Everton: Player ratings from 3-2 win over Watford

We run the rule over the Everton team following their dramatic late win over Watford, which dragged them out of the relegation zone.

Call it a last hurrah if you will, because the chances are Sunday represented David Unsworth’s last game as caretaker manager for Everton. If that is indeed the case — as per all the speculation doing the rounds — Unsworth gave the team and their fans the perfect going away present.

We’ve previously gone on record as stating the Blues will not get relegated. And while we still maintain this stance, we have to confess we started to get a little worried when they went 2-0 down against Watford, with just under half an hour to go.

However, Everton managed to respond almost immediately to half the deficit, courtesy of Oumar Niasse. And then things started to get a little surreal.

Wayne Rooney was replaced by Dominic Calvert-Lewin and suddenly, the team looked revitalised. In fact, it was Calvert-Lewin himself, who leveled the game on 74 minutes.

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This then set the stage for a dramatic finish. Leighton Baines scored a late penalty to put Everton in front, and then they had to survive 12 minutes of injury time, as well as a penalty miss for the visitors. (We’ll assume Tom Cleverley didn’t miss on purpose, even though he was playing against his former team.)

The 3-2 victory over Watford was the Blues’ first win in nine matches in all competitions. Now it remains to be seen if this will provide the genesis for a turnaround in the team’s fortunes.

If it does, even if Unsworth’s time as caretaker manager is up, he deserves some credit for helping Everton rediscover their fight and passion. Let’s get to the player ratings:

Jordan Pickford (6/10)

This was one of Pickford’s less assured performances. Still had his moments, but this was countered by some mental errors, including the one which led to Watford’s late penalty.

Leighton Baines (7)

Did everything that was asked of him, including calmly slotting home the winning penalty and becoming Everton’s all-time leader in this category. Actually had other decent chances to score, although that obviously isn’t his main job.

Phil Jagielka (5)

Another one of those displays which makes you think the captain’s career is on a downward slope. Still has the heart of a lion, but he is struggling to deal with the physical demands of the Premier League.

Michael Keane (6)

On the one hand, he is slowly starting to return to the form he showed earlier this season. However, his one major mistake was a significant one, as it led to Watford going in front just after half time.

Jonjoe Kenny (6.5)

Not outstanding per se, but still showed why he has been getting selected recently. Has an excellent chance to become a regular starter moving forward, no matter who the manager is.

Idrissa Gueye (6)

Emblematic of the Everton team, i.e. as a player not performing up to his usual level. Worked hard enough, but too many sloppy errors for someone of his ability.

Beni Baningime (5.5)

Not as good as in previous appearances, although you can hardly hold this against the youngster. Was substituted early in the second half, which was probably the right move.

Tom Davies (5.5)

Arguably the poorest display he’s had yet this season and yet, even his worst was still not disastrously bad. Never stopped running although, like Gueye, his passing wasn’t up to its usual standard.

Wayne Rooney (5)

You can tell he’s becoming more frustrated, although the same can be said about the fans’ feelings towards him. Deserved to be replaced and you have to wonder if it’s time to use him exclusively as a “super sub”, no matter how much he may dislike this.

Gylfi Sigurdsson (6)

Can’t argue with the effort he put in, but still not being utilised properly. Will he ever revert to the form he showed regularly with Swansea City?

Oumar Niasse (7.5)

Can be inconsistent and unpredictable, but he still caused problems for the Watford defence. Started the comeback with Everton’s first goal and overall, gave an enthusiastic display which should continue to give him opportunities to start up front.

Substitutes:

Ademola Lookman (7)

(Replaced Baningime on 55 minutes.) Just behind Niasse for Everton man of the match. Was an inspiration from the minute he entered the action, more than doing his part to inspire the dramatic come-from-behind win.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (7)

(Replaced Rooney on 68 minutes.) You could argue he should have started in place of Rooney, especially with how good he’s been all season. Regardless, he once again played well when he came on and scored the equaliser, with an excellent pin-point header.

Aaron Lennon (6.5)

(Replaced Sigurdsson on 85 minutes.) Was given plenty of time to make an impact, given the lengthy injury time at the end of the game. And he did just that, by winning the penalty which completed the stunning comeback.

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Game Stats (courtesy of Everton.com):

62.2%-37.8% possession in favour of Watford
11-10 total shots in favour of Watford
5-3 shots on target in favour of Everton
55.3%-44.7% duels won in favour of Watford
57.9%-42.1% aerial duels won in favour Watford
5-1 offsides in favour of Everton
5-2 corners in favour of Watford
74.9%-67.9% passing accuracy in favour of Watford
25-11 crosses in favour of Watford
14-12 fouls conceded in favour of Everton

Next: Is Sam Allardyce really a good fit?

Now it’s your turn – what were your player ratings from Sunday afternoon? Who was your man of the match for Everton? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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