Everton vs Hull City: Player Ratings

Well that was predictable. As are the following player ratings. Injuries and rushing players back from them seem to be causing Everton issues, and the lack of energy that Roberto Martinez talked about post game is a result of this.

Tim Howard 4

A mixed night for Howard who didn’t have much to do but made a massive hash of Aluko’s goal. There is no excuse for a goalkeeper at any level getting beaten like that. None. Add that to the Tottenham goal on Sunday and you’re looking at a keeper out of form.

Seamus Coleman 5

Whether it’s injury or just a natural drop in form the Irishman doesn’t look his usual self. There was a distinct lack of energy to his performance. Maybe it’s time for an actual rest, Tony Hibbert and Ty Browning are ready and waiting.

Leighton Baines 6

Another player that didn’t look himself. You have to wonder about the wisdom of playing the England man twice in four days after two or three weeks out.

Phil Jagielka 5

After an uplift in form before the international break Jags is looking back to his early season self. He’s a confidence player and he just doesn’t look to have any. When Nikica Jelavic is causing you problems you know there’s a big issue.

Sylvain Distin 4

Confidence or decreased ability? The big centre back has been outstanding for the Blues in his five years with the club but this season he has looked poor. The tugboat like movement for Aluko’s goal was embarrassing and Distin himself must be feeling the shame. Less mobile, and less clever than before a lack of any fit replacement is a disaster.

Gareth Barry 6

A composed performance from the veteran midfielder, though still not at his 2013/14 peak, and feeling his way back after his recent ankle injury. Another player that is being asked too much of after injury.

Mo Besic 7

The youngster is starting to grow into the Premier League after a tentative start. This was definitely his best game, his control of the ball has improved, and he showed the energy that was apparently missing, with a workrate just shy of James McCarthy. Why on earth was he replaced though?

Leon Osman 6

A pretty standard Leon Osman performance, didn’t do much wrong, apart from his awful miss in the first half, but he also didn’t have much influence on things. Average.

Ross Barkley 5

The youngster is still trying to get to grips with this season. He wasn’t so much neutralised by Hull as by his own ineffectiveness. It was another example of the team not playing to his strengths and his direct running isn’t working at the moment. Confidence is key for young, especially attacking players, and too much pressure isn’t doing him any good.

Kevin Mirallas 8

On the other hand confidence is doing the Belgian winger wonders, after his cracking goal at the weekend his direct running and understanding with Lukaku was again to the fore. The best outlet, and biggest threat, of the night he nearly scored another fine goal and added his second assist of the season. You can only assume his substitution was through lack of fitness. Another being played too much too soon after injury, and currently the most important player Everton have.

Romelu Lukaku 7

Another frustrating night for the big Belgian. Scored a lovely goal but struggled again for service with the pedestrian play of the midfield hampering his effectiveness. His first touch and control was an issue again but he looked lively when Mirallas got on the ball. Needs to work on the relationship with Barkley though.