Everton operate in a structured 4-2-3-1 formation, but their tactical approach leans heavily on direct, long-ball play. They rank 2nd in the league for both goalkick length and launch rate, often bypassing midfield to find wide players like Jack Harrison and Iliman Ndiaye on the flanks. Centre-Forward Beto is key in making runs off the shoulder of defenders or holding up play. When building short, Everton move the ball wide and rely on quick one-touch combinations between their full-backs and attacking midfielders. Yet, their style remains one of the most direct in the league—Everton attempt the most long balls per 90 (72), and rank last in short passes attempted.
In attack, Everton prioritise width and crossing, attempting 16.6 crosses per 90 (7th in the league). They look to overload the far post with runs from multiple players, and Harrison often cuts inside to whip in deliveries with his stronger left foot. Despite a poor record this season, David Moyes has improved Everton’s output in front of goal: their xG and goals per 90 have both risen since his arrival, as has their Goal Conversion Rate.
Off-the-ball, Everton sit deep in a 4-4-2 low block, absorbing pressure and preventing central progression. They allow the opposition to hold position further away from Everton's defensive third but aim to protect key zones. Their pressing is low-intensity, triggered only by backward or loose passes. Players like Idrissa Gueye and Abdoulaye Doucouré play defined roles—Gueye is tasked with marking the opposition’s most creative midfielder (expect him to shadow Cole Palmer), while Doucouré drops into a midfield five when under pressure.
On set-pieces, Jack Harrison is Everton’s go-to taker, with floated deliveries to the far post from deep free-kicks and whipped in-swingers aimed at a crowded 6-yard box from corners 🎯. Defensively, they adopt a similar strategy, using a zonal marking system to crowd the 6-yard box 🧱
For Chelsea, exploiting the space behind Everton’s full-backs, recovering second balls while dealing with Everton's physicality, and attacking with speed in transition will be key.