Everton player ratings v Liverpool: Jarrad Branthwaite 9/10 MOTM in historic win
Everton recorded a historic 2-0 Merseyside derby win over Liverpool at Goodison Park, with goals from Jarrad Branthwaite and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.
Branthwaite tucked a low effort under Alisson to open the scoring in the 27th minute, reacting quickest to a loose ball after Liverpool failed to clear their lines.
Calvert-Lewin then sealed the result with an emphatic header at the back post after meeting Dwight McNeil’s corner.
Goodison News has rated every Everton player out of 10 below.
Jordan Pickford – 8
Made a couple of big saves from Darwin Nunez and then Luis Diaz when one-on-one to ensure Everton stayed in the lead before half-time and his shot-stopping overall was vital to ensuring the Toffees claimed victory. His final stop from Mohammed Salah exuded the confidence of a man who did not believe he would be beaten.
Ben Godfrey – 7
Made a terrific goal-line clearance 10 minutes in when it looked certain Liverpool would open the scoring and was a steady component of a sturdy defence thereafter.
James Tarkowski – 8
Defended stoutly despite plenty of waves of desperate Liverpool attacks, making a whopping 18 defensive actions and throwing himself in the way of anything and everything the Reds could throw at them [FotMob].
Goalscoring heroics from Everton’s young star
Jarrad Branthwaite – 9
Was alive to the loose ball after Liverpool failed to clear following a free-kick and squeezed his shot under Alisson and in – despite Calvert-Lewin’s best efforts to get the final touch. His goal set Everton on their way to a historic victory and the central defender was equally crucial to the Toffees keeping a clean sheet.
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 5 (Off for Ashley Young ’46)
Was caught out positionally a few times in the first half but demonstrated his commitment to the cause by staying on the pitch until half-time despite jarring his leg awkwardly in a fall. He was replaced by Young at the break.
Jack Harrison – 8
Played a delightful ball forward for Calvert-Lewin to run onto in the penalty incident that was disallowed for offside and was Everton’s most creative force, crafting five chances for his team-mates. He also completed six of his eight dribbles, including two in quick succession against Andy Robertson that drew a great cheer from the crowd.
James Garner – 7
Saw little of the ball but won all six of his ground duels and made sure his presence was felt by the Reds midfielders.
Idrisa Gueye – 7 (Off for Amadou Onana 75′)
Played the part of midfield disruptor with aplomb and was generally secure on the ball when Everton had it, posting an 86 per cent passing accuracy.
Dwight McNeil – 8
His crossing posed a real threat throughout, both from the left and set-pieces, and it was from his excellent corner that Calvert-Lewin doubled Everton’s advantage.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6
He was a little quiet, creating just one chance and registering just one shot, with the wide players and Calvert-Lewin offering greater threat than him.
A rich vein of form from the blue
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 8 (Off for Youssef Chermiti 90′)
Thought he’d won a penalty early on but for a tight offside call before being denied later in the first half after his powerful header was saved by Alisson. He was also alert and looked to make sure Branthwaite’s shot went over the line, but only made contact after it had gone in. Eventually got the goal his positive play deserved when he headed McNeil’s corner in at the back post – his third in four games.
Substitutes
Ashley Young – 5 (On for Vitaliy Mykolenko ’46)
Was unspectacular after coming on for Mykolenko at half-time. Did not really do anything of note in his time on the pitch aside from a poorly struck free-kick.
Amadou Onana – N/A (On for Idrissa Gana Gueye 75′)
Youssef Chermiti – N/A (On for Dominic Calvert-Lewin 90′)
In other Everton news, Jarrad Branthwaite’s value has plummeted by £30million after a new Goodison Park development.
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