Jarrad Branthwaite stank out Goodison Park as Everton succumbed to a 1-0 defeat against Aston Villa on Wednesday.
David Moyes’ hopes of getting his second spell as the Toffees manager came crashing down after Ollie Watkins’ 51st-minute goal gave Villa all three points on 15 January.
Branthwaite had a game to forget as he produced a sloppy performance, while Vitalii Mykolenko, playing just beside him, shone.
Here, Goodison News rates each player out of 10.
Jordan Pickford – 5
Pickford made a good save in the opening five minutes of the game, but was hesitant with his positioning for Watkins’ goal and was later booked for dissent.
Ashley Young off-colour for Everton
Ashley Young (Off for Jake O’Brien 83′) – 3
Young was off-colour on the evening as he gifted Watkins a chance early on in the game. He must have breathed a sigh of relief when the Englishman’s shot went wide.
James Tarkowski – 6
One of Everton’s better performers, Tarkowski made a great block in the opening 10 minutes to avoid an early heartbreak and save Jarrad Branthwaite from embarrassment.
Jarrad Branthwaite – 2
Branthwaite looked off it from the first whistle as he had to be rescued by Tarkowski after committing an early mistake. The centre-back was sloppy, and at times disastrous, and lost the ball in the lead-up to Watkins’ winner.
Vitalii Mykolenko – 7
The left-back was arguably the Blues’ best player. He played a “fantastic” ball to set up Dominic Calvert-Lewin for a shot in the first half.
Jack Harrison ineffective again
Orel Mangala – 5
Mangala was heavily involved in midfield, but did nothing of significance.
Idrissa Gueye – 6
Like Mangala, Gueye was also heavily involved in midfield battles, particularly in duels, but was booked for a fierce challenge on Boubacar Kamara in the Villa box. In fairness, he got the ball first.
Jack Harrison (Off for Jesper Lindstrom 59′) – 3
It was another ineffective performance from Harrison that saw Moyes take him off before the one-hour mark.
Abdoulaye Doucoure (Off for Beto 83′) – 4
Doucoure failed to make an impact in that advanced midfield role this around, managing just one shot on target.
Iliman Ndiaye – 4
It was an uncharacteristic performance from Ndiaye, who failed to impress.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin better
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 5
Calvert-Lewin produced an improved display as he made a few good runs behind the Villa defence and had a shot saved off the line by Kamara. However, he missed a great chance at the end.
Substitutes
Jesper Lindstrom (On for Harrison 59′) – 5
Jake O’Brien (On for Young 83′) – NA
Beto (On for Doucoure 83′) – NA
Sub4 – NA
Sub5 – NA
