Everton picked up their best result of the season in mid-week as they beat Wolves 4-0 at Goodison Park.
Everton were brilliant against Wolves on Wednesday, and there are no prizes for guessing how Everton got their goals.
Indeed, all four of the Toffees’ goals on Wednesday came from set-plays, and another goal was disallowed from a similar situation.
Speaking on It’s All Kicking Off, Chris Sutton has been discussing Everton’s prowess from set-pieces, and he’s praised Dwight McNeil for his ability to deliver a ball.
Sutton says that while Declan Rice gets a lot pf praise for his set-piece delivery at Arsenal, McNeil deserves just as much credit for the crosses he delivers.
Dwight McNeil of Everton FC during the Premier League match between Everton FC and Crystal Palace FC at Goodison Park on September 28, 2024 in Live...
Photo by Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images
Dwight McNeil can deliver as well as Declan Rice
Sutton spoke about McNeil and his ability to deliver from set-pieces.
The pundit says that the Everton star has a wand of a left foot and that he’s brilliant at delivering from dead ball situations.
Declan Rice gets a lot of praise for his delivery, and Sutton believes McNeil should receive the same plaudits.
“I think that Sean Dyche set his team up and play to their strengths. “
“I think they’re not going to change the game plan. They also have Dwight McNeil, you talk about Declan Rice’s delivery, He’s got a wand of a left foot and he’s going to be really important for Everton if they want to climb the table.
“I’m pleased for Sean Dyche because he takes a hell of a lot of stick. I mean, in many ways, typical Everton isn’t that they score four goals and two of them are own goals from Craig Dawson.”
Arsenal set-piece stats compared to Everton
Everton and Arsenal are two of the very best teams in the Premier League when it comes to scoring from set-pieces, and their stats make for interesting reading.
Arsenal’s set piece numbers have been brilliant this term, but Everton’s have also been impressive
Indeed, the numbers here are quite intriguing to say the least.
Arsenal stats this season Everton stats this season
Set-piece goals 7 6*
Corners taken 95 60
Free kicks per game 10.4 10.67
Assists by Rice/McNeil 2 3
*Craig Dawson’s two own-goals don’t count towards this metric
Arsenal have scored more goals from set-pieces than Everton, but, it’s also worth noting that the Gunners have had way more opportunities from set-plays.
Everton and Arsenal win free-kicks at a similar sort of rate, but Arsenal have had way more corners than Everton this season.
Arsenal are scoring more from set-pieces than Sean Dyche’s side, but Everton are seemingly more efficient from those set-piece situations, and that may be down to McNeil’s incredible crossing ability.
The £20m man is certainly an underrated weapon, and, as Sutton says, he’ll have a big part to play if Everton are going to be successful this season.
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