5 Telling Stats from Everton’s Entertaining 2-2 Draw with Tottenham

Everton drew on Monday and Everton drew on Friday. But the performances, viewing experience and takeaways couldn’t have been more different.

So let’s see what the numbers told us about the Blues’ latest result…

Unlucky?

Expected goals: Everton 2.26 v 1.48 Spurs

On Monday, Everton were perhaps lucky to take a point at Brighton, with an expected goals return of a meagre 0.31 for the chances they created (Brighton’s was 1.16, by comparison).

Against Spurs, though, it was the Blues that were the chief creators and they were certainly unlucky not to nick another goal (especially the double chance for King/Richarlison late on).

I’d say that this was actually Everton’s best performance in a very long time – regardless of the result.

Unfortunately, two almost identical poor pieces of defending cost us…

Keane’s Bad Night

Two headed blunders setup Kane brace

Two balls come into the box, Holgate and Keane get too close together, Keane heads it in the last place you want, Holgate gets wrong-footed… Harry Kane punishes you.

Not much more to say than that.

Directness

One-touch football at its best

Alex Iwobi once again passed up on a chance to make his claim for a starting position. Instead, is was his replacement who caught the eye: Seamus Coleman.

Within a minute of coming on, club captain Coleman got on the ball, played a smart pass inside, got the ball back and fired a precise cross across to Gylfi Sigurdsson first time who duly dispatched in style.

A stunning goal.

And, in short, Coleman did in one minute what Iwobi failed to do for an hour: put in a cross to a blue shirt.

Quality on the Ball

Only two outfield players completed less than 70% of their passes

On Monday night, it felt like Everton couldn’t string two passes together.

But against Spurs, the Blues seemed to move the ball effortlessly through the lines. Indeed, only Digne (68.9%) and King (40%) completed less than 70% of their passes – an incredible effort, especially among the attacking players.

Wasted Opportunity

Six games without a win

Although this was a much improved Everton performance, Blues will still be left with a tinge of disappointment after failing to grab all three points and move back into serious European contention.

Instead, Everton’s winless streak continues… with the Blues without a win in their last six games in all competitions. Next up is a trip to Arsenal’s Emirates Stadium next Friday... where Everton have never won.