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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Chris Beesley

Everton player ratings as Jordan Pickford excellent and five good in Nottingham Forest draw

Jordan Pickford 8

Had a busy afternoon dealing with an aerial bombardment of his area and had already made several claims under pressure before parrying Morgan Gibbs-White’s shot that fell to Brennan Johnson for Forest’s equaliser but while that was unfortunate, his long free-kick paved the way for Everton’s second goal before saving well from Andre Ayew after the break.

Seamus Coleman 7

Pushing forward and overlapping to good effect, he was adamant he’d won his side a second penalty when going down under a challenge from Jack Colback, who seemed to catch him twice but while referee John Brooks didn’t want to point to the spot in front of the Trent End again, we all know that Everton’s captain is no diver.

Ben Godfrey 6

Coming in at left-back for Vitalii Mykolenko who missed out through illness, he was booked for a silly challenge on Brennan Johnson by the corner flag when both players were both off the pitch but offered more physicality than the Ukrainian and running in a game that was up and down.

YOUR SHOUT: Rate the Everton players in the 2-2 draw with Nottingham Forest

Michael Keane 7

Got the flick-on from fellow centre-back Tarkowski to set up Doucoure’s goal as the pair redeemed themselves for being caught flat-footed ahead of the equaliser but when he’s asked to do the meat and drink of a centre-half’s role, he’s a solid performer.

James Tarkowski 6

Played his part in the equaliser, heading on Pickford’s free-kick upfield to Keane and was involved in fiercely-competitive aerial battle with former Burnley team-mate throughout as well as being booked for a late slide challenge on Renan Lodi and couldn’t get close down Johnson enough when Forest drew level again.

Idrissa Gueye 6

Thankfully no nightmare moments like at the Emirates but after getting himself forward from his usual anchor man role to tee up what could have a third Everton goal, his low cross lacked quality in a key moment.

Abdoulaye Doucoure 7

Dominant display in a frantic engine room, he found himself as Everton’s furthest man forward to restore their lead with a close range header with what was his first goal since September 2021, it was unfortunate that he gave the ball away in the move that led to Forest’s second equaliser.

Amadou Onana 6

Showed some silky touches but the rough and tumble of this up-tempo battle didn’t seem to suit the Premier League rookie’s game and he was unable to make his own physicality count.

Alex Iwobi 6

Up and down the right flank, he displayed the energy levels required in this kind of match but could have done with showing a bit more composure in tight spaces.

Dwight McNeil 7

Another bright and inventive display down the left wing, he kept Forest on their toes with a clutch of crosses, won the penalty when being caught by Jonjo Shelvey and forced Keylor Navas to tip over a long range effort.

Demarai Gray 7

Playing as a false nine in what was his first start under Sean Dyche, he held his nerve to coolly send Keylor Navas the wrong way from the penalty spot, dispatching his effort to the keeper’s left, but squandered a good chance to net his second and Everton’s third when snatching at shot when in time and space just before the break and was booked for his part in a melee in the second half.

Tom Davies (on 88 for Iwobi)

Booked late on.

Neal Maupay (on 88 for Gray)

Cameo up front.

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