Everton player ratings vs. Newcastle: Sigurdsson and Coleman struggle in lackluster display

Everton's Colombian midfielder James Rodriguez reacts after Newcastle United's English striker Callum Wilson scores his team's second goal during the English Premier League football match between Everton and Newcastle United at Goodison Park in Liverpool, north west England on January 30, 2021. (Photo by Jan Kruger / POOL / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. / (Photo by JAN KRUGER/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) /

3 of 4

Everton (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images) /

Gylfi Sigurdsson is ineffective in the central role.

Gylfi Sigurdsson – 4

Gylfi Sigurdsson excels the most in the No.10 role, behind the striker, something that we saw earlier when James Rodriguez was out due to injury but playing in central midfield is certainly not his cup of tea. The 31 year old didn’t cover spaces that needed to be covered and was not able to help Everton break the Newcastle defence.

Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6

The energy of Abdoulaye Doucoure returned after he missed the previous game due to suspension. His presence was evident throughout the game as did his job of passing the ball around to the attackers. He was constantly running in order to break the Newcastle press and then recover the ball. Lack of support from Sigurdsson didn’t help and in the late stages of the game. Doucoure started to run out of juice.

James Rodriguez – 5

James Rordriguez didn’t endure an easy afternoon at all. He was the target for rough Newcastle challenegs and was brought down to the ground numerous times. On the creative front, it was a barren night fo him as the Colombian was not able to produce anything magical. Nonetheless, he always looked dangerous on the ball and sprayed some smart passes but on those occasions was let down by others. The fouling and physical abbtle is an aspect of the Premier League that he certainly doesn’t enjoy.

Home/Everton FC News