Despite facing down a high-powered Chelsea attack and played out of
5. Morgan Schneiderlin
It’s been a rough few years for Morgan Schneiderlin. The defensive midfielder has struggled ever since he left Southampton. But there are glimpses here, under Sam Allardyce, that he’s getting back to his best.
Against Chelsea, Schneiderlin was a superb shield for Everton, protecting the defence by winning 3/5 tackles (60% success), making 5 interceptions and 7 clearances. He held things down, even helping youngster Beni Baningime settle into the contest when he came on for the injured Idrissa Gueye.
4. Ashley Williams
It’s never easy to come off the bench in a game where your side doesn’t have much of the ball, especially when you’re in defence. Ashley Williams made light of things. however. He came on at half-time when Allardyce switched Everton to playing a back three.
Williams was brilliant (as he has been since Allardyce took charge at Goodison). His introduction and the tactical switch helped to stabilise Everton, and he was involved in two of the most dramatic moments of Everton’s defensive stand; heading a cross onto his own bar, whilst also hooking a Marcos Alonso shot off the line.
3. Jordan Pickford
A £30m transfer in the summer saw a whole mountain of pressure heaped onto young Jordan Pickford, and while he has conceded goals he’s more often than not shown his class under enormous amounts of pressure.
Against Chelsea the Englishman put in a superb shift. Chelsea fired a whopping 26 shots at the Everton goal and whilst the defenders forced enough bad efforts that only 8 were on target, Pickford repelled all 8 to keep his clean sheet.
2. Phil Jagielka
Phil Jagielka playing well for Sam Allardyce at Everton was probably the most nailed-on thing to happen, really. But Jagielka has still been impressive when he’s played. Today was impressive in particular, making his first start for nearly a month.
Jagielka effected an enormous 14 clearances for Everton against Chelsea, he was absolutely incredible. Early on he even made an instinctive couple of clearances off the line in quick success, preventing Bakayoko and Willian from giving Chelsea the lead.
1. Michael Keane
When Sam Allardyce took charge, Keane was shunted to the side. Everton seemed to move on without him, not really caring about his reputation or cost (and he had been so poor under Ronald Koeman you couldn’t argue with that really). But then Big Sam handed him a start against Chelsea and he showed just what he can do.
Keane was incredible at Goodison Park, winning 2/3 tackles, 3/4 aerial duels, making 4 clearances and constantly stepping up aggressively to make a whopping 8 interceptions. He was voted man of the match and even though he missed a great chance to give Everton the win late on, he definitely deserved it.
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