James Garner excellent as teammate proves why David Moyes isn’t keen – Everton player ratings vs Burnley
Everton laboured to a 0-0 draw against Burnley on Saturday.
Jack Grealish was an absentee for Everton when they travelled to Turf Moor, looking to bounce back from the 1-0 loss to Arsenal last time out.
Iliman Ndiaye and Idrissa Gueye were away from Everton at the Africa Cup of Nations, and David Moyes opted to give Tyler Dibling a rare start, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall also out.
Beto was another change, with the Guinea-Bissau forward getting the nod over Thierno Barry, who has been the preferred option.
It was clear that the Toffees were missing their star men as they were frustrated by the relegation strugglers.
Garner brilliant in Everton stalemate
James Garner has been linked with an Everton exit, with Manchester United keen on bringing him back to Old Trafford.
The midfielder was excellent in the Blues’ draw as he constantly tried to make something happen in a dismal game for both sides.
Garner made 14 passes into the final third, created two chances, and recorded a shot off target as he attempted to create a moment of magic for the Toffees, per Sofascore.
Defensively, he made six tackles, one clearance and four recoveries, helping his team to get the ball back on a regular basis.
In terms of duels, he won eight of the 12 that he attempted on the ground for a 67 per cent success rate.
The Blues need to keep him around, as he is one of the few elite players that they have in their ranks.
Dwight McNeil struggles as Everton draw
Dwight McNeil is another who has been linked with an Everton exit, and he proved why with a poor display against his former club.
The winger created one chance and took four touches in the opposition box, but he failed to record a single successful cross, despite having four attempts.
The ex-Clarets star took one shot, which was off target, but stayed on the pitch when Moyes made his first round of substitutions, with Beto and Carlos Alcaraz withdrawn, and lasted the full match in the end.
McNeil was lucky to stay on the pitch, and if Grealish was fit, it is unlikely that he would have been anywhere near it.
There is a reason why he has only featured eight times, with two starts in the Premier League this season, Moyes clearly isn’t too keen.
It makes sense for both parties to move on when the market reopens, especially after his showing in Lancashire.
How Everton players rated vs Burnley
Jordan Pickford – 6
Jake O’Brien – 6
James Tarkowski – 7
Michael Keane – 6
Vitalii Mykolenko – 6
James Garner – 8
Tim Iroegbunam – 7
Tyler Dilbing – 7 (off for Patterson, 88)
Dwight McNeil – 4
Carlos Alcaraz – 5 (off for Rohl, 69)
Beto – 5 (off for Barry, 69)
Substitutes:
Merlin Rohl – 5
Thierno Barry – 5
Nathan Patterson – N/A
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