On Sunday afternoon, Chelsea and Everton drew 0-0 at Stamford Bridge. While the focus will be on the home side dropping points, it should be noted how well the Merseysiders played in the capital.
The Toffees produced a near perfect away display at one of the toughest grounds in the Premier League. It was in contrast to some of their terrible displays and results at the so-called ‘Big Six’ in recent years.
Did not ‘park the bus’
Most teams that come to Stamford Bridge ‘park the bus’ and Everton have tried to do that at the more difficult grounds in the past under other bosses. It has proven a disastrous tactic at times.
Toffees boss Marco Silva took a different approach and set out to win the game, as the visitors have done in every game this season under the Portuguese boss. Although the Merseysiders had to withstand a barrage towards the end of the game, they looked relatively comfortable.
They also looked comfortable on the ball and possessed an attacking threat on the counter. With a touch more quality and luck they could have gone home with maximum points.
Things are changing at Everton
Everton have been regarded as a potential threat to the six teams who have entrenched themselves in the top six of the Premier League. However, they have never really had the belief to break into the top-four of late, although they have enjoyed a number of top-six finishes in the last decade.
Under Silva, Everton look like they believe they can get a result from any game, no matter the opposition, which is a big change for one of the traditional giants of the English games.
It may be early in the reign of Silva, but already there are signs that the Merseysiders are moving in the right direction under their talented young coach.