Everton player ratings vs Brentford: Toothless attack falters in 1-0 loss
Abdoulaye Doucoure returned to the team after his metatarsal injury
Midfielders:
Allan – 5
Allan was a doubt ahead of the game as he picked up a muscle strain in the last game but the Brazilian was given the green light and he started alongside his partner in crime, Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Allan had an intense battle with Frank Onyeka as Brentford pressed and tried to create numerical superiority. The former Napoli man did win some duels in the second half as the Royal Blues pushed in search of an equalizer.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 5
Abdoulaye Doucoure returned to the starting lineup after missing four games due to a stress fracture. The Frenchman looked a bit rusty, understandably so, as he played a couple of misplaced passes, in turn gifting the possession to Brentford.
Made a certain goal saving contribution, regaining the ball in the Everton goal area but never looked in his complete element. Doucoure lost the ball 14 times and was not up to the mark with his passing. He did get high up the pitch to support the Everton attack but his efforts did not come to fruition.
Andros Townsend – 4
After the sizzling start to his Everton career, this performance could easily be termed as Andros Townsend’s worst performance in the Everton shirt. He started on the right and Alex Iwobi started behind Rondon. Townsend gave away a penalty even though the foul wasn’t intentional, it was a careless approach.
He was booked for another offence and was never in tune with his crossing. His crosses were varying and lacked accuracy. He was brought off for Demarai Gray in the second half.
Anthony Gordon – 5
If there’s one Everton player who was giving it all and trying to make a difference every time Everton had the ball, it was Anthony Gordon. The 20 year old took on defenders and executed some fine dribbles but lacked the finishing product and often ran into traffic.
Gordon looked energetic and combined well with Digne but the combination often fizzled out before completion and the threat was minimized. He was dangerous but still lacked the final touch.