An away win in the league at last, and what a brilliant performance it was on our first trip to the Hill Dickinson Stadium last night.
A five-star display and a 4-1 win to send us into next week’s double header at home on a high, with Malick Thiaw’s brace, Nick Woltemade’s lob and Lewis Miley’s strike past Jordan Pickford getting the job done in style.
Here are our marks out of 10 and comments on each Mag involved in Saturday night’s big win…
Ramsdale (7.5) – No clean sheet on his premier league debut but what he provided in possession was transformative for the way we play in possession. There was no hesitation to give him the ball and his distribution was spot on. A particular highlight was a 40 yard pass which completely cut through the Everton press in the second half.
Livramento (8) – Did his reputation as one of the best one on one defenders no harm with a great performance up against Grealish. What was most impressive was that he won the ball cleanly and didn’t give away many stupid fouls. We look a much better team with him at right back.
Thiaw (9.5) – What a performance. Two towering headers which are collectors items based on his scoring record throughout his career! Unflappable in possession and is now one of the first names on the team sheet. German efficiency.
Burn (8) – Completely different player at left centre half. Made some crucial tackles and seemed much more comfortable with Hall outside him. Welcome return to form.
Hall (8.5) – Well on his way to being the best left back we’ve had in the premier league era. Everything he does just oozes class and we’re a completely different side when he’s in it. Offers balance, skill, composure, driving runs and a wicked cross. Needs to stay fit.
Miley (9) – This was much more like the player who burst onto the scene as a 17 year old. Gone was the overly conservative play and in came a confident player who stamped his authority on the game right from the first minute with the assist for Thiaw. Thoroughly deserved his goal and made Pickford look stupid! Away days don’t get much better.
Guimaraes (8) – Occupied in a slightly deeper role and was solid without being overly spectacular but he didn’t need to be as his teammates rose to the occasion. Was given a deserved breather to keep his fresh for the unforgiving festive period.
Joelinton (8) – Best big Joe has looked in a long time. He ran with purpose and bullied the Everton midfield with Iroegbunam mercifully hooked at half time. Looked much more solid in possession too as he can feel the pressure being applied to his place in the starting eleven.
Elanga (8) – This was much more like the player we were expecting, using his pace and offering a real outlet down our right. Finally grabbed his first assist for the season, forced the corner Thiaw scored from and can hopefully use this performance as a platform to kick on for the rest of the season.
Barnes (7.5) – Will be disappointed not to have found himself on the scoresheet but put in a great shift to fully validate the decision to start him over Gordon. Might be a victim of rotation in midweek.
Woltemade (8.5) – Plenty of comparisons have been made with Berbatov and it’s easy to see why after his glorious lob over Pickford. But putting the goal aside and it’s his close control and vision that sets him apart from any other striker in the Premier League. We’ve got a good one here.
Ramsey (6.5) – Had a great opportunity to score but a poor touch took him too wide and made the angle too acute. Seemed to enjoy being deployed on the left wing where he saw plenty of ball.
Willock (7) – Deployed on the right wing and got himself involved but did have a tendency to cut inside into traffic a bit too much. Great asset when fit.
Tonali (NR) – Only on for the final few minutes
Schar (NR) – See above
Gordon (NR) – See above
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