Everton have gone into the World Cup break from Premier League action sitting just one point clear of the relegation zone.
Frank Lampard helped Everton retain its Premier League status last season but has come under enormous pressure after a run of poor performances and results. His team has won just once in their last five Premier League games and suffered a chastening 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth before the league came to a halt.
That being said, here are three things we have learned from Everton’s season so far.
#Leaky Everton are in trouble
At one point in the season, Everton’s defensive resilience and robustness were praised during their six-game unbeaten run in all competitions. The Toffees have managed just one clean sheet in the last six Premier League games, however, and the leaky defence single-handedly could become their downfall this term.
Everton are 17th in the table and they need to get points on board quickly after the season resumes, and the best way to do that is by keeping clean sheets. While they have a better defensive record than the likes of Tottenham, Man United and Brighton, the inability to shut the shop in games should bother Lampard more than anything else.
#Alex Iwobi one of the rare bright spots
Alex Iwobi has been Everton’s standout performer in an otherwise torrid campaign so far.
The Nigeria international has played in many positions since arriving at the club from Arsenal a couple of years ago but didn’t really manage to lock a spot in the team. Lampard has asked him to plug a hole in central midfield this season and Iwobi has duly done that, once again demonstrating his versatility, work ethic and commitment to the team.
Iwobi has been solid in the middle of the park and has shown he has the qualities to be a creative force in that position as well, registering five assists and a goal in 15 appearances.
#Blunt attack
Everton have managed only 11 goals in 15 games which puts them as one of the lowest scorers in the division.
Indeed, goals have come tough to come by with the likes of Neal Maupay, Anthony Gordon, Dominic Calvert-Lewin, Salomon Rondon, Demarai Gray and Dwight McNeil contributing to just eight goals. Gordon is the top scorer with three goals followed by McNeil’s two.
The Toffees have missed Calvert-Lewin’s presence and goals up front due to a long-term hamstring problem, and while he is now injury free, the striker is yet to get back to his best. Despite the attacking riches at the club, Lampard’s failure to get his players firing on all cylinders has resulted in a blunt Everton attack.