Everton 5 West Brom 2 - Player ratings
Joe Masi rated the West Brom players after their 5-2 defeat at Everton.
Sam Johnstone
Bar picking the ball out the net, the keeper didn’t have an awful lot to do. Johnstone made one or two decent stops. And while he conceded five, none of them were his fault.
Has the potential to be a big player for Albion this year.
Potential: 6
Semi Ajayi
The Nigerian has the athleticism and pace to suggest he is going to be well suited to life in the Premier League. But, as it stands, he’s been part of a defence that has conceded eight goals in two games.
Needs to show a touch more aggression.
Adjusting: 5
Kyle Bartley
Everton won an extraordinary amount of corners in the first half, many of which were headed away by Bartley.
You can’t help but feel, though, he could have done more to block James Rodriguez’s goal.
Can improve: 5
Dara O’Shea
His diagonal passing is a real weapon for Albion, especially in this system.
But O’Shea was caught out of position a few times and also could have been a bit more aggressive defending balls into the box.
Learning: 4
Darnell Furlong
Arguably Albion’s best outfield player against Leicester, that wasn’t the case here.
Furlong really struggled to defend balls into the box. Better going forward, he whipped in the cross from which Jake Livermore hit the post.
Struggled: 4
Kieran Gibbs
For 45 minutes, the full-back combined really well with Grady Diangana and Callum Robinson.
But he let Seamus Coleman get past him for Everton’s opener. He then stupidly got himself sent off.
Stupid dismissal: 2
Romaine Sawyers
An improved display from the disappointing showing against Leicester. Sawyers worked hard and bar one careless pass to Calvert-Lewin in the box, he moved the ball well.
You still can’t help but feel the system doesn’t suit him, however.
Improved: 5
Jake Livermore
The skipper was hugely unfortunate to see a half-volley cannon back off the post.
As always, Livermore was a tireless presence in the middle of the park and gave Albion some much-needed bite.
Energetic: 7
Matheus Pereira
The Brazilian can claim the assist for Grady Diangana’s goal and then went on to score a truly stunning free-kick.
Growing in confidence, the flicks and tricks have started.
Magic: 8
Grady Diangana
The winger had it all to do when he collected Pereira’s pass. But he carried the ball 50 yards before lashing home.
A threat all afternoon, he is also excellent defensively – something that often goes under the radar.
Fantastic: 9
Callum Robinson
Robinson led the line really well in the first half with his combination play with Gibbs and Diangana excellent.
Tested Jordan Pickford with a fierce drive and worked hard. Also won a couple of headers.
Promise: 7
Substitutes
Kyle Edwards (for Diangana 71), Matt Phillips (for Pereira 71), Sam Field (for Sawyers 75). Not used: Hal Robson-Kanu, Rekeem Harper, Cedric Kipre, David Button.
