Everton: Player ratings from 2-1 win over Bournemouth

Rating every Everton player’s performance, from Saturday’s come from behind tense 2-1 win over Bournemouth at Goodison Park.

On Saturday, we wrote an article describing calls for Everton manager Ronald Koeman to be sacked as insane. And yet, at certain points yesterday afternoon, it would have been easy to dispute our opinion.

With 15 minutes to go against Bournemouth, the Blues were facing a fourth consecutive defeat. They would have remained in the bottom three of the Premier League and the calls for Koeman to be dismissed, would have only intensified.

Step forward substitute Oumar Niasse with two strikes, which incidentally doubled Everton’s goal tally for the league campaign. While the come-from-behind win didn’t save the season per se, it was still an extremely important three points.

Where the Blues go from here is anyone’s guess right now, but at least two straight victories have given Evertonians something to cheer about again. Let’s get to the player ratings, with no prizes for guessing who the man of the match is:

Jordan Pickford (7/10)

Pickford has had better games in his short time at Everton, but he’s also had worse. Regardless, his save which prevented denied Jermain Defoe’s attempt to double Bournemouth’s lead, was a pivotal moment in the match.

Leighton Baines (6)

Similar to Pickford, Baines has had better games this season. However, it’s possible we take him for granted sometimes, as he did nothing wrong either.

Ashley Williams (7)

With no Michael Keane or Phil Jagielka in the starting lineup, the Blues needed a big game from Williams. He answered the call with an excellent performance, which was especially important, given the struggles of his partner at centre-back.

Mason Holgate (5.5)

Some may argue we’re being unfair on Holgate, who returned to his so-called preferred position. And yet, he made a key error which led to the visitor’s goal.

Cuco Martina (6)

Along with Pickford and Baines, another player whose seen better days. Similarly though, he did little wrong in defence, before being substituted in the 76th minute.

Davy Klaassen (5)

Oh dear, we’re not sure how much longer you can defend Klaassen by saying it’s early in his career adapting to the Premier League. We’re still not willingly to criticise him too much yet, but it doesn’t change our opinion he deserved to be substitued in the 55th minute.

Morgan Schneiderlin (7)

Looking more like his old self again, with a tireless performance in midfield. About the only thing stopping him from dominating more, was the booking he picked up.

Idrissa Gueye (6)

We may as well copy and paste. Gueye was yet another example of a Blues player who on the one hand has played better, but on the other, didn’t really do anything wrong.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (5.5)

Similar to Klaassen, Sigurdsson has struggled to find the form which convinced Everton to pay big money for him. Unfortunately, his performance versus Bournemouth was another example of this, but we still firmly believe better days are ahead for the winger.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (7)

These are exciting times for the young forward, who is in the ascendancy after his midweek two-goal game versus Sunderland. And it showed, with another promising — and energetic — display against Bournemouth.

Wayne Rooney (6)

Frustrating end to a frustrating week for the recently retired England international, as he suffered a nasty facial injury. Experience shone through as always, before being taken off in the 55th minute.

Substitutes:

More from Prince Rupert's Tower

Tom Davies (7)

(Came on for Klaassen. Booked.) You can make an argument Davies should be starting ahead of the player he replaced on Saturday. Another impressive display, which saw him involved in both Everton goals.

Oumar Niasse (8)

(Came on for Rooney. Booked.) There’s no denying Niasse has been a major disappointment since coming to Everton. However, his two goals off the bench completed a big week for the 27-year-old, who could potentially provide the solution for the Blues’ striking woes.

Jonjoe Kenny (6.5)

(Came on for Martina.) Only on the pitch for 14 minutes, but still did a fair bit in that time. Made a good case to be involved more, moving forward.

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Game Stats:

51.1%-48.9% possession in favour of Everton
12-8 total shots in favour of Everton
78%-77% pass success in favour of Everton
16-15 aerial duels won in favour of Bournemouth
20-14 tackles won in favour of Everton
6-4 corners won in favour of Bournemouth

Next: Blues interested in PSG star Edinson Cavani

Now it’s your turn. What were your player ratings for Saturday’s game versus Bournemouth? Who was your man of the match? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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