5 Telling Stats from Everton’s Drab 1-1 Draw Against West Ham

A tough watch, with one more point on the board as Everton held West Ham United to a 1-1 draw yesterday.

But what did the numbers tell us?

Missed Opportunity

Young striker failed to register a shot

Moise Kean’s struggles continue, despite being gifted a rare start at West Ham with Richarlison injured.

However, the Italian just can’t get anything going. The composure and maturity that he showed in his early cameos has gone and it’s instead been replaced by clumsy desperation.

In 73 minutes of action, the 19-year-old (let’s not forget how young he is) failed to muster a shot at goal and touched the ball just 28 times – the least of any outfield player to start the game.

There’s definitely a player there, but his confidence is clearly battered right now and it will take some building up.

Promise

Gordon more through balls (2) than all other players combined

While one teenager struggled, another seized his chance to show that he’s ready to compete at the top-level.

18-year-old Anthony Gordon made his Premier League debut – and although it wasn’t a headline-grabber – it was a very mature and positive performance for such a young player.

Gordon didn’t get as much of the ball as anyone would have liked, but he continually made smart decisions whenever he did get on it and looked an increasing threat as the game wore on.

The teenage winger completed 80% of his passes and attempted two through balls – more than the rest of players on the pitch put together.

His tenacious performance certainly won’t be his last in a Blue shirt.

Academy Prospects

Ancelotti gives first league debut to academy player since 2017

Despite Everton’s Under-23 side winning the Premier League 2 title last season, no Academy player has been given a league debut since David Unsworth gave Beni Baningime the nod against Leicester City in October 2017.

Indeed, Sam Allardyce and Marco Silva were the only Everton managers since Mike Walker to fail to award a league debut to an academy player. Allardyce may only have been in charge for a few months, but this was very much a blemish on Silva’s record.

However, Carlo Ancelotti has wasted little time in giving an academy player his Premier League debut, as he trusted 18-year-old winger, Anthony Gordon, to come on at half-time in place of Bernard.

Substitutions

Three early changes made by Ancelotti

Another frustration with Marco Silva was his tendency to be reactive in his substitutions rather than proactive.

That certainly wasn’t the case for Carlo Ancelotti against the Hammers, though, as he made a substitute at half-time, on 56 minutes and on 74 minutes – all of which were made when the scores were level.

The changes may not have resulted in three points, but they were certainly on point.

Holgate Continues to Thrive

Completed 89.1% of passes and two dribbles from defence

At this rate, Mason Holgate could be on course to be Everton’s player of the year.

And not many people would have believed that statement if you’d said it at the start of the season.

The 23-year-old has absolutely thrived since coming into the side and he’s clearly made strides in ironing out the lapses in concentration that previously plagued his game.

He’s gone from Everton’s third-choice centre-back to Everton’s first choice.

Holgate was yet again outstanding on the ball, completing 89.1% of his passes, while also completing two dribbles (two more than winger Theo Walcott), four tackles (the most in a Blue shirt), won two of six aerials along with seven clearances (including one when Jordan Pickford went walkabout) and also saw four of his seven long balls reach their target. He even picked up an assist as his flick on from a corner was finished by DCL.

An England call-up should be becoming a real possibility.