On his 100th appearance for the club, Joelinton bagged his first Premier League brace in a convincing 3-0 win at Carrow Road.
The game was lacking quality in the early stages, with both sides spurning decent early chances, but that soon changed when a thumping strike from the big man sent us on our way to yet another win.
Joelinton added another before the break and it was fellow Brazilian Bruno Guimaraes who rounded off the scoring, lobbing Tim Krul like a seasoned striker to make it four goals in seven starts for our £35m man.
Our fourth win on the spin, our third clean sheet in that time and a victory that sends us up to NINTH in the Premier League, seeing us leapfrog Brighton and Leicester – who only managed a 0-0 draw with Aston Villa in today’s other 3pm kick off.
Howe made four changes for this one, seeing Jamaal Lascelles, Sean Longstaff, Joe Willock and Jacob Murphy come in for Fabian Schar, Jonjo Shelvey, Miguel Almiron and Chris Wood.
The first half was a scrappy affair lacking in quality for the most part. We had the first chance, which saw Murphy volley wide after being picked out brilliantly by Bruno.
Norwich then created a string of openings after getting in behind our back four a little too easily. Dowell tried and failed to lob Dubravka after catching Targett off guard, then smashed an even better chance way over after Pukki rounded Dubravka and squared.
We were struggling to enjoy sustained spells of possession and Norwich, without playing well, were creating openings.
However, the moment of magic the game had been lacking then arrived on the 35 minute mark as Joelinton smashed a thunderous shot in off the bar after latching onto a Saint-Maximin cut-back that had just evaded Longstaff.
A brilliant hit from the big man and he was at it again just a few minutes before the break. After Guimaraes released Murphy through on goal, the former Canary winger’s shot fell to Joelinton who tapped in from a tight angle to make it 2-0!
Howe made no changes in the second half and it wasn’t long until we made it three. It was an awful error from former Mag Tim Krul, who passed the ball straight to Bruno, however our midfield maestro was typically unflustered and finished exquisitely with a lovely lob. 3-0!
Miggy Almiron then replaced Joelinton on the 67th minute mark, denying the Brazilian of a potential hat-trick, Matt Ritchie came on in Jacob Murphy’s place for his first appearance of 2022 with just over 15 minutes to play and Dwight Gayle also got a short run out, replacing Bruno Guimaraes on the 86 minutes.
In truth, we were in cruise control for the entire second half and could’ve scored more if we’d really wanted to, but it was good to see us see out the win with minimal fuss and bank our third clean sheet in our last four games – highlighting yet another area Eddie Howe has improve massively since he came in.
STARTING 11: Dubravka – Krafth, Lascelles (c), Burn, Targett – Guimaraes, S Longstaff, Willock – Murphy, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin.
SUBS: Darlow, Schar, Fernandez, Manquillo, Ritchie, Shelvey, Almiron, Gayle, Wood.
Next up, a meeting with Liverpool in next Saturday’s early kick off at St James’ Park!
I said it on the last article, and will again – Joelinton for player of the season????.
Happy to have the debate, but I don’t know of another player who has been so consistent since he got moved into midfield.
Sharpy17(Quote)
There was a lot of talk and speculation about changes and what formation Howe may go with.
He made the changes and showed yet again that he knows his squad & got it bang on ??.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Joelinton wouldnt be the 1st to take a while to settle in the PL. He was played out of position by a coach who didnt have a clue which didnt help. But Son was pretty **** in his 1st year at Spurs. Werner seems to be coming good now after being prolific in Germany. Some never get it and I could list many of them. I think Pepe at Arsenal cost like 72 million and still hasnt made much of an impact.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
People might think I am crazy but I think the worst buy in the PL over the last 5 years has been Paul Pogba. He is the ultimate flatter to deceive player and plays 1 good game in 5. He had 1 good season with good stats but they were padded because he was Man Us penalty taker. He is also injured a lot. However, the most important thing is that he is a total distraction for the rest of the team.
I have no idea why he is so popular on social media and with the press.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Just to expand a bit on the Man U penalties. They get about 12 a year and Bruno now takes them. His goals from midfield look great for last year but he got about 10 pens. He is a good player but the stats say he is world class. That is only because he has so many penalty goals.
If we got the same number of pens as Man U, then Chris Wood would be in double figures for goals!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Sharpy, with you on Joe mate he never hid even when he was getting dogs abuse, always worked his socks off but he’s not a natural number 9 imo. He has been a revelation in midfield and so consistent and I am glad he’s getting the fans love now.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Burnley and Wolves both have same number of shots and same amount on target so far, Wolves with 60% possession so far.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Burnley 1 up.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Awful pen that
KIMTOON(Quote)
no power on it at all
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well done Burnley, now Everton will have to come out swinging and Liverpool can pick them off hopefully.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Everton are 14/1 to win.
I have checked a couple of NUFC blogs and it is almost universal that every NUFC fan wants Everton to go down. It gets mentioned quite a lot and a lot of our fans are still following the relegation fight even though we are well out of it.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
So Burnley win and Everton in bottom 3. Oh dear. Brighton only drew so we stay in 9th. Happy days.
Bruno Fernandez penalty for manure yesterday was ridiculous. I was so pleased he missed after the stupid little shuffle and skip he does. ???
Gilly Toon(Quote)
C’mon Pool, you can surely break this lot down
KIMTOON(Quote)
Red Scousers are singing Rafael Benetez at the Scouse Mackems.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Why hasnt the Mackem T-Rex been booked for time wasting? Also Richarlison.
This Ref has been shyte. I think Mike Dean should have got this game 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Everton had 14% possession 1st half. Did he hire the Cabbage as a consultant?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Liverpool want to keep their Derby I reckon 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well I hope Liverpool are this blunt when we play em
KIMTOON(Quote)
At last
get in
KIMTOON(Quote)
If the neutral didnt want Everton to go down then that display today of sh!thousery, time wasting and diving should have made up their minds.
Plus the T-Rex was an embarrassment. He was his at his toddler worst.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
KIMTOON(Quote)
Must say I like this blog where people can have widely differing opinions but discuss them in a civilised manner. Ed’s blog is like the school playground full of insults and even physical threats. Can’t see why Ed Harrison doesn’t permanently ban some of the regular posters who have scared off several contributors. We all have different views and discussing them should be enjoyable. Surely at this time we should all be very happy.
Groucho(Quote)
I stopped reading. Their petty feuds go on for days and just clutter up so whole blog so there is no actual football talk.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It is pretty sickening the amount of love Super Frank is getting from his media pals whilst Eddie is being almost ignored or accused of buying safety. Let’s look at the facts of what Everton did in January. Here are their incomings:
Van de Beek 30 mil loan
Alli 40 mil in deferred payments
Patterson 11 mil permanent
Mykolenko 17 mil permanent
El Ghazi 15 mil loan
So that is 113 million if these deals were made permanent and there are only Donny and Ghazi that arent. Have any of the media mentioned this? THAT EVERTON”S JAN SPEND WOULD BE MORE THAN NUFC’s? I havent seen anybody say it.
There are just so many double standards and there is a definite media bias against NUFC and in favour of Super Frank and Everton.
They briefly mentioned the links to the Oligarch Usmanov, but that was also swept under the rug.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
These players were not brought in as squad players. They were bought to be in the team or at worst on the bench. To give Super-Frank the tools to guarantee safety. And what has happened? They have gone from 15th to 18th and play Chelsea next. If you look at the context of what Frankie was given he has done an unbelievably bad job so far. If they get relegated it will be one of the worst managerial jobs in PL History.
It has not been “Frankie goes to Hollywood” it has been “Frankie goes to Deadwood”!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
So, if you include loans that could be made permanent. The spending in January was:
NUFC 109 million
Everton 113 million
Has anybody heard a d!ckiebird from the media about this?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
When Rafa was sacked Everton were 6 points clear of the drop. Everton acquired 113 mil of “talent” in Jan (see above for the breakdown) and are now favourites for that 3rd relegation spot. And still the media – press, TV, pundit pals – talk about Super-Frank like he is doing a good job.
They think it was a masterplan to have the sh!thousery, diving and timewasting at Anfield even though they lost 2 nil and had 1 shot on target. They herald the fact he kept the scores level until 60 mins as a triumph.
Are any of them paying attention to what Eddie Howe is doing at NUFC?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
There are actually add-ons for Patterson at Everton taking his fee to 17 million. So, even taking out the loan deals they spent 74 million in January. That is not much below our total of 93 million and yet it is never mentioned by Super-Frank’s pundit pals.
They act like the Dele deal was a free. It certainly is not!!!! It is 40 mil but was done as a dodgy deal to get around FFP where the money is paid in installments beginning after he plays 25 games. It was obvious that Everton were thinking about a clearout so the Deli deal would fit within the rules next year.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Andre Marriner, 51 is in charge of our match and “The Wirral’s” Mike Dean is on VAR. They are taking the p!ss arent they! These 2 should both be retired and officiating lawn bowling. It is worth repeating that 2 of Dean’s sons are Liverpool season ticket holders although Dean himself pretends to be a Tranmere fan.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
There are so many NUFC fans setting the bar low for next season. I see them say top 8 and a good cup run as the goal. Why such little ambition? You cannot tell me that we cannot finish above West Ham or Wolves. Arsenal are in transition and we should kick Man U when they are down. Who knows what will happen with Chelsea and Spurs? It is not out of the question that both Tuchel and Conte will walk. I see Conte and Levy as a powder keg just waiting for the fuse to be lit.
Meanwhile, we will spend 150 mil. That will be on transfer fees but also on signing on fees and agent fees for free agents. You have to take that into account, even though most journos and fans will not and will only count the transfer fees.
If we get 3 starters to add to this team (not inc Target) we have a shot at top 4 or the very least top 6. If it is Paqueta and Jesus, plus a couple of defenders I would make us favourites for 4th.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Paqueta and Diaby you looking at top 6
PremAndUp(Quote)
I had to laugh earlier this week after the Norwich game. There is this kid, Adam Pearson, who has his own Youtube channel with quite a lot of followers (20k). He goes to every game and does daily updates on NUFC. I like him and he has good content but he does tend to mumble.
Anyway, Maxi gave him his match shirt at Norwich and Adam was on afterwards explaining how he got it and saying he would never e-bay it as some others he have done. He is about 21 although he looks about 12. He went on to say that when he dies he will be buried in the shirt. That’ll probably be in 50+ years. The exuberance of youth!!! Great to see.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I am aiming for 4th but would accept 5th. There are so many teams in turmoil right now that this is the time to go big. I reckon we have a better team than West Ham today. I said when all of the pundits were praising them to the high heavens, and saying they were CL contenders, that they would finish 7th or 8th.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Our 2022 form puts us 2nd, so if we strengthen at all we should win it. Being realistic a top window and we aim for third, Anything half decent and we aim for 6th. I’ve said it before 4-2-3-1
With Big Joe and Bruino as the two, ASM, Pagueta and Diaby as the three and Nunez up front is 3rd or 4th.
PremAndUp(Quote)
Prem: I dont rate this Arsenal team and think we can beat them. They may sneak top 4 this year because of the failures of others – Man U and Spurs. They are relying on youth, but it hardly ever happens that you get more than a couple of really good players coming through the academy at the same time.
I have watched them a few times and they are not that good. They dont have a striker. I am not afraid of Arsenal. They are a far cry away from Henry, Bergkamp and Viera. Pepe cost them 72 million and is rivalling Pogba and McGuire as the worst buy of the last 5 years.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Oh, I forgot Kepa as worst buy. I think he was 80 mil.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
What a game that was!! ???????
Sharpy17(Quote)
Weird to think Ancelotti was Everton Manager last year.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I just checked a match report for our game at Anfield. It was on December 16 and we lost 3-1 but seemed a bit unlucky and it was another Mike Dean show. I did watch the game but I wanted to refresh my memory. That result left us 19th in the table, 3 points from safety with Man City up next, which we duly lost 4-0.
How come we have had Liverpool followed by City twice this season?
I have some hope for Saturday, but all I can ask is that we do not use the Everton tactics of time wasting and trying to kick Liverpool off the park. I watched a Toffee TV game review and they actually thought Everton did well 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Brucie is insisting the WBA move to within 1 hour of the training ground or at the very least get an apartment that they can use during the week. It is not that daft, but he then bizarrely states that he will continue to commute from Chesire because he is in a different situation because Managers usually get sacked. Well, he does! But it is also a stupid argument because HE could also get an apartment like he is telling the players to do.
This is so stupid it warranted an article in The Guardian. It would normally be a nothing story but his illogical defense of himself makes it laughable.
He doesnt take training anyway and probably strolls into the Manager’s office at 11 am, catches up on his e-mail and then has lunch. A quick check-in with the Steves and Alex and back on the road to Cheshire by 2pm.
BTW he is blaming the player commutes for the current league position. That’s a new one on me!!!
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I wouldnt listen to any of the journos and their stupid “60 mil budget”. Listen to Bruno’s Agent instead. He was obviously told we are going big this summer, otherwise there was no way we would have signed Guimaraes. The club is sending false messages out to keep the journos off the trail of our higher priced targets.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I truly believe our budget for the summer is 200 million. That includes signing bonuses and Agent fees so the headline number for transfer fees only will be nearer 140-150 million.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Even though we are no longer in the relegation battle I have gotten into the habit of checking the bottom 6. Burnley are at Watford and Watford are favoured to win. I really cannot believe that. They have lost their last 10 home games and here are the results of each this season:
Watford 6-4-23
Burnley 6-13-14
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It seems we are being linked with a lot of under 23s. Is this because the current team, not squad, are deemed nearly there and bringing in young international talent gives Eddie time to slowly introduce them into the team whereas buy a 28 yr old would expect immediate first team action.
Not sure if I’ve got the right logic here.
PremAndUp(Quote)
I watched the Everton and Villareal games and both teams did OK against Liverpool FOR A WHILE. They sat back too deep though. We have to get up the field a bit more than they did to beat the high press but also the high line they play. We have the players to do it. I am not saying we will win, but we cannot just sit back Bruce-style.
Reasons to be cheerful:
They probably wont put 3 on Maxi so he can probably take a run at them.
We have other players who can run at them – Bruno, Willock, Almiron.
We have players who can pick a pass – Shelvey, Bruno.
We have midfielders who can tackle – Bruno, Big Joe, Little Joe
I doubt we will get thrashed, but Liverpool are probably the best team in the world at the moment with a squad even better than City’s so I am hoping for a hard fought draw.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
It would be hilarious if Pogba cannot find a club. There is really only one option – PSG. He can only play for a club that is dominant in their league so that even rules out Juve, who couldnt afford his wages anyway. Unfortunately, PSG will probably want a Frenchman in a WC year when MBappe leaves.
Then there is McGuire. I have seen stupid stories linking us with him. Yes we could afford him but he is no better than Lascelles. He was the world’s most expensive defender as well so I bet he is on 300k a week. I am afraid Man U are stuck with him.
And the Mackem T-Rex coming to NUFC. Who writes this stuff?
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
That’s the problem with buying super-stars on high wages – you are stuck with them, even if they dont work out. Man U made a massive loss on Alexis. MCGuire, although not a super-star, is a yoke around any of their manager’s necks. And Pogba is the worst buy in the history of football (not just because of price and injuries but because he is a massive distraction).
We should make a statement signing in the summer but not someone like Dybala. Another couple of Brunos please. His mate Piqueta would fit that mould and so, to an extent, would Darwin Nunez.
I have seen a lot of NUFC fans say “evolution not revolution”. I think we should be somewhere in between and should be aiming for CL WITHOUT established superstars. So, no Harry Kane and definately no Declan Rice, not that we have been linked 🙂
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Is not being in the Champions League really a drawback for NUFC next year? Spurs and Man U are unlikely to be there. The last 8 are always the same every year except for 1 or 2 interlopers like Dortmind, Ajax or Villareal and that is usually only for a season or 2. So what do pundits mean for the rest of the players when they talk about the draw of the Champions League. For players in the Group Stages and up to the QFs the players want to put themselves in the shop window to get a move to the PL, Spain or Italy.
So why cant we skip this step and bid for Darwin Nunez and Paqueta? Their Agents must know we have ambition to qualify for the CL next year. Nobody can tell me otherwise that that was the key to getting Nunez.
Are these top prospects going to be impressed with playing on Thursday nights in a competition that nobody except the teams involved watches?
Most want to play in the PL and we can double or triple their wages. If you look at Germany it is only really Bayern who can pay as much. The players may not all be greedy but their Agents are. Money talks, and we have a lot of it. I dont see not being in The Europa League next year as a big drawback, and as I said the CL for most teams is a shop window for their ambitious players and for them to receive big fees to sustain their clubs.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Along with Mike Dean, Andre Marriner is stepping down at the end of the season. So the Ref and VAR wont give a ****. Fat Boy Moss is also retiring. It is about time for all of them and much too late where Mike Dean is concerned. He was a joke in our game at Anfield.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
The team for tomorrow? I think the defense picks itself. The only question in Midfield is Shelvey or Willock. I think it will be Shelvey. Up front it is either Miggy or Murphy and whether Wood returns. So.
Dubs
Kra
Krafth Schar Burn Targett
Bruno Shelvey Joelinton
Miggy Wood ASM
I feel a bit sorry for Willock but he has shown in the past that he is an impact sub so I think that is how Eddie will use him. Having Miggy’s energy will be a plus.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Liverpool can win all of their remaining games and still not win the league. I looked at City’s fixtures and I think they will win them all. They have Leeds away and then 4 midtable teams with nothing to play for really. Does anybody want to be in the Europa conference. I think City beat Leeds 7-0 or summink in the last game. Other games are:
NUFC H
Wolves A
Wham A
Villa H
I think Liverpool’s best chance for glory is the CL. The FA Cup doesnt seem to have much cache for the really top teams anymore.
You could argue that Eddie will not let NUFC slack off, but we have been mainly awful against City so I expect nowt from that game.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
I hate to predict a loss but I think it will be 1-3 tomorrow despite our 6 home wins in a row. In some of those games we took the lead and then came under pressure in the 2nd half. Palace for example, but there were others. Liverpool are a lot better than the teams we have played recently.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
All of our last 4 games are against teams with a lot to play for. That doesn’t happen very often. We might get nul points.
Despite that I’m still looking forward to the games. Especially watching Bruno. The lad’s only played a handful of games but he’s had a major impact on all of them. Puts a smile on my face just seeing him in the shirt. Dunno who spotted him, convinced him to sign etc. I’d never even heard of the guy.
georgio(Quote)
The thing that amazes me most about this season (apart from our Great Escape) is how Man U can have so many points whilst playing like utter shyte. How they got a draw against Chelsea I will never know. I have watched a lot of their games and they should really be on about 37 points.
Eric+Sykes(Quote)
Great news that Schar has signed a new deal – think he’s much improved since Howe has came in.
Slightly concerned with Howe stating Longstaff & Dummett are next in line though. Love Dummett, but the lad is 30 plus and injured more often than fit for selection. Might sound harsh but that’s a waste of a squad place imo.
Longstaff has shown little improvement under Howe imo & isn’t good enough to get us where we need to be. Maybe Howe has identified other midfielders needing moving on first and doesn’t have the budget to replace everyone at once. Longstaff is usually fit & available so less of a waste of squad places, but certainly not good enough imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
I see Schär has signed a new 2 year deal. I’m happy with that. He’s been excellent since Eddie came in.
Gilly Toon(Quote)