Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can make the difference in Matchweek 17.
Team analysis: Everton
Across the last 10 rounds of Premier League matches, Everton have been the strongest defensive unit in the division.
Sean Dyche’s men are in incredibly solid form, having conceded just seven times during that period and registering six clean sheets.
Ahead of a home encounter against the division's top scorers Chelsea, this should breed confidence among the home faithful at Goodison Park.
Let’s analyse why the Toffees are proving so hard to break down.
Defending in numbers
Dyche organises his team very well without the ball, ensuring they are very rarely outnumbered numerically.
His 4-2-3-1 shape easily reverts into a 4-5-1, and two of his three units work closely together to shrink space for rivals who want to find pockets of space.
These two examples from goalless draws earned at Arsenal and West Ham United show how compact they can be, limiting space between the lines very effectively.
With nine outfielders behind the ball, and a heavy focus on staying near to one another, they are good at forcing opponents sideways and backwards.
Not just a low block
It would be wrong to characterise Everton as a team that always "park the bus" on the edge of their own box.
They also like to defend with conviction and relish in more advanced areas.
Only four sides make more pressures inside the middle third than Everton, who habitually ask the man closest to the ball to harass the receiver.
The back four will squeeze up at those moments, but as a well-drilled team it is unusual for Dyche’s side to be caught out by a high line.
Narrowness is a big part of their make-up, with their three central midfielders and wide men tucking in close to one another, blocking up passing lanes down the spine.
They will need to get this aspect of their game spot on against Chelsea, who will try to lure them on, with a view to sliding a forward pass into Cole Palmer or Nicolas Jackson.
In those situations, especially when they combine, this Blues’ duo are exceptionally dangerous.
When it is on to press or counter-press in the final third, Everton do not shy away from that either.
There are 10 Premier League teams who have won possession in that domain less frequently than the Toffees.
Left-sided forward Iliman Ndiaye is very good at defending from the front.
Whether it is regaining the ball from a press, or tracking back to pick up loose balls, Ndiaye is a valuable off-the-ball presence who makes life easier for the players behind him.
PL players most possession won 24/25
| Player | Possession wins |
| Ryan Christie | 94 |
| Moises Caicedo | 93 |
| Iliman Ndiaye | 92 |
| Ola Aina | 89 |
| Diogo Dalot | 87 |
Remarkably, Ndiaye ranks third in the division for regaining possession, just one ball recovery behind the Chelsea’s superb defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo.
While Ndiaye will be frustrated to have scored just twice so far, his role in the side is vital.
Better chemistry
Fit-again Jarrad Branthwaite has made a positive difference to Everton, who have kept four clean sheets in five matches since he reclaimed his place in the starting XI.
The 22-year-old is not posting individual data that is better than Michael Keane, but as a partnership he and James Tarkowski work very smoothly with one another.
Communicating clearly, and consistently getting their distances right, Everton are a better side when Branthwaite and Tarkowski start as a pairing.
Key man: James Tarkowski
Everton know they can rely on Tarkowski, one of the division’s most reliable central defenders.
The 32-year-old often thrives in their toughest tests as he grows in stature when his side are put under pressure.
He played to the right of Branthwaite at Arsenal last weekend, and made three blocks as well as seven clearances in a resolute performance.
This magnificent block from Bukayo Saka in the first half denied the Gunners a certain goal.
At home to Newcastle United in another 0-0 stalemate, Tarkowski made 10 clearances, won three tackles and was successful in 10 of 11 duels in the air and on the ground.
His reading of the game and willingness to put his body in the way of shots, marks him out as the Toffees’ key man this weekend.
As these numbers (below) prove, Tarkowski is one of the most dominant Premier League centre-backs when it comes to protecting his own box.
Tarkowski's defensive stats 24/25
| Statistic | Total | PL defender rank |
| Blocks | 21 | =3rd |
|---|---|---|
| Clearances | 87 | 4th |
| Headed Clearances | 50 | 4th |
| Duels Won | 92 | =4th |
| Aerial Duels Won | 46 | 7th |
If you want to see what that looks like in visual form, here is the Everton star’s defensive actions map for 2024/25.
If Chelsea sling hopeful balls into the penalty area, Tarkowski will relish it.
Tarkowski defensive actions PL 2024/25
Pickford’s fine home record v Chelsea
Jordan Pickford has played in five home victories against Chelsea across the last six meetings at Goodison Park.
Everton and their No 1 will feel confident of gaining another positive result.
Pickford was excellent against Arsenal, making five saves including one terrific reaction stop to deny Saka.
A sign of how well protected Pickford is, can be seen in the number of saves he has been forced to make from shots inside the box though.
He's made just 29 stops from close range, while 10 other 'keepers including David Raya and Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez have had to produce more saves from inside the area than Pickford.
Based on Everton’s recent defensive excellence, Chelsea will not find it as easy as they have of late to fashion clear-cut opportunities.
