The only place to be

Not unfairly I might add. Personally, I think we need a fresh start with someone like Guardiola who can come in and implement something new. Benitez has done well but I don't know what his vision for us going forward would be, although I've been encouraged with what he's done with young players both here and at Liverpool. Hard to see him as anything more than a stop-gap at the moment.

How much should we be offering and for how long? Is it verboten for one to suggest that beyond his two goals, he had a pretty average game today?

He might've got sent off (not really if you actually watched the way Webb handled that game) but he also might've got an assist from that sumptuous ball through for Torres. Like I said, he had a decent game with stuff there for people to criticise him for and stuff there for people to praise him for, depending on their wont.

That's one of the things I've heard good things about. Also, I broke down his transfers in the first four years at Liverpool (after which his relationship with the board started to have effects on the pitch) earlier in this thread and he's not got a noticeably bad record in that regard. In fact his signings still make up the heart of that team (Reina, Agger, Skrtl, Lucas).

RUN!!!!!!!!!!! Too early to even suggest something like that, but fair play for putting your cock on the block.

Honestly, watching that game then the player I was impressed with was Ivanovic. Relieved pressure at the right times and so dependable. Not sure what you saw Lampard do to lead the team today? Was he not doing that against Corinthians? I love the guy but let's not mythologise him simply when it suits us.

He was saying before the game he expected us to lose because Mikel wasn't in the team. Must be gutted that we won not just without Mikel, but with Luiz in there.

Well let's stop playing a guy in DM because he might be get a yellow card. Personally I'm going to decide to support a player who plays his bollocks off and has done well in less than six games in a new position against some tough opposition. And I think I'm going to defend him against 'fans' who will pick up on the smallest thing to have a pop at him over.

And anyone who saw them knows that there was no way Webb was going to give yellow for them - he let the play flow very well. That suggests Luiz might've known exactly what he was doing, but that's a matter of perspective and seeing what you want to see.

Two late tackles on who? I've just looked at the minute-by-minute on the BBC website and I can't see a free-kick given away by him after his booking.

We've won the last four games with him there, and he's still not played half-a-dozen games at midfield. He had an okay performance and people who don't like him there will find stuff to moan about whilst people who do like him there will find stuff to encourage them. The simple fact is that whilst he's played, we've improved and he's still a newcomer to that position. Let's save the kneejerk reactions, admit we don't have a FUCKING CLUE about how it will turn out and wait and see. Okay?

I wonder if he's going to get some credit today? Everton's a tough place to go and we ground out a result, and we looked pretty secure towards the end.

In fairness he contributed to both goals and worked hard for 90 minutes. He didn't score but he didn't take away from the team today.

So let's just focus on Luiz's mistakes and not the good he did today? He was out of position for that goal. He wasn't the only one - what more do you want? It's his 6th fucking game in that position and you're writing him off? In fairness, you've been doing that since day one so at least you're consistent. And I completely disagree with the idea he could've been off. Try not to be too disappointed about his lack of a red.

He had a pretty mediocre game to be honest. A few sloppy touches, a few nice ones and he worked his bollocks off all day. But I don't think he had much effect on Baines if I'm honest and thought we probably could've gone with Moses and not seen much different defensively.

There were about a dozen things wrong with the first goal, of which Luiz's positioning was one (Cole's was far more shocking and I'll have to check this but I think he's into double digits for the amount of times he's played in that position). Pienaar was wreaking havoc from the left-wing into the left-channels because he's a good player and Everton are very good there. Ramires's defensive work was actually pretty poor but that will go unnoticed because everything else he did was 'lacking polish'. He deserved a yellow card and I don't think anyone could look at his display and think Webb would give him a red. Certain 'fans' seem to want us and certain players to be worse than they actually are. He played well, we played well and I hope you find a way to be happy with that.

If you're asking would I prefer to have Lampard or Gerrard, it's no contest. If you're asking would I prefer to have Lampard or Xavi and Iniesta....... If you're asking which of those choices would best fit the way Chelsea are looking to play over the next 3-5 years then you need more than just pictures showing stats.

Luiz had a decent game today, and he's still only played a few games in that position - of which we've won the last 4 now I think. Loved his commitment today, had a dodgy first 30 like everyone else but didn't really do much wrong after that.

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Seems to be the best available at the moment. Relatively cheap, proven scorer and should offer some value in the market 6 months down the line if the new manager doesn't fancy him.

Great result, all about character but a sloppy start and some luck today. Far too many doom-mongers ready to give up the game after a slow start and ready to jump on the back of the manager. If we're going to have success this year then everyone needs to believe in the squad. Everyone in that side contributed though today and a great day with the signing of a striker looking closer. MOTM tough to pick - I'm going for Turnball. Hard to come into a side under any circumstances but at half-time away to Everton and he made a fantastic save to keep us in it. Fair play to Lamps too though - he's earning a new contract in recent weeks rather than simply letting his reputation get him one and that's commendable.

Now I've got to think up an excuse for why we lost for @rmpr.

When's the next plane from Madrid?

I'm really coming round to this guy. When Jelavic strikes his free-kick, Luiz actually tries to stick his face in front of the ball. Look at the likes of Wilshere or Nasri who duck out of the way - I want guys in the team who will do that for their teammates and for the badge.