Everton seems to have found a rhythm after years of disappointment and credit to new boss Marco Silva who has injected a signature in their game. The Toffees, although unlikely to match the standards of league’s ‘big six’ this season, had to win their Sunday afternoon fixture against Crystal Palace at Goodison Park to emerge as the best among the rest. They had a nervy start to the game, but the changes made by Silva did wonders for the hosts who scored twice late in the game to secure three crucial points against a tricky opponent.
Below are the Everton players rated in their dramatic 2-0 win against Crystal Palace.
Jordan Pickford: 8.5
The Three Lions ‘number 1’ did well to deny Luka Milivojevic from the spot around the hour mark. It was a poorly hit penalty, but the young custodian stood firm and kept his clean sheet intact.
Seamus Coleman: 6
Was troubled by Wilfried Zaha and conceded a spot-kick after failing to contain the Ivorian. Whipped in a few crosses, won a few duels but failed with his dribble attempts.
Michael Keane: 8
A towering performance from the Englishman who not only kept on winning duels but also made a few crucial clearances, blocks and tackles throughout the game. His clearance in closing minutes found Cenk Tosun upfront and the Turkey international made no mistake in sealing the game against the Eagles.
Kurt Zouma: 7.5
Was clumsy at times while tackling but did well to play the ball out from the back with accurate passes and also made some timely blocks, interceptions and clearances while grabbing a clean sheet.
Lucas Digne: 8
Was pretty functional from the left flank as he kept on making overlapping runs and whipping in crosses inside the box. Looked lively with his pace, movements and link-up play.
Andre Gomes: 7
The high-profile summer recruit from Barcelona made his first start for his new club and did a fair job in holding possession and passing the ball wide to form attacks. Was dispossessed a few times but made an early impression in his Premier League debut before making way for Dominic Calvert-Lewin late in the game.
Idrissa Gana Gueye: 8
Everton’s driving force in the middle of the park who was breaking Palace’s moves with strong tackles as well as interceptions and making a quick transition to attacking threats. Was combative and also brought fluidity in Toffees’ midfield.
Theo Walcott: 6.5
Was relatively quiet on the right flank and did not offer much except a couple of late moves. Forced Wayne Hennessey to make a smart save before being replaced by Ademola Lookman.
Gylfi Sigurdsson: 7.5
Did not score or assist any, but the Iceland international tried to create something high up the pitch whenever he had the ball and troubled the Eagles’ setup with his intelligence and movements in and around the box.
Bernard: 6.5
Was incredible against Leicester City but offered little this afternoon except creating a few chances and linking up with Digne down the left flank on a few occasions. Was replaced by Cenk Tosun midway in the second half.
Substitutes
Cenk Tosun: 7
Ended his goal drought with an insurance goal in closing minutes to make it 2-0 in favour of the Toffees.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin: 7.5
Was introduced pretty late in the game but made an immediate impact by breaking the deadlock around the 87th-minute mark with a strong header from Lookman’s floating cross.
Ademola Lookman: 7.5
Combined sensationally with Calvert-Lewin as he picked up a loose ball on the left and placed a great cross into the middle which was converted by the latter to open the account.
