Are Everton on the verge of a solid form?
Even though it might be somewhat early to tell if Everton’s resurgence is really something, the 1:3 win away against Brentford last weekend is really making everyone think – are Toffees close to regaining their usual form from the past decade and a half?
Expected Goal Stats: A Turning Point
Everton has had a quite unusual expected goal stat throughout the first five games of the current campaign. Many casual fans even dared to put them in the same group as Luton, Burnley, and Sheffield United (who managed to almost break a negative record against Newcastle on Sunday by losing 0:8 to Newcastle United at Bramall Lane). Their average of a little bit over eight goals in their first five games of the season put them in 12th place ahead of the Brentford game. Now, after the matchweek six, Everton are sitting in the 10th place in that same table, which makes them comfortably a solid mid-table team with the expected goal stat of a little bit under 11.
Efficiency in Conversion: Debunking the Glitch
Now, having a high expected goals stat doesn’t mean much if a team doesn’t use those chances and converts, right? Are Everton overachieving then? Have these first six games of the season been some sort of a glitch where Everton were lucky to create space and find themselves in all these different goal-scoring scenarios? The answer is simply – no, not really.
Embracing Dycheball: A Return to Roots
Sean Dyche is known for his somewhat old-school approach to football. That’s one of the reasons why he is at the bottom of the list of the most popular managers in the Prem. But what makes Dyche different is that he doesn’t care about that. The Scotsman came to the club in January of 2023 to replace Frank Lampard. Lampard, who managed to keep Everton in the league the season before, was close to failing to do so during the ongoing campaign.
That’s where Sean Dyche and his footballing philosophy – sometimes referred to as Dycheball – came in. Everton started to look more like your typical English football squad. Everton’s resurgence can be associated with a resemblance to that very same club that was led by David Moyes more than ten years ago. Hardworking wingers, midfielders, and fullbacks who try their best to cross the ball into the box, one or two strikers who are physically strong, tall, and good at heading the ball, just like the centre-backs.
While some might find this style of play quite boring, there’s a reason why it’s effective. It took some time for Dyche to acquire all the needed players, and while that process is still ongoing, it looks like he’s ready to fully implement his philosophy in the current squad.
Injury Woes and New Signings:
Another aspect worth mentioning would be the fact that Everton’s resurgence is hampered with injuries. Dominic Calvert-Lewin managed to score his first one for the club in quite some time, and it’s his fitness that will determine the rest of Everton’s season. Beto, a newly signed Portuguese international came to the club as both a backup and first option – depending on Calvert-Lewin’s fitness and form, but has struggled to get on the scoresheet in the Prem after scoring a brace against Doncaster Rovers in the League Cup.
Season Outlook: A Balance of Hope and Realism
Everton should in no way have yet another dreadful season if they keep managing their expected goals stat. While the conversion has been the problem so far, it looks like the Toffees are on their way to returning to mid-table and putting up a fight against not only relegation battle contenders but also top-table teams.
