Everton claimed another point as part of their recent renaissance, with a 0-0 draw against Swansea City at Goodison Park this weekend but the Toffees should have been a bit disappointed not to claim all three – especially after the away side had been reduced to ten men near the hour mark.
Defensively it was very good performance from Roberto Martinez’s men but the attack left a lot to be desired. Everton simply did not create enough chances to be able to claim a victory on the day and although the Toffees’ would have loved the three points, a draw was probably the fair result at the end.
Here is an analysis of the performance of the Everton players on the day –
|
Rating |
Comment |
| Tim Howard – 6
|
Howard was virtually a spectator on the day and probably had only one save to make throughout course of the ninety minutes. Did well to close down the angle on Wilfried Bony when the striker was through on goal but the American international will surely have much busier days this season. |
|
Seamus Coleman – 6.5
|
Combining well with McGeady, Coleman looked dangerous going forward early on into the game.
The Irishman was solid in defending against Swansea City’s counter attacks as well and it was a very good performance overall from the right back. |
| Phil Jagielka – 6.5
|
Jagielka was rarely tested despite coming up against the imposing figure of Bony but his influence in providing guidance to Gareth Barry in a makeshift centre back position cannot be ignored. Did not have to do a lot of defending when Swansea were reduced to ten men near the hour mark. |
|
Antolin Alcaraz – 5.5
|
Alcaraz did well before he had to be forced off on the hour mark with what looked like a serious shoulder injury.
The defender was lucky not to have conceded a penalty after blatantly handling inside his own box though. |
| Leighton Baines – 5.5
|
It was a far from vintage performance from Baines on the day. While the England international look solid in defence, his contribution in attack was negligible. Much to the frustration of the fans, the 29-year old wasted a couple of decent positions as well as set pieces with some dreadful deliveries. |
|
Gareth Barry – 7
|
Barry’s experience proved to be an asset for Everton once again as the midfielder performed admirably despite having to fill in at centre back after Alcaraz’s injury.
The 33-year old did not look out of position at all and did very well to deal with the threat posed by Bony and Gomis. |
| James McCarthy – 6.5
|
McCarthy looked neat and tidy on the ball as usual but the midfielder could have done a bit more from an attacking sense. The Irishman was afforded a lot of space in midfield following the dismissal of Shelvey but he could not take advantage. |
|
Aiden McGeady – 7.5
|
McGeady has been a very frustrating figure since his move to Everton but his performance against Swansea this weekend was one of his better displays.
Linked up wonderfully well with Coleman on the right wing and was easily the Toffees’ best player on the day. |
| Ross Barkley – 6.5
|
Barkley looked promising whenever on the ball but unfortunately, could not fashion an opening after being crowded out by the Swansea defence. Certainly not his best game but along with McGeady, Barkely looked like a player who would create something of note for Everton. |
|
Steven Naismith – 5.5
|
Usually the liveliest player on the pitch for Everton, Naismith endured an off day against Swansea.
The Scotsman was not his usual industrious self on the day and missed a very good chance that came his way. Hauled off on the 67th minute as Everton looked for the breakthrough. |
| Samuel Eto’o – 6
|
Eto’o could not have the same impact as he did against Burnley last week as he was starved of service from the players playing behind him. Improved a bit following the introduction of Lukaku and looks much more effective playing in a front two. |
Substitutes
|
Muhamed Besic – 6.5
|
Besic was brought on for the injured Alcaraz in a major shuffle in personnel, which saw the Bosnian take the place of Barry in midfield.
Used the ball well alongside McCarthy but perhaps could have done a bit more going forward. |
| Romelu Lukaku – 6
|
Everton looked a better attacking side following the introduction of Lukaku but the Belgian did not do enough to take advantage of the tiring Swansea side which had been reduced to ten men. |
|
Steven Pienaar – 5.5
|
Came on for the ineffectual Naismith but did not do enough to alter the course of the match. |
