David Unsworth must be very relieved as Everton played out a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace this weekend. The momentum has started to shift in their favour since the last match and the Toffees made sure they remained steady on their path.
Following a very shaky start to their season, Everton hierarchy had to part ways with Ronald Koeman and Unsworth has been settling things at the Toffees since. Defeat after defeat held them back for a long time but now, they are slowly clawing their way back in the domestic league.
Palace started the proceedings very early. Ruben Loftus Cheek’s shot was thwarted by Jordan Pickford but came straight to James McArthur who nodded the ball home.
Leighton Baines equalised from the spot after Scott Dann fouled Oumar Niasse inside the box just minutes later.
Wilfried Zaha doubled the lead but it was short-lived, as Niasse brought them down to earth following a misunderstanding between Dann and Julian Speroni.
Let’s have a look how Everton players have fared in this dull draw against Crystal Palace.
Jordan Pickford- 6
Could have done well at the time of the first goal. The youngster otherwise had a pretty sound day.
Jonjoe Kenny- 6
The youngster put in a very commanding display and gave Zaha a very hard time.
Leighton Baines- 7
One extra point for the penalty. The Everton loyalists looked shaky at times and Palace exploited his side pretty heavily.
Michael Keane- 5.5
Was at blame for the first goal as Loftus-Cheek skidded him past pretty easily. Commanded the defence well later and cleared a few ball with great authority.
Phil Jagielka- 6
Gave Keane a very worthy briefing in the backline as he brought a calmness to the side.
Idrissa Gueye- 6
Was out of discipline in the middle of the pitch. Looked a bit distraught.
Morgan Schneiderlin- 5
Another poor evening for the French midfielder as he didn’t really cause problems.
Aaron Lennon- 6.5
Looked a bit lively and was all over on the pitch as he tried to muster something forward for his team.
Gylfi Sigurdsson- 6.5
Put a good effort and complemented well with the other players. His slick pass built the second goal.
Ademola Lookman- 4.5
It seemed he didn’t have the intent.
Oumar Niasse- 8
Worked relentlessly up front and the goal is a result of it. Latched on to a goalkeeper howler he shot it past Speroni.
Substitutes
Dominic Calvert-Lewin- 6
Looked threatening at times.
Tom Davies- 6
tried his bit but couldn’t build on that.
