The numbers behind Everton's start to life in 2026-27 Premier League paint pretty picture
Everton are hoping to qualify for Europe at the end of this season.
The mood around the Blues was pretty bleak when they failed to get Folarin Balogun over the line on deadline day.
However, David Moyes' side are unbeaten through their first seven matches in all competitions.
That includes five Premier League games, in which they have won two and drawn three matches.
The underlying data from those results suggests that the Toffees should be confident that they can achieve their lofty ambition.
One particular aspect of Moyes' side are going to put them in a very good position to do so, and their top seven target is a realistic outcome.
What is the latest reveal about Everton?
The latest stats from Fotmob reveal that the Hill Dickinson Stadium side have an elite defence.
In terms of goals conceded per match, they are joint-first with Leeds United, with a tally of just 0.6.
They are seventh for expected goals conceded with 6.9, behind Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool, Brentford, Leeds and Manchester United.
That suggests that the defence is performing better than they should be, and if they can continue that for the rest of the season, it should stand Moyes' side in good stead in terms of reaching the upper echelons of the division.
Why is Everton's defence so good?
The Blues defence boasts the England number one behind it, so it is no surprise that they rank highly in defensive metrics.
However, Jordan Pickford is not solely responsible for the position that the L3 outfit find themselves in.
James Tarkowski has been a fine leader since being appointed as captain, averaging 10.20 defensive contributions per 90 minutes.
Jarrad Branthwaite's return to fitness has also played a part, as the 24-year-old has managed 10.80 defensive contributions per game.
The addition of Ainsley Maitland-Niles, a proper right-back has also helped, as he has the natural skills required to play the position and is not a makeshift solution.
Finally, Vitalii Mykolenko, while not encouraging with his attacking metrics, is one of the most defensively solid left-backs in the division.
Together as a unit, they are tough to breach, and if they can keep up the current levels, they should have no problem reaching their goals.