Hull City 2 Everton 3: Player ratings as Blues sneak into 4th round
By Rob Fisher
Everton Defensive Errors Evident Again
Defence:
Asmir Begovic – 8
Begovic hasn’t played since the QPR defeat in the Carabou Cup in September, thankfully this didn’t show. He couldn’t do anything with the two Hull goals, but did produce a couple of brilliant saves to show he can step in as a capable understudy for Jordon Pickford if required.
Tom Eaves certainly will be ruing Begovic’s display as both saves were against him. The first from a header in the fifth minute and then the even more important save a few minutes from time to possibly prevent the dreaded penalty shoot out. Begovic also produced a couple of good punches from set pieces which is very important considering how poor the Toffees’ are defending them as a whole this season.
Jon-Joe Kenny – 6
Kenny had a third successive start in the Everton line up, this could well be his last as Nathan Patterson will surely get chances between now and the end of the season in front of him.
While Kenny did produce a good cross and assist for Andre Gomes’ goal, his forward play was limited after that and also lost a crucial 50/50 tackle with Tom Huddlestone for Hull’s second goal.
Finally when Rafa Benitez decided to change the system after that goal Kenny was sacrificed for Abdoulaye Doucoure.
Seamus Coleman – 7
Coleman once again played out of position for the second successive game, this time occupying the right hand side centre back slot.
As always the captain will give you 100% wherever he plays and once Everton got the equaliser Coleman made numerous good interceptions and was calm on the ball for Everton to start controlled possession and get up the pitch.
When Benitez switched to a 4-3-3 Coleman took his usual right back slot and defended well, although the young Hull winger Keane Lewis-Potter caused Coleman more problems than anyone had done previously.
Michael Keane – 6
Another rollercoaster performance from Keane who once again didn’t stamp his authority on the game and as the defensive leader for set pieces showed his vulnerability again in the first minute.
Having said that Keane was one of the players to move Everton forward eventually, even nearly scoring in the 31st minute after running the full length of the pitch and making the Hull keeper make a good save.
However once again the defence almost gave another set piece goal away in the dying minutes with Begovic to thank for bailing Keane and his colleagues out.
Ben Godfrey – 6
Another player who has been playing in different positions recently, but was in the same left hand centre back role as he was on Sunday.
Godfrey with Keane are not getting the team in shape to defend set pieces, as a centre half this is one of your jobs. As ever Godfrey was quick to cover ground and made a couple of good forward dribbles.
His partnership with Mykolenko was also steady considering it was their first game together.
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 6
Mykolenko made his Everton debut as a left wing back and while the Ukranian International did not do anything outstanding, he also did not make too many errors either.
An early first half booking may have contributed to a more conservative display later in the match, the yellow card was petty from Kevin Friend and not deserved at all.
Mykolenko cut out forward balls well, was competent on the ball and cleared one dangerous shot from going towards goal. It was a shame we did not see more of him going forward, but Hull left space ahead so Demarai Gray was always going to get the ball more.