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Everton’s late-season resurgence continued with an inspired performance against an out-of-sorts West Ham United.
Were the Hammers rubbish? Yes. Were Everton on top form? Yes.
But what do the numbers tell us about the performance? Indeed, was this Everton performance a sign of things to come or just another false dawn?
Below, we’ll find out.
Domination
17 shots to 3
The 2-0 scoreline in no way flattered Everton. On the contrary, this could – and probably should – have turned into a four or five-nil drubbing.
Everton peppered the West Ham goal with shots, recording 17 shots to West Ham’s paltry three. Of these nine of Everton attempts were on target compared to the Hammers one.
Everton’s wide play was masterful, but it seems bizarre that it’s taken Marco Silva the best part of seven months to see that Bernard and Richarlison are Everton’s best wingers. Although he still hasn’t seemed to click that Lookman is also better than Walcott, who’s future at Everton should soon come into question.
More Set Piece Misery… for West Ham
The Hammers draw level with Everton…
….as the team to have conceded most goals from set plays this season.
Both the Blues and the Hammers have conceded a woeful 14 goals from set pieces this term.
The good news, though, is that it was Everton exploiting West Ham on this occasion, with Kurt Zouma rising highest early doors.
It’s also been six games since Everton have conceded from a set piece.
Has Silva Found the Defensive Formula?
Four clean sheets from five
Aside from a crazy half an hour against Newcastle a few weeks ago, Everton seem back to their best using the Marco Silva formula. Indeed, since the extended break the Blues enjoyed in the middle of February, Everton have conceded just three times (all of which came during the mad moments at Newcastle.
That makes it four clean sheets from five games, all the more impressive when you consider that’s included ties against Liverpool and Chelsea, as well as a tricky away tie to West Ham.
Calvert-Lewin: Work in Progress
Youngster continues to improve
Dominic Calvert-Lewin led the line excellently against the Hammers, holding up the ball well, winning three headers and dispatching six shots.
While the youngster is great in the air, harries defenders well and has great athletic ability, the big area he needs to improve is decision making. When given time on the ball in a dangerous area, he too often chooses the wrong option. But if he can improve in this regard, as well as his finishing on the deck, he could well turn into a top Premier League striker.
Gueye and Gomes
Midfield duo control the game
While Idrissa Gueye has been in particularly good form lately, it was good to see Andre Gomes return to his best.
The duo completely dominated West Ham in the middle of the part, with Gueye completing 85.4% of his passes, while Gomes completed an impressive 87.3% of his.