Everton played out a 0-0 draw against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Saturday evening in the final game before the two-week international break, but how did the players fare on the day?
Here are my player ratings for the Blues.
Tim Howard – 9
After a poor performance that was reminiscent of some of his woeful displays from last season against Manchester City last weekend, it was pleasing to see the American stopper looking at his best.
He made a number of vital, and not to mention impressive, saves to earn his side a point.
Seamus Coleman – 6
Looked solid defensively, but the right-back is still missing a spark going forward.
The 26-year-old can’t seem to find the right blend between offence and defence at the moment.
Phil Jagielka – 6
He still looks decidedly shaky when trying to play the offside trap and is slower than the rest of the back four to step out.
Aside from that though, the captain had a decent enough game and will be pleased with his clean sheet.
John Stones – 7
After a wobbly performance in the Capital One Cup against Barnsley, where it looked like the intense transfer speculation had finally got to him, Stones looked far more composed on Saturday.
The youngster dealt with the pressure of the occasion brilliantly and it looks like his head is still in the right place.
Bryan Oviedo – 5
The Costa Rican looked the weak link in the Everton backline and he was targeted by Tottenham, as he was in midweek as well.
The left-back is of course still looking for match sharpness after such a long time out on the treatment table, so hopefully he should be back to his tenacious best sooner rather than later.
Gareth Barry – 6
He dwelled on the ball for too long on one occasion and that led to a superb chance for Ryan Mason, a year after the same player had been at fault for a Spurs goal at this ground under identical circumstances.
However, the defensive midfielder looked steady enough for the remainder of the game and is looking a far better player than he did in the last campaign.
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James McCarthy – 6
The combative midfielder got through his usual workload in tireless fashion in the centre of the park, but he still looks to be lacking sharpness.
After a positive end to last season when he was breaking forward at will, it would be nice to see the former Wigan man release the shackles a bit more sometimes.
Arouna Kone – 5
This was a baffling tactical decision from Roberto Martinez. After the brilliant displays from wide men Kevin Mirallas and Gerard Deulofeu offered up in midweek, why on earth the out of position Ivorian was selected is beyond this observer.
The forward didn’t do much to silence the doubters as he was largely ineffectual and missed the only chance of note the Blues created with a header sent wide of the far post in the second half.
Ross Barkley – 7
The England international had a very bright first half, but his influence waned as the game progressed.
The attacking midfielder still needs to learn when and how to stick his foot in when the going gets tough for his team, though – he is far too lightweight from a defensive standpoint.
Tom Cleverley – 7
Unfortunate to pick up a nasty looking injury, but up until that point the midfielder had put in a typically reliable display.
Why he continues to be deployed out wide, especially given the duo of Mirallas and Deulofeu are fit, baffles, and hopefully he gets more time in a central area after the international break.
Romelu Lukaku – 5
Understandably, after a busy start to the season, the big Belgian looked tired and out of sorts at White Hart Lane.
His poor first touch meant he was unable to hold the ball up and take the pressure off the under-fire Toffees backline and this goes down as a forgettable away trip for the striker.
Kevin Mirallas – 7
Why he didn’t start is anyone’s guess, but he put in an impressive defensive shift down the left-hand side when he came on for the injured Cleverley.
The wide man didn’t get anywhere near enough playing time last term according to most Evertonians – this season looks no different.
Steven Naismith – 6
The forward didn’t really have too much opportunity to make much of an impact, but he’s always a reliable head when things get tight.
His link-up play still needs improvement, but he’s always a good bet to nick a crucial goal – unfortunately that wasn’t the case in North London.
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