James Tarkowski dismal, Dominic Calvert-Lewin luckless – Everton player ratings v Bournemouth
Everton lost a horrible game 2-1 in stoppage time away to Bournemouth on a day where very few players were even close to their best.
A scruffy goalless first half saw the Toffees under pressure early but Sean Dyche’s side grew into the game and arguably went the closest with a Dominic Calvert-Lewin attempt.
The striker looked like he should have had a clear penalty after the break but nothing was given, so the Cherries of course then took the lead in the 64th minute as Dominic Solanke got between James Tarkowski and Ben Godfrey to nod home.
Substitute Beto got what looked like a crucial 87th-minute equaliser after Neto spilled a Dwight McNeil cross at his feet, but a dismal Everton day saw Seamus Coleman chest a 91st-minute winner into his own goal under no pressure, as Bournemouth away again proved to be a horrible assignment for this club.
Here, Goodison News rates the Everton players out of 10 for their performances at the Vitality Stadium.
Jordan Pickford – 7
Not bad, and certainly not the issue for the Toffees right now. Busier start that he would have liked but stood up to the early pressure with a couple of sharp saves within the opening minutes. Same again after the half but he was equal to a Marcus Tavernier effort. Might have done better with the opener which didn’t go either side of him even if it was from almost point-blank range. Can’t be blamed for the second.
Seamus Coleman – 4
Not a vintage afternoon from the Everton captain even before the late disaster. Busy as ever but probably left too much space for Lloyd Kelly to swing in a cross for the goal. Could never be accused of lacking commitment but did look short of quality and sharpness in only his third league start this term, summed up by the own-goal. Dyche’s apparent lack of interest in playing Nathan Patterson continues to be damning for the Scot’s prospects.
James Tarkowski – 3
Really poor. Played like he was carrying an injury all day as he seemed confused and a yard too slow while unable to get close enough to opponents. Booked for dragging down Solanke near the half way line after being turned inside out to sum up his day. Barely jumped as the cross went straight over his head for the opener, gesturing for Godfrey to take over, which he didn’t. Floated a couple of aimless balls straight into the Bournemouth keeper when in possession.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 7
Decent game as has come to be expected from the big-money man wanted everywhere even he wasn’t at his best. Not ideal for him to need to cover over into space on the left on too many occasions when Godfrey had gone missing, but in central areas he was strong with blocks and clearances. Had fans fearing the (even) worst as he required treatment after landing awkwardly in the second half but appeared to come through it.
Seamus Coleman nightmare compounds Everton misery
Ben Godfrey – 4
Having switched across from right to left he still didn’t look comfortable when isolated from the off. Left Antoine Semenyo a lot of space to cut in and take an shot in the opening minutes and looked to be targeted regularly from then on as Justin Kluivert also had all sorts of room. Sharpened up somewhat after the break but was late to challenge Solanke for the header as Everton went behind and positioning looked poor in general.
Amadou Onana (off for Beto ’79) – 5
Scrapped in the centre of the pitch but faded from prominence as the game wore on. A shadow of the player seen at Wembley in a Belgium shirt during the international break, although how much of that is down to him or his manager is open for debate. In the wars in the first half as a Dominic Solanke foul looked like it would threaten his continued involvement as he landed heavily on his shoulder. Had a shot which almost went out for a throw in with the Toffees trailing on one of those days.
James Garner – 5
Pretty anonymous performance. Arguably suffers from having the sort of style that doesn’t catch the eye even when playing well but on a day which was devoid of much quality from either side he didn’t offer a huge amount of anything.
Abdoulaye Doucouré (off for Gomes ’72) – 5
Frustrating day as he was forced to battle scrappily in midfield while getting a raw deal from the referee. Infuriated for the official to so often rule against him and his teammates but a long way short of his what he has so often offered since Dyche took over, as evidenced by his relatively early withdrawal.
Crucial Beto goal cancelled out within minutes at Vitality Stadium
Dwight McNeil – 7
Far from his dynamic best but offered more than most of his teammates in a few key moments. Went agonisingly close to opening the scoring just inside an hour after combining well with Harrison on a short corner and grazing the near post with a decent effort. Also produced some good work in the build up to the Everton goal, and it was his cross which was spilled.
Jack Harrison (off for Young ’72) – 4
Nothing performance from the Leeds United loanee who seems to have gone off the boil in a big way since his impressive introduction to the side earlier this season. Could argue he was fouled in the build up to Bournemouth’s opener but frankly wasn’t strong enough in the challenge. Far too slow in getting up the pitch to support Calvert-Lewin on rare attacks.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 8 (Man of the Match)
Despite the outcome being the same old story for most of the day he actually did pretty well as a largely-isolated figure up front. Worked hard and with a bit more luck could have very much been the difference. Went close with a sharp effort after half an hour that was kept out by Neto and somehow wasn’t awarded a penalty 10 minutes into the second half when he cut back inside and was caught. Saw Beto get the luck that completely deserted him.
Substitutions
Ashley Young (on for Harrison ’72) – 6
Didn’t really change the flow of the game in any meaningful way after his introduction.
Andres Gomes (on for Doucouré ’72) – 5
Struggled to get up to the pace of an attritional game as he was caught in possession too often.
Beto (on for Onana ’79) – 7
Got some luck with Neto’s error but was at least in the right place at the right time and challenging where it matters.
In other Everton news, Farhad Moshiri has issued a direct assurance on 777 Partners amid the ongoing takeover delay.
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