Despite all the hype ahead of the game, the Merseyside Derby between Everton and Liverpool turned out to be a drab affair which ended with a disappointing 0-0 score line.
In truth, neither team showed enough on the day to suggest that they wanted to win the game and seemed happy with the point. While the game was certainly a disappointing spectacle for the fans, Everton will perhaps be content with the fact that they were able to earn a point from a difficult fixture.
The draw means that Everton have managed to pick up four points from their last two matches which were tough encounters and although the Toffees are far from turning a corner, they are on the right track on their road to recovery.
Here is an analysis of the performance of the Everton players on the day –
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Player Rating |
Comment |
| Joel Robles – 7
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Joel Robles has looked very assured over the past few weeks and his performance against Liverpool was a commanding one. Although the Spaniard did not have much to do throughout, he marshaled the backline very well and his quick thinking denied Raheem Sterling a clear shot at goal. |
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Seamus Coleman – 7.5
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Everton have looked a lot more solid at the back in recent times and it is in no small part down to Seamus Coleman carrying out his defensive duties well.
The Irishman was once again very solid at the back in dealing with the threat posed by the dangerous Liverpool attack and came very close to becoming the hero for the Toffees at the end but his fine effort was well saved by Simon Mignolet. |
| Phil Jagielka – 7
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Jagielka has looked increasingly commanding in recent times and his performance against Liverpool was very good once again. The England international did not allow the likes of Sterling and Coutinho to weave their magic and it was a faultless performance from the skipper. |
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John Stones – 7
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Alongside the experienced Jagielka, John Stones also put in a commendable display to deny the Liverpool attack.
Commanding in the air and good on the ground, Stones put in an accomplished defensive display. |
| Bryan Oviedo – 6
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Filling in for Leighton Baines, Bryan Oviedo was decent on the day without catching the eye. The Costa Rican international was good with his passing but it has to be said that he did not look all that convincing when dealing with the threat of young Jordan Ibe. |
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Gareth Barry – 6
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It was a decent performance from veteran midfielder Gareth Barry on the day but his lack of pace did result in a couple of mistimed challenges.
Nonetheless, his passing was impeccable as always and he provided a calming influence at the middle of the park. |
| Muhamed Besic – 7.5
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Playing in a slightly wider position than usual, Muhamed Besic was at his combative best once again. The Bosnian international was judicious with his passing and offered a lot of protection at the back alongside the likes of McCarthy and Barry. |
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James McCarthy – 7.5
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James McCarthy’s return to the side was a key factor why Everton looked so assured in possession on the day.
The Irishman was neat and tidy on the ball and he did wonderfully well to stop Liverpool attack at its origin time and again. |
| Steven Naismith – 6
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Another hard working performance by Steven Naismith on the day but unfortunately, the Scotsman did not show enough cutting edge in attack. However, the attacker was not helped by the nasty blow he took to the neck following an awkward landing and he did really well to soldier on till the 70th minute of the game. |
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Kevin Mirallas – 5.5
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Mirallas showed flashes with the ball at his feet but much like Naismith, he did not produce much in the final third.
The Belgian star was replaced in the second half for debutant Aaron Lennon. |
| Romelu Lukaku – 5.5
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Although not for the want of trying, Romelu Lukaku simply did not show enough spark on the day. Admittedly, he was starved of service but Roberto Martinez would have been disappointed with the display of the £28million man. |
Substitutes
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Aaron Lennon – 6.5
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Came on for the ineffectual Kevin Mirallas to make his Everton debut in the second half and his arrival handed the Toffees a much needed impetus in attack.
Lennon put the Liverpool backline under pressure and Everton look really dangerous during the final moments of the game with his presence on the pitch. |
| Ross Barkley – 6.5
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Ross Barkley came on for only the final few minutes of the game but he showed enough to suggest that he should have started. The young man looked very dangerous on the ball and Martinez should have taken a gamble of throwing him on earlier in the game if he wanted all three points. |
