Hugh hands out the marks on a great day for the Irons
Fabianski: Can’t get over how good this guy is at £7 million. Some want to fault him for the goal. Not me and more saves out of top drawer 8
Zaba: Took a yellow for the cause as Bernard broke away but he was solid and on the case apart from that. Good performance as usual 7
Balbuena: Got his head in at dangerous situations, plays the ball out well – he and Diop are looking loads better together 7
Diop: Always on the case and tight marked the strikers (such as they were ) throughout. His face was a picture at the end – well played young man 7
Masuaku: No easy job with Walcott on the case today but did well defensively and offensively. Very decent performance 7
Noble: Typical mix of leadership, much energy, the odd misplaced pass and free kick winning. No complaints at all 7
Rice: Magnificent, mobile, athletic, great energy and some lovely passing – not much else you can ask for 9
Obiang: Didn’t see too much of him which was good because he did a nice solid job in the middle of a well balanced side 7
Yarmolenko: Two goals on his first start – the second an absolute beauty. Great trickery and step overs. Everton hated him 9
Anderson: A lot of goof stuff in there today – still adjusting his game and playing some great balls through and across but I reckon there must be more to come 8.5
Arnie: No words of mine will do the man justice. Everton defence had a nightmare, one totally unselfish assist, a great goal at the end of a marvelous move – he was sensational 10
SUBS
Sanchez: Uncertain and unsteady – not a great day 5
Snodgrass: Energetic and determined to make his presence felt 7
Antonio: Did nothing wrong at all and showed game management skills towards the end 7
I thought Obiang did really well a bit further forward – plus a crucial ball for our first goal and an assist for the third – otherwise I think that teh ratings are spot on
Just get Declan signed up. He’s clearly no flash in the pan like Oxford. Mom for me today. Shielded the defence excellently, broke up play and distributed the ball sensibly. Deserves a decent contract.
Yep-no doubt about Rice!
Player of the future!
There were no passengers today. The defence has improved as the Diop/Balbuena partnership in the middle of the back fuor continues to develop.
On this form Rice and Obiang must be the first two midfielders on the sheet – both were terrific: Rice further back, Obiang pushing forward through the middle.
Anderson had a good game too, but there is more to come. His touch is first class and once the others cotton on to his intentions, we will thrive in the final third. Yarmolenko worked hard and deserved his goals – the second, with the delayed shot that committed the defence, was outstanding – beautifully curled inside the far post.
Arnautovic is iconic, running selflessly and pulling the opposition defence all over the place – great movement, pace and distribution as well as sharp finishing.
Finally, Fabulouski has shown, yet again, why he starts ahead of Adrian.
All in all this was a seriously encouraging display.
Fair assessments Hugh. Perhaps a little generous with Balbuena who for me is yet to prove he has what it takes at this level. Distribution not there and still slightly off the pace. Obiang worth a little more. Looked much improved playing further forward and showed jack how to do it today. Just hope Arnie’s knee is OK as I fear for us without him, especially with the games we have coming up.
Thanks Jimbo – terrific wasnt it
Arnie was excellent and hopefully the unselfish nature of setting up the first goal is a good sign, would have given him 9, the defence would give 3 8’s and a 7.5 for Masuaku, that spot between left back and left cb is still a work in progress, Arthur was good in possession but needs to work on his defence, Balbuena was caught out for the goal but I think nearly every CB would have been it was a great play by Sigurdsson, overall against a great team with a lot of pace we defended well, Diop is finding his feet and the two of them look pretty solid, Zaba was as always outstanding and Fabianski ,well I have been uncertain about him but he was excellent today COYI !!!
Very generous rating on Noble-too many misplaced passes and far too slow for the EPL..
Love the way Anderson plays. Had a real strut about him. Clearly we offer much more of a threat on the counter and no surprise to me that our best two offensive performances came away from home. Would love us to be able to put on a demonstration like that at home and silence some of the whinging. COYI
Agree Ridders, we could play that way by not having such a high line at home allowing teams onto us so that we can counter but I think MP wants us to press high at home which leaves us suseptible at the back to the type of goals we have conceded against Bournemouth and Wolves, will be interesting to see how when we play better teams that will push us back if we produce better results.