That was..

[Tiddysdad]

Never a 3-0 difference between the teams. I love Donny

[Pinter777]

Agreed first half we were the better team, they may have scored but I think overall we were more in control and well structured.no shame a good performance , we move on .

[colincramb]

Hope it hasn’t took too much out of us for Saturday, especially with the early KO. We looked leggy towards the end. Well battled though

[Jersey Rover]

Loads of positives to take from that game. Really enjoyed it.

[scawsby steve]

Hope it hasn’t took too much out of us for Saturday, especially with the early KO. We looked leggy towards the end. Well battled though

I doubt that it'll be the same starting 11, CC. I reckon GM will change some things around again.

[Lesonthewest]

Thought we were excellent for most of the game. Massive experience for the players playing aganst a Premiership club & players. Just need to channel tonights experience, enjoy it, & focus on Saturday & show Port Vale why we gave Everton a game.

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

First half we were well in it. Second half miles apart but ultimately the players they have are just far better than ours.  The premier league - league 2 gap is huge.

[danumdon]

Overall a reminder (as if we needed it) of where are players need to be to kick on and progress. I thought at the end of the first half i hope we don't gas out too early, we played a very energy sapping press throughout and managed to keep them under control, very good work from the lads. GM would of been pleased with the endeavour.

Second half it caught up with us quite quickly and they started to thread it about which had us working hard to stem. Not sure why Gibson didn't come out after half time, hopefully it was a planned change, Nixon didn't look very comfortable coming off.

Grant kept it going and after the next set of changes he maintained the drive and was brave to go three at the back, by this stage it was becoming hard for us as the fatigue and difference in class was starting to become the main difference.

The goals, GM will not be too pleased about.

I know we have a squad and need to keep them all ready and sharp but do we really need to rest a keeper this early into the season? i'd keep,playing my selected keeper till i can't and then worry about the consequences then. i feel a defence needs to have that assuredness and familiarity with the keeper at all times, something that wasn't apparent tonight.

Onwards and upwards, the league was always our priority and we need to be settled and strong for Saturday. If we can start the match with the same insensitivity and determination we started this one we will give ourselves the best chance. With key players back we need to build on this experience and kick on, we matched Everton for quite a while in the first half, now kick on and use that knowledge.

[StocksArmy]

Mcgrath showed tonight that he is ready to start games. My MOTM by a mile.

[Nudga]

Absolutely love Bailey but he was way off it, far too slow in possession. 
I'm going to disagree with the comments on here, we were nowhere near them. Zero aggression and the space Everton found was just another level without them even breaking sweat.
They closed off our passing lanes super quick by just being organised,  they got through us numerous times with simple passing patterns that we just couldn't see.
I'm disappointed that we didn't ruffle their feathers as they are fragile at the moment.

[drfchound]

We have to accept and understand that Everton’s passing was at another level simply because they are three levels ahead of us in the leagues.
I wouldn’t have expected anything else from them.

[SydneyRover]

A write of the game from the Guardian, apologies if it has already been posted.

''Iliman Ndiaye and Beto steady Everton nerves to ease Doncaster aside''

https://www.theguardian.com/football/article/2024/aug/27/everton-doncaster-carabao-cup-match-report

[Pancho Regan]

Just got home.
Beaten, but certainly not disgraced.

I really enjoyed that first half, we gave them a game and matched them all over the pitch.

Second half was a different story. We didn’t stop trying but Everton’s superior quality won the game.
A little disappointed that Lawlor didn’t seem to move for the first goal, and it was a shame we couldn’t snatch a goal to give our brilliant fans something to really cheer about.

But I’m glad I went; to witness that performance, to enjoy the atmosphere our fans created, and to see Goodison one last time before it goes.

[Move DRFC]

Gave it a good go just complete difference in quality. Fans sounded great on the tele.

TSL, Anderson, Fleming and Clifton all back in for Port Vale.

Thought Nixon was our best player and hope his injury isn't too bad.

[GazLaz]

The gap between Prem and L2 players is bigger than it’s ever been. To a man they were bigger, stronger and faster. We kept a good shape and the effort didn’t drop but it was men against boys in the end.

[Chris Black come back]

Pleased to get that distraction out of the way. We’ve had a few wrinkles this season so far in terms of injuries, so I hope we can now settle down to a decent rhythm until the injured lads are back in the coming weeks and months.

[Filo]

Never a 3-0 difference between the teams. I love Donny

Taking the blinkers off, it probably was, there’s no shame in it, we kept them out for an hour and the lads should be proud of themselves

[BillyStubbsTears]

Just got home.
Beaten, but certainly not disgraced.

I really enjoyed that first half, we gave them a game and matched them all over the pitch.

Second half was a different story. We didn’t stop trying but Everton’s superior quality won the game.
A little disappointed that Lawlor didn’t seem to move for the first goal, and it was a shame we couldn’t snatch a goal to give our brilliant fans something to really cheer about.

But I’m glad I went; to witness that performance, to enjoy the atmosphere our fans created, and to see Goodison one last time before it goes.

Huge deflection for the first goal. Absolutely nothing Lawlor or Lev Yashin could've done about it.

[grayx]

I thought we played some really good passing football at times without really threatening their goal. Everton were physically stronger and quicker than us as they should be and we were knackered towards the end.

[Padge_DRFC]

Second goal is shocking from Lawlor

[redarmi66]

Second goal is shocking from Lawlor

He is definitely reserve league 2 keeper at best. Very flappy last night

[One_Matty_Lucas]

Can't believe the positivity....thats our 39 year unbeaten streak lost at Goodison Park....

Joking aside, proud of the lads, they made the gulf in class seem a lot smaller. I'm sure Grant and the team will have picked up some things we can add to our game for the league campaign.

[DonnyBazR0ver]

Second goal is shocking from Lawlor

Lawlor wasn't at fault for any of the goals.  What you saw was the difference in class when it comes to finishing. The quality of the strikes, the placement and the speed of execution, which means the keeper can't get set and anticipate the shot.

At that level they make it look easy but as Senior and Sbarra's efforts show, there's such a difference in the quality of execution.  The top players don't take an extra touch to steady themselves, most moves are one touch, either pass or shoot.

[Padge_DRFC]

Second goal is shocking from Lawlor

Lawlor wasn't at fault for any of the goals.  What you saw was the difference in class when it comes to finishing. The quality of the strikes, the placement and the speed of execution, which means the keeper can't get set and anticipate the shot.

At that level they make it look easy but as Senior and Sbarra's efforts show, there's such a difference in the quality of execution.  The top players don't take an extra touch to steady themselves, most moves are one touch, either pass or shoot.

Pickford would have just picked their second goal up

[big fat yorkshire pudding]

I thought Lawlor did really well on some crosses getting the ball out of danger. I do prefer the other keeper but he didn't do too badly.

We weren't bad, first half we played some good football though we didn't really hurt them we looked comfortable until about 5 minutes before half time.  Ultimately we couldn't sustain playing the way we were fitness wise.  Could we tactically have sat in to stop them playing and been real deep?  Yes that might have worked but it was unlikely, their eleven was just too strong.  Even poor premier league sides have huge strength, we see that when they end up walking the Championship the next season.

But it was a useful game for us, we'll learn where we can improve.  I was actually disappointed at the size of the gap but that's how football is now unfortunately.  The smaller clubs can't beat teams by being in their face etc as we did back in 2005, if teams like Everton last night put the effort in they win easily - just as we would against a Northern Premier league side.

The real thing for us is how we progress on to Saturday now, massive game that is.

Performances wise, I thought the starting back 4 all played really well.  Senior was great first half, both centre halves defended well and Nixon injury aside must be close to taking Sterry's place?  Midfield I still worry we lack someone winning the ball back.  I thought Broadbent played that role better when he came on picking up loose balls etc.  Hurst had zero impact as did Sbarra but both coming in to a tiring team.  Sbarra perhaps should do better with his shot second half.  Again Ironside ran himself to death with next to no service.

Lots of positives and lots to learn, but we didn't get battered even if deservedly beat.  I'm glad I don't have wo watch Everton every week though.  Great one touch passing a few times but they even against us set up defensively to hit us on the counter.  I guess in the EPL they have no other option but they didn't look a strong team, more a side of good individuals.

[ravenrover]

Ironside, working like a lone Trojan. On his own, no support and no chances being created for him, last night or in any of the games I've seen live or TV

[Campsall rover]

Proud of our team last night.
Thought we were the better team in the 1st half

Played with no fear and took the game to them.
If we had scored 1st it would have been very interesting.
If Sbarra had equalised again it would have been interesting to see how it may have panned out.

Great experience for our younger players in particular and I thought Olowu & McGrath were fantastic up against Premier League players.
Senior & Nixon both impressed in the 1st half

We move on the the main objective of winning the league 2 title with a tough game at Port Vale on Saturday.  The DM factor adding a bit more spice to the game.
Port Vale will be hurting after their 4-0 drubbing at Barrow so we may be on the end of a reaction to that defeat.
Hope last night didn’t take out too much from our lads.
There was a lot of hard work and energy used in that performance.

[Pancho Regan]

Just got home.
Beaten, but certainly not disgraced.

I really enjoyed that first half, we gave them a game and matched them all over the pitch.

Second half was a different story. We didn’t stop trying but Everton’s superior quality won the game.
A little disappointed that Lawlor didn’t seem to move for the first goal, and it was a shame we couldn’t snatch a goal to give our brilliant fans something to really cheer about.

But I’m glad I went; to witness that performance, to enjoy the atmosphere our fans created, and to see Goodison one last time before it goes.

Huge deflection for the first goal. Absolutely nothing Lawlor or Lev Yashin could've done about it.

It wasn't a huge deflection at all, the trajectory of the ball hardly altered.

Anyway, I'm not going to argue because I don't fancy spending my day down a rabbit hole.

[Avsuptem]

I thought another keeper would have saved at least one of their 3 goals. And both Jack Senior and Molly could have or should have scored. We were not 3 nil worse, on another day we would have won it on penalties.

[ForsolongaRover]

First half we were well in it. Second half miles apart but ultimately the players they have are just far better than ours.  The premier league - league 2 gap is huge.

Dare I suggest that Dyche analysed what was needed based on his team’s failure to score in the first half, and adjusted the tactics in the second half? We failed to adapt and our efforts were not effective in stopping them. Might McCann have also made adjustments to counter them? Or was it just a matter of superior skill? Fresh legs might have helped because we did a heck of a lot of running around - much more than v Morecambe.