How Tarkowski and Everton can tame top-scoring Chelsea

Adrian Clarke looks at key tactical points and players who can make the difference in Matchweek 17.

Team analysis: Everton

Across the last 10 rounds of Premier League fixtures, Everton have been the strongest defensive unit in the division.

Sean Dyche’s men are in incredibly solid form, having conceded seven times in that term and registered six clean sheets.

Ahead of a home clash against the division’s top scorers Chelsea, this should inspire confidence among the home faithful at Goodison Park.

Let’s analyze why toffees prove so difficult to break down.

Defense in numbers

Dyche organizes his team very well without the ball, ensuring that they are very rarely outnumbered.

His 4-2-3-1 shape easily reverts to a 4-5-1, and two of his three units work closely together to shrink space for rivals looking to find space.

These two examples from goalless draws at Arsenal and West Ham United show how compact they can be, limiting the space between the lines very effectively.

With nine outfield players behind the ball, and a great focus on staying close to each other, they are good at forcing the opponents sideways and backwards.

Not just a low block

It would be wrong to characterize Everton as a team that always “parks the bus” on the edge of their own box.

They also like to defend with conviction and enjoy in more advanced areas.

Only four sides create more pressure inside the central third than Everton, who usually ask the man closest to the ball to harass the receiver.

The back four will push up in those moments, but as a well-drilled team it is unusual for Dyche’s side to be caught out by a high line.

Tightness is a big part of their set-up, with their three central midfielders and wide men tucking in close together and blocking passing lanes down the spine.

They will need to get this aspect of their game in place against Chelsea, who will try to bait them forward with a view to pushing a forward pass into Cole Palmer or Nicolas Jackson.

In those situations, especially when combined, this Blues’ duo is exceptionally dangerous.

When it comes to pressure or counter-pressure in the final third, Everton don’t shy away from it either.

There are 10 Premier League teams that have won possession in that domain less frequently than the Toffees.

Left-sided striker Iliman Ndiaye is very good at defending from the front.

Whether it’s winning the ball back from pressure, or tracking back to pick up loose balls, Ndiaye is a valuable presence off the ball, making life easier for the players behind him.

The PL players with the most possession won 24/25

Player	Possession wins
Ryan Christie	94
Moises Caicedo	93
Iliman Ndiaye	92
Ola Aina	89
Diogo Dalot	87

Remarkably, Ndiaye is third in the division for possession recoveries, just one recovery behind Chelsea’s outstanding defensive midfielder Moises Caicedo.

While Ndiaye will be frustrated to have only scored twice so far, his role in the team is crucial.

Better chemistry

Fit-again Jarrad Branthwaite has made a positive difference for Everton, who have kept four clean sheets in five games since reclaiming his place in the starting XI.

The 22-year-old does not post individual data better than Michael Keane, but as a partnership he and James Tarkowski work very smoothly with each other.

Communicating clearly and consistently getting their spacing right, Everton are a better side when Branthwaite and Tarkowski start as a pair.

Key man: James Tarkowski

Everton know they can rely on Tarkowski, one of the division’s most reliable central defenders.

The 32-year-old often thrives in their toughest tests, growing in stature when his side are put under pressure.

Playing on the right of Branthwaite at Arsenal last weekend, he made three blocks as well as seven clearances in a resolute performance.

This magnificent block from Bukayo Saka in the first half denied the Gunners a certain goal.

At home to Newcastle United in another 0-0 stalemate, Tarkowski made 10 clearances, won three tackles and was successful in 10 of 11 duels in the air and on the ground.

His reading of the game and willingness to put his body in the way of shots marks him as the Toffees’ key man this weekend.

As these numbers (below) prove, Tarkowski is one of the most dominant Premier League centre-backs when it comes to protecting his own box.

Tarkowski’s defensive stats 24/25

Statistics	Total	PL defends rank
Block	21	= 3
Clearances	87	4
Headed Clearances	50	4
Duels won	92	= 4
Aerial duels won	46	7

If you want to see what it looks like in visual form, here is the Everton star’s defensive action card for 2024/25.

If Chelsea are lobbing hopeful balls into the penalty area, Tarkowski will enjoy it.

Tarkowski’s defensive actions PL 2024/25

Pickford’s fine home record against Chelsea

Jordan Pickford has featured in five home wins against Chelsea across the last six meetings at Goodison Park.

Everton and their no. 1 will feel confident of getting another positive result.

Pickford was superb against Arsenal, making five saves, including a superb reaction stop to deny Saka.

A sign of how well protected Pickford is, however, can be seen in the number of saves he has been forced to make from shots inside the box.

He has made just 29 stops from close range, while 10 other ‘keepers including David Raya and Chelsea’s Robert Sanchez have had to produce more saves from inside the area than Pickford.

Based on Everton’s recent defensive excellence, Chelsea will not find it as easy as they have of late to create clear-cut opportunities.

Also in this series