Everton celebrate Salomon Rondon’s opening goal against Boreham Wood. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesEverton celebrate Salomon Rondon’s opening goal against Boreham Wood. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
Everton celebrate Salomon Rondon’s opening goal against Boreham Wood. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Everton player ratings, heroes, villains: Salomon Rondon shines but three struggle in 2-0 Boreham Wood win

Everton are into the FA Cup quarter-finals after a 2-0 win over Boreham Wood.

Everton moved into the FA Cup quarter-finals after labouring to a 1-0 victory over Boreham Wood at Goodison Park.

The Toffees were well below their best against the non-league visitors but got the job done courtesy of a second-half double from Salomon Rondon.

Frank Lampard made six changes from last weekend’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City.

Nathan Patterson was handed a debut after arriving from Rangers in January, while Vitaliy Mykolenko was handed the captain’s armband.

Everton created a number of chances in the first half but could not find a away through.

On eight minutes, Mykolenko stung the palms of Wood keeper Taye Ashby-Hammond

Two minutes later, Abdoulaye Doucoure steered wide before Jarrad Branthwaite also missed the target on 15 minutes.

Anthony Gordon finally produced a save from the visiting stopper with a curling effort from outside the box but it was easily dealt with.

Rondon missed a gilt-edged opportunity to break the deadlock in the 51st minute when he headed over the bar.

But the striker atoned for his error by opening the scoring six minutes later. Jonjoe Kenny slipped in a neat ball across the face of goal and Rondon prodded home from close range.

Everton thought they had doubled their advantage in the 71st minute. Anthony Gordon’s shot was headed clear by Connor Stevens but hit Richarlison, who then finished into an empty net.

However, VAR deemed that Richarlison had handled the ball and disallowed the goal.

Yet the Blues would finally book their spot in the last eight when Salomon Rondon headed home a second with eight minutes remaining.

Lampard’s men will next travel to Crystal Palace - and are just one win away from a Wembley appearance.

The heroes

- Salomon Rondon: the striker has been a boo boy among fans since signing from the summer. But his double should do his confidence the world of good. His first goal was instinctive and he rose above everyone for his second. Now needs to use his display as a springboard.

- Jonjoe Kenny: far better in the second half when he was switched to a conventional full-back role. He created space for himself with a give-and-go before slipping in Rondon. Played in three positions in total.

- Taye Ashby-Hammond: the Boreham Wood keeper made a number of saves to keep the score down. Should be proud of his display.

The villains

- Andros Townsend: his cross led to Rondon’s second goal. But Towsend’s radar, for the most part, was way off. Overhit too many crosses - especially in the first half.

- VAR: a bizarre decision to rule out Richarlison’s goal. How was he supposed to get out of the way at point-blank range? At least this time, Everton won’t feel need to put in an official complaint.

Begovic 6, Patterson 5 (Richarlison 46; 7), Kenny 7, Keane 6 (Price 89), Branthwaite 6, Mykolenko 6 (Coleman 59; 6), Doucoure 5, Allan 6 (Welch 89), Townsend 5, Gordon 7 (Dobbin 86), Rondon 8.

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