FOr me the only players in contention (on a very average night) are Ashley Cole and Essien - given that Essien didn't play the full 90 minutes I gave it to COle

I take it this is the official one then?

I seem to be alone in this, but I actually think every player had a decent game. For most of the game, we looked lively, but missed the final ball. I certainly can't fault the players for a lack of desire.

My MOTM was Malouda - he looks more of a top player with every game I see him.

A.Cole had a good game as well - must have made more sprints than any other player tonight.

No one really stood out tonight except Cole and Malouda, although Malouda wasn't as good as the last couple of games.

Cech was the man though. Made one fumble, but other than that was solid. I hope he's alright.

Actually I forgot to mention Cech in my initial post - he, for me, is another contender.

people, people, people

This was NOT a bad match. We did NOT play badly. It was one of those nights when, whatever we did, we were not going to win. We were by far the better team. it was just not our night!

GET FU UCKING SENSIBLE

kev

people, people, people

This was NOT a bad match. We did NOT play badly. It was one of those nights when, whatever we did, we were not going to win. We were by far the better team. it was just not our night!

GET FU UCKING SENSIBLE

kev

Did you watch the first half?

yes I did - my comments still stand - you f**kers are waaaay to easily wound up to get critical - we were not that bad - just unlucky and sometimes sh*t HAPPENS

I agree YB. But we were hardly on top form. Everton made it tough for us, and although we dominated possession, they had plenty of really clear chances.

I thought we played ok but we are getting a bit predictable..Moyes set his team out and targetted Anelka knowing he doesn't really enjoy his wide role,

I think Kalou looked ok and showed quick feet a couple of times when he came on but would have liked to see Anelka in the middle with Drogba to see if the breakthrough came.

Cech is looking ok to me, everyone has form blips and with JT out for the game with Pool I think he got a bit nervy after the Bolton shock.

Ashley MOM for me, did anyone see his little acrobatic flick on to Essien?

Cech; made a couple of crucial saves & was put under a lot of pressure by the toffees at corners and did well; everyone else (apart from Cole & Malouda) looked a bit hungover after the cup tie. Toffees always defend well against us, probably shaded us for the better chances notwithstanding our possession & deserved their point. Shame about Drogba's crack at the end not going in.

FOr me the only players in contention (on a very average night) are Ashley Cole and Essien - given that Essien didn't play the full 90 minutes I gave it to COle

Cole did well but surely Essien is a joke suggestion? He didn't have a great game on saturday and today he was worse.

I voted Malouda. He faded a bit in the second half, but he worked hard, showed some good touches and was generally involved in most of what was good.

Overall, I'd agree with Yorkley. We weren't great but we didn't play that badly. It was just one of those nights.

Ashley MOM for me, did anyone see his little acrobatic flick on to Essien?

I haven't seen the match back yet but I'm pretty sure that was Malouda.

Cole did well but surely Essien is a joke suggestion? He didn't have a great game on saturday and today he was worse.

I voted Malouda. He faded a bit in the second half, but he worked hard, showed some good touches and was generally involved in most of what was good.

Overall, I'd agree with Yorkley. We weren't great but we didn't play that badly. It was just one of those nights.

agree about ess- had a pretty poor game and to take him off was the right move.

for me I think malouda had a very good first half but faded in the second, cech and jt did what they needed to and ballack and cole played well. went for ballack in the end, his passing was good.

I think it was Malouda as well (the flick on).

I disagree that Essien had a bad game. Of our midfield he was the only one who was putting pressure on the Everton midfield, he was the only one that was trying to inject some tempo into a team that was otherwise playing in second gear and he was the only one trying to maintain a high line (which was a tactic that served us well against Arsenal).

If you are looking for am midfielder that had a mare tonight I would pick Lampard.

Cech got it for the numerous saves he made, and his good decision making. Just took the biscuit from Malouda, who I think looked the most threatening for us.

Agree about Lamps Loz. I was watching with a friend who doesn't watch football, and explaining why Lampard is so awesome. I can't recall pointing out any great passes or anything good really, he had a few good defensive plays though.

cech for me

I voted Malouda. He faded a bit in the second half, but he worked hard, showed some good touches and was generally involved in most of what was good.

That's what I call an under statement!!

Thought Malouda was our best player for the first 30 minutes. After that, I don't recall him being involved.

Credit to Everton. They make it very difficult to break them down and they defended really well and caused us problems on the break.

I voted Cole.

I thought Alex, no major justification, just no one really stood out.

The SKy highlights were pathetic made it look like everton were the better team, but there was no way !

people, people, people

This was NOT a bad match. We did NOT play badly. It was one of those nights when, whatever we did, we were not going to win. We were by far the better team. it was just not our night!

GET FU UCKING SENSIBLE

kev

there was no pace in our attack. what would you define as playing well? keeping the ball? what good is keeping the ball if you can't create chances?

in the first half we had like 60% of the ball but by far and away the best 2 chances of the half fell to everton - jo's shot (where if he passes, they score) and cahill's swivle and shot

we need to move the ball a lot quicker because when you have a team with a defence as good as everton's you won't create much buy just keeping the ball

i'm not going to comment on the 2nd half because, i'm not gonna lie, i was really ill and fell asleep on the sofa. woke up in time to see dorgba's effort in the last minute but i was told that we didn't have any chances apart from that

voted for malouda though as, in the 1st half anyway, he was the only 1 willing to take the ball past a player (maybe bar cole and essein). and what about that flick!!!!!

I thought last night we rested players without leaving them out of the starting line up. There was no pace or urgency and looked like a game between two sides that had nothing to play for - towards the end we looked like we wanted the points because we were so much better but even then it just looked desperate.

I haven't seen the match back yet but I'm pretty sure that was Malouda.

Yeah you're right...I think I had filler dust in my eyes while I was watching.

Cech by a mile

decent performances all round without any one standing out, thought Ivanovich had a steady game