With four wins in their last five games, Everton are third in the form table behind only Manchester City and Aston Villa.
They have also climbed to seventh place in the league table.
The Toffees have doubled their points tally in their last five games, putting themselves only two points off fourth place, so why is this?
Attacking performance
When looking at touches in the opposition box, the data shows that while their average is higher, it’s hardly a huge improvement from 24.5 to 25.4 per game, not really indicating that they have had more luck in breaking teams down.
Their 46 touches in the opposition box against Aston Villa happened in the first ten games, and the 10 against Manchester United, which came in the last five, are huge outliers in both averages. Removing these games shows a huge improvement from 22.1 to 29.3 in their recent run.
Comparing the average expected goals for Everton in their last five games to the first ten, the total is actually lower despite a smaller sample size, indicating that they have actually created fewer high-quality chances during their recent form.
It is no secret that Everton have struggled with finishing, particularly through Beto and Thierno Barry on five and six big chances missed.
But the Blues seem to have had more luck with the goals scored in their last five, scoring eight goals from 5.2 expected goals.
Defensive solidity
David Moyes’ side have shown a big improvement in the expected goals they have conceded per game within their last five games, going from 1.52 to 1.01, suggesting that they have been better defensively.
While Jordan Pickford has provided heroics, particularly against Manchester United, preventing 1.85 expected goals, their defensive performances as a whole have shown improvement.
With four clean sheets in their last five, this has really set the foundation for their climb up the table.
Can they keep this form going?
Through strong defensive performances, better luck with their finishing and more control while in possession through Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall’s deeper role, they have managed to put a great run of form together.
With tough games upcoming against Chelsea and Arsenal, it may be tough for Everton to continue a winning run against two of the best sides in the league.
Burnley, Forest, Brentford and Wolves follow, which are all games the Toffees should be confident in, giving them the opportunity to continue pushing forward to make a run at European qualification.
