Everton have transformed from a side battling to avoid relegation to a team pushing to finish in the European places in the Premier League.
The Toffees have seen a major resurgence under David Moyes, starting towards the end of last season. This term, they’ve propelled to another level, sitting in eighth place with just six games remaining.
Champions League qualification might be a little optimistic for Everton. But there’s every chance they will be playing European football in some capacity next season.
In this article, we’ll cover
David Moyes’ fundamentals
Moyes is well known for his somewhat pragmatic style, setting his sides up to stay solid at the back, but also effective in attack. The Everton boss has received some criticism at times for being a little too defensive. Especially against the so-called ‘lesser’ sides.
That’s why Everton have been so effective away from home. Usually facing sides that are going to attempt to assert more control on their own turf, Everton can sit back and absorb pressure before hitting the opposition in transition.
Moyes’ style requires a lot of hard work. Getting back into shape out of possession, transitioning from defence to attack, and pressing the opposition all over the pitch. It might be considered a little old school, but it’s certainly worked out for Everton so far this season.
Everton’s improvement this season
The signings of Jack Grealish and Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall have undoubtedly taken Everton to another level this term. Unfortunately, Grealish has been ruled out for the remainder of the season, and Dewsbury-Hall has now taken on more responsibility in the final third.
Everton set up in almost a 4-2-3-1 on paper, which shifts into a 4-4-2 out of possession. Dewsbury-Hall plays alongside the striker off the ball to try to prevent the opposition progressing centrally, while he’s also looking to support the centre forward in attack.
Dewsbury-Hall has been a crucial addition for Everton, providing 10 goals and assists combined in the Premier League, more than any other player for Moyes’ side. Adding a player who is so comfortable in possession and adds technical security, while also being a workhorse out of possession, has helped Everton to go the next level this season.
The Toffees are yet to become a fully polished, free-flowing attacking outfit, but there have been improvements. Their Expected Goals have increased from 1.10 per 90 minutes to 1.34, while their goals scored, shots, and touches in the opposition box have also increased.
As a result, Everton are simply more entertaining to watch in the final third. They’ve sacrificed a little solidity, while they aren’t quite Barcelona in the final third, but it’s a step in the right direction.
Out of possession
As mentioned, Everton often set up in a 4-4-2 out of possession, with Dewsbury-Hall joining the forward line.
James Garner and Idrissa Gueye often go man-to-man in the middle of the park, with Dewsbury-Hall and Beto pressing the centre-backs. Everton look to prevent the opposition midfielders from receiving the ball in the build-up, while Dewsbury-Hall or Beto will come in centrally to force the opposition to play a certain way.
This is when the press is triggered, perhaps forcing the opposition to play to a weaker option in the defensive line. Against sides who like to get players between the lines, this is when Everton can come undone.
With Garner and Gueye pressing high, it often leaves gaps between the lines, giving the opposition a chance to bypass the press and into attack.
Against stronger sides, Everton will sit in a more compact low block, allowing them to play out and absorb pressure before hitting them in transition.
In possession
This is where Everton need to go to the next level in order to become a regular European contender. Everton’s attacking numbers have improved, but they’ve still not found the back of the net as much as Moyes would have hoped.
Particularly when Grealish was fit, Everton focused a lot of their play down the left-hand side, despite having someone as talented as Iliman Ndiaye on the right. At times, Everton were quite predictable, allowing the opposition to prevent overloads on Everton’s left, often doubling up on the likes of Grealish.
Dewsbury-Hall in the No.10 role looks to create combinations on the left, and he and Grealish formed a strong partnership. This does leave Ndiaye quite isolated on the right, especially due to Moyes not deploying attacking full-backs.
Adding full-backs who are stronger in the opposition half would massively benefit Everton. It allows them to create overloads out wide and support the wingers, creating dummy runs and dragging opposition markers away.
European charge
There is every chance Everton can finish in the European places this season. Despite the lack of Grealish in recent weeks, the Toffees have remained strong, picking up some impressive results.
Everton have lost just once in their previous five Premier League games, and that was against the leaders, Arsenal.
A point away at Brentford at the weekend has kept them in touching distance, and all eyes will be on Moyes’ side this weekend. Everton face Liverpool in the first Merseyside derby at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and there’s plenty riding on it in comparison to recent years.