Everton once more made hard work of a Capital One Cup tie against lower-league opposition on Tuesday night as they came from behind to narrowly edge out Reading.
The Blues are now into the fourth round, but how did the players get on on the night? Here are my player ratings from the cup clash at the Madejski Stadium.
Joel Robles – 7
He had dome shaky moments with his handling, but he also made two very decent saves when called upon in the first half.
The Spaniard is still a cause for concern, though, as he is prone to unforced errors on too many occasions.
Aaron Lennon – 7
The summer signing had an uncertain start to the game in an unfamiliar right-back role, but he grew into it as time went on.
Defensively he was diligent in the second half and the biggest compliment you can give him is that he didn’t look out of place, despite being played out of position.
Phil Jagielka – 7
The captain didn’t have too much to do such was the dominance his side exerted on the game, but whatever he did have to do he did without any fuss.
John Stones – 8
The youngster was defensively faultless and he was remarkably composed on the ball in some tight scenarios.
He has looked close to his magnificent best ever since the transfer saga regarding his future came to a welcome end.
Ramiro Funes Mori – 7
Deployed at left-back in the first half, the new signing was culpable for the Reading goal and looked decidedly uncertain at times.
However, since switching to centre-back in the second period the Argentine improved markedly and looked very assured alongside Phil Jagielka.
Brendan Galloway – 8
The former MK Dons man came on as a replacement for the injured John Stones early on in the second half and he slotted in with the minimum of fuss.
Solid at the back and pacy and adventurous going forward, Galloway looks a real prospect. Another decent showing from the versatile defender.
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James McCarthy – 7
One of his best performances of the season, the midfielder was at his combative best, harrying the Reading players and making his presence known in the centre of the field.
Leon Osman – 4
This was a confusing tactical choice from Roberto Martinez given Osman has barely featured in this calendar year after a serious injury and even when fully fit shouldn’t be a first team player anyway.
The only player on the field to make no impression on the game as it passed him by – anonymous.
Gareth Barry – 8
The former Manchester City man was outstanding when he came on at half time, restoring balance and calmness to the Everton midfield.
He was always looking for the ball and put in a complete performance in the second 45 minutes to help his team turn the tide.
Arouna Kone – 5
The Ivorian has been given some leeway due to his goal against Watford on the opening day of the season, but he simply shouldn’t be in the first eleven if Everton have a fully fit squad.
Kone has not been as bad as the previous two seasons, but that is about as good as it gets – another poor showing from the former Wigan man and he was rightly hauled off at the break.
Ross Barkley – 9
The attacker had a slow start to the game but he grew into it and ended up being vital to the Toffees’ progression.
A superbly taken goal and some additional bits of magic in a game largely devoid of quality – it is good to see Barkley back to his best.
Gerard Deulofeu – 9
Arguably swung the man of the match award above Barkley. The wide man was ambitious and for large periods too much for the Reading defence to handle.
A goal, an assist and he was wrongly denied a penalty in a first half where he was one of the only Everton players to show up.
The Spaniard simply must be given more game time by Martinez given his form whenever he has played this season – there is simply no way Kone should be selected ahead of him.
Romelu Lukaku – 5
Surely the Belgian’s worst performance of the season as he struggled to make any sort of impact at the Madejski Stadium.
One of those nights where he couldn’t trap a bag of cement at times and he looked lethargic for the majority of the 90 minutes.
Is he taking his place in the team for granted with no one ready to take his place?
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