Fantastic Walcott, Poor Rooney – The best and the worst rated Everton players vs Newcastle

Everton 1-0 Newcastle United: Walcott Ends Magpies’ 4-game Unbeaten Run

Everton ended Newcastle United’s 4-game unbeaten run with a cagey 1-0 win at Goodison Park on Monday evening. Theo Walcott netted the only goal of the match six minutes after the break, which saw Everton leapfrog Leicester City to go to 8th place in the table.

It was a very flat first-half with the only chance of the half falling to Phil Jagielka, who volleyed over from close range after Michael Keane headed Wayne Rooney’s deep cross, back across the goal.

Newcastle lacked the composure and calmness and should have punished a miscued clearance from Jordan Pickford. Ayoze Perez had the chance to play Islam Slimani clean through on goal but the Spaniard badly overhit his pass, which helped the Everton goalkeeper save his blushes.

Quickly after the break, Walcott punished the visitors with a smartly taken goal. Yannick Bolasie was the provider of the goal, driving down the right and crossing the ball, which kindly fell to Walcott at the far post. The winger took a confident first-touch before firing into the roof of the net to help Everton arrest their current rut.

Everton player ratings

Jordan Pickford – 6/10

Barring the miscued clearance, Pickford had to only deal with the constant booing from the Newcastle fans.

Seamus Coleman – 6/10

Coleman showed plenty of energy and zest down the right and helped Everton cling on to three points, with a header right at the death.

Phil Jagielka – 6/10

He should have given Everton the lead but he lacked composure. The veteran defender dealt well with Dwight Gayle’s pace after the break.

Michael Keane – 5/10

Keane did set up Jagielka for the best chance of the first half, only for the latter to volley over from close range. The former Burnley man was shaky at times, generally with the ball at his feet.

Leighton Baines – 6/10

Baines contributed very little to the attacks but was solid and composed when it came to defending.

Morgan Schneiderlin – 7/10

The Frenchman was excellent against Newcastle, putting in his best performance of the season. He was defensively solid and quick with his ball distribution. Unfortunately, he picked up an injury in the second half and was replaced by Tom Davies.

Idrissa Gueye – 6/10

Gueye was decent and alongside Schneirderlin, dominated the midfield, shutting out Shelvey and co.

Wayne Rooney – 4/10

Rooney was off the pace and wasteful in possession. He looked to overdo things when playing simple would have been ideal. He worked tirelessly but to no avail.

Yannick Bolasie – 6/10

Bolasie was drab in the first half but improved in the second after he switched to the right flank. He produced a fantastic cross for Walcott to score the opener.

Theo Walcott – 8/10

Walcott was Evertons’ livewire throughout the game. His pace and incisiveness troubled the Newcastle defence time and again. He worked very hard and that paid rich dividends as he calmly smashed the goal to give the Toffees all three points.

Cenk Tosun – 5/10

It was a frustrating night for the Turkish hitman, who barely received any service from his teammates despite Everton dominating possession in midfield for much of the game. He was replaced late on by Oumar Niasse.

Substitutes

Tom Davies – 4/10

Came on for the injured Schneiderlin but made no impact on the game.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 4/10

Calvert-Lewin struggled to keep possession of the ball.

Oumar Niasse – N/A

Came on for Tosun and had very little time to influence the proceedings.