Jordan Pickford – 6
Didn’t have to pull off anything special as his defenders snuffed out any irregular Arsenal threats, but did the basics well when needed and his distribution was strong too, always providing an option when his defenders were under pressure on the ball.
Seamus Coleman – 8
Coleman justified his Premier League Player of the Month for March nomination with another great performance, providing an outlet down the right in linking up with Richarlison as well as performing his defensive duties with confidence to spare. One particular highlight was showing Alex Iwobi the outside before holding off the Nigerian and shepherding the ball out of play for a goal kick to shouts of ‘sixty grand’.
Phil Jagielka – 8
Jagielka came in at the last minute for the ill Michael Keane, and showed no signs of age when scoring what turned out to be the winning goal from a Lucas Digne throw-in. A strong performance from the captain, who was rarely troubled at the back.
Kurt Zouma – 7
Despite nearly giving away an early penalty with a late challenge on Alexandre Lacazette, Zouma was typically solid throughout when Arsenal looked to get on the front foot, marking zonally well from corners as well as providing an aerial threat up the other end of the pitch.
Lucas Digne – 7
Everton’s most consistent performer in a rather inconsistent season for the team was reliable yet again today, despite getting his fair share of kicks from the Arsenal players. The Frenchman never let that affect him though, always looking to whip the ball into the box as well as putting himself about well at the back. That long throw of his really could prove a weapon for Everton going forward.
Idrissa Gueye – 7
Gana made it easy for his centre-halves, cutting up Arsenal’s forward play throughout. Although he mainly left it to his midfield partner to take the ball forward today, he was a crucial part of a great win for Everton.
Andre Gomes – 8
Gomes was majestic again today, spraying out forty-yard passes as well as having Arsenal players bounce off him when shielding the ball. Convincingly the best midfielder on the pitch; he has to be signed up for Everton to crack on in this same way next season.
Gylfi Sigurdsson – 7
Gylfi grew into the game but worked hard throughout, seeing much more of the ball after the interval and fashioning many a chance to double his side’s lead with some spectacular efforts.
Richarlison – 7
Had a spectacular effort of his own with a bicycle kick which he couldn’t quite connect with in the lead up to the goal, but that was pretty much his first-half highlight. Arsenal’s defenders couldn’t catch him in the second half though, and he could have settled the game with a few clear-cut chances including one where he had plenty of time inside the box but slipped. Still, a vital cog in this flying Everton attack.
Bernard – 8
A serious contender for man of the match – Arsenal’s defenders desperately struggled to deal with the sheer trickery of Bernard. Fantastic on the ball, pulling off some show-reel flicks, but missed a great chance when in on the goalkeeper in the second half. It didn’t get him down for long, though, and we are starting to see the best of the classy Brazilian.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin – 8 MOTM
Man of the match. His pace running in behind Sokratis and Shkodran Mustafi had them scrambling throughout, as well as his working of the channels and hold-up play. The youngster is quite clearly becoming the centre-forward we’ve been craving since Romelu Lukaku left. Calvert-Lewin didn’t tire at all, and continued his blistering sprints right through to the final whistle.
SUBS
Theo Walcott (Richarlison, 79) – 7
Clearly had a point to prove against a club where he spent twelve years of his career, putting in a couple of good crosses as well as having a great shot blocked by Sokratis.
Ademola Lookman (Bernard, 88) – N/A
Caused problems with his direct dribbling late on.
Tom Davies (Sigurdsson, 90+1) – N/A
Threw himself about for the final minutes in his No. 10 role, clattering into most of the opposition players in the four minutes he was on the pitch as well as Calvert-Lewin.
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