Everton v Dynamo Kyiv (friendly)

I know I shouldn't, but the build-up is a bit like a Borat movie:

"Glory to Ukraine, we thank the people at Everton Liverpool for support in this battle of evil against good! Thank you from our men, our women, our children, our soldiers, who fight against bad Russia man! And now famous Ukraine superstar will sing for us! "

Looks like a decent crowd. Top Balcony is closed, and the posh seats are empty of course - too busy with the prawn sarnies - but other than that, pretty good.

First ten minutes, we've looked very sharp. Some great passes from Tarkowski, and an early goal for DCL.

Sorry, went for my dinner. Lasagne and a very nice salad. Don't think I've missed much though, still 1-0 to the Mighty Toffees.

Tarkowski just broke one of the Ukrainians with a crunching tackle. That's my boy.

The broken Ukrainian is wearing Maxwell Cornet's shirt number - 99.

Crowd are very quiet. Sounds like a pre-season friendly at Goodison.

Boring now, I might go and have some more dinner. I hear there is a tiramisu in the fridge.

The 1-0 goal from DCL can be seen here: https://www.evertonfc.com/match/79077/everton-dynamo-kyiv#blog

Interesting line-up though. Iwobi and Doucoure as the midfield two, so Iwobi sitting quite deep mopping things up and starting attacks. Gordon and Gray either side of DCL. Pretty clear now that we're playing a three at the back, two wing backs, set-up this season.

Great save by Pickford!

I like Iwobi in central midfield. He's mobile, closes down quickly, is comfortable on the ball, and tends to look forward rather than back when he gets the ball.

Dwight McNeil looks very comfortable on the ball. He's going to be good for us, I can see that after 48 seconds.

Anthony Gordon needs to calm down a bit. He's a hot-head.

Some nice play from Dele, now at centre forward instead of DCL

MCNEIL SCREAMER!

Oh that was fucking class. Picks the ball up, brings it forward, cuts inside onto his left and hits it into the corner from about 20-25 yards. Just superb.

Dwight McNeil, remember the name!

Some more great play by McNeil there. He really does look an absolute steal of a buy. Can't believe anyone doubted him.

We literally are a different team when he gets on the ball. Madness.

Vinegar crosses and McNeil scores a header!!

Great cross from Vinagre even though the defensive marking was non-existent for the McNeil header. Speaking of Vinagre, he's a tiny fella, ain't he?

Finishes with some fat fella who's done a load of charity trips to Poland taking a penno.  Looks a bit like a skinnier Big Nev.

Final whistle, nobhead kids mini pitch invasion.  Ban them all!  Little tossers could get the ground closed!

MOTM  Dwight McNeil by some distance, even if he only played half an hour.

Oh, and now some Ukrainian bird is singing Imagine. War or no war, I'd definitely give her one.

And with that, it's goodnight from me.

hairy cataract wrote:Oh that was fucking class.  Picks the ball up, brings it forward, cuts inside onto his left and hits it into the corner from about 20-25 yards.  Just superb.

Dwight McNeil, remember the name!

FUCKING AHEM.

I've been in that London all night, celebrating my birthday in a Punjabi restaurant. No not Indian. Punjabi.

I'm fucking steaming. Cobra is good shit. But I've just seen the goals and, yes, McNeil pretty much guarantees us a top 6 finish this season. What were we worried about?

hairy cataract wrote:I like Iwobi in central midfield.  He's mobile, closes down quickly, is comfortable on the ball, and tends to look forward rather than back when he gets the ball.

Just saw some extended highlights and agree 100% about Iwobi. That could end up being an inspired move.

Only a friendly, yes, but the Minnesota defeat being "only a friendly" didn't stop our world from caving in, did it?

Godfrey continues to worry me.

hairy cataract wrote:Some more great play by McNeil there.  He really does look an absolute steal of a buy.  Can't believe anyone doubted him.

told you he was great didn't i

Rotterdam 1985 wrote:

hairy cataract wrote:I like Iwobi in central midfield.  He's mobile, closes down quickly, is comfortable on the ball, and tends to look forward rather than back when he gets the ball.

Just saw some extended highlights and agree 100% about Iwobi. That could end up being an inspired move.

Only a friendly, yes, but the Minnesota defeat being "only a friendly" didn't stop our world from caving in, did it?

Godfrey continues to worry me.

.

Agree about Godfrey. I’m mostly worried about us agreeing on too many things to be honest, that has to stop.