Vitaliy Mykolenko, Everton badge, Chelsea badge
Vitaliy Mykolenko MOTM in Everton v Chelsea (Credit - Imago)
Dakir Thanveer
Sun 22 December 2024 16:04, UK
Vitaliy Mykolenko was the start man for Everton as they held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park on Sunday.
The Toffees followed their positive result against Arsenal last weekend with a point against another title contender on 22 December, with Sean Dyche’s defence at the top of their game.
However, Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s performance as the number nine left much to be desired against, raising more question marks about his future on Merseyside.
Here, Goodison News rate each player out of 10.
Jordan Pickford – 7
Pickford picked up right where he left off against Arsenal, making a wonderful save to deny Nicolas Jackson in what was the first major chance of the game in the 26th minute. He sprung to action four minutes later, stopping the Senegal international again, before rushing off his line to deny Malo Gusto from a resulting corner. The goalkeeper was shown a yellow card for dissent at the stroke of half-time.
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Ashley Young (Off for Seamus Coleman 74′) – 7
Young continued to defy his age, keeping Jadon Sancho at bay to the point it did not feel like the attacker was on the pitch. However, he eventually had his name taken for a foul on the former Manchester United ace.
James Tarkowski – 6
Tarkowski was heavily involved in the game, particularly a controversial moment with Axel Disasi in the second half. He managed to avoid getting booked despite making a few strong challenges.
Jarrad Branthwaite formidable for Everton
Jarrad Branthwaite – 7
Branthwaite was a formidable presence at the back for Everton as they held the Blues to a 0-0 draw. He was pivotal in ensuring a clean sheet for Pickford as he hardly put a foot wrong.
Everton Jarrad Branthwaite
Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite [Credit Imago]
Vitaliy Mykolenko – 8 (Man of the Match)
Much like Young on the other side, Mykolenko was an assured presence at full-back, doing well to restrict Pedro Neto’s influence to a minimum. Pitted against a tricky winger, a lot could have gone wrong for the Ukraine international and he deserves credit for holding his own.
Idrissa Gueye – 6
Gueye was a silent but effective presence in the middle of the park.
Orel Mangala – 5
Mangala forced a great save from Robert Sanchez in what was the hosts’ first major chance of the game in the 38th minute. The Belgian’s poor record in duels, though, emerged as a problem for Sean Dyche’s side. He had another shot saved by Sanchez towards the end of the game.
Jack Harrison fail to impress again
Jack Harrison (Off for Jesper Lindstrom 73′) – 4
Harrison got another chance to impress in Dwight McNeil’s absence, but largely failed to take it. He had a good sight of the goal early in the first half, but could only test Sanchez at best.
Abdoulaye Doucoure – 5
Doucoure set up Everton’s first major opportunity of the match, driving towards the edge of the Chelsea box with the ball and laying it off to Mangala for a shot.
Iliman Ndiaye – 6
Ndiaye set the ball rolling for Mangala’s chance in the first half, playing a**clever pass to Doucoure. He was booked for a cynical foul on Neto moments later. The attacker’s eyes lit up after he received the ball right in front of the Chelsea goal, but was denied by a brilliant Tosin Adarabioyo block. He was Everton’s major threat in attack.
Iliman Ndiaye, Everton
Everton forward Iliman Ndiaye. (Credit: Imago).
Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Off for Beto 73′) – 3
Calvert-Lewin’s struggles continued as he failed to make an impact for Dyche’s side. He failed to register a single shot and completed only seven passes, while having just one touch inside the opposition box (FotMob). He won just two of his 11 duels.
Substitutes
Beto (On for Calvert-Lewin 73′) – 5
Jesper Lindstrom (On for Harrison 73′) – 5
Seamus Coleman (On for Young 74′) – 5
In other Everton news, the TFG takeover could open the door for this player to leave Goodison Park in the January transfer window.
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