5 Telling Stats from Everton 4-2 Win Over Brighton

Seven in a row. Four in the league. Top of the charts in multiple disciplines.

Everton? Is that really you?

Let’s see what the numbers told us about our latest win.

Rising tide lifts all ships

Sigurdsson, Davies and Iwobi come in and perform well

Everton had just two new signings playing against Brighton and even lost the club’s star performer of the last couple of years to injury inside 25 minutes. Nevertheless, the Blues looked a completed different side to the one of 2019/20.

The intensity of the team was very good in the first 30 minutes of each half, with Tom Davies putting in a notably mature performance while slotting into the “Allan” role, before becoming a makeshift right-back after an injury to Seamus Coleman.

It’s clear that the introduction of James Rodriguez, Allan and Abdoulaye Doucoure have increase the standard in the team – so much so, that even when they don’t play, the players that replace them know the level that’s expected.

Before shifting out to right-back on 57 minutes, Tom Davies had completed 94.3% of his passes and made two tackles and three interceptions – all numbers that were the best on the pitch at that point.

Goals, Goals, Goals

Everton have scored four or more in four of their last five games

Indeed, having averaged three goals a game across the opening four games of the season, the Blues would score 114 goals in the league this season if they were to continue with this ratio – comfortably smashing the current record of 106 goals set by Man City in 2017/18.

Of course, I’m not getting carried away…

Although it’s also worth noting Dominic Calvert-Lewin is on course to bag 57 league goals this season. Who knows, if he ups his rate a smidge he may even finally catch Dixie’s 60 goals.

Pickford

Third mistake leading to goal this season

90% of Jordan Pickford’s game has me thinking he is a top, top class goalkeeper.

But once again, Everton were punished following yet another howler from England’s number one. And, with each mistake, it gets harder to defend him.

He came into this season on thin ice after making four errors leading to goals in both the 2018/19 and 2019/20 (the joint third highest and second highest in the league respectively). But the cracks showed once again with a double error against Fleetwood, with the handling error for Brighton’s first goal today completely falling at Pickford’s doorstep.

Carlo Ancelotti seems to have patience – for now at least – with Pickford’s all-too consistent errors – but if this form continues, he may be forced to look for serious competition for Pickford in January.

Coleman Back to His Best

Irishman completes 3 dribbles (1st), wins 2 fouls (2^nd) and 93.6% of passes (=2^nd)

Seamus Coleman has sadly not looked the same player since his horrific leg break a few years ago – but his form has improved consistently this season and he put in his best performance in a long, long time against Brighton.

The Irishman looked composed and confident, linking up superbly with James Rodriguez down the right, playing the ball out of difficult areas and even winning the free-kick which led to a key goal just before half-time.

The only downer on his performance was that he pulled his hammy on 57 minutes.

World Class

James Rodriguez

Just read these numbers from four league games so far…

3 Goals (=6th in the league)

2 Assists (=2^nd in the league)

4 Big Chances Created (2^nd in the league)

Made 12 Key Passes (2^nd to Kevin de Bruyne)

Averaged an 86.9% Pass Success Rate

Everton have a world-class player. And we didn’t even pay for him.