TIM HOWARD. Kept the score down in the first half with several athletic saves to keep the visitors theoretically in the game and had little chance with Torres’s goal. Score 7
TONY HIBBERT. Kept Ryan Babel relatively quiet, keeping him on his less favoured left foot so he couldn’t cut inside and didn’t let himself get exposed too often to the Dutchman’s pace. Score 6
JOLEON LESCOTT. The presence of Dirk Kuyt ensured that the England international was unable to maraud forward as often as usual from left-back and as a result he was unable to exude his normal confidence. Score 6.
JOSEPH YOBO. Something of an experienced campaigner in these matches now, he looked fairly solid in the air but needed all his pace to try and contain Torres. Score 7.
PHIL JAGIELKA. Got back to the basics that have served him well after losing his way late on against West Ham but played as a makeshift centre-forward in the last five minutes. Score 6
PHIL NEVILLE. Operating in a wide midfield role on first the right then the left, the skipper put in a tenacious shift but was left frustrated as his side were unable to get a grip on proceedings and was substituted for Leighton Baines. Score 6
LEE CARSLEY. An early booking put him on the back foot but he continued in his trademark combative style and was somewhat fortunate to avoid further punishment for a couple of subsequent overenthusiastic challenges. Score 6
MIKEL ARTETA. Was switched from his usual position drifting from flank to flank to a more central role. Although he showed plenty of determination, His delivery, especially from set-pieces, wasn’t up to the high standards expected from him and he still doesn’t appear entirely fit. Score 6
STEVEN PIENAAR
Despite recovering from the gastroenteritis that kept him sidelined the previous weekend, tThe diminutive South African, who had enjoyed a season of great promise on loan, produced one of his most disappointing displays of the campaign. Seemed unable to deal with the physical presence of Jamie Carragher who was switched to full-back to deal with him on the left wing. Score 5.
LEON OSMAN. The best of a bad bunch for Everton, His creative skills and close ball control were a rare bright spot for the visitors and he at least tried to work a few openings with a bit of guile and subtlety. Score 7.
AYEGBENI YAKUBU. Totally isolated on his own up front, he soon became frustrated by his lack of opportunities as Sami Hyypia had the measure with him and he started to wander out of position in search of possession, which further quelled Everton’s attacking threat. Score 5.
MANUEL FERNANDES (on 61 for Pienaar). Looked more composed than in recent outings as he managed to avoid any unnecessary surrenders of possession. Score 6.
LEIGHTON BAINES (on 72 for Neville). Will have been dreadfully disappointed to have lost his place in the starting line-up but Enjoyed a bright little cameo down
