New manager Sean Dyche has explained how he’s going to have to be creative in increasing Everton’s goal output as he looks to forge the side into a more flexible attacking force. Although Dyche steered the Blues to their first victory since October 22 as they defeated Premier League leader Arsenal in his first game in charge on Saturday, the fact remains that they have only netted more than one goal in just two matches in all competitions this season.
Everton defeated Crystal Palace 3-0 at Goodison Park in that aforementioned most recent three points until the Gunners were beaten while the only other occasion was their 2-1 comeback win at Southampton on October 1. Only Wolverhampton Wanderers (15) have scored fewer goals than Everton’s tally of 16 from 21 Premier League games so far and their two main strikers Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Neal Maupay have just one goal apiece for the campaign.
Calvert-Lewin, who remains an injury doubt for next Monday’s Merseyside Derby at Anfield with a hamstring issue, did have opportunities to add to his total though against Mikel Arteta’s side and missed at least three good chances to score. Despite being up against a table-topping team who had not been beaten since their 3-1 defeat at Manchester United back on September 4, Everton posted 12 shots in the match, an increase on their average for the season of 8.55 and had five on target, again up from their figure of 3.5 across the board.
