Everton: Full Report Card for Every Position for October
October has been Everton's best month of the season so far.
Two wins, two draws and a loss represent the club's most productive period and suggest Roberto Martinez's side are back in business following an inconsistent start.
Wins against Aston Villa and Burnley have revived their Premier League campaign, while a pair of away draws in the Europa League have strengthened the Toffees' grip on Group H.
The sole defeat came against Manchester United at Old Trafford, which would have resulted in a draw (at least) were it not for David De Gea's late heroics in goal.
Here's a look back at every Everton player's contribution in October. This article considers only those who featured in this month's schedule, and each player is graded between A+ (exceptional) and E (awful) with 10 possible scores.
September's grades can be found here.
October's Stats
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Games—5 (W2, D2, L1)
1-1 vs. Krasnodar, Europa League
1-2 vs. Manchester United, Premier League
3-0 vs. Aston Villa, Premier League
0-0 vs. Lille, Europa League
3-1 vs. Burnley, Premier League
Players Used—22 (last month: 22)
Most Appearances: Tim Howard, Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Gareth Barry, Romelu Lukaku—5
Goals—8 (last month: 9)
Assists—7 (last month: 4)
Leighton Baines—5, Steven Pienaar—1, Ross Barkley—1
Statistics via WhoScored.com.
Goalkeepers
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Tim Howard
Appearances: 5
Conceded: 4
Grade: B (last month: C+)
After a shaky start to the season, it's been a gradual improvement for Tim Howard over the past few weeks.
Without being spectacular, the American stopper has eased the steady stream of goals conceded in August, shipping just four in five matches during October.
He was most prominent in Krasnodar, making a number of important saves that helped secure a draw.
Full-Backs
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Tony Hibbert
Appearances: 3
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: C+ (last month: D)
In Seamus Coleman's absence, Tony Hibbert has continued to play more of a part than many envisaged.
He was targeted during September's games, especially against Liverpool, but seemed less of an obvious weakness this month.
His most memorable contribution was winning a penalty at Old Trafford, and his best game was against Lille.
Leighton Baines
Appearances: 5
Goals/Assists: 0/5
Grade: A+ (last month: B+)
Everton's leading performer this season has been Leighton Baines, who takes over the mantle from Steven Naismith.
The England left-back is in some of the best form of his career, racking up assists for fun. Currently, no defence seems able to suppress his threat and he's now one short of the most assists of any defender in Premier League history.
His defensive play has also be consistent, with two clean sheets in October, and even a missed penalty at Old Trafford doesn't knock him off a deserved A+ grade.
Tyias Browning
Appearances: 0 (+1 sub)
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: C+ (last month: B)
Tyias Browning made his second career appearance for Everton as a substitute against Manchester United, again offering Martinez more attacking threat from right-back than Hibbert.
His sole outing wasn't as notable as his debut, reducing his grade to average.
Seamus Coleman
Appearances: 2
Goals/Assists: 1/0
Grade: B+ (last month: A)
If anything, Seamus Coleman's two appearances in October confirm his status as one of Martinez's most important players.
His return resulted in two wins, following a five-game absence in which Everton were unable to gain victory.
The right-back was hugely influential in the win over Aston Villa, grabbing his third goal of the season in just his fifth start.
Centre-Backs
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Phil Jagielka
Appearances: 5
Goals/Assists: 1/0
Grade: B+ (last month: B+)
Phil Jagielka has continued on from a positive September, putting his nightmare start to the season behind him.
The club captain has been a mainstay in a team that appears far more defensively resilient than was the case in August.
Jagielka has also continued an unlikely scoring spree, notching a second goal of the season against Aston Villa.
John Stones
Appearances: 2
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: C+ (last month: B+)
Tragedy struck for John Stones in the latter stages of defeat at Manchester United, as the young defender injured himself while landing after a header, putting him on the sidelines for several weeks.
The centre-back had appeared set for a lengthy run alongside Jagielka, though his performances from this month (against Krasnodar and Manchester United) were not as convincing as his previous-month's work.
Antolin Alcaraz
Appearances: 2
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: B+ (last month: D)
Antolin Alcaraz was a surprise selection as Stones' replacement ahead of Sylvain Distin, and the Paraguay international has repaid his manager's faith.
He nullified the threat of Christian Benteke in a clean sheet against Aston Villa and was generally sound in the 3-1 win over Burnley.
Alcaraz's ability on the ball also adds more pace and direction to Everton's passing from the back.
Sylvain Distin
Appearances: 1
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: B (last month: D)
It seems a long road back for Distin at this current juncture.
The 36-year-old will be disappointed not to return to the starting XI following Stones' injury and seems temporarily cast aside following the Toffees' early-season struggles.
He did at least return against Lille and recorded his first clean sheet of the season; a drastic improvement on his previous five outings which had seen 16 goals conceded.
Central Midfielders
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Gareth Barry
Appearances: 5
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: B+ (last month: C+)
Gareth Barry's season has mirrored Everton's, which is an indication of his value to the team.
When the central midfielder plays well, and has a platform to influence a game, Everton rarely lose—which has been the case through much of October.
Barry was key in games against Krasnodar, Aston Villa and Burnley and seems to be moving towards his best form once again.
Darron Gibson
Appearances: 1 (+1)
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: D (last month: C)
It was another stagnated month for Darron Gibson, whose sole appearance of note came away against Krasnodar.
The Ireland international appeared noticeably rusty, conceding possession far too easily and often failing to track midfield runners.
Leon Osman
Appearances: 3 (+1)
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: C+ (last month: D+)
Leon Osman's most prominent month to date has seen him perform in central midfield and as a wide attacker, but we shall grade him here.
The veteran has been steady, without ever providing key contributions or being involved in any dominant passages of play.
Muhamed Besic
Appearances: 2
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: B (last month: C+)
Muhamed Besic put in a couple of decent performances in October, as he continues to find his feet in English football.
The Bosnian was one of Everton's better performers against Manchester United, and was similarly uncompromising in the defensive stalemate against Lille.
James McCarthy
Appearances: 2 (+1)
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: B+ (last month: B)
As with Coleman, McCarthy's return from a minor injury coincided with two wins for his side, emphasising his undoubted value.
He was excellent against Aston Villa, producing a memorable last-ditch challenge with the score at 1-0. He was also similarly confrontational against Burnley, disrupting their midfield and feeding the Toffees' attack.
Wide Midfielders/Attackers
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Christian Atsu
Appearances: 1 (+1)
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: D (last month: D+)
It continues to be a slow adjustment process for Christian Atsu, who is yet to look the part in Everton colours.
The Chelsea loanee's only start saw him hauled off at half-time against Krasnodar, after he left Tony Hibbert double-teamed in defence for most of the opening period.
In attack, he has been brushed off the ball too easily and has contributed little end product.
Aiden McGeady
Appearances: 3
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: C (last month: C)
Aiden McGeady was once again hot and cold in October, unable to deliver any lasting consistency.
Without recording much end product, he seemed Everton's most likely threat against Krasnodar, but his performances against Manchester United and Lille were particularly uneventful.
Steven Pienaar
Appearances: 2 (+2)
Goals/Assists: 0/1
Grade: C (last month: n/a)
Another to return from injury was Steven Pienaar.
The South African looked short of fitness in most outings, and was culpable of losing his man for Manchester United's opening goal in the loss at Old Trafford.
His best work came in a short cameo against Burnley, where he grabbed a late assist.
Bryan Oviedo
Appearances: 0 (+1)
Goals/Assists: 0/0
Grade: C+ (last month: C)
Bryan Oviedo appeared as a late substitute against Manchester United and almost scored, showing exceptional technique to fire in a long-range volley that was somehow kept out by David De Gea.
Other than that, the Costa Rican hasn't been involved, and continues to seek form and fitness after such a lengthy layoff.
Ross Barkley
Appearances: 2 (+1)
Goals/Assists: 0/1
Grade: B+ (last month: n/a)
Everton's boy wonder finally returned to first-team action and provided a timely boost to his side.
His touch and awareness appeared understandably rusty, but his sheer presence adds a new dimension to the Toffees' attack.
He grabbed an assist in a strong return against Villa, though was a little more peripheral against Lille and in a short cameo at Burnley.
Strikers
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Samuel Eto'o
Appearances: 3 (+1)
Goals/Assists: 3/0
Grade: A (last month: C+)
Samuel Eto'o reaches the highest echelon of grades thanks to his two-goal salvo against Burnley.
Those analysing his hunger and enthusiasm to do well for Everton should have no doubts after such a decisive role in the away fixture at Turf Moor.
Eto'o also grabbed the key equaliser in Everton's 1-1 draw in Krasnodar and currently averages a goal every 114 minutes as an Everton player.
Romelu Lukaku
Appearances: 3 (+2)
Goals/Assists: 2/0
Grade: B (last month: B)
For those who continue to question Romelu Lukaku's unconvincing start to the season, the striker is at least scoring—something many previous out-of-form strikers have failed to do for agonisingly long periods at Everton.
Lukaku found the net against both Aston Villa and Burnley, making amends for his error against the Clarets that led to Danny Ings' goal.
His all-round play remains short of his best, but he should only improve as he gradually rediscovers some form.
Steven Naismith
Appearances: 3
Goals/Assists: 1/0
Grade: B (last month: C+)
Steven Naismith's hot streak has cooled, somewhat, but the Scotland international continues to provide bursts of influence.
He added to his goal tally against Manchester United and was unfortunate not to find the net in his other appearances.
Barkley's return has seen Naismith operate from a wider berth, which has affected his contribution.
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