Everton 2-0 Chelsea: Player Ratings

Everton are a weird club, sometimes you absolutely loathe them but they always manage to pull you back in. A win that no doubt strengths the position of the manager, was met by superb performances from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Idrissa Gueye and Richarlison. Michael Keane and Yerry Mina were absolutely fine also and when he’s not picking fights with angry Geordies, Jordan Pickford is a sound goalkeeper. Here goes then.

Jordan Pickford: 8/10

Much improved performance from Jordan. Last week was a horrendous performance from him but he’s regained some credit with a solid performance. Kicking was better than recent games, he collected everything and made some notable saves.

Seamus Coleman: 7/10

Seamus grew into the game for me. First half he was on the dodgy side with some poor decision making when Chelsea pressed. Second half, he was boss. For as much as I do like Jonjoe Kenny, Seamus is much more the finished article, Marcos Alonso is still trying to get near him from them overlapping runs. How bad is Marcos Alonso anyway? Jesus.

Yerry Mina: 7/10

He’s such a threat from a set piece. There were about three or four instances where he had the better chance to score and someone conspired to make sure he never got a free header and almost certainly a goal. Yerry Mina needs a run of games now. He’s the future for next season and needs to build a relationship with his goalkeeper and fellow defenders. Great performance.

Michael Keane: 7/10

I can not split the pair of them. Keane’s decision making on the ball is slightly frustrating but as a defender he is really good. Gets to absolutely everything and really is useful for games like this where the opposition have more of the ball and he can relieve pressure with one of his massive block clearances ( I do not even know how to describe what they are but they’re incredibly effective.)

Lucas Digne: 7/10

Sticking with the theme of a seven out of ten is Lucas Digne. In the first half he was frustratingly restricted to the same section of the pitch like Big Sam had returned and enforced a backs to the wall mentality (I know I’m over exaggerating.)  Second half was a different story as he grew into the game and as Lucas and the rest of the team discovered Chelsea are not all that, we put the pressure on and Lucas became effective.

Idrissa Gueye: 8/10

What a player! Idrissa Gueye is incredible. When he is on it like that today he is fantastic. Best £7 million ever spent. His pressing is exceptional. It relieves so much pressure and invites the incredibly one paced, boring Chelsea team to continue passing it around the back.

Andre Gomes: 7/10

Maybe a bit harsh but he was subbed quite early so did not have the time to improve on a 7/10. Thought he was going to score a few times when he was given the freedom of the Gwladys Street by David Luiz.

Richarlison: 9/10

This lad doesn’t get the credit he deserves. He’s still only a relatively young player and now has scored twelve goals in the league for Everton. He is going to be a superstar in the next few years if and when he matures more and produces more consistently. His goal was instinctive and you really can not coach football intelligence. *Cough Ross Barkley*

Gylfi Sigurdsson: 7/10

Gylfi had a great second half. First half was very quiet however but the whole team wasn’t at the free flowing best we saw in the second half. Despite a poor penalty, he made no mistake on the follow up to confirm the points. Some ace set pieces today as well.

Bernard: 7.5/10

I could not give him an eight but he deserves slightly more than a seven due to how good at football he is. Technically Bernard is absolutely fantastic. With a pre season behind him, expect him to be one of our most influential players next season.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin: 9/10 (MOTM)

Dom is proving the naysayers wrong yet again. He is getting better and better. He’s playing against really good defenders lately and making them think twice. That thing he does where he alternates between the left back and centre half from goal kicks is something new he has added to his game which is making us keep the ball higher up. As a link striker, he is massively improved from a year ago. He is scoring more and more and is always a threat aerially. I have always been a big fan but I see a big future for this lad at Everton more so each week.

Subs:

Morgan Schneiderlin: 7/10

Neat.

Three-o Walcott: 5/10

I could not resist.

Tom Davies: 6/10

Showed great energy and some boss tackles.

Owen Parkes