David Gold rates the Irons at Everton :-)

Co chairman David Gold tonight accepted the CandH challenge to hand out the marks as our guest after the team leapt into 16th place on the back of a fine victory at Everton. So here they are as DG gets down to business of not hiding his absolute delight publicly very well at all. Thanks for being a good sport David!

Fabianski: What a good buy at £7 million Lukasz has turned out to be. This was a virtually faultless performance and some of the saves were as good as it gets. 9

Zabaleta: Such a workmanlike performance from a great and experienced professional. He got forward and back so well and on the one occasion he couldn’t took a yellow for the team. Great stuff 9

Balbuena: He’s growing into it now isn’t he and forging an understanding with young Diop. There’s still a way to go on that but I like what I’m starting to see 9

Diop: What a powerful young man and at his age he can turn into anything. I was really impressed with his positioning and some of his tackles were quite awesome 9

Masuaku: I’ve always like Arthur and his positioning, like Issa, was far better than in previous games – those gaps we have seen on occasions were closed down. He is terrific going forward and once he gets the final delivery right he will be near perfect. 9

Noble: Mark brings leadership. Ok it can be a mixed bag sometimes but he marshalls the midfield and is obviously a born leader 9

Rice: This boy is awesome. I can’t believe he is just 19 years old. He was quite brilliant – pace, energy, solo runs, great forward passes, composed. He is a remarkable, no extraordinary, young man with an enormous future in front of him WITH US! 9.5

Obiang: He came back so well today after barely figuring in people’s thinking apparently. Don’t know why. He has only been briefly involved before but he was back to his best today and has nailed a place for a little while I would imagine 9

Anderson: He’s a huge talent – make no mistake about that. The record signing and we are all looking for him to become a talisman like Arnie. We saw flashes of what he can be today but there’s much much more to come. 9

Yarmolenko: What an extraordinary start for him. I have no idea why he hasn’t played until now – that’s a training ground thing but he was superb and he really took his opportunity. Loved the step overs and trickery but the second goal was from heaven 9.5

Arnie: We bought him for £24 million which looks like the bargain of this or any other season. A brilliant assist when others would have looked to score for themselves; so powerful and a wonderful goal of his own. Incredible player 9.5

Manuel Pellegrini: Interesting that six of last season’s players were in the team which may have helped the gelling process a lot. He got the formation and tactics dead right and ensured he and the team can move on with real confidence 9.5

The Claret and Blue Travelling Army; They are remarkable aren’t they – outsung Everton’s supporters and were the 12th man again. I know they will say “Oh he would say that” but I mean it. These fans of ours humble us all. Thanks. A BIG 10