Everton's FIFA World Cup 2010 Performance

In order of their Everton Squad Number...

Jan Mucha (Slovakia)

Jan started all four of Slovakia's games as they made it to knock out stage for the first time in the country's history.

The newly signed Everton goal keeper conceded eight goals in four games, but played his part in keeping out Italy's attack in the final 10 minutes of the thrilling encounter that saw the Slovakians knock out the holders with a 3-2 victory.

Mucha then had a mixed game against Holland in the last sixteen, as he produced a string of fine saves before a rush of blood to the head which led to Holland's second goal in the 2-1 defeat.

Overall Rating...7

Joseph Yobo (Nigeria)

Yobo captained Nigeria to a disastrous World Cup campaign. Despite narrowingly losing to Argentina in their first game, the Super Eagles went on to lose against Greece before drawing against South Korea.

Joe marshaled the defensive line solidly against Messi and Co in the first game but the 1-0 score line flattered Nigeria if anything.

The other two games saw Yobo return to the player that attracts criticism at times at Goodison, lethargic and prone to lapses in concentration, it was definitely a World Cup to forget for the central defender.

Overall Rating...4

Johnny Heitinga (Netherlands)

Johnny started every game for the Dutch team that made it all the way to the final only to be defeated by worthy winners Spain, thanks to Andres Iniesta's strike deep into extra time.

There was nothing Heitinga could do about the Spain goal, as he had been deservedly sent off moments earlier for a second bookable offence, however it would be harsh to remember Johnny's performances in South Africa by this solitary event.

Solid if not spectacular, Heitinga typified the Dutch's no nonsense approach and defended courageously to become only the second ever Everton player to appear in a World Cup final.

Overall Rating...8

Tim Cahill (Australia)

The Socceroos had hopes going into the tournament of repeating the success they had in Germany four years earlier and qualifying for knock out stage, but a tough group suggested that this was always going to be a big ask.

Their task was made even harder when Tim was harshly sent off in the 4-0 defeat against Germany, meaning that he would miss the next game against Ghana, which Australia went on to draw 1-1.

Despite returning to open the scoring with a trademark header in the 2-1 victory over Serbia, the damage had already been done by the drubbing at the hands of the Germans, and Australia were out.

Overall Rating...5

Steven Pienaar (South Africa)

Everton's latest contract rebel was given top billing as the hosts' star player and he started all of three of South Africa's group games as they became the first ever hosts', somewhat unluckily, to be eliminated at the group stage of the World Cup.

Pienaar was below par in all three of the group games against Mexico, Uruguay and France and was even substituted in every game by South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira.

However Pienaar's poor displays for the hosts could work in Everton's favour, as the midfielder, who is out of contract at the end of the upcoming season, failed to use the World Cup to show case his talents to potential suitors.

Overall Rating...4

Yakubu (Nigeria)

I've mentioned that Joseph Yobo had a bad World Cup...Yakubu's was worse. Both were part of the poor Nigeria side that was due to be suspended by its own government from international competition, as a result of the team's performance in South Africa.

After two hapless displays in the first two group games, the Yak then provided us with the miss of the tournament when he spurned a chance off his heel from five yards out, with a gaping open goal at his mercy.

Yakubu claimed some redemption shortly after this miss by scoring a penalty but, as comical as his earlier miss may have been, if he does the same at Goodison next year I doubt David Moyes will be laughing.

Overall Rating...3

Tim Howard (USA)

Despite competition from Aston Villa's Brad Guzan, Tim is undoubtedly the USA's number one and started all four of his countries games before being knocked out by Ghana.

After an excellent performance in the opening game against England, Tim was beaten a bit too easily by two Slovenian strikes that led his team to be 2-0 down in a game that the USA fought back to draw 2-2.

A clean sheet against Algeria followed but a solid display against Ghana was not enough to stop the USA falling at the group stage, after Howard was beaten by a Asamoah Gyan strike in extra time.

Overall Rating...6

Honorable mention for Landon Donovan (USA)

The Everton loanee was instrumental in the USA's success in South Africa and all Blues fans will hope to see Landon back in an Everton shirt at some point in the future.

After tormenting England with his set pieces in the first game, Donovan scored the goal that sparked an unlikely come back against Slovenia and then scored the winning goal against Algeria, deep into stoppage time, that meant the USA qualified from their group as group winners.

Landon also scored the penalty in the USA's 2-1 defeat to Ghana, meaning that he left South Africa with three World Cup goals and a number of plaudits for his inspirational displays.

Overall Rating...9