Everton player ratings v Brighton: Idrissa Gueye terrible, Jarrad Branthwaite sensational
Everton picked up an unlikely point against Brighton at the Amex Stadium on 24 February, with a 1-1 scoreline in the Premier League.
Jarrad Branthwaite was the unlikeliest of players to open the scoring for the visitors with a phenomenal second half goal but Lewis Dunk scored a late equaliser.
Billy Gilmour then got sent off for a nasty challenge on Amadou Onana in the 81st minute of the game.
Here are the player ratings from the game:
Jordan Pickford – 7
According to Sofascore, he made six saves in the game and was a commanding presence inside his penalty area during set pieces. Organised his defence well and always appeared to be on the same page as his two centre-backs. Made a top save in the 87th minute to deny Ansu Fati whose shot was heading into the bottom corner. There was little he could do to stop the ball from going into the back of the net.
Ben Godfrey – 5
Struggled on a few occasions in the game and even was dribbled past as he chased shadows in a couple of moments. It was hard to deal with Simon Adingra and Igor Julio down the right side but despite a few mistakes, he showed spirit throughout the game.
James Tarkowski – 8
Put his body on the line as he always does and gave Ewan Ferguson a hard time in the final third. He even picked up a knock to his head but those are the side effects of playing this kind of football. He also made a crucial block from an Ansu Fati shot in the second half which seemed destined for the back of the net.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 9
Finished like a striker and it did not look like it was a centre-back scoring it. Not only the finish but also the way he set up the ball to slot it into the top corner of the net was inch-perfect. He also made multiple blocks inside his own defensive third and a few key clearances as well. Made a solid sliding tackle on Simon Adingra as well and knocked him off his feet after cleanly winning the ball. Stellar at both ends for Everton.
Vitalii Mykolenko – 6
Did his job defensively and even going forward, offered a bit of a threat whenever he was given the luxury to drift up the field. Made a few key clearances and while there were some inaccurate passes, they did not matter much in the grand scheme of things.
Jack Harrison – 5
It was refreshing for fans to see him on the right wing instead of Ashley Young but he struggled to make an impact. He looked shaky in possession and did not carry that same goal threat he has in recent games. Missed an important stoppage time chance to find the back of the net as well.
Onana proves to be the ideal replacement for Gueye
Idrissa Gueye – 3
Gueye, despite being decent on the ball, had a pretty woeful half and it seemed that Amadou Onana should have come on for him at the break. He lost possession needlessly on a few occasions, found himself out of position and failed to be an imposing presence without the ball. Even if he’s fit, Dyche must not start him in the next game.
James Garner – 7
Had a stupid moment towards the end of the first half and Everton were fortunate not to concede a goal there. However, apart from that, he was tidy in possession and was an important player in transition. Good improvement from the midfielder.
Dwight McNeil – 6
Looked threatening down the left flank for the Toffees and was often the out ball for the team on the counter attack. Stretched the Brighton defenders all game and did his utmost to make a difference in the final third.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 4
Nearly found the back of the net in the 55th minute as his well-struck shot beat the goalkeeper. However, Tariq Lamptey had other ideas and made a phenomenal goal-line clearance to deny him. Despite that, he failed to do his primary job which was to stifle the Brighton players and win the ball high up the pitch. He lost 80 per cent of his attempted ground duels which is not what one would expect from him.
Calvert-Lewin lets Everton down yet again
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 3
Calvert-Lewin completed as many clearances as he did passes (4) as he endured a pretty terrible game for the Toffees. He struggled to even have a single effort on goal and while he cannot be entirely blamed for that, he failed to find the right spaces on the field of play. He even lost nearly half of his aerial duels and it was another disappointing game for Everton.
Subs
Amadou Onana – 6
Beto – 5
Ashley Young – N/A
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