Iliman Ndiaye shines as 4/10 flop terrible – Everton player ratings v Leicester City
Everton and Sean Dyche’s wait for a first win of the Premier League season continued as the Toffees were held to a 1-1 draw by Leicester City.
Iliman Ndiaye had given the Toffees the lead in the first half on Saturday (21 September) with an excellent right-footed shot, but Stephy Mavididi’s close-range effort in the second period ensured the points were shared.
Although the Blues would have been disappointed to let yet another lead slip through their fingers, Dyche’s side finally managed to pick up their first point of the new campaign.
Goodison News have rated the players out of 10;
Jordan Pickford – 5
As he has been repeatedly this season, the Blues keeper was more than a bit shaky. While the England international had to deal with biblical weather conditions, he did what he could to try and keep the clean sheet, but he just wasn’t quite good enough. He did make a big late save, however.
James Garner – 6
He may be a midfielder by trade, but the former Manchester United man went about his work at right-back well as he battled both in and out of possession. Didn’t quite have the impact going forward that he would have liked but did his job and showed that Dyche can trust him.
James Tarkowski – 4
Normally one of the more reliable members of Dyche’s backline, but the defender lost his man when it mattered in the second half as Mavididi smashed in from close range. That mistake cost Dyche’s side their first three points of the season.
Michael Keane – 5
Keane certainly isn’t the most popular player among supporters at Goodison Park, but for 70-odd minutes this was his best performance of the season. The centre-back however was far too easily shrugged off for the Foxes’ leveller and was left in a heap as Mavididi smashed home. He simply has to be more consistent, even though he made a big late block.
Ashley Young – 6
The veteran has been slammed for his displays so far this season, but he showed that he still has something to offer in a Toffees shirt. Good link-up with Ndiaye for the opener and was reasonably composed without the ball. He still shouldn’t start each and every week, but he isn’t quite finished yet.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 7
The midfielder was deployed a bit deeper rather than as a number 10 and his energy and work rate massively helped the Toffees backline. The veteran did appear to tire as the game went on however and Dyche could have perhaps brought him off earlier.
Orel Mangala – 6
The loanee offered a calm presence in the middle of the park and showed why the Blues were so keen to bring him to Merseyside late in the transfer window. Alongside Doucoure, he seemed to form a solid midfield partnership.
Jesper Lindstrom – 5
The Dane was by no means awful, but he once again missed a couple of chances that he really should have finished. From the right flank, he got into some excellent areas, but he seems to lack that composure in the final third that Everton will need if they want to climb up the Premier League table. Those misses came back to bite the Toffees.
Dwight McNeil – 6
Back in that number 10 position just behind Calvert-Lewin and while he didn’t see too much of the ball, he looked much more comfortable there than he did as a makeshift fullback. Would have liked to have a bigger impact on proceedings, but the adverse weather made it hard for him to make his intricate passes.
Iliman Ndiaye impresses as Everton clash with Leicester City
Iliman Nidaye – 8
The forward was signed to add some genuine firepower to Dyche’s frontline and he has done exactly that so far. From the left flank, he offered a different dimension and helped get the best out of the likes of McNeil and Calvert-Lewin. His run and finish were excellent and deserved the plaudits that it got but he also was willing to get stuck in defensively.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 6
As he always does, the England international led the line in a combative manner despite not seeing loads of the ball. Gave the Foxes’ backline a difficult afternoon even if he didn’t really manage to get too much possession. Was unlucky to be denied in the second half with a right-footed effort.
Substitutes
Jack Harrison – 5
The Leeds loanee was introduced in the second half in place of Lindstrom but did little of note.
Tim Iroegbunam – N/A
In other Everton news, Newcastle are understood to be readying a new bid for Calvert-Lewin after developments at Goodison Park
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