NUFC player ratings vs Everton – Two 7’s, a few 6’s, the odd 5 and several 4’s

An extremely frustrating evening for the Magpies on Merseyside, with us losing in stoppage time just when we were hoping to make use of the man advantage.

After a dominant first half display, we never got going in the second and didn’t do enough when Everton went down to 10 men.

A frustrating evening for us, but the 17-day gap between now and our next game could do us the world of good after four games in 12 days.

Martin Dubravka – 5 – I felt he could’ve done better with Everton’s winner, giving Iwobi a full side of the goal to shoot at.

Emil Krafth – 4 – Offered absolutely no quality going forward and always looks uncomfortable entering the opposition half, with a few too many slack passes or wayward crosses.

Fabian Schar – 6 – The stand-in skipper was solid for most of the night, but sat off Calvert-Lewin for the goal and couldn’t get close enough to Iwobi. Gave away a few cheap fouls which could’ve cost us.

Dan Burn – 5 – For 95 minutes it was a classic Dan Burn performance but one complete lapse in concentration was costly as he left a gaping hole at the back after storming out to meet Iwobi. Has been brilliant but won’t enjoy watching back the last two goals we’ve conceded.

Matt Targett – 7 – Several beautiful deliveries into the box from corners and showed his quality with some lovely balls down the line that we failed to make the most of. Also put in a committed defensive display, leaving him a tad unlucky not to come away with more at both ends.

Joelinton – 6 – Decent performance from the big man. Offered a huge physical presence all evening and tried to drive forward at times, but lacked intuition in the final third and faded as the game went on.

Bruno Guimareas – 7* – Showed some real moments of class on the ball, completing 97% of his passes – one of which was outstanding to release Krafth down the right – and won some brilliant tackles in transition, completing more (4) than any other NUFC player. Perhaps could’ve done a bit more in possession when Everton went down to 10, however he looked the best player on the pitch tonight.

Joe Willock – 5 – Not his best showing on his return to the side. Maybe just getting back to match sharpness since his illness last week, as he didn’t win the physical battle against Doucoure and didn’t make the most of a few half chances that fell his way.

Miguel Almiron – 4 – Can never fault the blokes effort off the ball, but lacks serious quality in the attacking third. Him and Krafth lacked chemistry down our right and both seemed to run round in circles, making it frustrating that most of our play was down that flank. Was surprised to see Murphy out of the starting eleven and felt that held us back while we were on top in the first half.

Ryan Fraser – 5 – Wasn’t able to show any quality going forward, aside from one cross Wood should’ve done better with early on. Marshalled well by Coleman who appeared to keep him out of the game. Not his best performance but effort always there.

Chris Wood – 4 – Had one big chance early on but headed straight at Begovic, also nodding another one over from a first half corner. Didn’t win as much in the air and sometimes slowed down attacks that needed to be quicker. Was great to see him score this time last week, however he looked leggy here.

Subs

Allan Saint Maximin – 4 – Offered very little after coming on and ran into trouble on too many occasions. Played a part in Allan’s red card but didn’t make enough of an impact; especially against 10 men. Looked a little one dimensional in his efforts to break Everton down and lost the ball moments before their winner.

Jacob Murphy – 4 – Another who didn’t do nearly enough going forward. Played the final 20 minutes but did nothing to trouble Everton’s 10-men.

Javi Manquillo – N/A – Only came on in the 93rd minute, replacing an injured Emil Krafth.

Special mention

Bolt cutters – 6 – Took a while to get going and looked weak at first, but finally cut the cable ties attaching that protestor to the goalpost for a good seven minutes.