Everton player ratings v Newcastle – Jordan Pickford shines for Toffees as teammate suffers 4/10
Everton battled back from behind to earn a 1-1 draw with Newcastle at St James’ Park on 2 April.
They were second-best for long spells and went behind inside the first 15 minutes when Alexander Isak opened the scoring.
It appeared likely that Newcastle would go on and secure all three points, but after Dan Burn was denied the Magpies’ second for offside, VAR sprung into action again to award a penalty in the Toffees’ favour as Paul Dummett hauled Ashley Young down in the box – and substitute Dominic Calvert-Lewin converted to claim a share of the points.
Here, Goodison News rates the Everton players out of 10 for their performances at St James’ Park.
Jordan Pickford – 8
Was roundly booed by home supporters throughout for his Sunderland connection. Made two huge saves in the first half and showcased some excellent long-range passing.
Ben Godfrey – 6 (Off for Seamus Coleman ’90)
Managed a couple of forays forward early on but was largely pinned back due to Everton’s lack of control over the game.
James Tarkowski – 6
Spurned a very presentable early chance, nodding Dwight McNeil’s free-kick over from close range and got caught in no man’s land for Alexander Isak’s opening goal. However, he did more than his fair share of last-ditch defending and was crucial in preventing Newcastle from extending their lead.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 6
Left in a heap by Isak in the build-up to the opening goal and was also a little untidy on the ball – centre-back partner Tarkowski was responsible for repelling the majority of attacks. Not the young defender’s best night.
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 7
Like his fellow full-back Godfrey, the Ukrainian was largely unable to impose his attacking qualities on the game due to Newcastle’s dominance. Made a crucial goal-line clearance to prevent Isak from doubling Newcastle’s lead.
Ashley Young – 5
A largely ineffective display from the veteran, who hardly produced a moment of genuine creativity or goal threat. He did, however, earn a penalty for being hauled down inside the area.
Amadou Onana – 5 (Off for Andre Gomes ’61)
Generally tidy with his passing but failed to impose himself on proceedings and was largely overrun in midfield before his substitution.
Idrissa Gana Gueye – 6 (Off for Youssef Chermiti ’82)
Battled gamely in midfield despite a lack of protection in front of him but was unable to wrestle control of the match in Everton’s favour.
Dwight McNeil – 6
Created a good chance when he found Tarkowski with a pinpoint free-kick early on and occasionally caused problems with his movement, drifting from his left-wing berth in search of space.
Wasteful from promising positions
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 4 (Off for James Garner ’61)
Was given the ball in promising positions on several occasions in the first half but failed to capitalise on any and his bursts of threat were few and far between. Perhaps could have done more off the ball to help out a midfield that was clearly being overrun.
Beto – 5 (Off for Calvert-Lewin ’61)
Started brightly but became a marginalised figure as Everton steadily lost control of the game and failed to provide him with any service.
Substitutions
Andre Gomes – 5 (On for Andre Onana ’61)
Virtually anonymous after coming on. Some safe, tidy passes but no contributions of note.
James Garner – 6 (On for Abdoulaye Doucoure ’61)
Instantly added energy after his introduction and came as close as any Everton player from open play all night when he struck the post.
Decisive impact off the bench
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 7 (On for Beto ’61)
Encountered the same struggles with a lack of service as the man he replaced before the penalty. Held his nerve to end his scoring drought and generated enough power on the spot-kick to take it into the net despite Martin Dubravka getting a touch.
Youssef Chermiti – N/A (On for Idrissa Gana Gueye ’82)
Seamus Coleman – N/A (On for Ben Godfrey ’90)
In other Everton news, a former Premier League director has given his verdict on Farhad Moshiri’s role in the club’s PSR breaches.
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