Everton 1-0 Arsenal

Player Ratings

These have become something of a good luck token. Three wins out of three for Marco’s blues since I started the player ratings. For me, Sunday was the best also, and I did not think West Ham could be topped. For ninety minutes against Arsenal, Everton were perfect. 23 attempts on goal would not have been achieved in a month against mediocre teams under Sam Allardyce, never mind in a single game against top six opposition. Marco Silva, slowly but surely, is making Everton a potent, organised and dangerous side against really good sides, here’s how his team fared…

Jordan Pickford: 8/10

After the debacle at Newcastle, Jordan has kept three clean sheets out of three. Another
outstanding performance against Arsenal yesterday and his kicking was spot on also. Although he did not have a great deal to do against a strike force that flattered to deceive, Jordan gets an eight for how he began attacking moves.

Seamus Coleman: 8.5/10

He did not quite warrant a nine, but he was not an eight so 8.5 is fair assessment of Seamus’ afternoon. For me, Sunday was his best performance of the season and his relationship with Richarlison on the right is growing each week. They are contributing to the organised, quick, incisive football we like to see at Everton and the role of Seamus and Lucas is crucial in this.

Kurt Zouma: 9/10

Kurt Zouma is making a really good case for Everton to buy him in the summer. He wins everything in the air. He is an incredible defender when he is in the mood, and is each week improving our fortunes from set pieces. Ah, I see no one is harping on about zonal anymore are they? Trust Marco and our defenders.

Phil Jagielka: 9/10

A vintage defensive display from Jags. Also scored the winner which secures him a 9/10 score. A lot of people, myself included, was worried when Keane dropped out of the team, but the ever reliable Jagielka calmed any nerves as soon as the goal went in. Sunday could well be his last in an Everton shirt, and if that is the case, then it was a fitting finale for Jags.

Lucas Digne: 8.5/10

Considering he was half fit initially and that Guendouzi nearly took his leg off, Lucas was magnificent. Every time you thought he may need to be substituted, he carried on, flying forward and providing excellent cover defensively. He is another one, a full pre season next season will make him incredible in this Everton side!

Andre Gomes: 10/10 (MOTM)

Sign him now. Andre Gomes is Everton’s best player since Mikel Arteta. He controlled EVERYTHING. His passing, break up play, pressing is exceptional! Gomes has to be Everton’s player next year. I have ran out of words to praise him.

Idrissa Gueye: 10/10

He was just as good as Andre. Thank the Lord we never sold him to PSG in January because he has been our best performer since then. His passing was not quite Andre Gomes level, but his pressing and tackling was like Gana in his first six months at Everton.

Richarlison: 8/10:

Since he has been moved to the right hand side, Richarlison has looked like his old
self. He is such a threat on the break and has great potential to be world class in the future. Could have had a hat full of goals too.

Gylfi Sigurdsson: 7/10

Gylfi was probably our worst performer on an afternoon where no one played badly. I say that because he still was great at what he does, being a second striker but he nearly killed me off with the chances he missed. Gylfi always gives us a chance in a game though due to his record in front of goal.

Bernard: 9.5/10

Although Bernard missed a few himself, his general performance was much better than Gylfi’s. That Maitland-Niles had a torrid afternoon up against Bernard. Best £0 spent ever!

Dominic Calvert-Lewin: 9/10

Dom, like Everton in our entirety, have improved massively since the 17 day break. How much of a cliché has that ’17 day break’ become by the way! It really has marked a major turning point in our season and the Everton career of Marco Silva. Dom has epitomised all of this. Whilst I have always been a fan of his, he did not seem to understand the CF position like he does now prior the Cardiff game. When speaking to Sky, Dom cited the Cardiff game as a turning point himself. We need another striker in the summer due to the fact I see Cenk leaving, but Dom himself, will be a great option long term.

Subs:

Theo Walcott: 7/10

Did well when he came on, gave us legs and a burst of pace.

Ademola Lookman: 6/10

Was not on for long but the same as Theo in the sense he gave us some much needed pace.

Tom Davies: 6/10
He loves a tackle. Needed that bite he gave when he came on!

 

Owen Parkes