Jason Steele - 7
Didn't have an awful lot to do, but handled things nicely. His high amount of game time in the pre-season has been questioned a little bit, but thought we saw the gains of it: great timing when dealing with crosses and tricky passes. Also saved the few attempts Everton had. Good game.
Jack Hinshelwood - 7
Had a really difficult first half because Everton targeted him through having Jack Harrison constantly wide on the wing regardless of how play was shaping otherwise. The battle against Harrison was a struggled and had to be resolved by pulling Dunk more to the left in second half. With the ball, Jack was great and dealt well with the wonkiness that comes with playing on the wrong side.
Lewis Dunk - 7
Dunk is Dunk. Not the most difficult game but as always solid defending.
Jan Paul van Hecke - 8
He had to sort out a number of mistakes from his rookie comrade Mats, and did it very well.
Joel Veltman - 8
Gave away possession one or two times but had a really good game and won nearly every duel and showed that any defender coming in will have to work hard to push him out of the team.
Mats Wieffer - 7
Solid duelling and decent passing. Lost the ball a couple of times when he forgot he doesn't have the time you get in the Eredivsie, but that should just be a matter of time. Overall a good PL debut.
James Milner - 7
Apart from the entirely unnecessary yellow card, Milner had a decent game though he was way too involved in the playmaking for my liking. Good, but can't see him remaining in the starting eleven when everyone is fit and ready.
Joao Pedro - 7
Spent a lot of time rather deep on the pitch, to the point that his average position ended up more defensive than Milners. The idea was clearly to get him involved on the ball a lot and he did alright, though it was visible that all connections aren't quite there yet (some passes into zones where no one is or expecting a run that doesn't come etc). The dive was embarrasing.
Kaoru Mitoma - 7
Had a good game but just like his comrade at the right wing, he suffered a little bit from the so-so playmaking from Milner, Wieffer and Pedro. Good finish on the goal but I think he could have caused the Everton defence even more trouble today.
Danny Welbeck - 8
Great game from Danny. Not only the goal but overall he was thriving playing slightly deeper than he has in the past. His days of continously doing pacy runs behind the defense over and over are gone, and has been replaced by a strong, quick all-round striker who knows when and where to get involved. Looks like we're getting another season of reliable service up front.
Yankuba Minteh - 7
He looked nervy in the start, getting several passes wrong and losing duels to Mykolenko. Eventually grew into it and showed that he will have a big impact in the PL this season. Really hard work as well. Subbed off with a concussion in his.. ribs.
Subs:
Adam Webster - 7
Solid, and some nice passes.
Simon Adingra - 7
Very adventerous and horny, with mixed results, but overall a nice display.
Gilmour, Sarmiento and Ayari didn't play enough for me to put any rating on them.
Didn't have an awful lot to do, but handled things nicely. His high amount of game time in the pre-season has been questioned a little bit, but thought we saw the gains of it: great timing when dealing with crosses and tricky passes. Also saved the few attempts Everton had. Good game.
Jack Hinshelwood - 7
Had a really difficult first half because Everton targeted him through having Jack Harrison constantly wide on the wing regardless of how play was shaping otherwise. The battle against Harrison was a struggled and had to be resolved by pulling Dunk more to the left in second half. With the ball, Jack was great and dealt well with the wonkiness that comes with playing on the wrong side.
Lewis Dunk - 7
Dunk is Dunk. Not the most difficult game but as always solid defending.
Jan Paul van Hecke - 8
He had to sort out a number of mistakes from his rookie comrade Mats, and did it very well.
Joel Veltman - 8
Gave away possession one or two times but had a really good game and won nearly every duel and showed that any defender coming in will have to work hard to push him out of the team.
Mats Wieffer - 7
Solid duelling and decent passing. Lost the ball a couple of times when he forgot he doesn't have the time you get in the Eredivsie, but that should just be a matter of time. Overall a good PL debut.
James Milner - 7
Apart from the entirely unnecessary yellow card, Milner had a decent game though he was way too involved in the playmaking for my liking. Good, but can't see him remaining in the starting eleven when everyone is fit and ready.
Joao Pedro - 7
Spent a lot of time rather deep on the pitch, to the point that his average position ended up more defensive than Milners. The idea was clearly to get him involved on the ball a lot and he did alright, though it was visible that all connections aren't quite there yet (some passes into zones where no one is or expecting a run that doesn't come etc). The dive was embarrasing.
Kaoru Mitoma - 7
Had a good game but just like his comrade at the right wing, he suffered a little bit from the so-so playmaking from Milner, Wieffer and Pedro. Good finish on the goal but I think he could have caused the Everton defence even more trouble today.
Danny Welbeck - 8
Great game from Danny. Not only the goal but overall he was thriving playing slightly deeper than he has in the past. His days of continously doing pacy runs behind the defense over and over are gone, and has been replaced by a strong, quick all-round striker who knows when and where to get involved. Looks like we're getting another season of reliable service up front.
Yankuba Minteh - 7
He looked nervy in the start, getting several passes wrong and losing duels to Mykolenko. Eventually grew into it and showed that he will have a big impact in the PL this season. Really hard work as well. Subbed off with a concussion in his.. ribs.
Subs:
Adam Webster - 7
Solid, and some nice passes.
Simon Adingra - 7
Very adventerous and horny, with mixed results, but overall a nice display.
Gilmour, Sarmiento and Ayari didn't play enough for me to put any rating on them.
They were all good. None were great.
