The Blues are currently second in the table with 13 points from their first five games.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
It is fair to say that Ronald Koeman has proved to be a very astute appointment by Everton this summer.
The Blues fought hard to bring the Dutchman to Goodison Park, spending big money to get him from Premier League rivals.
After just five games it appears to be money well spent, with the Dutchman guiding them to second in the table and their best start to a season since 1978.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman
The differences in the team have been notable but it is the defence that has improved the most, with the Blues enjoying the second best defensive record in the league at this stage.
And a look at the stats shows the remarkable change they have undergone in that department under Koeman’s guidance.
| Season | Attempts Conceded Ibox GAME | Attempts Conceded Obox GAME | Error Lead To Shot | Duel Won GAME | Won Tackle GAME | Effective Clearance GAME | Saves GAME | Goals Conceded | Appearances | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everton | 2015-2016 | 9.4 | 6.4 | 6 | 53.2 | 12.4 | 22 | 4.2 | 5 | 5 |
| Everton | 2016-2017 | 5.2 | 5 | 0 | 62.2 | 16.8 | 22.6 | 1.8 | 3 | 5 |
On average they have conceded just 5.2 attempts in the box per game to their opponents, the league’s third-best record, while they are yet to record a defensive mistake.
After five games last season they were conceding 9.4 chances in the box per game and had registered six defensive mistakes.
They have also won 62 defensive duels per game, again the third best record in the division, as well as 16.8 tackles per game and 22.6 effective clearances.
Last season they averaging 53.2 duels won per game and 12.4 tackles won per game. Their number of effective clearances was slightly lower at 22.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman before the match
That new-found defensive solidity has meant goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg has had to make less than two saves per game so far. Last year Tim Howard was forced to make an average 4.2 saves per game.
The difference is notable and shows that Koeman has worked hard this summer to turn round Everton’s major flaw from the last two season’s under Roberto Martinez.
Recently he told the Liverpool Echo: “I believe that when you build a house, you start at the bottom, you don’t start at the top” and on this evidence, it appears Everton’s house is built on very solid foundations indeed.
Everton manager Ronald Koeman applauds the fans at the end of the game
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