View: Three things we learned about Everton in 1-0 defeat v Leeds United
Everton lost their fourth Premier League match in their last five on Saturday at Goodison Park, with a Raphinha goal the difference between the two teams.
The Toffees had the chances to get a goal but were helpless as Leeds winger Raphinha fired home from long range.
A win could have sent Everton into the top four but they remain sixth, five points adrift of league leaders Liverpool.
Here are the three things we learned from Saturday’s match.
Attack has an off-day
Everton created plenty of opportunities to score against Leeds, taking 15 shots and generating 1.7 expected goals (via FBRef). However, they did not take their opportunities when they arrived, with Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dominic Calvert-Lewin both missing presentable chances.
With nine shot-creating actions (via FBRef), James Rodriguez impressed and had a goal disallowed, but Carlo Ancelotti will want to see his team be more clinical in the future.
Lucas Digne’s absence felt
Digne was outstanding from the wing-back position against Fulham, providing two assists, and his absence through injury was certainly felt on Saturday. Alex Iwobi is far better suited to play on the right as a wing-back, while Tom Davies is not a natural in the role.
Many had expected youngster Niels Nkounkou to start in Digne’s place, but the 20-year-old was not even on the bench. Moving forward, Ancelotti will need to rethink this decision and Nkounkou deserves to start at wing-back in the next match.
Defensive worries continue
After allowing 14 shots and conceding twice against strugglers Fulham (via WhoScored), the Toffees looked vulnerable at the back once again. Over the 90 minutes, Leeds generated 2.7 expected goals and took 24 shots, with Jordan Pickford making a number of good saves (via FBRef).
Yerry Mina came out and Mason Holgate came in for this match, but it is clear Ancelotti has not quite found the balance he likes in defence just yet.
In other Everton news, the three players who loved Everton’s shift to 3-4-3