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The Super Sunday fixture in the Premier League got off to a flying start at Goodison Park which hosted the Merseyside derby between Everton and Liverpool. The highly anticipated fixture marked the 225th Merseyside derby in history.
The first half saw two goals scored by each team and like any other derby clashes, the game was filled with action and intensity throughout the entire game. More than four players were booked during the game, but, unfortunately, the game ended in a draw and both the Merseyside clubs were happy to share a point each at the end of the final whistle.
Here are the player ratings from the match:
Everton
Tim Howard – 7/10
The Everton goalkeeper made an early impression in the game by charging out of his goal line to snatch the ball away from striker Danny Ings. This was followed up by his save from a Milner shot when he did well to narrow the angle for the Liverpool skipper. The goalkeeper was untested in the second half and had a comfortable afternoon.
Brendan Galloway – 6/10
Galloway had a fairly comfortable afternoon as Liverpool lacked an orthodox winger to trouble the young man. Much of the threats from his wing came from Nathaniel Clyne, but Galloway did well to stop the crosses from the former Southampton full-back.
Ramiro Funes Mori – 7/10
Funes Mori was brought in for John Stones in the last minute, but he did brilliantly with Jagielka as they formed a rock solid defensive partnership at the back.
Phil Jagielka – 8/10
The captain formed an imposing figure at the back and he led the charge early on in the game. Jagielka cleared a dangerous ball which was whipped into the penalty area by Skrtel and went on to make important interceptions throughout the whole game, shutting down Liverpool’ s attacking threats. The 33-year-old did well to shut out Sturridge who barely got a chance on goal.
Tyias Browning – 6/10
The youngster was troubled by Moreno’s pace in the second half as Liverpool chose to capitalise on the young man's lack of experience. Browning almost came close to giving his team the lead in the second with his header from a corner kick.
Gareth Barry – 7/10
With all the experience he has got, Barry did well to use it wisely as he donned the Everton midfield and providing the shield for his defence. When his team had the possession, Barry did well to utilize it by making incisive passes to his creative players like Barkley and Naismith.
James McCarthy – 7/10
McCarthy did all the dirty work for Everton in the middle of the park and Liverpool found it difficult to stop his partnership with Barry. He was booked later on in the second half for his rash tackle on one of the Liverpool players.
Ross Barkley – 8/10
Played an influential role in Everton’s midfield by linking up well with teammates Naismith and Lukaku. He earned a free kick for his team from 30 yards out and whipped in a dangerous ball to Naismith, whose header was tipped off by Liverpool keeper Mignolet. The in-form midfielder got into a bust-up with Emre Can when the German International refused to hand over the ball to him for a quick throw in. It was a good performance by Barkley once again, running in behind Liverpool players.
Steven Naismith – 7.5/10
Steven Naismith has got quality and he showed it against Chelsea earlier this season. However, he never really got into the thick of the action except for his header in the first half which could have ended at the back of the net if it wasn’t for Mignolet’s magnificent save.
Gerard Deulofeu – 5/10
Deulofeu never really provided the width for the Toffees and neither did he impose himself in the game. Whipped in a dangerous ball from the right wing which eventually led to Lukaku’s goal. Apart from that, the 19-year-old was fairly quiet throughout the whole match and he was replaced by Lenon in the 60th minute.
Romelu Lukaku – 8.5/10
Lukaku led the attacking line well with power and pace which made it difficult for Liverpool defenders to contain the Belgian striker. He put his team back in contention when he scored the equaliser following a defensive blunder from Emre Can.
Subs -
Aaron Lenon – 4/10
Brought in for Gerard Deulofeu at the hour mark to provide the much-needed directness and pace into Everton’s game.
Arouna Kone – 4/10
Came on to partner Lukaku up front but he hardly got time to settle into the game.
Liverpool
Simone Mignolet – 8/10
The Belgian keeper made two crucial saves in the first half, saving Naismith’s header and McCarthy’s effort from the edge of the penalty box. However, he was stunned with Lukaku's volley in the dying minutes of the first half due to his defender's poor clearance. Mignolet had a quiet second half, but he did well to save his team during those short spells of pressure from Everton.
Alberto Moreno – 6.5/10
Went head to head with the pacey Everton winger Deulofeu and the left-back did well to contain his pace. Moreno was slow to close down the winger on one occasion and due to his concentration lapse, he failed to stop the cross from the winger which led to Everton’s equaliser in the first half. Bombed up and down the left flank during the second half but he failed to provide crosses for his teammates.
Martin Skrtel – 7/10
The highly experienced defender was troubled by Lukaku’s pace and power all afternoon. He was left exposed at the back due to the lack of shielding from the players in front of him. There were few moments where Sakho and Skrtel had mishaps, but the defensive partnership did well to deny Lukaku from getting clear-cut chances in front of goal.
Mamadou Sakho – 6.5/10
Sakho was another Liverpool player who lost his temper in the derby clash when he went head to head with Everton striker Lukaku. Both players were booked by the referee in the dying minutes of the game. Overall, the French defender did well to absorb threats from the Toffees’ attacking force.
Nathaniel Clyne – 6/10
The former Southampton full-back provided the width for Liverpool on the right flank and took advantage of Galloway’s inexperience. However, there were times when he left his position at the back and much of the opponent’s attack came from his side.
Lucas Leiva – 5.5/10
Although he was booked once, the Liverpool midfielder could have easily seen himself dismissed by Martin Atkinson in the second half. Brendan Rodgers made the right decision by replacing him with Joe Allen as soon as he got away with a challenge on one of the Everton players. His lack of pace was exposed by Barkley and Naismith who ran past him in a couple of occasions.
James Milner – 8/10
Milner was brilliant for the Reds as he provided the assist to Ings’ goal from a corner kick. The former Manchester City player did well to command his team and maintain their discipline throughout the whole match. Milner did well to support Clyne on the right flank and he provided some key passes which created some chances for in the second half Liverpool. He bossed the Liverpool midfield despite Jordan Henderson’ s absence in the middle of the park.
Emre Can – 5.5/10
Emotions get the better of players during derby matches and Emre Can showed just that when he got into a bust-up with Ross Barkley, eventually getting himself booked along with the Everton man. The German international was in the thick of the action during the course of the game and there were many occasions where he should have been shown the second yellow card by the ref. He and his midfield partners were outplayed by Barry and McCarthy who had most of the game’s possession.
Philippe Coutinho – 6/10
The Brazilian yet again failed to influence the game and went missing in most parts of the game. Starting on the left wing, Coutinho could not take advantage of the inexperienced Everton right back and could hardly drift in from a wide position. The 23-year-old showed some glimpses in the second half and troubled Howard with a shot. Luckily for the goalkeeper, it came straight at him and it comfortably fisted away from danger.
Danny Ings – 7.5/10
The young Englishman showed some promising signs in the first half with his clever runs behind the Everton backline. His volley attempt troubled Howard but luckily for the goalkeeper the ball went over the bar. Ings’ persistence was eventually rewarded in the closing stages of the first half when he headed the game’s opening goal from a corner kick. The former Burnley striker went missing in the second half and he was substituted by Adam Lallana in the 75th minute.
Daniel Sturridge – 5/10
Despite scoring a brace last week, he struggled to replicate his fine form in the Merseyside derby and he was kept quiet throughout the whole match by Jagielka and Funes Mori. Sturridge lacked the service from his midfielders who were outplayed by the Everton midfield trio. The striker is still trying to find his feet back after a long injury setback and still looks to lack match sharpness.
Subs -
Adam Lallana – 4/10
Lallana was brought in for Lucas Leiva who almost got himself sent off with his rash challenges on the Everton players.
Joe Allen – 4/10
Provided the shield for Liverpool’s defence in the late stages of the game.
