Everton followed up their stunning 6-2 victory over Sunderland with a gritty 1-1 draw against West Ham United at the Boleyn Ground on Saturday and considering the pattern of the game, it has to be said that the final result was a positive one for the Toffees.
Everton went down early on to a wonder strike from Manuel Lanzini but the Toffees put on a resolute performance after going behind and it was Romelu Lukaku who was on hand once again to score a well taken equalizer on the stroke of half time.
Here is an analysis of the performance of the Everton players on the day –
|
Player Rating |
Comment |
| Tim Howard – 6.5
|
Howard has come under a bit of criticism over the past few weeks but the goalkeeper was solid in the clash against West Ham United. Admittedly, the American international did not have much to do but he was commanding at the back. Could do nothing whatsoever about Lanzini’s brilliant strike though. |
|
Seamus Coleman – 6
|
Coleman was not much of a threat going forward but the defender was solid at the back and did not allow the dangerous Hammers’ wingers much joy in the wide positions. |
| John Stones – 6.5
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Stones was strong at the back without being too spectacular and the defender made a couple of timely blocks as well as interceptions. |
|
Ramiro Funes Mori – 7.5
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Funes Mori is looking like a very good signing for Everton and the Argentinean put in another quality performance at the back.
Mori relished his battle with striker Andy Carroll and did not get bullied by the physical Englishman. |
| Brendan Galloway – 6.5
|
Up against Victor Moses, Galloway was in for a tough ride and he did not seem to enjoy the tussle with the Nigerian international. Nonetheless, the youngster more than held his own on the day and nearly set up a late winner for Romelu Lukaku. |
|
Gareth Barry – 7.5
|
It was another very good performance at the middle of the park from the evergreen Gareth Barry.
The midfielder’s positioning on the day was impeccable and he certainly managed to keep the likes of Kouyate and Payet quiet on the day. |
| James McCarthy – 6.5
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Barry’s trusted partner in crime, McCarthy also delivered a solid performance in midfield for Everton. However, he did make a poor challenge on Payet which could have resulted in him being sent off. |
|
Gerard Deulofeu – 8
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Deulofeu has come to his own in recent times and the Spaniard was once again top class on the day.
Dangerous as always on the ball, Deulofeu produced one of the passes of the season to set up Romelu Lukaku for the equalizer. |
| Arouna Kone – 5.5
|
A lot had been expected of Kone following his stunning hattrick against Sunderland but the Ivorian was very quiet on the day. Kone did run the channels well but did not create enough in the final third to trouble West Ham. |
|
Ross Barkley – 6
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Barkley always looked to drive into the West Ham backline whenever on the ball but he could not produce the magic in front of goal.
The midfielder was largely wasteful from set piece situations as well. |
| Romelu Lukaku – 7.5
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Lukaku has been in stunning form in recent times and the striker scored his seventh goal in as many games with a well taken strike at the stroke of half time. The timing of the goal was also very important for Everton to get back into the game. |
Substitutes
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Aaron Lennon – 6
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Brought on in the second half in an attempt to find the winner but the winger did not have much of an impact. |
| Kevin Mirallas – 6
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Similar to Lennon, Mirallas could not do too much to change the course of the game after coming on. |
