By Saikat Mandal

6th Aug, 2022 | 7:38pm

Everton player ratings v Chelsea: Mykolenko outstanding, Mina below par

Everton started their brand new 2022-23 season with a 1-0 defeat against Chelsea at Goodison Park on Saturday in the Premier League.

It was a solid performance from the Toffees in the opening half where the players really produced an admirable performance. However, a mistake from Abdoulaye Doucoure earned Chelsea a penalty from which Jorginho scored.

The match also saw Ben Godfrey picking up a serious injury and he was taken to hospital for treatment.

Here, Goodison News has rated the players out of 10 for their performances against Chelsea:

Jordan Pickford: 6

He was lucky not to concede a goal after making a poor clearance, but Sterling was marginally offside. He was sent in the wrong direction by Jorginho as he failed to save the penalty. Nearly got himself into trouble towards the end by keeping the ball longer on his feet, and was only saved by Holgate who received a yellow card in the process.

Nathan Patterson: 8

The former Rangers defender was brilliant in his first Premier League game for the club. He was solid in defence. He came up against Raheem Sterling but he looked unfazed. The right wing-back produced a moment of quality where he hurriedly got into the box, and squared up Dele Alli, but he couldn’t connect properly.

Yerry Mina: 3

Picked up a silly yellow card in the first half. Otherwise, he was decent at the back which we expect from him. He marshalled the defence well, but once again, he appeared to have picked up an injury. Is it time to sell him before the window ends?

Ben Godfrey: NA

Picked up an early injury and was stretchered off. He needed a long medical help, and we hope that the injury is not too serious.

James Tarkowski: 6

The new summer signing produced a brilliant header to create the most dangerous chance of the first half. The Chelsea goalkeeper was quick to parry away.

Vitalii Mykolenko: 9

The Ukraine left-back was enjoying loads of space on the left flank and swung the ball in for Gordon who nodded wide. Make some clean tackles and like Patterson looked very solid at the back. He went for a spectacular goal in the second half but just couldn’t hit the target. He made a superb block to deny Sterling from close range, and Pickford was very impressed with that effort.

Abdoulaye Doucoure: 5

He was terrific in the first half in spells for the home side. He was everywhere on the pitch but then gave away a silly penalty. Misses a glorious opportunity to score in the second half, and from there on, his influence in the game waned.

Alex Iwobi: 6

Once again, he did well with his defensive duties. He was tidy in possession as well but lacked the creative spark. He found Doucoure in the box with a clever pass, but could only hit the goalkeeper from close range.

Anthony Gordon: 8

Gordon was superb in the first half. He brought energy, aggression, and hard work into the middle of the park, and could have got a goal but just couldn’t get his head on it in the right place.

Dwight McNeil: 6

He was clever with his movements and passing throughout the game, and it was a decent debut from him. He was taken off in the 60th minute, without making enough impact he had hoped for.

Demarai Gray: 7

Looked lively in the first half. He played a dangerous ball into the box and it just skimmed the top of Anthony Gordon’s head. He raced into the box in the second half and had a shot on goal, but it took a deflection off Thiago Silva.

Substitution:

Mason Holgate (on for Godfrey – 16 mins) – 6

He was called upon within the opening 15 minutes after Godfrey picked up an injury. He looked solid at the back, and made some clearances.

Dele Alli (on for McNeil – 60min) – NA

Ruben Vinagre (on for Mina – 70min) – NA