Jordan Pickford was monumental when it mattered the most.
Today was the day that every Everton romantic was dreaming off. For years, the football realists wrote them off but the dreamers continued to fantasize and at last, the red of Anfield has a smear of blue after 22 years. And at last, the city is painted blue for the first time since 2010.
Carlo Ancelotti named a surprising eleven which even struck Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp by surprise when questioned minutes before kickoff. Allan and Dominic Calvert-Lewin were on the bench and Andre Gomes also came in suggesting a change in the system and the way Everton play but Ancelotti was quick to put those theories to bed by simply stating that he wanted fresh legs for a high intensity game such as this.
Ancelotti did it again. The derby day specialist- Milan, Madrid and now Merseyside. The starting lineup came with a tinge of astonishment but his set up nullified Liverpool on the offence. This win draws Everton to 40 points, level with their arch rivals Liverpool. Here are the Everton player ratings:
Jordan Pickford – 9
Made a powerful punch from an inviting Sadio Mane cross early in the game, a counter attack that began with Abdoulaye Doucoure’s lose touch. The Englishman produced a tremendous save from a Henderson volly that surely was travelling in the net.
Pickford hardly put a foot wrong in the first half, looking confident as ever. Made himself large against a Salah shot in the second half taking his tally to three huge saves. In total made six saves and is surely a man of the match candidate. While the fortress of Anfield has fallen, the fortress that Pickford built was simply unbreachable. He was athletic, elastic and trustworthy.
Ben Godfrey and Michael Keane produced a defensive masterclass in central defence.
Defence:
Mason Holgate – 8
Mason Holgate played in the right back position as Coleman was deployed further forward. The 24 year old had to negotiate the blistering pace of Sadio Mane which he managed to do throughout the game. Holgate effectively used his pace and body to shield the ball from the opponents and played a fairly intelligent game.
Michae Keane – 9
Michale Keane was resilient throughout the game. The Englishman was outstanding, making crunch tackles and valuable blocks. He anticipated Liverpool attacks and movements of Roberto Firmino, Mane exceptionally well and covered his tracks. The centre back produced a classic text book performance, one that can possibly be shown as a lesson to young centre backs. In total, Keane made six ball recoveries, the highest in the match.
Ben Godfrey – 9
In the first half, Ben Godfrey looked faultless, mopping up loose balls and not leaving Mohamed Salah unatteded. He countinously burned his pace and covered a good amount of ground. The former Nowich City man showed a perfect mix of aggression and acceleration throughout the game. For a moment, it didn’t look like he’s a boy from York but a local lad that has been bred on the blue half of Merseyside and is living every moment of this intense tie.
Lucas Digne – 8
The teamsheet suggested that Digne would play in an advanced role but the Frenchman was glued to the left back position and instead Seamus Coleman played slightly higher up the pitch. The 27 year old whipped in a vicious cross that found Coleman’s head but was brilliantly saved by Alisson. Digne looked sharp in the first half and even contained Salah well.
Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold got more notorious in the second half but Digne coped superbly. The former Barcelona man didn’t leave any lose ends on the pitch and made sure that his area is well guarded.
Seamus Coleman was the only player in the team before this win to taste Merseyside derby success.
Midfield:
Tom Davies – 8
Tom Davies showcased a different kind of passion and motivation. The kind that a local boy from Merseyside envisions in the childhood, the kind of fire that had been burning for years as he wished to win the Merseyside derby as a player of his boyhood club.
The 22 year old has turned it around in a space of a few matches. Davies has gone from being scapegoated and bashed for his typical lackluster displays to being a quality midfield general who could for once challenge Allan’s claim to the No.6 role.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 7
Doucoure had a frantic odd start to the game with a few weak touches, one of which, resulted in a spicy counter attack. The Frenchman looked sloppy throughout the first half. The former Watford man was not at his best but was just doing enough off the ball. He applied pressure, cut passing lanes and offered combative energy but in terms of possesssion, he
Andre Gomes – 6
Andre Gomes looked out of sync for long periods of the game. Gave away possession just outside Everton goal area which could’ve resulted in a goal had the shot been more venoumous. Gomes was on a yellow and was taken off for Gylfi Sigurdsson in the second half.
Seamus Coleman – 8
Seamus Coleman headed from point blank range which forced Alisson into making a spectacular save (credit where its due). The Irishman was in a more extended forward role and stuck with Andy Robertson throughout the game offering the Scot little to no room in the Everton half. His diligent performance meant Liverpool couldn’t
Attack:
James Rodriguez – 8
A sublime through ball past Ozan Kabak to find Richarlison who drilled it low in the bottom left corner to give Everton the lead. The Colombian was once again a victim of unwanted challenges (he surely doesn’t enjoy this aspect of the Premier League). It was for decisive performances like this, Ancelotti brought the 29 year old to Merseyside.
James Rodriguez made neat passes and was always looking to produce something on the offensive front everytime he had the ball. In terms of formation, he played as a striker along side Richarlsion but in reality, the Colombian dropped into the midfield and dictated the Everton passage of play.
Richarlison – 9
Richarlison was served the ball on a silver plate by James Rodriguez and all the Brazilian had to do was to calmly put the goal past Alisson and he surely didn’t disappoint. Richarlison had a similar chance in a very similar position in the second half but this time instead of pulling the trigger he decided to hold back and attempt a pass to Sigurdsson who was parallel to him.
The 23 year old worked hard off the ball throughout the game to help the Toffees defend. The Brazilian had a phase where his performances were sub par but now there are growing indications that the engimatic Richarlison has returned.
Substitutions:
Gylfi Sigurdsson – 7
The Iceman came on for Gomes and was tasked with helping the Everton midfield gain some control and possibly launch attacks if the opportunity presented itself. Had the chance to seal the victory by converting from the spot and Gylfi Sigurdsson didn’t make even the slighest of error, slotting home a composed penalty and delievring the three points in Everton’s bag.
Dominic Calvert-lewin – 7
DCL returned from injury and did what was expected from him. He gave Everton an outlet to aim at in the late stages of the game. With the Reds dominating the possession, Calvert-Lewin didn’t have much to do in front of the goal except one chance which he captialised upon and took a shot and in the process went down resulting in an Everton penlaty.