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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Joe Thomas

Everton player ratings as James Tarkowski and Isaac Price star in win over Celtic

Everton clinched the Sydney Super Cup after holding Celtic to a goalless draw before winning the penalty shootout that followed.

Celtic dominated possession throughout the match but both sides created chances to win the game in 90 minutes.

Frank Lampard moved to five at the back for the contest - a decision influenced by his depleted options due to international duty and the training ground injury suffered by Tom Davies .

MATCH REPORT: Anthony Gordon scores winning penalty as Everton beat Celtic to claim Sydney Super Cup

INJURY UPDATE: Tom Davies leaves Everton tour of Australia after sustaining knee injury

INJURY UPDATE: Yerry Mina suffers new Everton injury blow in win over Celtic

Everton struggled to control the game - perhaps even less of a surprise when Abdoulaye Doucoure departed at half-time, forcing Lampard to play Dwight McNeil and Anthony Gordon either side of the impressive Isaac Price.

Price was one of the the Blues' standout performers - as well as James Tarkowski and Vitalii Mykolenko, while Asmir Begovic made a number of important saves.

And here's how we rated the players.

Asmir Begovic

Made two brilliant saves from Kyogo Furuhashi, one in each half, and may have got an important touch to a curling Jota free-kick that hit the bar. Dealt with a number of long-range shots - mainly from the free-kicks Everton kept conceding from the edge of their box in the first half. A safe pair of hands once again and wasn't made to work in the penalty shootout.

Nathan Patterson

Booked in the first half for bringing down the lively Jota. Got forward on occasion but with Vitalii Mykolenko enjoying more freedom down the left he often stayed back as cover. Defended well as more came at him in the second half and stepped up and scored his penalty.

Yerry Mina

Played in the middle of the three centre-backs and was strong in the air during a first 45 minutes that saw the defence mainly playing on the edge of its own box. Was hoping to get valuable match fitness but instead faces new injury fears after a hamstring issue forced him off at half-time.

James Tarkowski

Everton's best player. Made a series of important clearances and blocks and was a commanding presence at the back, often sweeping up the danger. He was also one third of the best relationship in blue as he, Mykolenko and Gray combined to escape trouble and set off counter-attacks down the left. Towered above everyone to win a header from a corner and will be disappointed he could only direct it over Joe Hart's goal.

Michael Keane

Like Tarkowski, Keane had a good chance from a corner though, stooping for the ball, it was a difficult opportunity to take. Assured on the right side of the three centre-backs and started the penalty shootout with an emphatic finish.

Vitalii Mykolenko

Had a tough job when Jota and Saed Haksabanovic combined in front of him, the former flashing a dangerous ball across the face of goal after getting free in the early stages of the first half. Grew into the game and presented an attacking threat, setting Neal Maupay free for a one-on-one with a glorious, curling through ball. Got forward again in the second half and flashed a dangerous ball across the box that went unmet.

Isaac Price

Wonderfully composed for a starlet asked to step up in the absence of Tom Davies and other centre-midfielders. Showed a number of promising touches and worked hard to retain possession. One of Everton's best performers - though he was fortunate to escape punishment for a late tackle on Matt O'Riley.

Abdoulaye Doucoure

Struggled to get forward as Everton were forced back and gave away a dangerous free-kick when he delayed a clearance in the first half and saw the ball taken away from him. Everton's most experienced central-midfielder still left on this trip never recovered from a collision with Anthony Ralston that left him limping until he was replaced at half-time.

Demarai Gray

Was involved in a number of nice moves down the left and came close to scoring from deflected shots three times during the game. Posed a threat but his decision to take an extra touch allowed defenders to make covering tackles on each of the occasions he got into dangerous positions.

Anthony Gordon

Caused problems when he carried the ball from deep and played Gray through with a nice ball down the left. Had to play out of position and sit in midfield after Doucoure's injury, limiting his potential to cause problems. Kept his composure to send Joe Hart the wrong way with the crucial penalty.

Neal Maupay

Was involved in some nice pieces of play but was given little chance when trying to compete for long balls spread forward, often in the air. More effective when Gordon and Gray were nearby and he could link up with them. Missed a glorious chance when he was sent through by Mykolenko but could only lob wide of Hart's post. Was unlucky when he later rounded the Celtic goalkeeper but could not keep the ball in player. Finding a way he can link in with Gray and Gordon still a major priority but experimentation became impossible after Gordon was forced to play deeper.

SUBS

Mason Holgate

Came on for Mina and was the player behind the best piece of defending in the match, catching up with Jota and then outmuscling him when he was sent through by a Tarkowski flick.

Dwight McNeil

Like Gordon he had to play out of position when he came on for Doucoure, the two working either side of Price as Everton tried to compete despite not having any senior central midfielders on the pitch.

Ruben Vinagre

Was a late replacement for Mykolenko and tried to get forward. Was unfortunate when he accidentally kept the ball in play in the build up to Celtic's golden chance to win the match with minutes to spare.

Stanley Mills

Had the bravery to step up and take a penalty after his latest cameo for the first team. While he missed it this was another step in the youngster's rapid development.

Tom Cannon

A more direct threat than Maupay, he occupied the Celtic defence well and then kept his cool to score the penalty that placed Everton in command.

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