View: 2/10 new ace terrible, 7/10 surprise MOTM on dismal night - Everton ratings v Southampton

Everton were knocked out of the Carabao Cup on penalties by Southampton after a scruffy 1-1 draw at Goodison Park.

Abdoulaye Doucouré put the Toffees ahead when he nodded Michael Keane’s header home in the 20th minute after a deep corner, and Jesper Lindstrom squandered a huge change to double the lead soon after.

An unmarked Taylor Harwood-Bellis levelled the scores in the 32nd minute after Roman Dixon gave away a free kick to be headed in.

Lindstrom again wasted the best chance in a low-quality second period as the game went to penalties, where Ashley Young, having escaped conceding a late spot kick in normal time, missed in sudden death to send Everton out.

Here, Goodison News rates the Everton players out of 10 for their performances in the cup.

Joao Virginia – 6

Won’t have done his chances of further games a huge amount of good as he looked nervy on the whole. Nearly caught in possession a few times after being given the nod amid apparent Dyche unhappiness with Jordan Pickford [Alan Nixon, 15 September]. Did make one important save from close range in the second but never looked like saving any in the shoot out.

Roman Dixon – 5

Showed his inexperience. Won some early corners with purposeful bursts forward, including the one which led to the goal, but rash at the back and booked with a late sliding challenge which conceded the free-kick from which the Saints levelled. Gave away another in almost exactly the same place straight after the break and put his side under pressure too often.

Michael Keane – 7 (Man of the Match)

One of the best performers, albeit from slim pickings. Under pressure after rough form while playing every minute of the season so far but largely unchallenged at the back, and assisted Doucouré’s goal with a nice attacking header. Not exactly commanding but did make some important interventions in the second period and Everton would likely have lost in normal time without him. Confident penalty despite his recent difficulties.

Harrison Armstrong makes first Everton start

Jake O’Brien – 7

Largely solid showing at the back to increase questions why Dyche won’t start him in the Premier League and played a key role in the opening goal, keeping the ball in at the back post with a nice flick. Might still be left out of the Premier League side since Keane had one of his better games.

Dwight McNeil – 5

Unsurprisingly uncomfortable in defence. Pressed into action at left-back amid illness and injury he started shakily as he fell over to let Maxwel Corner breeze past him in the opening minutes and didn’t challenge Harwood-Bellis at all for the goal when seemingly the closest man. Probably harsh to criticise him out of position and improved when moved forward but didn’t create much.

Orel Mangala – 6

Looked fairly decent on the ball when he saw it but certainly wasn’t controlling the midfield with the visitors enjoying so much more possession than the Toffees.

Harrison Armstrong (off for Harrison ’62) – 6

Put himself about in his first Everton start and was a disruptive presence out of possession. His burst forward led to Beto’s first real chance but didn’t see much of the ball for most of the game.

Abdoulaye Doucouré scores first Everton goal of the campaign

Abdoulaye Doucouré (off for Iroegbunam ’79) – 6

A relief for him to score his first of the season when his goals have often been so vital under Dyche but still well short of his dynamic best.

Iliman Ndiaye – 7

Immediately looked the most dangerous man for Everton in a lively opening with a nice flick to free McNeil down the left and some driving runs forward, but faded after the opening exchanges in an attritional game.

Jesper Lindstrom – 2

Extremely disappointing. Had three of the clearest openings of the game and got nothing from any. Completely wasted a golden first-half opportunity to double the lead with a tame shot straight at the keeper when clean through and could have squared for an easy finish. Blasted a second guilt-edged chance straight at Alex McCarthy when played in after the break in very similar circumstances. Ran into traffic without making a decision on the third occasion.

Beto struggles in place of Dominic Calvert-Lewin

Beto (off for Young ’62) – 5

Struggled. Went close with the first real chance with a near-post effort knocked behind for a corner but his control repeatedly let him down as he failed to hold up balls forward and kept losing possession. Did produce a vital flick to set Lindstrom away for one major chance that was wasted.

Ashley Young misses penalty in poor game off bench

Substitutions

Jack Harrison (on for Armstrong ’62) – 6

Didn’t make a hugely-telling impact but was at least looking to play forward during a turgid second period.

Ashley Young (on for Beto ’62) – 3

Another very poor showing. Entered to boos from the crowd to free McNeil from purgatory in defence. Very lucky to escape conceding a characteristically reckless penalty in the final minutes which would have ended the game. Only man to miss from the spot with a kick blasted too close to the keeper.

Tim Ireogbunam (on for Doucouré ’79) – 6

Received far more warmly by the Goodison crowd but too easily bypassed when out of possession. Brushed off by Ben Brereton Diaz with ease on the way to a Southampton opportunity. Went close with a header from a corner.

In other Everton news, the reason why Dyche won’t resign has been outlined as sack terms in his contract emerge.

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