Everton managed to maintain their unbeaten run with a 1-1 draw against rivals Liverpool in the Merseyside derby on Sunday but the Toffees would perhaps have felt that they should have come away from the clash with a victory.
It was a closely fought encounter in the first half, where both sides managed to find the net on the stroke of half time. In the second period though, it was all Everton but they simply did not create enough clear cut chances on the day and the draw was probably the fair result.
Here is an analysis of the performance of the Everton players on the day –
|
Player Rating |
Comment |
| Tim Howard – 7
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Tim Howard has been solid as ever this season and the goalkeeper put another good performance against Liverpool. Although Howard could have done a bit better in the goal which Everton conceded, it was a positive performance overall from the veteran. |
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Tyias Browning – 7
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The Merseyside derby would certainly have very highly anticipated for Liverpool born Tyias Browning and the young defender more than acquitted himself well during the contest.
Up against the dangerous Philippe Coutinho and Alberto Moreno, Browning performed very well and could have even managed to score with header in the second half. |
| Phil Jagielka – 8
|
Phil Jagielka has been in fine form so far this season and the Everton skipper continued his great run with another solid performance at the back against Liverpool. Up against the dangerous duo of Danny Ings and Daniel Sturridge, Jagielka marshaled the backline brilliantly and was arguably the man of the match. |
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Ramiro Funes Mori – 7.5
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With John Stones out injured, there was a lot of responsibility on the shoulders of his replacement Ramiro Funes Mori and it has to be said that the Argentine centre back performed very well on the day.
Mori made a couple of crucial interceptions during the clash and he complemented Jagielka very well at the heart of the backline. |
| Brendan Galloway – 7
|
Brendan Galloway has been impressing with every passing week and the young left back put in another top quality performance, which was a testament to the defender’s wonderful temperament. Galloway was strong on the ball and with the young man showing such composure, Everton can certainly take time with the return of Leighton Baines from injury. |
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Gareth Barry – 7.5
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Gareth Barry may be ageing but the midfielder has not lost any bit of his quality and the 34-year old put in another top class performance during the Merseyside derby.
Barry was solid as ever in the middle of the park and used the ball judiciously. |
| James McCarthy – 6.5
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While McCarthy’s passing was not as good as Barry’s, the midfielder looked surprisingly aggressive and provided the bite. Although not his most polished performance in an Everton shirt, McCarthy played a key part in his side’s draw. |
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Gerard Deulofeu – 5.5
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Following his fine performance against West Brom, Deulofeu was deservedly handed a start against Liverpool but the winger could not replicate such exploits.
While Deulofeu did provide the cross which allowed Everton to equalize, the young winger did not have enough of an impact on the day. |
| Steven Naismith – 5.5
|
Similarly to Deulofeu, Naismith did not enjoy the best of games but it was not for a lack of trying. The Scotsman was busy as ever on the day but he simply could not provide the desired quality in the final third. |
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Ross Barkley – 7
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Following a host of average performances, Ross Barkley was determined to make an impact during the Merseyside derby and it has to be said that the young midfielder performed well on the day.
While Barkley was unable to produce in front of goal, his constant running on the ball kept the Liverpool backline under pressure throughout the clash. |
| Romelu Lukaku – 7.5
|
Romelu Lukaku was certainly in confident mood heading into the clash and he produced the goods once again by scoring the equalizer on the stroke of half time. Other than the goal, Lukaku produced a good display in leading the line and manager Roberto Martinez would have been pleased with his striker’s overall performance. |
Substitues
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Aaron Lennon – 6
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Lennon came on in the second half and he looked much more dangerous than Deulofeu. |
| Arouna Kone – NA
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Kone was a late substitute but did not have much of an impact. |
