Everton player ratings after the Blues go down 1-0 against Manchester United at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Manchester United's Amad (left) and Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall
Manchester United's Amad (left) and Everton's Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall battle for the ball during the Premier League match at the Hill Dickinson Stadium(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
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Everton’s winless streak at Hill Dickinson Stadium extended to seven matches as David Moyes’ men fell to an unfortunate 1-0 defeat to Manchester United.
Following the 1-1 draw at Brighton & Hove Albion at the end of last month when he deployed four centre-backs, the Blues boss named a starting line without any recognised full-backs again, moving Jarrad Branthwaite to the left of defence and midfielder James Garner on the right in place of the suspended Jake O’Brien. Following a tight first half, Harrison Armstrong should have netted his first Everton goal early in the second period, but shot too close to Senne Lammens in the United goal.
The Blues were still probing when Michael Carrick’s side caught them with a devastating counter-attack on 71 minutes with Bryan Mbeumo squaring the ball to substitute Benjamin Sesko who netted with a cool finish.
Jordan Pickford 6
Will be disappointed to have been beaten by Sesko when he’d not had a save to make, the ball was pinging around his area a lot early on and he’d have been grateful for Tarkowski’s goal-line clearance while he also played himself into trouble with a sliced clearance when receiving a back pass from his captain.
James Garner 7
A solid showing against the club he left to join Everton, having moved to right-back with Jake O’Brien suspended, he looked more comfortable than Branthwaite on the opposite side of defence and made a terrifically-timed challenge on Matheus Cunha when momentarily back in the centre of the park before testing Lammens with a long-range free-kick.
Jarrad Branthwaite 6
Deployed ahead of Vitalii Mykolenko in the left-back berth, he creaking a bit against Bruno Fernandes and Amad and was caught out a couple of times before growing into his role somewhat after the break.
James Tarkowski 7
Was kept busy, clearing an early Amad shot off the line and making a crucial headed interception to keep out a dangerous cross from Bruno Fernandes.
Michael Keane 5
Denied a spectacular equaliser when his left foot strike was tipped over the bar, he was left exposed one-on-one against Bryan Mbeumo for the pivotal moment in the game, and was unable to stop the United forward from picking out substitute Benjamin Sesko for a cool finish.
Idrissa Gueye 5
Was fortunate to get away with a misplaced pass when Everton were probing, but it was a warning shot to what United were capable of on the break, he spent much of his time pegged back and wasn’t able to influence proceedings further up the pitch.
Tim Iroegbunam 7
David Moyes made a big call picking him in the engine room, but he rewarded him with some strong challenges and surging runs.
Iliman Ndiaye 5
Another sub-par display since returning from his AFCON triumph we didn’t see enough of his twinkling toes as he wasn’t able to get at United’s defenders and showed a poor first touch and delivery on several occasions.
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall 6
A bundle of energy, always showing for the ball, trying to play in tight spaces, but this wasn’t his night as his endeavour never quite came off.
Harrison Armstrong 6
Another promising display from the teenager yet he was ultimately left to rue his missed chance early in the second half when he should have scored his first Everton goal, but shot too close to Senne Lammens, he spent most of the night nominally playing on the left wing, narrow in his play, cutting inside and playing some smart passes.
Thierno Barry 6
Was almost gifted a chance in the opening seconds when he closed down Senne Lammens’ clearance but the ball ricocheted wide off him which summed up his display with lots of hard running for the team and putting himself about but no clearcut chances.
Substitutes
Tyrique George 6 (on 72 for Armstrong)
Had a shot from distance but couldn’t control a back post chance that came his way in the dying seconds.
Beto 6 (on 79 for Iroegbunam)
Put himself about as Everton chased an equaliser.
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