Credit: Imago

Jacob Raw

Tue 17 February 2026 9:10, UK

Everton’s attacking playstyle under David Moyes has been questioned at times this season.

When the Toffees boss returned to Merseyside last campaign, there wasn’t much of an instant emphasis on playing attractive football from the off.

But with the Blues now settled at Hill Dickinson Stadium, they want to push for European football, with the likes of Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Jack Grealish, though injured, putting in eye-catching performances.

The pair are just an example of what Everton are trying to do moving forward in the Premier League, but Moyes needs to show the Friedkin Group signs of adaptation along the way.

However, there may be a worry that even if Moyes is given all the talent in the world, he may not be able to get them playing fluid football.

• Read more: David Moyes out of ideas at Everton as tactical frailties exposed in fresh Premier League analysis

Everton’s direct attacks fail to flatter in Premier League reveal

As highlighted in the Sofascore graphic above, the Toffees are already one of the lowest teams in the Premier League for scoring goals from open play.

But to partner evidence with that for a solution, it’s clear to see that Everton are simply not creating enough chances in attack, and when they do, are not converting them anywhere near enough.

Everton have performed a low amount of 27 direct attacks this season, which is a move that starts from open play in a side’s own half that leads to a shot or goal within 15 seconds. The Toffees have scored on just two occasions from these attacks, resulting in a 7.4 per cent conversion rate.

As highlighted by Antonio Mango, there are other teams like Wolves, Manchester United and Crystal Palace who have all failed to even score a single goal.

But, it’s not other teams that Everton should worry about, it’s themselves, as improvement is always the aim of the game.

• Read more: David Moyes will hope Hill Dickinson Stadium brings better luck vs Man United than Goodison Park

Where does this problem start up the pitch?

Everton are usually more of a transitional team, which on paper, should aid them in the direct attack department.

This is because the Toffees may find it easier than other teams that regularly play against low-block opposition in counterattacking and making fast movements in the final third.

If the Blues have a heavy importance on counterattacks, then this reveal really exposes the truth, because Everton aren’t having much success with them, as goals are clearly coming from other patterns of play.

But Everton would most likely have a higher conversion rate than 7.4 per cent if they had more clinical strikers.

The number of chances that Beto and Thierno Barry have missed will harm this, but it’s still an obvious flaw that Moyes simply needs to address.

For more in-depth stories on the Toffees, visit Football Insider and have a look at their coverage.