Everton and West Ham’s 1-1 draw this evening in the FA Cup third-round wasn’t a classic, but it could’ve been much worse. They didn’t hack each other to bits (completely), there was a fair bit of attacking football (eventually), and Michael Owen wasn’t commentating.
Actually that last one’s a lie, but the volume was down so it didn’t matter to us.
Here’s 19 things we, and the good people of Twitter, noticed during tonight’s game.
1. Romelu Lukaku doesn’t look the same player he did last season, but he’s looking better. Scoring a late equaliser always helps the cause.
This new young lad Lukaku looks ok. #efc
— Everton Fans (@Everton_Fans) January 6, 2015
Lukaku needs to perform like that every week now 👌
— Deluded Evertonian (@MuhamedBeslc) January 6, 2015
2. But there are still Chelsea fans who think Mourinho did some good business by offloading him.
Remember when everybody was saying what the hell is mourinho doing letting lukaku go, think your seeing why this season, Jose knows best ðŸ‘
— curtis woodhouse (@woodhousecurtis) January 6, 2015
3. Steven Naismith on the other hand has had a very consistent few seasons. Or, put another way…
Steven Naismith is the only Everton player I'd let borrow my copy of Bob Marley's Greatest Hits at the moment. The rest of them can piss off
— Partington (@PartAdam) January 6, 2015
4. It wasn’t vintage Roberto Martinez football, but the signs were there that they have the ability to improve – if only they could always play with speed.
For the first time in about 9 months Everton have actually strung more than 3 passes together
— Callum Croker (@CallumCroker) January 6, 2015
5. But, it seems there are still some who maybe miss the Moyeseh.
Really happy about how everton have approached the game. More direct, feeding lukaku. This is our style of play. #EFCvWHU
— SEDGE (@LiamSedgy) January 6, 2015
6. Ross Barkley is exciting everyone again, not just with his attacking but his ability to break-up play.
Ross Barkley looks sharp tonight. Can't really say the same for Everton's defenders
— Dan Ireland (@properdannyi) January 6, 2015
7. Winston Reid was a large part of the reason it took Everton 90 minutes to score. Arsenal and Man United fans want him now, as do fans of most other clubs with dodgy defences.
Sell Kaboul and sign Winston Reid.
— . (@ImmortalSK) January 6, 2015
Winston Reid and Ron Vlaar two CB who are out of contract next summer. I wouldn't mind us getting them both. But we won't…lol
— Palash Agrawal (@drpalashagrawal) January 6, 2015
I really rate Winston Reid. Think he'd be a solid signing, certainly a better investment than Perrin.
— Le Grove (@LeGrove) January 6, 2015
8. Goodison Park can resemble the Etihad at times.
Good to see Everton are looking to Man City for inspiration by asking their fans to dress as blue seats
— We Go Again (@robbie9isgod) January 6, 2015
9. However good a game is, if Michael Owen is commentating he’ll be a talking point.
Michael Owen was a great player but he's one boring man.
— paul69rogers (@paul69rogers) January 6, 2015
Michael Owen is the most boring man alive
— Dylan (@xdylanroberts) January 6, 2015
I'm ready to fight Michael Owen just tell me when and where
— James (@JamessHuntt) January 6, 2015
Michael Owen just referred to 'the facial part of the head' That would be called the 'face' Michael. pic.twitter.com/9LYOqwbpKF
— Footy Memes (@FootyMemes) January 6, 2015
10. Phil Jagielka was trying his best to look like the least improved Everton player out there. It worked.
Jagielka reminding the rest of the players of our current form… #EFCvWHU
— Matt Driver (@mdriver11) January 6, 2015
11. Everton have a number of exciting young players, and more still to come through. The team should be built around them.
Barkley needs to be our No.10 full stop. Build the team around him. STONES. MCCARTHY.BARKLEY. LUKAKU. That is the spine.
— COYB (@TweetEverton) January 6, 2015
12. Kevin Nolan had a rare off-game, the kind that has been increasingly more frequent this season.
Kevin Nolan: Only had 12 touches of the ball in the first half vs Everton pic.twitter.com/fW4eowFosm
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 6, 2015
13. West Ham, the team who spent last season being accused of playing anti-football, had more possession than Everton, the team who spent last season being championed for their football, in the first half.
Everton 0-0 West Ham HT: Shots (OT) 8(3) – 9(2), Possession 46% – 54%, Rating 6.79 – 6.57 http://t.co/EhvsbFhsBF
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 6, 2015
The fact it finished equal was still surprising.
Everton 1-1 West Ham FT: Shots (OT) 17(5) – 16(5), Possession 50% – 50%, Rating 6.99 – 6.70 http://t.co/EhvsbFhsBF
— WhoScored.com (@WhoScored) January 6, 2015
14. Carl Jenkinson is still an Arsenal player. You know, the Arsenal that have no defenders.
Curious to see what Arsene does with Jenkinson.. The boy is blooming at West Ham!
— IG: mojizzzle (@mojizzzle) January 6, 2015
15. West Ham really look like they could be in for a top six finish.
No one expects #westham to fade out this season. Except west ham fans. We are waiting for it all to go wrong, as usual. Or is that just me?
— Tom Croasdell (@tomcroasdell) January 6, 2015
16. It took 12 corners for West Ham to find a replacement for Andy Carroll… James Collins.
55: GOOOOOOOOOOALLLL!!! COLLINS!!!!!!!!!
— West Ham United FC (@whufc_official) January 6, 2015
17. But what awful defending.
Collins impressively manages a 10 yard run across the heart of the box and is unmarked for all of it. #EvertonDefending
— Tom (@tommymc93) January 6, 2015
18. West Ham still like to sit back and hold what they’ve got. But then again, so do most teams.
Definitely deserved to win that though. Everton only started to dominate after we scored (which is our fault for sitting back). #whufc
— West Ham News (@WHUFC_News) January 6, 2015
19. And finally… Carlton Cole still exists.
West Ham bring on Carlton Cole and Everton reply with Eto'o, finally some pedigree on the pitch.
— Toby Fry (@TheTobyFry) January 6, 2015
Can't believe that all these years on our best attacking substitution option is Carlton Cole LOL
— John B (@westhamjb) January 6, 2015
I genuinely would rather have a toaster up front than Carlton Cole
— Chris Munday (@CMunday14) January 6, 2015
Everton and West Ham will replay the match, and the winner will face Doncaster or Bristol City in the next round.
Source: SNAPPA
