't get any better"

Derek Knox 53 Posted 21/12/2025 at 01:09:29

The choice of McNeil as as opposed to Dibling makes little or no sense, he did absolutely nothing to improve play whatsoever... in fact, I have been disappointed with most of his lacklustre displays when used.

I am not anti-Moyes but some of his stubborn selection decisions leave a lot to be questioned.

Mark Murphy 54 Posted 21/12/2025 at 01:38:03

“Just for once, send it roughly in the direction of an Everton player”

Hallelujah! Someone else sees what I've been saying for years now.

Why the fcuk are we seemingly the only team in the league whose defensive headers always go to the opposition? Pressured or not?

Andy Mead 55 Posted 21/12/2025 at 02:07:22

What has Dibling got to do to get a start? McNeil was out on his feet after 55 minutes, and it still took another 20 minutes to sub him off.

I agree with the other posters that, if you alienate the subs bench, it becomes predictable and it's not good for squad morale. Image knowing you're not going to start, week-in & week-out, no matter what?

First 20 minutes, we were doing well, but that penalty was ridiculous and killed all the momentum.

Saying that, how can VAR say that wasn't a penalty for us? Foul in every other area of the pitch, no matter where the ball is. Are they saying it's not a foul if you kick someone if they haven't got the ball?

It's open corruption or incompetence. If the decisions are so different for every incident, they may as well leave it to the referee, because that was what was happening before VAR.

Alan J Thompson 56 Posted 21/12/2025 at 05:36:20

I've just finished watching the replay of the game for the first time without reading any above comments but I don't think I've ever seen a game so affected by both ineptitude and inconsistency from both VAR and refereeing.

Arsenal's goal was definitely a penalty – the only question being why O'Brien had his arms/hands up there??? I know you sometimes use your arms for extra lift but that didn't seem the case.

However, before that, I think about the 13/14th minute, there was an incident where the ball came off an Arsenal man's arm hanging at about 45 degrees angle from the shoulder and about 12 inches from his side and the ball hit his arm and a corner was given.

My thought at the time was it was ball to hand but that idea went out with the introduction of VAR were it now depends on "natural" position despite finger and shoulder joints, wrists and elbows.

There was also the Barry incident and it was said that VAR couldn't get involved as it might not have been in the penalty area. Why the hell not, they didn't know where the offence definitely took place!

Otherwise, we suffered from Grealish being ineffective and not appearing to have any threat on the right other than the occasionally isolated O'Brien and I thought that Moyes might have brought Dibling on at halftime for either McNeil or Alcaraz just to give us another outlet.

Arsenal did hit the post a couple of times but didn't overly impress me as probable Champions.

But we need to sort out our attack and set pieces as from corners it seems to be far post for Tarkowski this week and short to the near post next week. And never from set pieces or open play do we seem to have anyone arriving late which is always difficult for defenders to mark.

Paul Griffiths 57 Posted 21/12/2025 at 06:22:58

From Youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aujfxCKjGn4

@mackmcgowan316 - As an Arsenal fan how did we not get multiple penalties conceded against us! We were shocking!!

Derek Thomas 58 Posted 21/12/2025 at 07:09:23

Barry is trying – very trying (the old ones are the best) – he's now trying that hard when the ball actually comes near him that, in my opinion, he's now diving – trouble is, he's piss-poor at diving too.

He'll be getting a reputation and, if it's at all possible, we'll end up getting even less than we do now which is five-eighths of fuck all as it is.

Paul Griffiths 59 Posted 21/12/2025 at 07:30:26

Derek - in my opinion he's now diving.

I saw a bit of that too mate. We can only have limited patience but do remember that Dr Michael Gaynes of this parish, former sports writer as he keeps reminding us -- but in 'merica -- told us or rather lectured us that Barry had everything needed to be the finished article.

He said the same about Beto in January or February.

Dave Abrahams 60 Posted 21/12/2025 at 08:45:15

You can criticise McNeil and Charly for their performances because they had poor games but let’s be honest here Dibling came on against a tiring team, only for 15 minutes or so but that was enough for me to see the lad is definitely not ready for the premier league at the moment— he looked like a poor man’s Kieran Dowell,

People are saying Grealish looks tired and needs a break— he’s been like that for the last ten games, he’s passenger getting carried like two or three other players doing next to nothing.

January is going to be a month for these new owners to prove their intentions towards Everton’s well being— it will be very interesting!

Anthony Dove 61 Posted 21/12/2025 at 08:51:50

The stats showed we had two shots but none on target. I can't though recall the two we had. Perhaps they count certain crosses caught by the keeper.

First foul in the match was after 32 minutes. We committed two fouls in the whole game. Ten back passes to Pickford in the first half.

Beam me up, Scotty.

Dave Abrahams 62 Posted 21/12/2025 at 08:58:22

Anthony (61),

Are you sure there is were only 10 passes back to Pickford?

I thought ‘safety first' Keane made that many alone!

Tony Abrahams 63 Posted 21/12/2025 at 09:43:14

Brendan@43, because we never had the players to trouble Arsenal?

I told you I don’t do Christmas cards Brendan, but if I did I would put a little note in yours mate and tell you to read what Allan has written@45.

I have got up this morning with feelings of melancholy towards a club, I have always loved, and partly because right now my overriding feeling is one of apathy.

Moyes is the safe option, he’s Mr Average, and gives memory to the most self serving era, in the club’s long and once illustrious history.

He’s doing what it says on the tin, mostly using only a fraction of his small and limited squad of players, and this imo, suits him down to the ground, into the ground. (At least I can smile at those lyrics from Joan Armatradin!)

Tony Abrahams 64 Posted 21/12/2025 at 10:20:24

Dibling, looked like he had the wrong footwear on, and it also looked like he wasn’t particularly interested. That would be my assessment of his performance from the little amount of time, he spent on the pitch last night Dave.

McNeil, looked like a player who hasn’t had enough minutes, four months into the season. I’m glad he’s training well but there’s no substitute for playing and feeling part of the squad.

Alkaraz, was poor, but it’s not easy playing for a team, with such little craft on the pitch, against a team that dominates possession, but at least the kid kept trying, especially through that spell towards the end of the first half, when he couldn’t do anything right.

Tim did some good things defensively, but he’s not in the game enough at this level, and Grealish, also struggled because he simply never had enough good players running off the ball around him.

Despite what some sports reporters write, you can see why Guardiola, has got rid of him. He’s still a good player, but I’m not sure he has the necessary physical conditioning that is required to play regularly for a team that is challenging for honours, and that leaves James Garner, who I thought was our best midfielder.

The club have got to be very careful with Garner, now he now has got such a small amount of time left on his contract. He’s getting better and better and could definitely play for most of the best teams imo now, simply because of his competitiveness, his energy and his ability to keep the ball moving.

Brian Harrison 65 Posted 21/12/2025 at 10:32:04

Michael 36

You and those like you crying out for more squad rotation, did you not see the alternatives last night Alcaraz passes to the opposition more than his own players, McNeil was a spent force under the Grinch, Dibling and Tim nowhere near Premier league standard and to think we paid £40m for him. Then add to that he has 2 strikers who have scored 2 goals between them. Without our 2 main goal scorers Ndaiye and KDH we not only lack goals we lack any threat of a goal, I cant remember a shot on goal in the whole 90 minutes. I thought apart from O,Brien the back 4 were pretty solid but the ones in front of them offered very little. I thought Grealish was very poor last night and without runners like KDH he doesn't look half the player that started the season. How we get more goals out of this squad without KDH and Ndaiye who will both be missing for weeks will be a real problem for Moyes. I read our CEO is suggesting that we wont be doing much business in January, well Mr Kinnear if we don't get a proper striker in January we will struggle to win many until KDH is fit and Ndaiye and Gane return..

Brian Harrison 66 Posted 21/12/2025 at 10:32:04

Michael 36

You and those like you crying out for more squad rotation, did you not see the alternatives last night Alcaraz passes to the opposition more than his own players, McNeil was a spent force under the Grinch, Dibling and Tim nowhere near Premier league standard and to think we paid £40m for him. Then add to that he has 2 strikers who have scored 2 goals between them. Without our 2 main goal scorers Ndaiye and KDH we not only lack goals we lack any threat of a goal, I cant remember a shot on goal in the whole 90 minutes. I thought apart from O,Brien the back 4 were pretty solid but the ones in front of them offered very little. I thought Grealish was very poor last night and without runners like KDH he doesn't look half the player that started the season. How we get more goals out of this squad without KDH and Ndaiye who will both be missing for weeks will be a real problem for Moyes. I read our CEO is suggesting that we wont be doing much business in January, well Mr Kinnear if we don't get a proper striker in January we will struggle to win many until KDH is fit and Ndaiye and Gane return..

Brian Harrison 67 Posted 21/12/2025 at 10:35:56

Sorry, I forgot to mention James Garner who was outstanding again!!!!

Ian Bennett 68 Posted 21/12/2025 at 10:44:38

Dibling was on the pitch for 21 minutes. I don't think he did anything that suggested he was ready for a start. Not seen him put in a decent cross, take on a shot or take on his man.

I think the posters under estimate the quality and control of the opposition. Raya, timber, calafori, saliba, rice, saka, trossard, odegard, Zuvermendi are all quality footballers. ALL HAVE PACE & TECHNIQUE. Is anyone real expecting obrien, Mykolenko, Mcneil, alcaraz, grealish, Barry to outshine them?

Anthony Dove 69 Posted 21/12/2025 at 10:47:46

Dave@62. You’re probably right. It’s not just an Everton malaise

though, to me it’s ruining the game, You can tell four or five passes

before that the ball is going to end up with the goalkeeper.

I would ban the back pass to the keeper from outside the

box. That would surely make for a better spectacle.

Christy Ring 70 Posted 21/12/2025 at 11:05:14

I thought Barry's was a definite penalty, but nothing new with ref and VAR ignoring it.

We have to sign a fullback and striker in January, Branthwaite should be back, and play O'Brien beside him, which will give us way more pace, and we can play higher up the pitch.p

Derek Knox 71 Posted 21/12/2025 at 11:25:17

As much as I would like Iraola to replace stubborn arse Moyes, Thomas Frank (as long as he brings Richarlison back with him too) would be a great move.

That’s if TFG do what is needed, to show serious ambition!

Ian Bennett 72 Posted 21/12/2025 at 11:28:15

McNeil:-

75 mins played0 out 2 aerial duels0 out 2 grund duels10 out of 13 passes4 incomplete crosses 3 final third passes 0 shots22 touches of the ball0 touches in the box

Grealish:

28 touches1touch in the box11 out 17 passes0 out 1 threw balls0 crosses0 shots0 tackles11 possession lost

O'Brien:

Error leading to goal 1Tackles 0 out 257 touches15 possession lost

Barry:

6 out of 10 passes0 chances created65 minutes played22 touches, 2 in the box0 out of 1 tackle0 shots0 goals

Beto:

Played 30 minutes2 passes1 shot0 chances created

Those are horrible stats. The players need to look at themselves in the mirror, ask why they can’t do better. They're a limited group of players, as the stats bear out.

Dave Abrahams 73 Posted 21/12/2025 at 11:30:20

Tony (64)

Regarding Grealish not having enough players running off the ball for him — he's allowed to run off the ball himself into space for the other players to find him, which he hardly ever does.

He's quite content to stay on the wing and wait for the pass… then does very little with it. To give him his due, he used some energy appealing for the penalty we never got and he uses more energy arguing with the ref over little things.

Also, he uses that bleedin' ridiculous smile through the game, coming and going off the pitch, but he's doing next to nothing once he gets the ball— he's a passenger and a very fuckin' expensive one at that.

Pep definitely knew the score with Jack!

Raymond Fox 74 Posted 21/12/2025 at 11:33:59

The highlights on Match of the Day lasted about 20 seconds!

Before the game, I honestly thought we would get beaten by 2 or more goals, considering the players Moyes had to pick from. Remarkably it would have been a draw but for O'Brien’s barmy handball.

If it was horse racing or boxing there would be an inquiry into has O'Brien took a bribe to lose the game. I mean is he a closet goalie, I like the lad but that was crazy.

I'm in no way suggesting he has, maybe he had a few slugs of firewater before the game.

We were bad but at least we had lots of excuses, Arsenal were only a little better than us.

We have had the guts ripped out of the team which leaves us at the moment with a squad that is probably 15th-16th quality on a good day.

Raymond Fox 75 Posted 21/12/2025 at 11:37:15

Dave, he is thinking about his pay packet.

Tony Abrahams 76 Posted 21/12/2025 at 11:40:32

Another stat, is that Everton come twentieth, in a twenty team league, for the amount of subs, and also the amount of minutes played by those subs, this season according to something I read last night.

Either the players on our bench are not good enough, or the manager simply doesn’t try and utilise the players in his squad enough? Take your pick.

I’d say it was the latter in my view, but I’m not saying I’m right, although one thing I’d use to back up my opinion, is sometimes I get fed up watching our most creative player, getting totally isolated on the right!

Tony Abrahams 77 Posted 21/12/2025 at 11:43:39

I don't think he's got the physical capabilities to run without the ball on a regular basis anymore, Dave.

That’s why I said that I think Jack Grealish needs runners.

Dave Abrahams 78 Posted 21/12/2025 at 11:47:05

Raymond (75) Raymond I think he’s bleedin’ carrying his pay packet around with him the way he’s playing!

Dave Abrahams 79 Posted 21/12/2025 at 11:53:56

Tony(77) Grealish should become a Bookie then Toe he could then employ as many runners as he needed!

Brian Harrison 80 Posted 21/12/2025 at 11:54:32

Tony 76

There is also a stat that Everton are 20th when it comes to subs making an impact, none of our subs has got an assist or a goal which says to me that they are not very good. And if yesterday is anything to go bye most of the players who Moyes was forced to pick due to injuries and the AFCON, none of them had a decent game.I have been banging on for weeks about why we signed Barry, Dibling, Anzou and Rohl all unproven youngsters. Add to that that Alcaraz had played for 4 clubs by the age of 24 that tells a storey in itself. I think that the TFG group sat down at the end of last season and decided they would go for younger players, which is fine provided they are very good youngsters so far the ones we have signed have been a resounding flop.

Kevin Molloy 81 Posted 21/12/2025 at 12:09:57

I was only able to watch the last ten minutes last night, but I was struck by how we were in no way ini a hurry. We looked so flat, perhaps that's what 80 minutes of no shots on target does to a team, but it was surprising. I've never known such a Jekyll and Hyde team as Everton, one minute we look great, the next we look done in. I suppose we must remember we were playing the league leaders, but I suspect they won't be that for much longer. Clearly the first goal for this side is critical. What on earth was Jake O'Brien doing...

Merle Urquart 82 Posted 21/12/2025 at 12:29:11

@81 Kevin

Completely agree...we constantly play out matches which we are losing like we are 2 nil up...what l find even more frustrating is that when we do raise the tempo we look a completely different side...no one at this club understands the importance of momentum...l think Moyes would have took a 1 nil defeat at half time

Tony Abrahams 83 Posted 21/12/2025 at 12:34:23

If Alcaraz never affected the Crystal Palace performance, alongside the other change that saw Garner go and play right-back, and O'Brien switch to his natural position, enabling Everton to go and play a much higher line, then I must have been watching a different game, Brian.

Tony Abrahams 84 Posted 21/12/2025 at 12:38:58

Incidentally, I went home and googled the highlights of that Palace game, and it brought up last season's 2-1 victory when we also came from behind. Try it and you will see McNeil scoring two excellent goals.

I'm not saying McNeil is a world beater but he his definitely good enough to be getting more game time than he's been getting this season. But I don't think utilising a full squad of players has ever been one of David Moyes's real strengths.

Ian Bennett 85 Posted 21/12/2025 at 12:50:17

The Arsenal view was that they were dog shit, but controlled the game. They did exactly the same against Wolves.

Against us -- two shots on target vs 1.Against Wolves -- two shots on target vs 2.

The corner: yes, it was handball. But the level of blocking off to allow Calofori to make the header is like American football.

Clive Rogers 86 Posted 21/12/2025 at 14:36:06

On the evidence of yesterday, we are going to struggle without the three absentees. Them being missing exposes our other frailties.

Grealish definitely missed Dewsbury-Hall, both to give him the ball and to move into space for his passes. Creativity will be at a low and up front will look worse than ever.

Roll on the end of January.

Dale Self 87 Posted 21/12/2025 at 14:45:49

Moyes does not get a pass because players look out of form when playing infrequently with irregular partners. You have to find rotations that serve their abilities.

Moyes reluctantly throws them on with little time left, a despondent crowd and no real flow to our possession. That isn't how it is done unless you want to undermine them to justify non-selection.

We stuck with Garner and Iroegbunam, they are growing into solid contributors. McNeil and Alcaraz have abilities that could be used if they were given regular roles and regular positional partners. McNeil on the right with no help from the right-back? Fuckin come on! That is a shit selection we could all see from the start.

Alcaraz needs an obvious forward target to play toward. Beto has been the better choice for his style of play. This is largely Moyes's responsibility, to find chemistry between the players we have and forge relationships.

Instead, he is either experiencing a lapse... or making an ill-advised statement for some January acquisitions. He is like that; believe it.

Bill Gall 88 Posted 21/12/2025 at 14:48:52

Isn't it strange that, over about 12 seasons with all the managers we have had, only one manager got a fairly strong consistent performance from a group of players under his short time at the club; he is now manager of the Brazilian National team.

Why are we consistently looking for an experienced coach that has only reached mediocre safety positions with the clubs he was with? We need a manager with new fresh ideas, not one that has got lost in the modern era.

Other teams have injuries or players on international duties but seem to have other players who can step in, some even as young as 16. It seems our best younger players are either loaned out or given experience sitting on the bench.

David Moyes is a good safety-first experienced manager who is unable to change his style or tactics to suit the modern era.

This game showed the difference in the 2 clubs. Everton relying on a old-fashioned safety-first manager, and Arsenal backing a young coach in his first managerial position. Who came out best?

Stu Gre 89 Posted 21/12/2025 at 16:30:09

I keep reading comments that Tyler Dibling isn't ready or good enough yet. How would any of us know?

On the basis of 5 minutes here, 15 minutes there. He might need game time and some trust; under Moyes, he is getting neither.

Sean Mitchell 90 Posted 21/12/2025 at 16:51:12

I don't think even a 6-year-old would do what O'Brien did.Absolutely criminal. Did he think he was playing for the Irish rugby team?

In a normal job, an employee would get a warning for fuckin up. I hope Moyes gave him a bollocking for his childlike flappy hands behaviour.

Fuckin joke.

Les Callan 91 Posted 21/12/2025 at 17:30:49

Poor old Dibling looks to me as though he wants to be anywhere but on the pitch.

Mark Frere 92 Posted 21/12/2025 at 18:34:29

I said before this game, on another thread, that if McNeil starts, he should not be deployed on the right wing! It was all so predictable that would end up happening!

When Ndiaye was initially signed, McNeil was then moved central, in the Number 10 role, where he played his best football. He regularly assisted and contributed with goals from that position. He can be very effective playing there where his lack of pace becomes less of an issue. He's also very one-footed and simply can not play on the right.

Alcaraz has had his chance to shine in these last few games, in his preferred central position behind the striker. He's been mostly disappointing, with his poor distribution and his inability to keep up with the pace of the game. He's so careless with his passing.

If Dibling isn't ready to start regularly, then Alcaraz needs to be the one to move out to the right side... not McNeil! It's a sorry situation when we've paid £40 million for a player to specifically play that position, and he's deemed not ready. It's a damming indictment of our recruitment staff, and manager!

Glaring weaknesses have been left unaddressed in the full-back positions. Our two strikers only have a goal apiece all season! I know that PSR dictates how much we can spend in each window but I think the money could've been used more wisely.

We have some very winnable games coming up. Here's hoping Moyes can come up with a winning solution with the players he has available at his disposal. There's still enough talent left there to get playing as a cohesive unit.

John Williams 93 Posted 21/12/2025 at 19:34:23

My view, watching the game, was that McNeil was employed to protect O'Brien, with Trossard and the Italian fullback attacking that side. It appeared to me that McNeil only went into their half when taking free kicks and corners, sadly not impressed with his crossing.

I don't think Moyes had any options; Dibling would not make any Premier League side at present, but I would bet my house he was not a Moyes buy.

I just watched Villa v Man Utd. United brought on 18-year-old Jack Fletcher, making his Premier League debut, he looked streets ahead of Dibling.

Tony Abrahams 94 Posted 21/12/2025 at 20:00:28

The Manchester United manager has taken a lot of stick John, but my overall impression of him is that I think he's a very good coach.

I've just been reading what he said after the game and I like what I see, from a man who I think has got a very sensible and matter-of-fact approach.

He's lucky, I'm sure he's got a much bigger squad than Moyes, but from looking like a football club that was about to implode, then I think Manchester United might be slowly starting to turn things around.

Look at Aston Villa, I remember them beating Everton very early in the season when they last got promoted, and now they have got one of the best teams in the country.

Let's just hope and pray that TFG have got similar plans for Everton.

Laurie Hartley 95 Posted 21/12/2025 at 20:56:01

That was drab. I'll be glad when Ndiaye and Dewsbury-Hall are back in the team. Looks like Grealish is on his holidays.

While I'm at it, Moyes drinking cups of tea in his press conferences really winds me up. No Premier League manager should look that comfortable.