Everton 1-1 Brighton: Dunk tops ratings for work at both ends
Genuine question – is there a centre back in Europe playing better at this moment in time than Lewis Dunk? The Albion captain was magnificent at both ends of the pitch to top the player ratings as Brighton drew 1-1 away with Everton.
Defensively, Dunk dealt expertly with the threat posed by Dominic Calvert-Lewin – a striker who has caused Brighton plenty of problems in the past.
Going forward, Dunk scored a magnificent volley so good that even the finest strikers in the world would be proud of it.
To see it ruled out for offside because VAR found a arm hair from Evan Ferguson – who was not involved in any way, shape or form in terms of interfering with play – highlighted everything wrong with video technology.
Dunk then hit a direct free kick which went in the actual direction of the opposition goal for the second weekend running. Whereas last Sunday it clipped the Fulham crossbar, this time it needed a fine stop from England number one Jordan Pickford to keep it out.
Aside from Dunk, two other players scored higher than a seven. Kaoru Mitoma sparked into life in the second half, eventually causing Ashley Young to divert past Pickford for an own goal equaliser.
Mahmoud Dahoud also enjoyed a promising cameo from the bench in probably his best showing for the Albion so far.
Here are your full Everton 1-1 Brighton player ratings.
Bart Verbruggen – 6.50
In the same week Roberto De Zerbi described Jason Steele as very important and hinted he would no longer be rotating his goalkeepers, Verbruggen returned. Had a touch of the Wayne Hendersons about him in terms of parrying shots straight back to opposition players, including when Everton took the lead through Vitaliy Mykolenko.
Joel Veltman – 6.33
Enjoyed an intriguing battle with Dwight McNeil. The lively Toffees winger escaped a couple of times in the opening 10 minutes and Veltman could then consider himself fortunate not to concede a penalty for a blatant shove in the back. One superb last man tackle prevented McNeil getting a shot on goal in a very dangerous position.
Jan Paul van Hecke – 6.83
Should have done better for the Everton goal, losing Mykolenko and allowing him two shots on target. Other than that, Van Hecke was solid enough. Remains the best option to partner Dunk for now, not that De Zerbi is concerned with his constant rotation of defenders.
LEWIS DUNK – 7.33
Plenty of praise has already been showered on Dunk in the introduction to these Everton 1-1 Brighton player ratings. In addition to all that, he frequently turned over possession and was able to display his supreme range of passing with Everton sat back. Getting better and better with age.
James Milner – 6.17
It was something of a strange tactical setup from De Zerbi as Milner and Pascal Gross almost shared left back duties. Milner against Young down the flank at times was akin to watching two aging wrestlers go at it in a retirement match at WrestleMania.
Pascal Gross – 6.17
Delivered the pinpoint free kick which Dunk volleyed beyond Pickford before VAR stuck its beak in. Came into the game more in the second half, although he maybe should have done better when skying an opportunity from inside the box a long way over the bar.
Billy Gilmour – 5.83
A disappointing afternoon for Gilmour. He struggled in the middle of the park with his only successful passes going backwards or sideways. Dahoud proved much more enterprising when taking over just past the hour mark.
Simon Adingra – 6.17
Sean Dyche had done his homework and as well as sitting his Everton side in deep to prevent Brighton passing their way through, he also double marked both wingers. Whereas Mitoma was eventually able to overcome such tactics, Adingra’s lack of experience meant he struggled to get into the game. No shame in that and he should be better for the experience.
Adam Lallana – 5.50
Having run the show in the draw with Fulham a week earlier, this was a much more subdued affair. Made way at half time for Joao Pedro as De Zerbi sought a different way to break down the Toffees.
Karou Mitoma – 7.17
One of those players who only needs a minute of inspiration to turn a game around. Waited patiently for Everton to tire before bursting onto the scene by creating two chances late on when the Toffees finally gave him a bit of space. The first was fired over by Gross and the second resulted in the Young own goal.
Evan Ferguson – 6.17
Held the ball up well and brought others into play. Never really had a sight of goal himself at a venue he scored on his full Premier League debut last season.
Joao Pedro – 5.67
Normally such a lively presence from the bench, Pedro struggled to get into proceedings on this occasion after his introduction at number 10. Slightly improved when pushed further forward after Ansu Fati replaced Ferguson.
Ansu Fati – 6.17
Still awaits his first Premier League start. His willingness to run at opponents provided a very different challenge for a Toffees defence who had been well drilled in how to stop Brighton playing their passing football. There is an argument to be made that Fati should have come on earlier to help break down Everton, although nobody could blame De Zerbi for saving the Barcelona man for Thursday night in Amsterdam.
Mahmoud Dahoud – 7.00
Did a better job at getting the Albion on the front foot than Gilmour had managed. It was Dahoud’s fantastic switch of play which found Mitoma in the space the Japanese Bullet Train needed to create the own goal.
Facundo Buonanotte – 5.67
Replaced Milner in an attacking change as De Zerbi sought an equaliser.
The WAB Player Ratings are formulated using marks out of 10 given by Brighton fans via Twitter. To have your scores included, follow We Are Brighton on Twitter and look out for the player rating thread after each game.
