5 Telling Stats from Everton’s Assured 1-0 Win Over Tottenham

Hope is restored. The Everton hamster wheel continues.

But it was good, wasn’t it?

I mean, Spurs were bad. But we were looking fine.

But what did the numbers tell us?

3 New Signings Start

The most new faces since 2017/18

There were many questions asked about how many of Everton’s new trio would start against Tottenham Hotspur, given that none of them have played a single pre-season match.

I, like many others, had assumed that Allan and Doucoure would likely start, with Rodriguez possible appearing from the bench later on in the game. However, Carlo Ancelotti sprung the most welcome of surprises by starting with all three. And boy, could we see the difference in Everton.

In the Marco Silva era, he was hesitant to introduce new faces on the opening day, with Everton limping to draws against Wolves and Crystal Palace on his two opening games.

Indeed, this was the most new players to start for Everton since 2017/18, when Ronald Koeman’s very new-look side beat Stoke 1-0 on the opening day – although it should be noted that Everton’s season was already long underway thanks to entering the early stages of the Europa League.

It was a decisive selection from Ancelotti, and it was justly rewarded.

First Win Away at “Top Six” Since 2013

Ends run of 40 games without a win

Sky’s “Big 6” have certainly provide problematic to Everton over the years.

And although Spurs were awful here, it could be a defining moment for Everton.

It wasn’t just the win. It was the composure, it was the large periods of control and it was the excellent game management.

Midfield Bite

19 interceptions

Wow. So that’s what a midfield is supposed to look like.

Everton never looked short of options in their build up play. And when Spurs did get the ball, it looks like there was always a Blue shirt next to them too.

Let’s not forget, Everton played Spurs away in just July – and there are some very interesting comparative stats to take from those two games. Especially from a defensive perspective:

July v Now

Interceptions: 10 v 19

Tackles: 10 v 18

Fouls Conceded: 18 v 7

Not only did Everton win the ball back more and make more tackles in the more recent game, they also did so while showing the maturity to give away less than half the amount of fouls.

For good measure, Abdoulaye Doucoure also chipped in with four key passes, while James produced five – by far the highest numbers on the field.

With a hybrid of Allan and Doucoure, Everton seem to have finally replaced the defensive protection offered by Idrissa Gana Gueye.

Pickford Redemption

Clean sheet, important saves and controlled the area

After some increasingly unpredictable displays at the end of last season, Jordan Pickford gave a reminder here of why exactly he is still England’s number one.

In the first half, he pulled of two fantastic saves to stop Alli and Doherty, while in the second half he controlled his area well and made two very convincing punches when the Blues were under pressure.

More of this!

Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images

Accuracy

Every outfield player completed 82+% of their passes

One clear thing in this game was how much more controlled and assured Everton were in possession.

Every single outfield player to start completed at least 82% of their passes – a phenomenal number, especially for the attacking players.

For context, just five players managed this feat the last time the two sides met.