Everton Player Ratings: Sunderland (H)
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- 10 min read
Something happened that we thought we’d never see again. It’s been a long time coming, but finally, after much turmoil…
Everton won.
We started the game slowly, as if United had never left town. We looked shaky in possession and were scared to get forward. Thankfully, we overcame that within the first 20 minutes and looked positive in attack.
And isn’t it strange how much better the attack flowed without forcing a number 10 into the side? Ho hum.
Davies looked bright linking up with Besič for the most part and we built from the back much better following Calvert-Lewin’s first goal. We seemed to have much more confidence in ourselves after we realised that we can put the ball in the net without Rooney.
Most of this stemmed from Vlašić’s immense effort and willingness to get the ball and drive forward, and his synergy with Jonjoe Kenny was excellent throughout the game.
Calvert-Lewin went on to nearly complete a phenomenal hat trick and all in all, we were much improved.
I think that’s all that happened. Did I miss anything?
Maarten Stekelenburg - 7
Solid night for the deputising Dutchman. Made no mistakes and organised the defence.
Jonjoe Kenny - 7
Kenny didn’t disappoint on his first start of the season for the Blues as he linked up with another new boy in Nikola Vlasic incredibly well. They played off of each other like they had spent the last 5 years playing together, and it showed as our dangerous plays came down the right.
He can defend like Holgate can, and he is tricky going forward like Coleman.
Exciting times.
Michael Keane - 6
Keane looked more in control of his game than he has in recent times but still seems to panic when given the ball when he doesn’t want it.
He flicks a switch on when he wants to be composed or not, but one massive positive was his desire to play it forward rather than just sideways.
Ashley Williams - 7
Williams was quality, which is a sentence that doesn’t seem to pass the lips of many Evertonians.
He controlled the game and put in a real captain’s performance. Instead of panicking when something goes wrong, he was the first to assure we were never under pressure for too long.
Mason Holgate - 8
A wonderful showing from Holgate, probably his best of the season, but he was curiously deployed on the left side of the defence.
And it was a masterful move from Koeman.
He looked more comfortable at Left-back than he’s looked at right-back in a long time.
He was much more confident going forward and it showed with some mazy runs down the left-hand side throughout the game.
Tom Davies - 8
Tom Davies is incredibly resilient. Whenever he’s criticised, he proves any doubts completely unfounded within a week or two.
He was once again brilliant as he was the de-facto ‘Number Ten’ that Koeman so requires, and he acted as the pivot of the team, allowing Klaassen to drift around in front of him.
He drives with the ball better than anyone else in our side, and his ability to find a through pass should not be underestimated.
Mo Besic - 7
Besic had one of the most up and down games i’ve seen in my lifetime at Goodison. He flew wildly into tackles and some came off excellently while others were very late. He powerfully drove with the ball and either found himself past two players or stopped by the first man. His passing was at times sharp and intelligent and at other times brain-dead.
But above that, Besic took risks. We need a player who isn’t afraid of cocking up once in a while, because it’s not a bad thing to lose the ball in the opposition half as long as you track back and re-position.
What’s bad is instantly looking back and taking the safe option one hundred percent of the time. H
Davy Klaassen - 4
Klaassen was simply too ineffectual. His passes were feeble and tackles hesitant. He still seems to be a bit shaken by his move to Everton and as soon as he finds himself comfortable, we’ll see a new player.
Nikola Vlasic - 8
One young man who isn’t fazed by Goodison however is Nikola Vlasic. He was, with Kenny, the driving force of our attacking intent. His sharp turns and ability to find the space in the channels is vital, and something we haven’t had since Bolasie’s injury.
If we are to play wingers, we are to play Vlasic.
Sandro Ramirez - 6
This is a weird one, because Sandro was involved in the game more than any other player, but being involved too much is also a problem.
Sandro is desperate to score for Everton, and it shows. His greed on set-pieces is irritating and his movement only seems to be evident when he has a chance to unleash a shot.
Once Sandro gets his first goal for Everton and stops trying to impress so much, he’ll be a good addition to the side.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 9
A coming of age for our ‘Number 9-elect’. He was absolutely superb tand took his goals like any top striker should. He was composed like any seasoned veteran at the age of 20.
His hold-up play is improving every week and his overall game with only get better with age.
As I’ve been saying for a while, Calvert-Lewin is an excellent player already. He’s going to grow with Everton, and we’ll be there with him.
Oumar Niasse - 8
A/N: It’s very rare that subs will get high scores, seeing as their game time is obviously limited
I knew I was forgetting something. Welcome back Oumar.
Niasse came on and made an impact. You could tell he was nervous when he came on. He arrived on the pitch to a standing ovation and much anticipation, and he had to settle into the game. But once he settled in, his game was composed and steady. He would pick up the ball, shift it and move into space.
His goal however, was even more than that. It was a goal of a top, top striker. It was so unbelievably cathartic that, yes, it’s probably influencing that little score up there but to see a man who has given everything for a club who treated him like an outcast is beyond admirable. It’s rare that Everton fans band so wholeheartedly behind one man but Oumar Niasse has become a cult hero in the Gwladys.
When he was warming up, he was clapped.
When he got ready to come on, a buzz came over Goodison that was both in some satire but also in genuine excitement.
When he came on, he was backed fully by the Everton faithful.
When he left the pitch, he was given a hero’s exit.
Establish yourself Oumar and who knows what comes next.
Other Subs -
Ademola Lookman – 6
A great game from Lookman who once again gave Koeman something to think about for the weekend as his link up play with Niasse seemed well-rehearsed.
Aaron Lennon – 4
Not much to do for Lennon who came on with 9 minutes to go, but looked positive going forward. It is still great to see him on the pitch again though.