Everton player ratings v Arsenal: Ashley Young flops with 3/10 in final-day defeat
Everton finished their Premier League season with a disappointing 2-1 defeat to Arsenal at The Emirates on Sunday 19 May.
Sean Dyche’s side took the lead through Idrissa Gueye’s first-half free-kick but goals from Takehiro Tomiyasu and Kai Havertz ensured that the Gunners claimed all three points in North London.
The scoreline didn’t do the Toffees justice as they defended excellently for the majority of the game, but the Blues will just be happy that they had already booked their place in the Premier League next season.
Goodison News have rated the players out of 10;
Jordan Pickford – 8
The Everton keeper didn’t have loads to do rather surprisingly, but when he was called into action the England number one stood up for his side. His stop in the first half was excellent, but he could do very little to keep out the leveller. Hopefully, Everton will be able to keep Pickford during the summer transfer window.
Seamus Coleman – 7
In what could potentially be his final game in a Toffees shirt, the Irish international showed that he still has plenty to offer. An excellent challenge to win the ball following Pickford’s save and a couple of decent runs forward. There is still plenty of life left in the veteran, maybe that new deal should be signed.
James Tarkowski – 7
Tarkowski has been Mr Reliable for Everton this season and he was excellent again on Sunday. His first-half block to deny Gabriel Martinelli was superb as he flung himself to deny the Brazilian. Against a fluid and attacking Gunners frontline, the Englishman stood tall and did all he could to temper their title hopes with some big interventions.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 6
The young defender has enjoyed an excellent breakthrough season at Goodison Park, but this was not his finest game. In possession, he was slightly sloppy with some wayward passes that put the Toffees’ under pressure. Few miscommunications with Pickford but defensively, the Englishman improved as the game wore on and made a vital clearance midway through the second half.
Ashley Young – 3
Deployed at left-back again the 38-year-old showed his age on a couple of occasions as he struggled to deal with the pace of Gabriel Martinelli and Kai Havertz as he was repeatedly forced back towards his own goal and made a massive mistake at the end of the game. Was wasteful on the ball and failed to have an impact in the final third. He may have been offered a new deal, but fans will hope he doesn’t have to play as regularly next season.
Idrissa Gueye – 7
His goal may have had an excellent helping hand from Declan Rice, but the Senegalese midfielder doesn’t score many so he will definitely claim that one. Once again, the 34-year-old ran his socks off in the middle of the park and did what he could to break up play. Kept it simple in possession in another excellent showing.
Will Amadou Onana leave Everton and Goodison Park in the summer transfer window?
Amadou Onana – 6
Onana had an incredibly mixed game both in and out of possession. On the ball, he wasn’t great spraying a few passes wayward and wasting some good opportunities. But in possession the Belgian was excellent, winning almost every duel he entered with flying colours. It almost summed up his Toffees career where he has been consistently, almost great.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6
Arsenal fans will argue the midfielder could have been sent off for fouls on Gabriel as he repeatedly lashed out at the centre-back, but a red card would have been harsh. He was slightly clumsy throughout the game as he failed to win many of his duels and committed several fouls. Because of Arsenal’s power, he had to more work out of possession and therefore didn’t impact things in the final third.
James Garner – 6
Deployed on the right of midfield, the former Manchester United man worked incredibly hard both going forward and backward as he seemed to cover every blade of grass. Could have potentially done more in possession, but lacked the opportunities to get on the ball.
Dwight McNeil – 7
The 24-year-old was excellent on the wing as he consistently drove up the field with several powerful runs and tricky bits of skill to help relieve the pressure on the backline. Worked just as hard out of possession as he did with the ball as he seemed to win every single one of his duels to help Young out. When he’s at his best, he can be an excellent player.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 6
As he so often is, the 27-year-old was isolated up front on his own but he did ever so well to bring his teammates into the game with some excellent hold-up play. Was unfortunate as he saw his first-half effort denied by the post. Another strong battling display that almost certainly deserved a goal.
Substitutes:
Youseff Chermiti – 5
Beto – n/a
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