How did we rate Everton’s youth and fringe players as they were edged out by Krasnodar at Goodison Park?
Everton’s 2014/15 Europa League group stage campaign may have ended in the disappointment of defeat to FK Krasnodar at Goodison Park – but Toffees fans will have enjoyed seeing some of the club’s younger and fringe players in action this evening whilst they will also be will aware that European competition will be returning to the club in the new year.
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Roberto Martinez made numerous changes to the side that sealed top spot in the group with victory in Wolfsburg on the last game day, with a number of young players and also some returning from injury featuring. This is how they did:
GK) Joel Robles 4 – Joel has had to be patient as he plays second fiddle to Tim Howard – but did little to suggest he can force his way in here with a poor error for the goal.
RB) Ty Browning 5 – Is a relatively highly rated prospect at Everton but looked like a player who would be more comfortable at centre back.
CB) Antolin Alcaraz 6 – The Paraguayan did okay but was perhaps caught on his heels for the Krasnodar goal.
CB) Garreth Barry 6 – Playing in an unfamiliar centre back position, Barry was Everton’s leader and looked relatively comfortable.
LB) Luke Garbutt 8 – The young full back is the natural successor to Leighton Baines and he was the Toffees’ best player here, providing real quality from the left.
CM) Ryan Ledson 7 – England youth captain Ledson is a highly rated prospect at Everton and the 17 year-old certainly didn’t look out of place here.
CM) Bryan Oviedo 6 – Great to see the Costa Rican back in action after his horror injury, but Oviedo is clearly a long way off full fitness.
ARM) Christian Atsu 4 – His miserable loan spell at Everton continued after he limped off after just 11 minutes.
ACM) Conor McAleny 6 – Youth team product McAleny grew into the game after being shifted out to the right wing early on.
ALM) Steven Pienaar 6 – Showed some neat touches, but as one of the senior players on show he perhaps didn’t affect the game enough.
SC) Arouna Kone 7 – A display that will give heart to Roberto Martinez – Kone worked hard and looks to be getting back to something approaching full fitness.
SUB) Kieran Dowell 6 – Came on for Atsu early on and, for a 17 year-old making his debut, didn’t looked out of place.
SUB) Chris Long 6 – The young striker came on for McAleny in the closing stages and had one or two dangerous runs.
SUB) Gethin Jones 6 – Was thrown on right at the end for a bit of first team experience at right back.
MAN) Roberto Martinez 6 – His job was done in this competition, but the Spaniard will be cheered by the displays of Kone, Ledson and Garbutt in particular.