Sam Stone

Sun 14 May 2023 15:51, UK

Everton saw their Premier League survival hopes dented as Manchester City ran out 3-0 winners at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.

Ilkay Gundogan put Pep Guardiola’s side ahead with a stunning first-half strike before Erling Haaland doubled the visitor’s lead moments later.

The 32-year-old German added City’s third and his second with a delightful free-kick in the early stages of the second half.

The defeat leaves Everton just one point and one place above the releagation zone heading into the final two fixtures of the 2022/23 season. Here Goodison News rates the players out of ten for their performances.

Jordan Pickford – 4

Could do nothing about Gundogan’s first-half strike. It was a brilliant piece of skill from the German. Will be disappointed with Haaland’s header. He got a hand to it and potentially could have pushed it away. Extremely fortunate not to give a penalty away in the second half.

Nathan Patterson – 5

Dealt with Foden well for the most part. The England international struggled to register much of an impact. Unfortunate slip in the lead-up to Haaland’s goal.

James Tarkowski – 4

Questions have to be asked after City scored two goals from inside the six-yard box. Haaland was left unmarked and Gundogan was allowed to control in the box for his opener. Should’ve scored with a second-half header. Disappointing.

Yerry Mina – 5

Much like Tarkowski, questions have to be asked but the Colombian dealt with Erling Haaland relatively well throughout the clash at Goodison Park. Has done well after coming back into contention.

Mason Holgate – 2

Was overwhelmed by Riyad Mahrez all afternoon. A really difficult afternoon for the defender who was drafted into the side after Vitalii Mykolenko picked up an injury in training. One to forget. Rightfully subbed off.

James Garner – 5

Battling performance but the gulf in quality was there for all to see. City’s midfield were far too much for the former Manchester United man. It will be a learning curve for Garner. Picked up a silly booking in the second half after a poor challenge on Forden.

Idrissa Gueye – 3

Gueye was a step behind the rest today. He couldn’t provide the energy needed to press and harass City’s midfield and was rightfully substituted in the second half.

Alex Iwobi – 5

Iwobi was disciplined and tried to stay defensively firm throughout. However, he couldn’t get forward as much as he would’ve liked. Was certainly more adventurous in the second half. Will have a big part to play in the remaining two matches.

Abdoulaye Doucouré – 6

Not at his best but still tried to support the likes of Calvert-Lewin and Maupay up front. Was always going to be a tough ask but his effort cannot be faulted. Gave City something to think about. Tireless display.

Dwight McNeil – 7 (Man of the Match)

Probably the pick of Everton’s starting XI. Played with plenty of energy and tried to make things happen going forward. The lack of options for McNeil to utilise in an attacking sense was there for all to see. Should’ve been taken off to conserve his freshness ahead of two massive games for the Toffees.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 6

Was excellent in the first half but was forced off at halftime. Had he remained on the pitch, there’s a good chance we would’ve been talking about a man-of-the-match performance for the Everton striker.

Substitutes

Neal Maupay (on for Calvert-Lewin, 45′) – 4

Amadou Onana (on for Gueye, 56′) – 6

Conor Coady (on for Holgate, 56′) – 5

Demarai Gray (on for Garner, 76′) – 5