Everton 1-0 Arsenal: Every player rated as Toffees blow open top four race
Phil Jagielka scored his first goal for two years as Everton beat Arsenal 1-0 at Goodison Park on Sunday afternoon.
The Toffees took the lead when Jagielka pounced from close range to bundle the ball home and put Marco Silva’s side ahead with Arsenal appealing for an offside that never materialised.
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Arsenal changed tactics at half-time and looked more attacking but that meant the game opened up with both sides seeking the next goal of the afternoon.
With Everton looking the most likely to score – wasting a number of opportunities – it was eventually the Toffees who finished victorious at the full-time whistle.
The win for Silva’s side means Everton move up a place to ninth, just one point off seventh. In contrast, Arsenal failed to leapfrog above Tottenham again and remain in fourth, just two points ahead of sixth-placed Manchester United.
But how did the players rate in Everton’s 1-0 victory over Unai Emery’s Arsenal?
Everton
Jordan Pickford – 6 – The England number one was barely tested in the first half, with Arsenal failing to get a shot on target in the opening 45 minutes. A quiet afternoon for Pickford.
Seamus Coleman – 7 – A typical performance from the Irishman who looked to get forward in the Everton attack while balancing that with defensive stability. Worked well with Richarlison and could have grabbed an assist or two if Everton strikers could find their shooting boots.
Phil Jagielka – 7 – The experienced centre-back had a perfect return to the starting line-up, scoring within the opening 10 minutes for the Toffees. A tap in for the former England international, he coped well after the break when Arsenal set-up more attacking. Despite his lack of pace and starting opportunities these days, Jagielka is still a solid defender.
Kurt Zouma – 6 – Perhaps lucky not to concede a penalty in the opening minutes of the match, the Chelsea loanee worked well with Jagielka and did his best to limit Arsenal to very few chances.
Lucas Digne – 6 – The talented left-back provided a service which mirrored Coleman’s on the right side. However, he wasn’t as accurate with his passing and crossing as usual, though overall was productive and had little to contend with in defensive areas.
André Gomes – 8 – Calm, controlled and composed in the heart of the Everton midfield, most attacks and moments of possession went through the former Barcelona man. Found it momentarily tougher in the second half as Arsenal changed tactics but pushed on and regained Everton’s dominance. Overall, had a great game. Sign him up.
Idrissa Gueye – 7 – Produced a collection of accurate tackles on the Arsenal attack and often looked to start an Everton counter. Seems to have found an ideal partner in Gomes in the midfield, with the pair offering a perfect balance in attack and defence.
Richarlison – 7 – The Brazilian looked up for Sunday’s game but at times lacked that moment of quality to unlock the Arsenal defence. A few moments where he failed to put Arsenal to the sword resulted in a decent afternoon for the former Hornet. Worked well with Coleman and Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Subbed.
Gylfi Sigurdsson – 6 – Found space between the Arsenal defence and midfield but couldn’t influence the game as heavily as players around him. Missed a number of good chances to put the game beyond doubt.
Bernard – 8 – Looked lively and showcased a beautifully executed back-heeled flick in the first half. He enjoyed success down the right channel but could have scored when through on goal. A great afternoon that should give the playmaker plenty of confidence as the season slowly comes to a close.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 8 – Leading the line for the Toffees once again, the young Englishman used his strength to hold up play in the attacking third and linked up expertly with the likes of Bernard and Richarlison. Won the header which eventually led to Jagielka’s goal. Got both Arsenal centre-backs booked and looked like a player far senior to his years suggest. Call him Dominant Calvert-Lewin.
Substitutions
Theo Walcott – 6 – On against his old employer, looked his pacy self and found space on the right channel with Arsenal pushed high up the pitch.
Ademola Lookman – N/A – On late to see the game out.
Tom Davies – N/A – On late for Sigurdsson. Little impact.
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Arsenal
Bernd Leno – 6 – With Arsenal yet to keep a clean sheet away from home in the Premier League this season, it wasn’t surprising when Leno failed to stop Jagielka’s opener. Did well to save from a Bernard one-on-one and made a few easy stops from Everton strikes which should have been more of a test.
Shkodran Mustafi – 6 – The Arsenal centre-back had a real battle on his hands with Calvert-Lewin and evidently had a troublesome time competing with the England U21 striker. Took Calvert-Lewin down and picked up a deserved booking.
Sokratis Papastathopoulos – 6 – Struggled to contain Calvert-Lewin and looked shaken at moments in the match. Blocking off the Everton striker, Sokratis picked up another booking and now has a two-game ban to his name.
OFFICIAL: Sokratis will miss Arsenal's next two Premier League games vs. Watford and Crystal Palace after picking up his 10th yellow card of the season. pic.twitter.com/N5XPB7jMY9
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) April 7, 2019
Nacho Monreal – 6 – Monreal didn’t look either strong enough or good enough this afternoon as Richarlison managed to get the better of him on a few occasions without the Spaniard offering the same problems to the Brazilian. Ineffective.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles – 4 – Commentators barely mentioned his name in the opening 45 minutes, such was his contribution to proceedings. This continued into the second half with the talented youngster showing little talent on the right side this afternoon.
Mohamed Elneny – 5 – The midfielder came off short against both Gomes and Gueye, with the Toffee twosome dominating most tackles, passing and pressing. Subbed at half-time.
Matteo Guendouzi – 6 – Started the game in a typically robust fashion, picking up an early booking. Did okay, put himself about but lacked that cutting edge going forward while struggling to close the space in the Arsenal half as the Gunners sought after an equaliser.
Sead Kolasinac – 5 – Bombing down the left-flank may be Kolasinac’s favourite past-time but he failed to affect the match in any way before leaving the field of play at half-time.
Mesut Özil – 4 – Given the illustrious honour of being Arsenal’s captain on Sunday, Ozil’s performance was underwhelming at best. Unable to influence the afternoon, he was subbed in the closing 20 minutes. A frustrating performance for Ozil and for those watching him.
Mesut Özil failed to created a chance, produce a shot, win a foul or complete a take-on during his time on the pitch against Everton.
Not an enjoyable afternoon at Goodison Park. pic.twitter.com/9YwYW6nAiC
— Squawka (@Squawka) April 7, 2019
Henrikh Mkhitaryan – 6 – The former Manchester United man did his best to keep possession and push forward but Arsenal’s inability of keeping the ball in the Everton half meant he spent most of the match in a deeper role. He pushed further forward as the game went on a created a decent opportunity for himself that went just past Pickford’s post.
Alexandre Lacazette – 5 – Starting up front on his own, the Frenchman was given very little service while trying to escape the attention of Everton’s two centre-backs. Had Arsenal’s first attempt on target after 59 minutes. A quiet match for Lacazette who provided little movement, hold-up play or general moments of quality.
Substitutions
Aaron Ramsey – 6 – On at half-time, the Welshman looked more lively in the opening minute than most Arsenal players in the opening 45. However, he went on to miss a number of half-chances and failed to help turn the result around.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang – 6 – Like Ramsey, on at the halfway point. Aubameyang offered very little going forward as Arsenal struggled to create space and work the ball in and around the penalty area.
Alex Iwobi – 6 – On late, had little opportunity to influence in the attacking third.
