James Garner stars as teammate fails to take David Moyes chance – Everton player ratings vs Bournemouth
Everton secured a 1-0 win against Bournemouth on Tuesday evening.
Everton had not beaten Bournemouth in nine visits to the Vitality Stadium ahead of the 2 December clash on the south coast.
David Moyes raised eyebrows with his decision to leave Michael Keane out of Everton’s squad, but it was later revealed that it was injury-related.
That did not stop the Toffees as Jack Grealish ended the Blues’ hoodoo with a 77th-minute strike that sent the travelling fans into pandemonium.
James Garner stars as Everton win
James Garner has excelled wherever Everton have needed him so far this season, and this was the case again this time out.
The 24-year-old started at right-back, with Jake O’Brien shifted into his natural centre-back position with Keane’s absence.
However, that did not faze him, and he dealt with the lively Antoine Semenyo with ease, despite the unfamiliar position that he was playing in.
Garner created the most chances in the contest from the right side of defence, with two, and also made five passes into the final third, as per Sofascore.
Defensively, he won four of seven ground duels, for a success rate of 57 per cent, and was even better in the air, winning 75 per cent of his four aerial duels.
If Keane is out for a prolonged period, and O’Brien is forced to play in the middle more often, Moyes can rely on Garner to step in.
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Carlos Alcaraz fails to impress on Everton audition
Alcaraz was drafted in as the only change from the team that were defeated comfortably by Newcastle.
However, the Argentinian midfielder failed to make an impact in a rare start for the Blues, and was eventually replaced by Dwight McNeil.
He helped forge the opportunity the Toffees needed, as he assisted Grealish’s strike, but it was not enough, as he made just one pass into the final third, and took three touches in the opposition box, per Sofascore.
Defensively, he won just four of seven attempted ground duels, for a success rate of just 57 per cent and made two recoveries.
It was not the type of overall performance that Moyes needed from the fringe player when he was called upon.
How Everton players rated vs Bournemouth
Jordan Pickford – 6
James Garner – 8
James Tarkowski – 6
Jake O’Brien – 6
Vitalii Mykolenko – 6
Tim Iroegbunam – 6
Carlos Alcaraz – 5 (off for McNeil, 80)
Iliman Ndiaye – 6
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 6
Jack Grealish – 7
Thierno Barry – 6 (off for Beto, 80)
Substitutes:
Beto – 5
Dwight McNeil – 5
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