David Moyes will be concerned as new reveal suggests goals are not only Everton problem
Everton’s issues this season are in defence just as much as they are in attack, a new stat has revealed.
Beto and Thierno Barry have struggled for Everton this season, with David Moyes seemingly alternating between the two on a game-by-game basis.
The former has scored just one Premier League goal, while the latter, who arrived from Villarreal in the summer, is yet to find the net in any competition.
In particular, Beto has been slammed for his performances for Everton in recent weeks, and the striker was dropped for the trip to Sunderland.
But Barry missed a brilliant chance against Sunderland, and may well drop back to the bench once again when the Toffees take on Fulham on Saturday.
Defensive issues for Everton emerge in new stat
Jarrad Branthwaite is expected to be missing for months yet, after the defender underwent surgery on an issue with his hamstring.
The England international was expected to return weeks ago, but suffered a setback in training.
In his place, Michael Keane and James Tarkowski have appeared in every single one of Everton‘s matches this season, with Moyes lacking an alternative.
Jake O’Brien would presumably be brought in off the right in the event of a further injury, but the Irishman is lacking in reliable replacements himself.
Much of the focus this season has been on Everton’s attackers, who have failed to make their chances count.
But a new stat has revealed that the Toffees’ defensive numbers are providing cause for concern, too. Everton have conceded 14.8 expected goals against in the Premier League this season, with only four teams having conceded more.
Why are Everton conceding so many chances?
Everton have faced 134 shots in the Premier League this season – only relegation-threatened Burnley and West Ham have faced more.
Fortunately, the Toffees have only faced 36 shots on target, a stat that suggests that they may well have conceded far more goals had it not been for their opponents’ poor finishing.
Still, it is a critical issue for Moyes, and likely one that stems from the midfield, rather than the defence.
| Everton | Premier League 2025-26 | League rank |
| Goals per game | 1.0 | 14th |
| Expected goals (xG) | 13.3 | 9th |
| Big chances missed | 14 | 9th |
| Expected goals against (xGA) | 14.8 | 16th |
| Saves per match | 2.5 | 9th |
| Clean sheets | 2 | 11th |
Only four Premier League teams have a lower average possession than Everton this season, with the Toffees keeping the ball for an average 44 per cent of their matches.
That would suggest that Everton are losing the midfield battle more often than not, with the defence left to deal with the oncoming attacks.
Of utmost importance to Moyes will be the problems that are easier to fix. The striking situation could well be solved by a good run of form.
But the Scot must make sure to keep an eye on the numbers, with expected goals numbers usually making their ways into the points.
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