Everton finally ended their slump this weekend after earning a dramatic 1-1 draw in the Merseyside Derby against Liverpool. While it was certainly not the best of performances from the Toffees, a point at the end was probably just rewards for their resolute display on the day.
As a positive from the game, Everton were solid once again in defence and dealt with whatever the Liverpool attackers threw at them with consummate ease.
However, the worrying thing for Roberto Martinez would have been the toothless display in attack as the trio of Romelu Lukaku, Aiden McGeady and Steven Naismith all disappointed.
Here is an analysis of the performance of the Everton players on the day –
|
Rating |
Comment |
| Tim Howard – 6.5
|
It was a much more improved performance from Howard compared to his shocker against Crystal Palace last week. The American international made a couple of fine saves throughout the match and none more impressive than his point blank stop to thwart Mario Balotelli. However, he could have perhaps done better to prevent Steven Gerrard’s free kick from going in. |
|
Tony Hibbert – 5
|
Hibbert was a surprise starter on the day and unfortunately did not justify his selection.
His lack of pace was exposed by the energetic Raheem Sterling, especially in the second half and the veteran defender was taken off with 20 minutes to go. |
| Phil Jagielka – 8
|
Captain Phil Jagielka was arguably Everton’s best player on the day. It was Jagielka’s wonder strike which salvaged a point for Everton but apart from his brilliant goal, the defender was absolutely sensational in dealing with the threat posed by the Liverpool attackers. |
|
John Stones – 7
|
Playing alongside Jagielka in central defence, John Stones was also a pillar of strength in the Everton backline.
Strong in defence and comfortable on the ball, Stones breezed through the match and can be very proud of his performance on the day. |
| Leighton Baines – 6
|
Baines was solid as ever at the back and even had a great opportunity to score in the first half. However, the left back did not offer much in terms of attack after the interval and his set pieces were largely disappointing. |
|
Gareth Barry – 5.5
|
Barry was not his usual self on the day and seemed to be distracted by the booking he had received earlier on in the match.
Very erratic in his passing, Barry gave the ball away on one too many occasions and was slightly lucky not to be sent off after handling the ball inside the box. |
| James McCarthy – 6.5
|
McCarthy looked much more assured in midfield than his partner Gareth Barry and was solid on the day. The midfielder did well to limit the likes of Jordan Henderson from exerting their pressure on the game but his passing radar seemed to be a bit off. |
|
Muhamed Besic – 6
|
Besic was deployed as the extra man in midfield for Everton and was generally sound throughout.
However, it did look like at times he did not know what his exact role was on the day and took unnecessary risks with his passing. |
| Romelu Lukaku – 5
|
It was a really poor performance from Romelu Lukaku. The striker was used on the right wing position but despite his pace and power, he could not get the better of pint sized Alberto Moreno. Whenever he did get on the ball, his final ball was simply woeful. |
|
Kevin Mirallas – 6
|
Mirallas made a bright start to the game but an unfortunate hamstring injury meant that the Belgian international had to be withdrawn within the first 30 minutes of the match. |
| Steven Naismith – 6.5
|
Naismith was deployed in a deeper position than usual on the day so as to prevent Steven Gerrard time and space on the ball, and it has to be said that the Scotsman did a wonderful job. However, the striker was starved of quality service and did not do enough in the final third of the pitch. |
Substitutes
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Aiden McGeady – 5.5
|
McGeady was brought on as a replacement for the injured Kevin Mirallas on the half an hour mark but failed to impress.
The Irishman got himself into some good positions due to his trickery but his final ball was simply lacking of any quality. |
| Samuel Eto’o – NA
|
Was brought on the final ten minutes while Everton were chasing the game but did not see enough of the ball to make much of an impact. |
|
Tyias Browning – 6.5
|
The young man came on for his debut as a replacement for Hibbert with 20 minutes to go and look much more impressive than his predecessor. Browning got himself into some fine crossing positions and did well to negate the threat posed by Sterling. |
