Everton have gone three Premier League games unbeaten after drawing 0-0 with Newcastle United on Saturday night.
It was an eventful – despite the lack of goals and general quality – but scrappy game at Goodison Park with plenty of needle from both sets of players as they fought hard for the victory that didn’t come.
Everton thought they had taken an early lead when Abdoulaye Doucoure nodded in James Garner’s pinpoint cross but the offside flag ruled it out.
Anthony Gordon then had the chance to score on his old stomping ground from the penalty spot but Jordan Pickford saved to a rousing reception.
The second half was an attritional affair, with neither side being able to take advantage of their rare sights at goal and it ended goalless.
Here’s how the players rated.
Jordan Pickford – 9
Even before he saved Gordon’s penalty, Pickford was having a great game. He was quick off his line to cut out danger, commanding in his area and dependable when shots came his way.
That continued after his crucial stop, too, as he dealt with every ball and effort with ease. A performance that earned a valuable point.
James Garner – 8
With three full-backs injured, Garner was once again drafted in as a make-shift right-back and he performed admirably well in the unfamiliar position. He had a tough task up against Harvey Barnes and the drifting Gordon but applied himself and read the game well, making some nice interceptions.
He got even better as the game went on, too, making some perfectly-timed sliding tackles and fighting for every ball. He actually suits the position quite well.
A shame his sensational delivery to Doucoure didn’t go down as an assist due to the offside flag.
James Tarkowski – 3
James Tarkowski stupidly dragged down Sandro Tonali to give away a penalty in a mistake that a defender of his experience should not be making. Yet, Pickford saved him.
The rest of his performance was sloppy too, with misjudgements, losing his men and making mistakes.
He also got very lucky when a poor clearance went straight to an opposing player but the resulting shot was saved and when he lost a fair test of strength with Joelinton but was awarded a soft free-kick.
Michael Keane – 8
Fans weren’t exactly over the moon to see Michael Keane back in the starting XI but he put in a really solid showing against Newcastle in a hit back to his critics.
While Tarkowski struggled, Keane was on hand to clean up his messes, made several strong challenges in the box and read the game well. Gordon got past him on occasion but Keane held his own to keep the clean sheet.
Ashley Young – 4
Offered nothing going forward, unlike Garner, due to poor passing and Newcastle got a lot of joy on his flank. Some terrible positioning at points, too, but Keane was on hand to cover for him.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 6
Abdoulaye Doucoure scored a great header – from a move he started, too – but had unfortunately strayed off-side. While he tried getting on the ball to make things happen and battled hard, Newcastle’s talented midfield trio dominated the middle of the park.
Orel Mangala – 4
Not really involved and too easily played around. Orel Mangala did nothing of note and was hooked before the hour.
Jack Harrison – 5
Lively on the right with a couple of nice touches and crosses in the first half but was forced to do a lot of hard work in the opposite direction and got little joy after the break.
Dwight McNeil – 6
Was quiet and drowned out of the game for 66 minutes until he stole the ball off Tonali and created Everton’s best chance as he slid in Calvert-Lewin and the Toffees could have been given a penalty in the move, too.
Sadly, it didn’t bring his performance to life and he fluffed a great chance when he mistimed a shot late on.
Iliman Ndiaye – 6
Iliman Ndiaye made a remarkable goalline clearance to stop Bruno Guimaraes from scoring and this was a hard-working display with not many chances to get on the ball going forward.
However, when he did manage to get on the ball he made things happen, worried the Newcastle defence and chased down every opportunity.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5
Made himself a nuisance for the Newcastle centre-backs but didn’t keep hold of the ball well enough when it did come his way and could have done better with the two good chances that were presented to him.
Substitutes
Idrissa Gueye – 6
Didn’t get much of the ball but helped solidify the middle of the park and stifle Newcastle’s play.
Tim Iroegbunam – 5
Some poor clearances but got away with them.
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