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Is there two Evertons?
It seems like it.
Let’s see what the numbers tell us about Everton latest magnificent away showing.
Jekyll and Hyde, Home and Away
Everton earn their 11th away win of the season
At home, Everton are tragic. On the road, Everton are magic.
Only Man City have won more games on the road this season and if Everton can pick up two or more points from their final two away games, the Blues will record the highest away points total in the club’s 143-year history!
Indeed, Everton have actually won as many games in London this season (five) as they have in total at Goodison.
And the good news is that Everton’s next game is also away, as we head to Villa Park on Thursday.
11 - Only Manchester City (13) have won more Premier League away games than Everton (11) this term, with the Toffees’ 11 away victories being their most in a top-flight campaign since 1984-85 (12); a season in which they won the title. Sweet. pic.twitter.com/SCBtbhEgmb
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) May 9, 2021
We Don’t Need the Ball
Blues win with just 31% possession
Of Everton’s 16 Premier League wins this season, the Blues have seen less of the ball in 12 of those games.
And that pattern continued against West Ham with Everton having just 31% of possession.
In contrast, of the 11 games we’ve lost, we’ve dominated possession in six of those games.
Right now, Everton are best when they’re not left to try and control possession.
Everton Average Possession in 2020/21:
Wins (16): 44.9%
Draws (7): 44.0%
Losses (11): 50.5%
Unusual DCL Goal
His 16th of the season wasn’t typical for him
He gets put through on goal with a defender close behind him, he needs to take a few touches to steady himself and the angle is decreasing… this is not normally a situation in which Dominic Calvert-Lewin thrives.
That seems a strange thing to say about a striker that hit his 16th Premier League goal of the season, but while DCL often gets in the “right place at the right time”, his one-on-one finishing ability often leaves something to be desired.
Indeed, 10 of his 16 goals this season have come inside the 6-yard box, while the other five before today where only a couple of yards further out and still right in front of goal.
But he took his chance with aplomb against West Ham and put in a marvellous shift. If he can add more goals like this to his arsenal, he could become a truly world-class striker.
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Unlucky Hammers
Everton continue excellent record against West Ham
Although Everton suffered a defeat to West Ham in the reverse fixture earlier this season, the Blues record against the Hammers is something to be marvelled.
Indeed, Everton have lost just once away at West Ham in the past 14 years, winning 8 of the 13 league fixtures between the sides in London – a record which ironically goes back to the David Moyes era.
Unfortunately, West Ham still remain above Everton, although the deficit has been reduced to just three points with the Blues still with a game-in-hand.
Captain Fantastic
Carlo’s man of the match
Carlo Ancelotti was asked to comment on whether he though Allan or DCL should get man on of the match. Instead, he put a different name into the mixer: Seamus Coleman.
For the past couple of years it’s seemed as though Seamus was on the decline with a younger replacement a high priority for the Blues.
And although that should remain so, Seamus has shown in recent weeks that he can still perform a vital role for this team.
Against West Ham he was full of intensity and passion, making four successful tackles, nine recoveries, one interception and giving hell to any West Ham player that came near him.
O Captain! My Captain! pic.twitter.com/uAvX9fwlC4
— Darren (@nsno_83) May 9, 2021