Everton Player Ratings vs Watford: 7/10 Iwobi, Gray lively; Richarlison gets 6

A disappointing Everton side dropped two precious points in the relegation fight, as Watford earned their first home clean sheet of this season.

Alex Iwobi played in a right wing-back position and was considered Everton’s best player. This performance from the Toffees was lacking in intensity and edge to trouble an already relegated Watford side.

Their efforts or lack of it gifted Watford their first clean sheet of the season on home soil, as the Hornets played for pride and did well to stave off any potential attack to thwart the Toffees. Iwobi was the one who looked most likely to do some damage with his movements and contributions to build-ups.

However, none of the Everton attackers had the creative mindset to make good chances for one another or even vastly threaten Ben Foster’s goal. The Toffees cannot be faulted for their defensive display, as they barely allowed the Watford attackers a sniff at their end.

There were still massive stakes in Everton’s survival fight in the game’s context, which many considered definite three points. The Toffees can count themselves lucky as Chelsea thoroughly beat Leeds United, on whom Frank Lampard’s side have a two-point advantage and a game in hand.

Everton have three London sides in Brentford, Crystal Palace and Arsenal to face between now and the end of the season. They will need to secure at least four points from those games to ensure their safety, considering they have a superior goal difference over Leeds United.

Jordan Pickford: 6/10

Pickford must be relieved as he barely had to make any saves here. Compare that to the last two matches, where the Everton goalkeeper put in a tremendous display and the English international will be happy that the Watford attackers failed to get even a single shot on target.

Seamus Coleman: 6/10

Coleman ensured the defence was airtight against Watford throughout the game. The Everton captain picked up an unfortunate booking but was otherwise solid.

Michael Keane: 6.5/10

Keane delivered a performance of clarity and was a presence on both ends of the pitch. He proved to be an aerial threat from set-pieces, but most of Everton’s deliveries disappointed. Back in defence, he won plenty of the ball and offered a cool head whenever called upon, to eliminate any developing attacks.

Mason Holgate: 6/10

Holgate continued his strong run of form by producing another good display at the back. He got booked in the first half, which may have somewhat altered his aggressive style. Despite that, he never let anything pass him at the back.

Alex Iwobi: 7/10

Iwobi was a bright spot in a disappointing Everton performance against Watford. Iwobi was the best Everton player on the pitch, as he constantly threatened to break down Watford with his energy and positioning. However, there is an argument he should have played higher up here, which could have enabled the Nigerian to create more chances.

Vitaly Mykolenko: 6/10

Everton’s back-three provided the defensive outlet and security to allow players like Mykolenko to venture forward, and the wing-back did his job by posing a problem to the opposition. There were a few long-range attempts to show for his cause, but nothing to trouble Ben Foster’s goal.

Fabian Delph: 7/10

A robust display from the experienced midfielder, who got stuck in with several tackles and won the ball whenever called into action. Delph was efficient in possession, and despite all the security he provided on the ball, Everton were surprisingly static ahead of him.

Abdoulaye Doucoure: 6/10

Doucoure made himself useful in midfield, and Delph’s protection on the ball allowed him to make his driving runs into the final third areas. While there were few positive moments, the midfielder could not threaten the opposition with chances or score a goal.

Anthony Gordon: 6.5/10

Gordon was involved in a few lively moments in both periods but lacked the end product. He, like the other Everton attackers, was very much static in his movements and intensity.

Demarai Gray: 7/10

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A hard-working display from the winger, who constantly caused problems for the opposition backline with his tricky movements and pace. Gray should have scored in the second half, but a fantastic chance went begging. There were others like a long-range effort, which barely troubled Foster.

Richarlison: 6/10

Richarlison was not creating things himself and relied heavily on his teammates for service. Those chances never came as Everton were too static to create realistic opportunities for the Brazilian.

SUBSTITUTES

Dominic Calvert-Lewin: 5/10

Lampard brought on Calvert-Lewin for Gray and moved Richarlison to the left, hoping to change the dynamics of his side’s otherwise disappointing attack. The English striker barely influenced proceedings as the game edged towards a draw.

Allan: 5/10

Allan replaced Delph as Lampard wanted to create more chances for his attackers. The Brazilian barely impacted the game as the clock ticked to its eventual conclusion.