Everton welcomed back David Moyes for a second spell at the club but it wasn’t the happy return he had hoped for.
The Toffees fell to a 1-0 defeat to Aston Villa at Goodison Park with Ollie Watkins netting the winning goal.
It was a clash lacking real clear-cut chances but Villa managed to take theirs, leaving Everton just a point above the relegation zone.
They had a chance to equalize right out the death but Dominic Calvert-Lewin snatched at it and lifted the ball over the bar.
One player in particular would’ve really impressed Moyes, meanwhile, an ever-reliable star dropped a poor showing by his standards.
Everton player ratings vs Aston Villa
Jordan Pickford – 6/10
Made a couple of decent saves in the first half but didn’t really have much to do, which will please Moyes.
Ashley Young – 5/10
Gave the ball away cheaply in the first half and should’ve been punished by Ollie Watkins, who squandered his one on one.
James Tarkowski – 7/10
Won the majority of his duels and was one of Everton’s better players on the night. Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite’s partnership continues to blossom.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 6/10
Was quite wasteful in possession, giving the ball away eight times and was fortunate not to be punished. But largely ok.
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 8/10
Vitaliy Mykolenko would’ve really impressed Moyes on his first game back at Goodison as he won four of his five duels whilst making two key passes.
Perhaps the plans to sign a left-back this month may be placed on hold. A productive showing indeed.
Orel Mangala – 7/10
Orel Mangala was much more accomplished on the ball than his midfielder partner and averaged a whopping 98 per cent pass completion rate. Growing into the season really well.
Idrissa Gueye – 4/10
Gueye gave the ball away far too many times but conducted his defensive duties as you’d expect. Was very wasteful in front of goal and needs to limit the long-range efforts.
Jack Harrison – 5/10
Substituted off just before the hour mark and didn’t really provide much of a threat on the flank. Harrison failed to complete a successful dribble.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 5/10
Doucoure was another Everton star who just wasn’t good enough in possession as he lost the ball 13 times. It’s clear he should be operating in a deeper role.
The Toffees need a more attack-minded number 10.
Iliman Ndiaye – 6/10
Ndiaye looked lively whenever on the ball but without any real threat. He was often isolated and had little on going forward.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5/10
Huffed and puffed but made little impact and was reduced to just a handful of half chances which he failed to convert. The need for a prolific centre-forward is evident.
Jesper Lindstrom (substitute) – 6/10
Made a good impact off the bench and perhaps could’ve registered an assist had Calvert-Lewin converted from his forward pass.
Jake O’Brien (substitute) – 5/10
Beto (substitute) – 5/10
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