5 Telling Stats from Everton’s Perfect 2-0 Win at Anfield

Finally.

Let’s bask in the numbers:

Possession

Blues win with less possession again (29%)

It’s time to face it. Everton are NOT a good possession-based team.

Of Everton’s last nine wins, the Blues have only had more of the ball on one occasion (56% vs Sheff Utd). Of those, four games we had less than 40% of the ball. Against Liverpool, we had just 29% of possession.

But in Everton’s defeats this season the Blues have “dominated” the ball on five of those eight occasions. Of those, three games Everton had 60% or more of the ball.

The less time we have the ball (or should that be the less time we dwell on the ball?) the better we perform.

The table below shows just how strong the correlation between us having less possession and performing well is.

[The table sees matches split into three categories, with Everton expected to beat all bottom seven sides, beat mid-table sides at home and draw away, then draw with typical top seven teams at home and lose away, and just lose to Man City.]

Flawless Pickford

1 clean sheet, several big saves, 3 massive points

This game was a timely reminder of just how good Jordan Pickford can be.

Let’s not forget, after all, that he was our player of the season in his first year with the club.

90% of Pickford’s play is very good or excellent. But those momentary lapses have given plenty of people – including Carlo - good reason to question his place in the team.

But against Liverpool he was flawless, and he needed to be.

Davies

8 recoveries, 5 tackles, 1 interception

It’s time to start asking: is Tom Davies finally starting to fulfil his potential?

The 22-year-old has fully seized upon Allan’s absence and has been one of Everton’s best performers in recent weeks.

He’s breaking up play, tidy on the ball, progressive with his passing, full of energy and – like Pickford did here – has cut out the frustrating mistakes.

Away

Everton have won eight out of 12 away games this season

The Blues away form is looking better week-by-week.

Everton have lost just twice on the road this season (back-to-back defeats to Saints and Newcastle), with the last of those coming on the 1^st November.

But it’s not just points that Everton are picking up on the road, it’s scalps too. Spurs away. Liverpool away. Leicester away. A dramatic draw at United. Even wins at Wolves and Leeds aren’t to be sniffed at.

Unfortunately, Everton are home to Saints next.

Time’s Up

1999.

Everton’s ridiculously long wait for a derby win – and especially one at Anfield is over.

Now let’s beat the Reds to a Champions League place.