Everton Player Ratings: Hat-trick man Barry is a 9

For once, Everton eased through the second round of the League Cup and did so in style, with a thumping 4-0 win over Preston North End at Deepdale.

Thierno Barry scored a hat-trick, Brennan Johnson grabbed his first Everton goal, and David Moyes was rewarded for naming a strong starting XI.

Here’s how we rated the Everton players.

Goalkeeper: Jordan Pickford – 7

Brilliant to see him starting this game, which set the tone from the off. Only had one save to make, from an overhead kick shortly after the hour, but added composure behind the defence. 

Right-back: Merlin Röhl – 7

Once again played at right-back, and once again he did just fine. A few nervy moments in the first half, when he was caught out of position, but he really adds something going forward form that position, and he then moved into midfield after the hour once James Garner went off.

Centre-back: James Tarkowski – 7

A steady performance from Everton’s captain, who made some decent blocks and led the Toffees for clearances (5). He did, however, make one error, when he was dragged out wide and failed to make a simple tackle.

Centre-back: Michael Keane – 7

Eyebrows were raised when Keane was named in the defence ahead of Jake O’Brien, who was on the bench after those reports that he is open to leaving Everton. But Keane was hardly troubled. 

Left-back: Vitaliy Mykolenko – 8

Mykolenko comes in for plenty of stick, but he was excellent here. Showed real composure, vision and a lovely touch to tee up Barry’s opener, and should have had a second assist when he lofted it through for Iliman Ndiaye in the second half.

Midfield: James Garner – 7

A very solid return to action for last term’s Player of the Season. A few rusty touches, as would be expected, but he kept things ticking nicely and won 4/5 attempted tackles and 6/7 duels. Excellent to have him back.   

Midfield: Harrison Armstrong – 8

So efficient and composed in the centre of the park on his return to Deepdale. This is a youngster playing with maturity and technical quality way beyond his years. Completed 51/55 passes, winning possession back a team-leading 10 times.

Midfield: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 9

Everton’s midfield supremo turned it on, playing a part in the first three goals. His delicate, chipped pass into Mykolenko for the opener was a highlight. His class showed against second-tier opponents.

Right-wing: Tyler Dibling – 6

Some nice touches and dribbles, and he was desperately unlucky not to score his first Everton goal when he shot brilliantly on the turn, seeing his attempt kept out by Lee Nicholls, but we still just need to see a bit more conviction to his all-round play. Made way around the hour.

Striker: Thierno Barry – 9

What a day for Everton’s main man up front — and he is now the main man up top, there’s no doubt about that. A hat-trick, with some really smart close-range finishes, and a superb assist, and the Frenchman could easily have had more, which is the only reason he isn’t getting a perfect 10.

Left-wing: Iliman Ndiaye – 7

Some really neat bits of play at the start before he faded out. Came back into it in the second half and really should have scored to make it 3-0, having been put through by Mykolenko, but he fluffed his lines 1v1, albeit he did tee up a great chance for Barry at 1-0 up.

Substitutes

Nathan Patterson – 6 

Has perhaps played his final Everton game, but didn’t put a foot wrong at right-back.

Brennan Johnson – 8

What an impact. He came on and provided a quick, direct threat in behind, and set up Barry’s hat-trick goal before ending his own goal drought two minutes later. Off the mark for the Toffees in style.

Adam Aznou – 6

A long-awaited second competitive outing for Aznou, coming on at left wing. Now Everton need to decide if he stays (and he must play a bit if so) or goes on loan.

Tyrique George – 6

Mazy run into the box was the highlight of his cameo, but he slashed wide at the end of it.

Carlos Alcaraz – 6

Didn’t get chance to get into the game much.

 

 

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