Everton player ratings as Michael Keane brilliant and another excellent in vital win at Ipswich
Everton recorded their first away win in 10 months as a couple of first half goals were enough to see off newly promoted Ipswich Town and ensure that the big-spending Suffolk outfit’s 22-and-a-half year win for a Premier League victory of their own continues. Although the kick-off was delayed by 15 minutes because of an IT problem that prevented spectators from accessing the turnstiles, Sean Dyche’s side got their job done early on.
Iliman Ndiaye, who had overcome an injury scare while on international duty, fired Everton in front at Portman Road on 17 minutes as he crashed the ball into the net after Wes Burns had dallied in defence under pressure from Vitalii Mykolenko. Centre-back Michael Keane then showed his ability for finishing again – this time on his weaker left foot – by doubling the visitors’ advantage on 40 minutes as he despatched from a similar position in emphatic fashion.
In between, the hosts had initially been awarded a penalty when Jack Clarke tumbled to the turf but referee Michael Oliver was invited by VAR to check his pitchside monitor and overturned his original decision.
READ MORE: Premier League statement on Ipswich penalty after Everton decision overturned
READ MORE: Ipswich Town vs Everton LIVE - final score, watch Ndiaye and Keane goals, Dyche reaction
Jordan Pickford 7
Hardly had a save to make until substitute Conor Chaplin’s late scuffed effort but kept his cool throughout, even when he came racing out of his goal like a real-life ‘FIFA’ goalkeeper to thwart an Ipswich attack and while it was some quick thinking on his part, it almost proved a bit much for Jack Harrison.
Ashley Young 7
Everton’s oldest-ever outfield player used all his nous and experience to keep the Premier League new boys at bay having been switched to right-back and looked solid in possession.
Vitalii Mykolenko 7
Strong display on his return, he defended well while getting forward to good effect, applying the pressure on Wes Burns to allow Ndiaye to nip in and score.
James Tarkowski 7
Organised his defence well with a dominant display having come through another of his ‘hard man moments’ by infuriating home fans with a meaty challenge on Hutchinson.
Michael Keane 9
Doubled Everton’s lead with a sublime finish – with his left foot – in what was a truly magical moment and was dominant in the air throughout despite having earlier been booked for a foul on Omari Hutchinson to concede a free kick in a dangerous area.
Idrissa Gueye 7
Restored to the engine room, he was a strong presence in front of Everton’s back four and used the ball well.
Abdoulaye Doucoure 7
Provided plenty of hustle and bustle early on, being deployed deep alongside Gueye before adopting a clever, more measured approach in the second half.
Jack Harrison 7
Often got himself into dangerous areas and did well to put in the cross that caused confusion in the Ipswich area, leading to Everton’s first goal but hearts were in mouths when he struggled to deal with a pass from Pickford who had raced out of his area.
Dwight McNeil 7
Worked hard and showed some nice touches even if he spurned a chance to open the scoring by taking an extra touch but did a nice turn and pass to fashion the second and escaped being penalised for the penalty as Jack Clarke tumbled to the ground, only for a VAR check to overrule the decision.
Iliman Ndiaye 8
A box of tricks again, he looked lively throughout, running at defenders, and was quick to capitalise on Wes Burns’ hesitation at the back post and smash the ball into the roof of Arijanet Muric’s net to fire Everton ahead.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin 7
Spurned two golden opportunities, the first having done the hard work, robbing Luke Woolfenden of possession to create an inviting one-on-one chance and the second with virtually the last kick but showed his class with his general play in terms of giving Ipswich’s makeshift defence the runaround as they were outfought and outthought.
Orel Mangala (on 81 for Ndiaye)
Brought on for a late cameo to keep things ticking over and see out the win as he replaced Everton’s first scorer.