Everton needed to regroup and resurrect themselves after the 5-1 drubbing at the hands of Arsenal last weekend and they did manage to do so today. The Toffees hosted Crystal Palace at the Goodison Park and clinched a 3-1 win to inject confidence back into their ranks.
Goals from Gylfi Sigurdsson, Oumar Niasse and Tom Davies took the game away from the Eagles, with Luka Milivojevic’s penalty late in the second-half proving to be just a consolation for Crystal Palace. Here is how we rate Sam Allardyce’s men in their win over Roy Hodgson’s entourage.
Jordan Pickford 7/10
Pickford was hardly tested in the first-half but after the break, the goalkeeper showed some great reflexes when he was called upon to do the needful and also made a stupendous save to deny Alexander Sorloth.
Seamus Coleman 7/10
His industry was evident as he ran up and down the flanks on many occasions in the first-half. However, he was replaced at half-time.
Cuco Martina 7/10
Martina assisted Niasse in the second-half and he made some stupendous runs down the left. He went forward pretty often but didn’t leave his defensive duties unattended.
Michael Keane 7/10
The centre-back fared well and stood strong against the attacking arsenal of the Eagles more often than not.
Eliaquim Mangala 5/10
Mangala was troubled by the physicality and guile of Sorloth and many times, he looked uncomfortable on the ball.
Idrissa Gueye 7/10
The midfielder roamed freely in the middle of the park and worked tirelessly in what was a satisfying day for him on the pitch.
Tom Davies 8/10
Davies provided energy in Everton’s plan as he showed a lot of desire and exuberance. His driving runs were appealing to watch and he scored Everton’s third goal which took the game completely away from Hodgson’s side.
Wayne Rooney 7/10
The Englishman’s passing range and ability to knit the side together with his vision was put on show and his experience really came handy for Everton.
Theo Walcott 8/10
Walcott’s pace and cutting edge proved to be lethal in the final third. The former Arsenal man did bring a lot of flamboyance in the attacking endeavours of the home side.
Gylfi Sigurdsson 8/10
He looked sharp from the get-go and scored the first goal of the game within a few moments after the break. He stretched the defence of the opposition and outfoxed them with his movements and passes.
Oumar Niasse 7/10
Niasse toiled relentlessly up front and thoroughly deserved the goal that he scored by executing a smart header.
Substitutions
Ashley Williams 5/10
He replaced Mangala but just like the new signing, looked sluggish and unconvincing.
Jonjoe Kenny 6/10
Kenny looked assured at the back after replacing Coleman but couldn’t offer the attacking mentality that Coleman did. Conceded a penalty.
Morgan Schneiderlin NA
Late in the second-half, he replaced Gueye. The boos on his introduction hardly helps his cause.