Everton were held to a frustrating 1-1 draw against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park on Monday night, but how did the players fare individually?
Here are my Blues player ratings.
Tim Howard – 8
Easily the keeper’s most accomplished performance of the season.
He made two or three crucial saves and his handling was sound as well – more of the same please, Tim.
Seamus Coleman – 7
The full-back was slightly more adventurous going forward than he has been in recent weeks, but still displays an infuriating reluctance to cross when the opportunity arises.
He was solid defensively as well and kept Yannick Bolasie relatively quiet.
John Stones – 7
At times he made his duties look effortless and he had a fine game, but there were three separate occasions where he gave the ball away when a risk didn’t need to be taken.
Ramiro Funes Mori – 7
Like Stones, he gave the ball away unnecessarily at times, but his willingness to defend crosses is a welcome change for a backline that for the most part seems to be allergic of clearing them away – as the goal showed.
Brendan Galloway – 7
The youngster didn’t put a foot wrong defensively and while he was relatively ineffectual in the final third, considering how lethal Palace are down the flanks, it is a tribute to the defender’s ability and composure that he was largely untroubled all night.
Gareth Barry – 7
For the most part the defensive midfielder was outstanding, but he failed to track his runner for the goal and made a blunder late on that nearly led to a winner for the visitors.
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Tom Cleverley – 8
After an uncertain showing at the Riverside Stadium in the week, Cleverley responded brilliantly in the absence of James McCarthy and nearly had a superb goal to show for his efforts. A great night for the midfielder.
Gerard Deulofeu – 7
There was no question that the young winger was Everton’s biggest threat on the night, but his crossing was wayward. However, he still supplied the crucial moment for the Toffees with an excellent cross and even in one of his less impressive games in recent memory he was the difference maker.
Ross Barkley – 7
There was more bite to Barkley’s game on Monday as he was more disciplined in the defensive third and was willing to put his foot in when it mattered.
He was lively up top, but didn’t really create anything of too much note – a decent game from the youngster, though.
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Arouna Kone – 6
The forward’s link-up play with Romelu Lukaku in the first half was brilliant at times, but the Ivorian’s influence waned significantly in the second half. He really should have been replaced by Kevin Mirallas late on.
Romelu Lukaku – 9
What a performance from the big Belgian. He bullied the visiting defence, hit the woodwork with two stunning efforts and bagged his sixth goal in his last five outings.
He is starting to turn into the player that we all know he can be – as things stand he is doing his best impression of Didier Drogba up front for the Blues.
Next: Everton 1-1 Crystal Palace
Leighton Baines – 7
The left-back didn’t have too much time to make an impact and is only just recovering from a long-term injury, but he looked sharp in the final third and his creativity down the flank will be welcome news to Everton’s attacking players.