Bournemouth vs Everton Player Ratings: Jack Grealish 8.5/10 Rated as His Solo Striker Snatches Gritty 1-0 Victory

In a contest that was more about grit than glamour, Everton carved out a crucial 1-0 victory over AFC Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium. This was a classic smash-and-grab away performance. A real trench warfare battle in the Premier League that wasn't always easy on the eye.

The match was a tense, cagey affair for large periods. It felt destined for a goalless draw. That was until a moment of decisive quality in the 78th minute. A swift counter-attack saw Carlos Alcaraz set up Jack Grealish, who unleashed a superb strike from outside the box to seal the three points.

From our perspective, it was a game won by defensive solidity and clinical finishing. AFC Bournemouth certainly had their chances, forcing Jordan Pickford into a couple of vital saves. But the Toffees' backline, led by the ever-reliable James Tarkowski, stood firm against the pressure in this match. It was the kind of hard-earned win that defines a season. Here are the Sportsdunia's Bournemouth vs Everton player ratings.

Everton Player Ratings vs Bournemouth

Check out the Everton player ratings for the Bournemouth vs Everton fixture.

Goalkeeper

Jordan Pickford - 7.5: A commanding presence. He was there when his team needed him most, making two crucial saves inside the box. What stood out was his sharp stop from Semenyo in the second half. Distribution was a bit hit-and-miss, but his primary job was to keep the ball out of the net, and he did that perfectly to earn his clean sheet.

Defenders

James Tarkowski - 7.0: A proper captain's performance from the centre-back. He organized the defense with authority, won his aerial battles and made a series of important clearances. He was composed, strong, and led by example. A typically solid and no-nonsense display.

Jake O'Brien - 6.5: A steady partner for Tarkowski. He did his defensive duties without any major errors and was surprisingly creative, setting up a couple of chances. He wasn't as dominant as his partner but provided a reliable performance at the back.

Vitaliy Mykolenko - 6.0: A somewhat difficult evening for the fullback. He looked a step off the pace at times and was rightly booked for a cynical foul. He struggled to contain Bournemouth's attacks down his flank and lost possession more than he would have liked. Not his finest hour.

James Garner - 8.0: An absolutely phenomenal all-action performance from the fullback spot. He was a constant threat going forward, whipping in nine crosses and was desperately unlucky to hit the woodwork. Defensively he was just as immense, winning tackles and recovering the ball. He was the highest-rated player for a reason.

Midfielders

Iliman Ndiaye - 6.5: A busy but ultimately frustrating performance. He worked tirelessly but struggled to make a real impact in the final third. His pass completion was solid, but he lost possession too frequently in dangerous areas for our liking. A decent shift but lacked that bit of quality.

Jack Grealish - 8.5: Our man of the match, without a doubt.The difference-maker. For 77 minutes, he was a nuisance, drawing fouls and probing the defense. Then, in one moment of brilliance, he won the game with a fantastic strike from distance. It was the one piece of genuine world-class quality in the entire match.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - 6.5: He saw a lot of the ball and was always trying to make things happen. However, his delivery from wide areas was inconsistent and he seemed to run down blind alleys too often. A willing runner but lacked the final product.

Carlos Alcaraz - 7.5: A creative spark in the Everton midfield. His awareness and quick thinking to set up Grealish for the winner were sublime. He was a constant threat, creating a big chance and blocking shots defensively before being substituted. The yellow card was the only real negative.

Tim Iroegbunam - 7.5: A defensive colossus in the middle of the park. He was an absolute machine, winning an incredible ten duels and making seven tackles. He completely dominated his area of the pitch, breaking up play relentlessly. A truly outstanding defensive midfield display.

Forwards

Thierno Barry - 6.0: A game of 'what ifs' for the striker. He was a physical handful and won a lot of aerial duels but his finishing let him down. He missed a big chance and just couldn't provide the goal his hold-up play sometimes deserved. A frustrating day at the office.

Substitutes

Beto - N/A: Brought on late to add fresh legs and help see out the game.

Dwight McNeil - N/A: Had little time to influence the proceedings.

Manager

D. Moyes - 7.5: A tactical masterclass. He set his team up to be compact, difficult to break down, and lethal on the counter. The plan worked to perfection. His side absorbed pressure and struck at the perfect moment. A classic Moyes away win.

AFC Bournemouth Player Ratings vs Everton

Check out the Bournemouth player ratings for the Bournemouth vs Everton fixture.

Goalkeeper

Djordje Petrovic - 6.5: There was very little he could do about Grealish's precise winner. He made a couple of comfortable saves otherwise and was good with his claims. His distribution could have been quicker, but he wasn't at fault for the defeat.

Defenders

Adrien Truffert - 7.5: By far Bournemouth's best player on the day. He was a rock at the back, making a staggering ten clearances and winning the vast majority of his duels. He was everywhere, putting his body on the line. An exceptional performance in a losing cause.

Bafodé Diakité - 6.5: A decent and tidy performance. His passing was crisp, and he read the game well to make eight clearances. He wasn't spectacular, but he was solid and did his job effectively for the most part.

Álex Jiménez - 7.0: A really positive display from the fullback. He defended stoutly, winning most of his tackles, and offered a good outlet going forward with his crossing. A well-rounded performance that he can be proud of.

Veljko Milosavljevic - 6.0: A difficult day for the defender. He struggled with the physicality of Thierno Barry, losing seven aerial duels. To compound his misery, he missed a golden opportunity with a header from a corner. A day he'll want to forget.

Midfielders

Alex Scott - 6.5: Neat and tidy in possession, keeping the play ticking over. However, he played it too safe and lacked the creative spark to unlock Everton's defense. A solid but unspectacular outing before his substitution.

Tyler Adams - 6.0: A combative but ultimately clumsy performance. He broke up play but also gave away cheap fouls, leading to a yellow card and an error that led to a shot. His energy was good but it lacked control.

Justin Kluivert - 6.0: Showed flashes of his ability but was ultimately disappointing. His decision-making in the final third was poor, and he got booked for a silly foul. From our perspective, he needed to offer much more.

Amine Adli - 5.5: Was largely anonymous throughout his time on the pitch. He struggled to get involved in the play and was more notable for the fouls he committed than any attacking contribution. Rightly substituted on the hour mark.

Antoine Semenyo - 7.0: The brightest spark in Bournemouth's attack. He was a constant menace, testing Pickford with a powerful shot and always looking to run at the defense. He carried the fight for his team but couldn't find the breakthrough.

Forwards

Eli Kroupi - 5.0: A truly forgettable performance. He was completely isolated and barely had a touch of the ball. It was no surprise to see him substituted. From our view, he was the worst performer on the pitch.

Substitutes

Marcus Tavernier - 6.0: Injected some urgency but couldn't provide the moment of magic needed.

Evanilson - 6.5: Looked sharper than Kroupi, immediately getting involved and setting up a chance.

Enes Ünal - 5.5: His main contribution was getting a yellow card shortly after coming on.

Manager

A. Iraola - 6.0: His side was defensively organized for the most part but looked toothless in attack. They struggled to create clear-cut chances against a stubborn Everton defense. He will be frustrated that his team was undone by a single counter-attack.

Sportsdunia's Player of the Match Goes to Jack Grealish