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Everton Player Ratings vs. Sheffield Wednesday: James Rodriguez runs the show

By Zac Jones

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Séamus Coleman of Everton interacts with Isaiah Brown of Sheffield Wednesday following the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Everton and Sheffield Wednesday at Goodison Park on January 24, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 24: Séamus Coleman of Everton interacts with Isaiah Brown of Sheffield Wednesday following the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round match between Everton and Sheffield Wednesday at Goodison Park on January 24, 2021 in Liverpool, England. Sporting stadiums around the UK remain under strict restrictions due to the Coronavirus Pandemic as Government social distancing laws prohibit fans inside venues resulting in games being played behind closed doors. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /
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Everton
Everton  (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) /

Forwards:

Richarlison – 7

Richarlison has struggled to find his best form this season, with suspensions and injuries disrupting his rhythm. He has cut a frustrated figure for much of this season and that continued last night, particularly after his first half goal was disallowed for offside.

He did eventually get a goal, nodding in a James Rodriguez corner to put the Blues 2-0 up, although he still looked desperate to add to his tally and was clearly disappointed to be substituted.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 7

Calvert-Lewin returned to the starting eleven after his recent hamstring injury and put in a typically well-rounded centre forward performance. The Everton striker would have been delighted to end his recent scoreless run by poking home to put the Blues 1-0 up and grab his first goal since December 5th.

Ancelotti will also have been pleased to see his star striker back on the pitch and back on the scoresheet as the Toffees head into a big week that could define their season.

James Rodriguez – 9 (MOTM)

Although it was a pleasing overall team performance, James Rodriguez was the undoubted star of the show, putting in a masterful performance to lead the Toffees to a comfortable victory.

The former Real Madrid man looked back to his best last night and bossed the game from start to finish, ending the game with two assists. James showed his class throughout and looked a level above every other player on the pitch.

Substitutes:

Bernard, Anthony Gordon, Jonjoe Kenny, Tyler Onyango & Thierry Small – 6

Everton’s substitutes were mainly used to rest some of their key players in preparation for Wednesday’s fixture against Leicester City. None of them did anything of note, with the biggest story being the debuts of Tyler Onyango and Thierry Small.

In fact, Thierry Small’s appearance made him the youngest player to ever play for Everton, breaking the previous record held by Jose Baxter by 15 days.

Next. Carlo Ancelotti’s big summer gamble paying off. dark

Besides that, there is nothing much to comment on the substitutes’ performances. They just did their job by running down the clock to see the Blues safely into the fifth round of the FA Cup to face either Wycombe Wanderers or Tottenham Hotspur.