We rate every Everton player’s performance from the disappointing 2-1 loss to Leicester City, at the King Power Stadium.
No matter how good a team may look on paper, this is not where the game is won. Results for Everton this season offer a prime example of this.
Adding to this frustration, was Sunday’s result against Leicester City. Everywhere you looked on the stat sheet, the Blues seemed to dominate.
Ultimately though, Everton failed to dominate in the one area which matters most – scoring goals. As a result, they fell to a frustrating 2-1 defeat at the King Power Stadium.
In the process, the Toffees remained in the bottom three and continue to have the second-worst goal difference in the Premier League. At what point does the current blip turn into a genuine relegation fight?
We’re still not at that point. However, we were also later than most in realising it was time for Ronald Koeman to leave.
David Unsworth remained upbeat despite the result, while also offering a subtle plea to be given patience and time to prove he should become manager on a permanent basis. As reported by BBC Sport‘s Stephan Shemilt, Unsworth said:
"“Second half we were much, much better. But we gave them a two-goal start because we didn’t perform in the first half.“Whoever gets the honour of being Everton manager, myself included, needs time with this set of players because you all have your own set of ideas.“Every coach and manager has their idea of how they want to play, I certainly do, and you need time on the training ground to implement those ideas.”"
There is no denying the last two performances have been decent. However, the bottom line is they were still both losses.
Evertonians can only hope the results come soon, or this will turn into a very long and stressful season. Let’s get to our player ratings for Sunday:
Player ratings
Jordan Pickford (6.5/10)
When the goalkeeper is regularly your team’s best player, at some point this is no longer a positive. Was not at fault for either goal.
Leighton Baines (5)
What the heck has happened to Mr. Reliable? Demarai Gray toyed with him regularly during the first half, as he now finds himself starting to perform down to the same level as his struggling teammates.
Phil Jagielka (6)
Was decent on Sunday, doing his best to hold the back line together. However, he still struggled to cope with James Vardy, not that there is any shame in this.
Ashley Williams (5)
Seriously, what has happened to the player we regularly saw last season? Sunday offered another hapless display lacking in confidence, which suggests his best days are now just a distant memory.
Jonjoe Kenny (5.5)
Had his moments, providing energy and enthusiasm getting up and down the wing. However, his biggest moment resulted in an unfortunate own goal.
Idrissa Gueye (5)
(Booked.) Similar to Baines, another player who we’re used to seeing better from. Almost looks distracted against Leicester – maybe he’s trying to go to his happy place, to deal with a season which is fast turning into a nightmare.
Tom Davies (5)
(Booked.) We were among those calling for him to become a regular starter. However, this was one of his worse games, as he played a part in the two goals Everton conceded.
Kevin Mirallas (5.5)
Showed flashes of what he could do going forward. However, he also did little tracking back, which contributed to his halftime substitution.
Wayne Rooney (5.5)
We all know Rooney is not the player he used to be; we also know he still works hard and offers the occasional moment of magic. Ultimately though, he is spending too much time dropping back, although this probably partly relates to having a lack of confidence in other players to perform the task at hand.
Aaron Lennon (6)
Being given a chance by Unsworth and should have been awarded a penalty. However, despite a bright performance, he was surprisingly replaced at halftime.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (6)
This offered another example of his performances this season – he is bright enough, fights hard and creates opportunities. However, he continues to struggle in the one area Everton need him most, i.e. actually scoring goals himself.
Substitutes:
Oumar Niasse (5)
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(Replaced Mirallas on 45 minutes.) Full of effort during his time on the pitch. However, that’s the best thing we can say about him.
Beni Baningime (6.5)
(Replaced Lennon on 45 minutes.) Looked excellent for a second consecutive game, displaying energy and passion. The only concern is this will start to fade, if the team continues to struggle to find positive results.
Gylfi Sigurddson (5)
(Replaced Aaron Lennon on 74 minutes.) Didn’t have long enough to make much of an impression. Although you could argue a player of his talent shouldn’t need much time to exert his influence.
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Game Stats (courtesy of Everton.com):
- 59.4%-40.6% possession in favour of Everton
- 16-9 total shots in favour of Everton
- 3-2 shots on target in favour of Leicester
- 51.5%-48.5% duels won in favour of Everton
- 52.5%-47.5% aerial duels won in favour of Everton
- 4-1 offsides in favour of Leicester
- 10-3 corners in favour of Everton
- 79.8%-66.8% passing accuracy in favour of Everton
- 27-12 crosses in favour of Everton
- 10-6 fouls conceded in favour of Everton
Next: Night and day between Koeman and Unsworth
Now it’s your turn – what do you make of our player ratings? Further, who was your man of the match? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.