Henry Onyekuru (Galatasaray)
Onyekuru was brought back onto the wing after being tried out up front last week, and appeared more comfortable back in the wide role. He played 77 minutes before being brought off in the 2-2 draw with Rizespor, and made a couple of key passes as well as three shots on target and one off it as well as having one blocked. He made a total of just five passes all game, though.
He was brought off the bench at half-time in the Champions League game with Porto with his side 2-1 down, but was unable to make much of a difference as the game finished 3-2. Onyekuru again only made five passes and had a couple of shots off target in another quiet game. Gala didn’t make it out of their group, but Onyekuru insisted they will be ready for the Europa League.
Nikola Vlasic (CSKA Moscow)
Vlasic was back on top form for his side’s 2-1 win over Yenisey, scoring the opening goal as well as creating a couple of big chances. He covered a lot of ground and was key to CSKA’s attacking play, but insists that if the decision was up to him at the end of the season, he would stay in Russia and not return to Everton.
He performed strongly again in CSKA’s surprise 3-0 win over Real Madrid in the Champions League at the Bernabeu, assisting the final goal and having a few decent shots himself. Can we tempt him back?
Kevin Mirallas (Fiorentina)
Mirallas came off the bench to score a late equaliser in a dramatic 3-3 draw with Sassuolo, playing the final fifteen minutes and rescuing a point for La Viola and bagging his first goal for the club.
Sandro Ramirez (Real Sociedad)
Sandro was brought on at half-time to help get his side back in the game as they trailed Real Valladolid 1-0, and put in a positive performance, working hard to get his side back into the game. However, they went on to lose 2-1 and Sandro had five shots off target and one blocked. He won six of his seven duels, though.
Matthew Pennington (Ipswich Town)
Pennington looked to play calmly out from the back as usual in a 2-0 defeat to Stoke, and made a few good interceptions but couldn’t prevent the loss.
Luke Garbutt (Oxford United)
Left on the bench again for the 2-2 draw at Peterborough. Finding chances difficult to come by under Karl Robinson.
Antonee Robinson and Callum Connolly (Wigan Athletic)
Robinson continues his recovery from ankle surgery over Christmas, but we hope to see him back as soon as possible in the new year.
Connolly was called off the bench after just half an hour alongside Darron Gibson after Wigan had gone down to ten men and conceded to Derby at home early on, and played on the right of an emergency back three centre-halves. He played well without having all too much to do, as the game finished 1-0 to Derby. Connolly made a clearance and completed four of six attempted long balls, as well as 65% of his 17 passes.
Ashley Williams and Cuco Martina (Stoke City)
Williams and Martina both played 90 minutes of the 2-0 win against Pennington and Ipswich, with the centre-back putting his foot through eight clearances in a solid performance, often coming out right to cover Erik Pieters. Martina got up and down the right with energy to spare, making a few crosses as well as three clearances.
Muhamed Besic (Middlesbrough)
Besic was sent off after 20 minutes against Blackburn Rovers for pulling Bradley Dack back after losing possession in his own half. The referee waved it away before getting word from one of his officials and sending the Bosnian off. Blackburn scored the resulting free-kick and Boro went on to draw 1-1.
Yannick Bolasie (Aston Villa)
Bolasie started on the right of three attackers again for Villa in their 2-2 draw with West Bromwich Albion, and had a couple of shots off target when eagerly running down the wing without actually creating all too much. He did put one on a plate for Tammy Abraham, though, which the striker missed.
Joe Williams (Bolton Wanderers)
Williams was even more tenacious than usual for Bolton in their 3-2 loss to Norwich City, which is saying something. He got about the pitch excellently, engaging in 20 duels and winning 14. He also had an 84% passing accuracy in a typically energetic performance, and was arguably his team’s best player.
Williams must be commended for this endeavour, among Bolton’s current financial situation of being unable to pay their players. Excellent attitude from the Everton prospect.
– Tom
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