Everton 0-0 Chelsea: Player Ratings
Everton, who were not long ago deemed relegation material, continued their fine form as they eked out a point at home against the reigning Champions Chelsea. The opening few minutes in the game suggested that Chelsea would find the back of the net, but it was not to be as the likes of Michael Keane, Phil Jagielka and Jordan Pickford ensured that they kept Eden Hazard and co. at bay with their defensive skills.
The draw against Chelsea means that the Toffees have picked up an impressive 11 points in their last 5 games to assuage any threat of being involved in a relegation battle.
Here are the player ratings from the game.
Jordan Pickford - 8
The Everton shot-stopper had a busy evening as Chelsea constantly probed the Toffees’ defence. He made a few crucial saves, including an Eden Hazard effort in the 2nd half and was instrumental in his side keeping a clean sheet in the game. He was fortunate that a mistimed header by Ashley Williams only grazed the goal post.
Jonjoe Kenny - 7
The 20-year-old was solid yet again as he held firm at his end to ensure that Chelsea and Marcos Alonso, in particular, did not find great joy on the left flank. He effected 4 clearances and was also available to make 2 blocks during the 90 minutes to ensure his side eked out a crucial point against the visiting Blues.
Michael Keane – 8
Michael Keane was, by far, the best Everton player on the pitch. He denied the likes of Pedro and Hazard too much time and space on the ball and is steadily developing into the leader of the Everton defence ahead of the likes of Jagielka and Williams. He made a whopping 8 interceptions through the 90 minutes and was constantly seen disrupting Chelsea’ rhythm with his defensive work.
Phil Jagielka – 7
At 35 years, many might have expected Jagielka to struggle against a vibrant Chelsea attack that includes a certain Eden Hazard. However, the English centre-back was solid through the game and made 2 very crucial goal-line clearances in the first half to keep his side in the game and displayed good chemistry with his defensive partner Keane to keep the visitors at bay.
Cuco Martina – 6
It looked like Martina was going to have another of those evenings where he would largely be a spectator as the former Southampton man struggled against the pace and movement of Victor Moses through the first half. However, it was a different story in the 2nd half as Martina grew into the game and closed out the likes of Moses and Zappacosta well to deny Chelsea time and space on the right flank.
Idrissa Gueye – 7
Gueye was at his tenacious best yet again as he constantly deprived Chelsea the required time and space on the ball in the middle of the pitch. He had to be withdrawn early in the 2nd half due to a hamstring injury and that might hurt the Toffees in the long run.
Morgan Schneiderlin – 6
Though the Frenchman was largely restricted to his own half, he managed the tempo of the game well whenever in possession. Yes, he did struggle against the skill and guile of Hazard, but made amends for his mistakes by ensuring the Belgian found it harder to pierce the host’s midfield as the game got on.
Gylfi Sigurdsson – 5
When you fork out the kind of money that Everton did on Sigurdsson, you expect them to light up a stadium every time they take the pitch. However, the Iceland international has been nothing but a disappointment thus far and had a very average outing against Chelsea with his best moments coming from set pieces.
Tom Davies – 5
Davies was deployed in the number 10 role but failed to take his opportunities. It was only apt that he was withdrawn at the break for Ashley Williams.
Aaron Lennon – 6
He made a few good runs that had the Chelsea defence tracking back and was a bundle of energy through the first half, especially in the defensive department. However, with the game still for the taking, he was withdrawn for the Spanish striker Sandro Ramirez at half-time.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 6
To say that Calvert-Lewin waged a lone battle against the Chelsea defence through the first half would be an understatement. The young English striker, who has developed a reputation for being tenacious, tried his best to help his side assert their offensive presence but received very little help from his teammates. His best moment came late in the first half when he dispossessed Christensen but his efforts were undone by his inexperience in the box.
Substitutes
Ashley Williams – 7
Williams was brought in to add some defensive muscle to the Everton side and the narrative could have been very different had his mistimed header gone in instead of grazing his own goal post. Apart from that, the Welshman was solid as he made 6 vital clearances.
Sandro Ramirez – 5
The Spaniard looked rusty at the start but grew into the game as he operated as Everton’s focal point in the 2nd half.
Beni Baningime – 5
The 19-year-old was brought on for the injured Gueye and cut a sorry figure as he often looked out of his depth in the midfield.