Everton are back and so is Rooney. All in all, it was a great opening day as winning the first fixture is never an easy task. This is even harder against Stoke, a team obviously notorious for being far too stubborn for their own good. We were never in trouble from anything Stoke threw at us and even as the game dragged on Keane and Jagielka remained in control. This was up until Shaqiri let fly and produced a breathtaking stop from Jordan Pickford, who is most certainly going to be revered amongst the Gwladys soon enough if he isn’t already.
These performances may be overshadowed by Rooney’s return, and don’t get me wrong, Rooney was on another level, but it would be amiss to not mention Gueye, Calvert-Lewin and Keane. The three were exceptional and should receive plaudits.
Anyway, here’s my ratings in full for what is a good 3 points for the Blues heading into a tough run.
Jordan Pickford - 8
A stunning save capped off a more-than solid day for Everton’s new Number One. For the first time in many years, a lot of us felt fully confident in the Keeper. We were never in danger of losing that with him in goal.
Long may it last.
Leighton Baines - 7
Another solid display from Leighton but lacking the explosiveness going forward that he had in pre-season.
Phil Jagielka - 7
After a shocking first 45, the captain picked up his game in the second half to command the back line and dominate Stoke’s attack.
Michael Keane - 7
Never looked in danger. He is very comfortable on the ball, something both Williams and Jagielka are not, and is not afraid to push out and start the attack himself.
Ashley Williams - 6
A solid first half but was taken off at half time to restore the more natural shape. Nothing to complain about for a change.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 8
A brilliant performance all around from the youngster as he looks to stake a claim in Koeman’s plans. That performance will have done him no harm mind, as he was forced out wide in the first 45 and made the most of it, providing the assist for Rooney’s goal.
He was moved back to striker in the second half and dominated Stoke’s defence, holding up the ball brilliantly and bringing Sandro into the game. Phenomenal all around.
Davy Klaassen - 4
Looked out of sorts today as he struggled to find any footing in the game and drifted about far too much.
However, it would be wrong to get on his back too early. He will need a few games to discover his identity in this side. We’ll see a better player on Thursday.
Idrissa Gana Gueye - 9
All over the pitch today and dominated the entire game start to finish. He is relentless when the opposition have the ball and even looked sharper when attacking than usual.
His passing and tenacity to carry the ball was what carried us through the game in the end. Brilliant performance.
Morgan Schneiderlin - 5
Morgan looked slow at times today and was very indecisive with the ball at his feet. Possibly missing Lukaku up front as an option, often he would play a simple pass and move on and quite simply we need more from him.
Sandro Ramirez - 7
Another hard-working display as he grew into the game when Calvert-Lewin was played alongside him. He was a constant threat with his pace to the Stoke defenders and is going to be a mainstay this season.
Wayne Rooney - 10
Rooney was flawless from start to finish today, and while the rating may look sentimental, it most definitely is not. I didn’t have Rooney in my ideal XI today but he proved me wrong and then some. His playmaking ability is on an entirely different level than anything I’ve ever seen at Goodison and his natural instinct to get goals is certainly not gone.
Some of the passes in the second half were unbelievable and his goal was taken beautifully. He is going to have a massive year.
Subs
Cuco Martina – 6
Looked solid all around but has a mistake or two in him that is going to lead to some nervy moments this season
Tom Davies – 7
His ability to drive with the ball is something we don’t have in the team and he offers so much to the attack and it showed today, his ability to launch counter-attacks is second to none.