Everton vs Manchester United Player Ratings: Little output in front of goal extends winless streak at home | OneFootball

Everton failed to create enough meaningful chances and a 1-0 loss to Manchester United extended their winless streak at Hill Dickinson Stadium. They haven’t won at the waterfront venue in their last six games.

A lightning-quick counter-attack led by Bryan Mbeumo and finished off by Benjamin Sesko caught David Moyes’ backline committed high up the pitch. Chances for the hosts were few and far between and Everton’s overall game lacked pace and precision.

They have dropped to ninth in the league standings following this result.

Here are the player ratings from Everton’s 1-0 loss to Manchester United at home:

Jordan Pickford: 7

The scoreline would’ve looked worse without Pickford making a stellar save off Amad early in the game. He also pushed away Dalot’s dangerous-looking cross but there’s little the Everton goalkeeper could’ve done to prevent Sesko from converting his 1v1. He also denied Sesko twice from a similar position in the closing stages of the contest.

James Garner: 7

Garner was picked to delegate at right-back to replace the suspended Jake O’Brien for this clash. He made a crunching tackle on Cunha early in the game to retrieve possession and threatened from set pieces. Garner was more involved in the second half.

James Tarkowski: 7

Tarkowski was forced into action early on and had to make that crucial goalline clearance after Pickford’s initial save off Amad. He also made a great interception off Bruno and was a constant menace during corner-kicks. Tarkowski, though, was completely beaten for pace by Sesko on the counter-attack that led to the United goal.

Michael Keane: 5.5

To be fair to Keane, he was never going to come out on top in the 1v1 footrace with Bryan Mbeumo however, he could’ve probably angled his body better to prevent Mbeumo from playing the pass to Sesko. Keane also brought out a fantastic save off Lammens with a left-footed shot from distance.

Jarrad Branthwaite: 6

Forced to play out of position at left-back over Mykolenko, Branthwaite’s start to the game was shaky. However, he started growing into the role in the second half and tried to offer an outlet on the left with forward runs.

Idrissa Gana Gueye: 5

Gana misplaced a straightforward pass to Ndiaye in the first half which could’ve led to a dangerous United counter-attack through Cunha. He was also slow and was pegged back all game, not able to influence proceedings up the pitch. Gana’s hopeful shots from distance were either blocked or sliced wide off the target.

Tim Iroegbunam (replaced by Beto at 79’): 5

Iroegbunam could’ve dealt better with Mbeumo’s cross into the box that led to the chances for Cunha and Amad. He also gave possession away cheaply on a couple of occasions but showed a lot of energy with his runs and tackles.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall: 6

Dewsbury-Hall failed to recreate his performance that led to the win at Old Trafford. Everton’s number 22 kept probing and continued to show for the ball, but the execution didn’t always come off. The majority of Everton’s attacks went through him in the second half but Dewsbury-Hall just couldn’t generate the final product or pass and was even wasteful on a few occasions.

Iliman Ndiaye: 6

Didn’t have a major impact in the first half. Got more involved in the second, but his passes and deliveries into the box lacked their usual precision.

Thierno Barry: 5

Pressed really well against United and almost had a chance after catching Lammens off guard from the first kick of the game. He was full of running but didn’t have any clear cut chances to capitalise on.

Harrison Armstrong (replaced by Tyrique George at 72’): 5.5

Armstrong found himself with a great chance in the box early in the second half after being found by Dewsbury-Hall. However, his shot was aimed straight at the keeper. Armstrong was also forced to play wing-back for much of the game to help out Branthwaite with Dalot and Amad’s threat down that flank.

Playing the midfielder out on the wing also reduces the kind of direct threat that Everton are able to generate and the offense looked much better when Tyrique George came on.

Substitutes:

Tyrique George: 5.5

Came on and brought more intensity to Everton’s offence with his speed and direct runs towards the United’s defence. Tested Lammens from distance but failed to make the best of a chance that fell to him at the backpost in the closing stages.

Beto: 5

Barely had a touch on the ball.

Reader Comments (47)

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Tony Abrahams 1 Posted 24/02/2026 at 07:12:47

If we scored a goal out of one of the ten corners we had, then I think a few of these marks would have been a bit higher, simply because I thought we gave the in-form team in the Premier League a very good test.

The corners began to frustrate me, but this is what you get with a David Moyes team. Loads of effort but not much variation, although I definitely thought we deserved at least a point for those efforts last night.

Paul Murray 2 Posted 24/02/2026 at 07:16:33

Tarks 7 🥱

Jim Bennings 3 Posted 24/02/2026 at 07:18:32

I can't really argue with many of those ratings... quite accurate for once.

They competed quite well but the lack of decision-making and the poor end product on the final ball is a book we've read time and time again.

Last night the expectancy was on Ndiaye, Dewsbury-Hall as being chief creators but it just didn't look like happening for either player.

Ndiaye can't seem to play two halves of football anymore... I don't know why.

Iroegbunam and Gana is not a midfield that will ever create or produce goals and that's pretty much what we got. I don't see either as long-term Everton midfielders, to be honest with you.

People will say the striker was isolated but again, Barry just doesn't do enough for me, doesn't anticipate enough and give defenders enough of a hard time... but that's not something we are only just learning.

Martin Reppion 5 Posted 24/02/2026 at 07:25:19

I couldn't argue with the selections, tactics or substitutions.

However,12 identical corners reminded me of the saying that madness is doing the same thing repeatedly and expecting a different result.

Once Beto came on, he and Barry should have decided which one would attack the near post. One frustrating ball in was cut out with both attacking the back post.

On the marks, I think you are a bit tight on Keane, who aside from the goal was solid and also, as usual, looked like our best centre-forward and Dewsbury-Hall, who had a far better game than your 6 suggests.

It was frustrating, but at least we always felt in the game, unlike many performances against strong opposition. And finally, the charge down from Barry in the opening seconds could have gone anywhere and changed the whole scenario.

Christy Ring 6 Posted 24/02/2026 at 08:02:44

Garner deserved an 8 playing out of position.

How did Tarkowski deserve a 7, nowhere to be seen when his man Sesko scored. Gana 4, Tim 4.

Neil Cremin 8 Posted 24/02/2026 at 08:18:17

I think the 5 for Keane is harsh and the 7 for Tarkowski generous, both a 6 for me. Keane had our best chance at goal.

For me, we went for the win in the second half and paid the price by leaving ourselves vulnerable to the counter. Barry is a china doll who needs to toughen up but, to be fair, how many crosses went into him when we began to dominate the second half?

Brainthwaite, Dewsbury-Hall, Gana, Armstrong and Ndiaye provide very poor crosses into the area. I thought Gana covered a lot of ground and he did what we expect him to do. Iroegbbunam did okay, sloppy in passing, but bust a gut when he did lose a ball to recover it.

Finally, our corner tactics were disgraceful. Don't know if we have a set-piece coach but our efforts at trying to neutralise the skill of Lammens claiming corners seems to be born out of our own keeper's inability to do the same. No thinking outside the box.

Rob Beattie 9 Posted 24/02/2026 at 08:35:55

Why is Armstrong playing wide, we had Dibling and George on bench?

Idrissa is past his sell-buy. He's been brilliant for us but past it. Aznou and Rohl have brilliant games then are not see again. Moyes is failing with the best squad we've had for a while.

Tarkowski and Keane have been good but their lack of pace was totally exposed. Where is Alcaraz? Moyes is gonna cost us good players and you can't blame them for leaving.

Neil Cremin 11 Posted 24/02/2026 at 08:41:08

Rob,

What game did Aznou have a brilliant game?

Surely you are not talking about his cameo against Sunderland?

Paul Hewitt 13 Posted 24/02/2026 at 08:49:54

Moyes's score is a big fat Zero.

Paul Griffiths 14 Posted 24/02/2026 at 08:50:14

Tarkowski 7 😂😂😂😂

Rob Beattie 16 Posted 24/02/2026 at 08:52:30

Neil,

Yes, mate, I'm talking about the 20 minutes vs Sunderland.He showed enough then for me. The kid's got talent... we're gonna lose him. (Bayern weren't happy losing him.)

#MoyesOut

Paul Griffiths 17 Posted 24/02/2026 at 08:54:46

Anjishnu, your player ratings are a low point on your click site. Let an Evertonian - MK -do it FFS. How shite is this site now.

John Collins 18 Posted 24/02/2026 at 08:55:15

Man Utd's goal is a perfect example of how we have fucked up by not buying two full-backs.

The sooner the two centre-backs are replaced by O'Brien and Branthwaite, the better.

Tony Hughes 19 Posted 24/02/2026 at 08:56:30

Agree on the corners, Neil. No invention and just tried to bulldoze the ball into the net.

Even if we would've scored, you're leaving yourself wide open for VAR to find something to disallow it with all the pushing and pulling going on.

Paul Hewitt 20 Posted 24/02/2026 at 08:59:07

PG. Bit harsh mate.

It's individual choice on what you think the scores are. No one is right or wrong.

Ian Pilkington 21 Posted 24/02/2026 at 09:00:16

5 for Barry? Yes he did a lot of running; like a headless chicken as usual. He is as mediocre as his manager who rewards his uselessness with a start week after week.

Mind you, the buffoon in the Echo gave him 6!

Paul Griffiths 22 Posted 24/02/2026 at 09:02:33

But PH, wouldn't you want an Evertonian like you doing it, mate?

Paul Hewitt 23 Posted 24/02/2026 at 09:10:07

But you still won't agree 😆

Joe McMahon 24 Posted 24/02/2026 at 09:10:32

Can we have a rating for the Manager? 0.

If Moyes had prime Diego Maradona, he'd keep him on the bench, giving him 10 minutes to win us the game...

Sick to my back teeth of this fraud. He's stuck in a different era.

Stu Gre 25 Posted 24/02/2026 at 09:10:37

I think Davey can rightly point at a decent away record and say his tactics work. We are 6th in the table on away results.

But his stubbornness is costing us at home. Please try something different, we won't get into Europe with our home form, so try and change it.

Those players who you don't think are good enough -- Dibling, Anzou, Rohl, Patterson -- cannot do any worse than your favourites.

Please make home games enjoyable.

Paul Griffiths 26 Posted 24/02/2026 at 09:14:16

Pickford 6.8 Garner 7 Tarkowski 5 Keane 5.4 Branthwaite 5.5 Gana 4 Iroegbunam 5.1 Dewsbury-Hall 5.5 Ndiaye 5 Barry 5 Armstrong 6.5

Paul Hewitt 27 Posted 24/02/2026 at 09:22:20

What's the difference between a 5.5 and a 5.1?

Tony Hughes 28 Posted 24/02/2026 at 09:33:21

Joe, if we had prime Maradona, he'd be the best right-back we've ever had!

John Collins 29 Posted 24/02/2026 at 09:57:52

We will be in the bottom half of the table after the weekend's games.

I would be very surprised if we got back into the top half this season.

Les Callan 30 Posted 24/02/2026 at 10:10:02

John, we won’t. We’ll be lucky to escape the drop.

Mark Murphy 31 Posted 24/02/2026 at 10:18:13

Patterson at right back, Garner in midfield instead of Gana and George starting on the left last night and we win that.

Drop Tarkowski, Keane and Gana asap. They're so last season!

Neil Cremin 32 Posted 24/02/2026 at 10:44:16

Rob,

I didn't realise I was your mate, however, from what I saw of Aznou, and he was just in front of me at the game, was a player full of enthusiasm, trying to prove something. But he was all huff and puff, lost the ball a few times, fell over in the box and we got a very soft penalty.

That being said, if I may presume that he would come in in place of Mykolenko, then the questions are, can he defend, can he cross a ball? For me none of those questions were answered in his cameo.

Yes, I would like to see what he is made of and, if I were Moyes, the only option is to see if he can play both in attack and defence as a wing back with 3 centre-backs.

For balance, Patterson had a very good game that day and I would prefer that he be picked instead of O'Brien. I agree with you that Rohl did enough in the Villa game to get a start.

Yes, I am also frustrated with Moyes's lack of imagination and trying things out but, for me, last night we had a poor Man Utd there for the taking if we: 1. Could provide accurate crosses.2. Could be more creative in set pieces.3. (Dare I say it) Committed to all-out attack which left us vulnerable at the back.

I could see Moyes clearly on the sideline encouraging us to play forward and that was before they scored and we were dominant.

Dave Abrahams 33 Posted 24/02/2026 at 10:46:03

Ratings are to the individual's taste, that's why they are so different.

I like Tarkowski but I would be inclined to give him a 0 simply because of the way he leads and enjoys the action at corners — fuckin' sickening to watch... and as someone else said, the manager and coaches deserve the same ‘0' for allowing and condoning this anti-footballing mess.

As Tony (@1) said, we deserved a point simply because Man Utd were as poor as us, with both teams contributing little to enjoy in this game.

John Williams 34 Posted 24/02/2026 at 10:52:41

Man Utd, do they look like Champions League contenders?

The difference in the match, they could bring a £70M striker off the bench and he won the game.

Sadly, Everton can only dream of the above.

Stu Gre 35 Posted 24/02/2026 at 11:13:13

I think Davey can rightly point at a decent away record and say his tactics work. We are 6th in the table on away results.

But his stubbornness is costing us at home. Please try something different, we won't get into Europe with our home form so try and change it.

Those players who you don't think are good enough --Dibling, Anzou, Rohl, Patterson -- cannot do any worse than your favourites.

Please make home games enjoyable.

Mike Powell 36 Posted 24/02/2026 at 11:22:05

Gana and Iroegbunam should've been subbed at half-time along with Tarkowski, they were awful.

Maybe if he had subbed them three, it might've been different... we will never know.

Neil Lawson 37 Posted 24/02/2026 at 11:27:47

Martin (4 & 5)

"Couldn't argue with the team selection or tactics."

We all must presume that Moyes is your uncle or your neighbour. I suspect that 98% of us here would happily "debate" your conclusions. With very nearly the whole squad available, only 4 had to play out of position and 2 of those are our best centre-back (who would have kept pace with Mbuemo) and our best midfielder, who would likely have created some chances for our strikers to miss.

Team selection and tactics were shameful, negative and appalling. Please tell me if I am wrong.

Darren Hind 38 Posted 24/02/2026 at 11:30:26

Here we go again. Tarkowski fails miserably and Keane gets the blame for it. Groundhog Day.

You say Keane was never going to come out on top in a footrace with Mbeumo, but that is exactly what he did. He got goal side of his man and held him up. What else could he have done?

Tarkowski is becoming a caricature of his former self. He had a 2-yard start on the Man Utd scorer and was quite literally left for dead. His behaviour throughout that sequence of corners was excruciating... And you give him a seven???

Getting ridiculous.

Derek Taylor 39 Posted 24/02/2026 at 11:33:27

For all the criticism of full-backs and midfielders, the league table shows our total lack of a finisher is costing dear.

The failure to address this will cost us at least five places by season's end... although TFG may well have budgeted for 14th place, anyway!

John Collins 40 Posted 24/02/2026 at 11:36:56

How many chances did we create for the forwards to miss last night, Derek?

Jim Bennings 41 Posted 24/02/2026 at 11:40:38

The away form is the only saving grace for Moyes so far.

Once that goes, and it inevitably will, there are too many tough games upon the horizon to keep churning wins in all of them, the tide will become harder to swim against.

Fans aren't happy and rightly so with the whole transition of going to a new stadium, which is difficult to get to and from, and it's even more problematic on bloody midweek nights and all they are seeing really now is home failures.

At one time, night games under the lights at Goodison were special occasions, they weren't over frequented like this nonsense we are having this season, and opposition teams dreaded coming to Goodison under the floodlights.

Fans aren't happy, I don't think anyone can say it's been a good transition from Goodison Park to the new stadium. We all expected teething problems, that's a natural occurrence going to any new home, but they are being served less than appealing football, not enough goals; wins and overall entertainment value is low.

It's putting pressure on getting results in every away game. Up to Newcastle on Saturday and frankly, if we play like we did in the first half at Fulham and Brighton, we'll get smashed.

Burnley next Tuesday will be another banana skin on every step, small club coming here with nothing to lose, on a slightly upward curve, it's a fixture that's got Wolves written all over it again.

Tony Heron 42 Posted 24/02/2026 at 12:43:25

Darren @38. Absolutely spot on.

Tarkowski was too far up the pitch, Sesko went past him like he was standing still. Keane did at least enough to prevent Mbeumo from going in direct at goal.

Enough has been said about players being asked to play out of position but can I mention Coleman being on the bench? I'm a big fan of Seamus, a great servant to the club, but I'm afraid as far as being a Premier League player, he's finished. So why is he taking a place up on the bench when we could have had Alcaraz or Aznou there?

As for the corners, as one poster has already said, if we had scored, I feel it would have inevitably been ruled out by the Ref or VAR.

The question for me is whether the modern player is a robot? Programmed to follow out tactics no matter how the game is going? Was there not anyone who was able to think to try something different when the same nonsensical tactic failed time and time again?

I would love to know what goes on at Finch Farm and, in particular, what the coaches do.

43 Posted 24/02/2026 at 13:56:12

Once more, Moyes is blaming the tactics on what he created.

As far as the wrestling from corners goes, it takes two to tango and the deliberate holding a player around the waist with 2 hands that is the tactic of a certain Man Utd player -- but never seems to get punished -- causes what is being called a wrestling match.

Last night's performance was strictly on Moyes's team selection and their performance, and he should be reprimanded by the club and not offering excuses for the team he trained and selected. He is the one responsible for picking players who offer nothing every game, and sends out a team that seem void of direction, tactics and understanding of each other.

It seems that our new owners are not aware of what is going on at the club and rely on people they placed in the boardroom. I think they should understand, it is easier to lose money sliding down the Premier League rather than climbing it.

Everton had got into a decent position in the Premier League but experimental team selection is going to cause more problems than answers and a sign of poor team selection and tactics; it is the responsibility of the manager who definitely failed last night.

The only satisfaction this season from last is we are not fighting against relegation... but that is no excuse for last night's experimental nonexistent performance -- that is on the manager's inept team selection and not worth his inexcusable comments.

We have the pride of Merseyside in a brand new stadium and that is being shamed with performances on the pitch that are fully on the manager's team selection. Their performances have been... let's just say, not very good.

Other clubs have not allowed poor performances to go unnoticed and have made changes; is Everton close to becoming the same?

John Collins 45 Posted 24/02/2026 at 14:00:27

Bill, agree 100%.

Moyes came back to the club nearly 14 months ago. The way he talks in pressers, you would think he took over last week.

Brian Harrison 46 Posted 24/02/2026 at 14:13:55

I've just read a quote from Oliver Holt, a journalist with The Mail. I don't read this rag but I thought he summed things up pretty well.

He described the pre-match welcome led by Everton supporter group 1878s as "spine tingling and concluded that Everton are still searching for home comforts."

"This was the 4th defeat in 6 home games, and for all their industry and endeavour, they are desperately lacking a cutting edge; when they find it, this place will become a fortress."

Paul Griffiths 47 Posted 24/02/2026 at 19:23:54

PH:What's the difference between a 5.5 and a 5.1?

0.4 mate

Ian Wilkins 48 Posted 24/02/2026 at 20:41:04

Tarkowski was poor; Keane not great, but better than Tarkowski.

Bizarre blaming Keane for their goal, he'd done his job, got goal side. Tarkowski floundering behind Sesko was the issue.

I watched the game in a bar with a split audience. Man Utd fans referring to us as Stoke City following the corner kick fiasco.

It did look shocking to be fair. Brainless. Man Utd were very average, as were we. It was a poor game for TV.

Mick O\'Malley 49 Posted 25/02/2026 at 09:20:29

Darren spot on regarding Tarkowski, he's had a head start and was left for dead.

I'm sick of his faux hard man routine, he's more interested in getting snide digs in at corners etc than looking for space,

I can’t stand him, he's a yard dog, honestly can't wait to see him gone

Brian Harrison 50 Posted 25/02/2026 at 09:44:06

Darren 38

I said exactly the same on Mike Kendricks after match post. Tarkowski is no longer fit for purpose and because he is so slow its having a negative impact on how we play. As well as Tarkowski being the main problem for Utds goal, I don't think Branthwaites positioning is great either he is neither looking to go forward or covering a possible break and was in no mans land when the ball was played to Mbeuno. The only one who came out of that scenario with any credit was Michael Keane, he got goal side of Mbeumo preventing him having a shot but couldn't stop him squaring the ball for Sesko to score.

Sadly all Tarkowski wants to do is get into a physical battle and those days are long gone, when in possession it usually ends in either a 40 yard diagonal but mainly its the 30 yard hoof forward that usually runs through to their keeper.

Darren Hind 52 Posted 25/02/2026 at 10:19:30

Mick/Brian

I'm so sick of excuses being made for Tarkowski, But we have to be very careful here.

We have to remember what a tremendous servant he has been for this club. In our darkest hour. He more than anybody personified the defiance which against all odds, kept us afloat. I want to focus on the ridiculous decision to keep playing him more than direct my anger at him personally.

Moyes has previous for damaging a players legacy by playing him for too long. He's not alone. We as a club have been guilty of it for years Remember Reidy ?. Tarkowski's antics the other night made no sense to me at all. The one thing he still has is a prodigious leap. He is very powerful in the air. So why did he keep going onto the opposition line to get himself locked down in an all-in wrestling contest ? Was he acting under instructions ?

He'll still have his moments, but as a dependable Center half He is finished. has been for some time. He needs to be taken out of the firing line or the affection in which he is held by huge sections of the fan base will continue to erode.

The United goal was not on Tarkowski for no longer having the pace. it was entirely on Moyes for putting him in there knowing that to be the case.