Everton picked up another positive result as they held Chelsea to a 0-0 draw at Goodison Park.
Sean Dyche’s men are now unbeaten in their last three games and are dealing with this tricky fixture run pretty comfortably at the minute.
Granted, Everton are finding wins hard to come by, but defensively they’ve been rock solid and aren’t far off turning these draws into three points.
The Toffees now have a four-point buffer on the relegation zone heading into Christmas, so there’s plenty to be positive about on Merseyside, particularly after The Friedkin Group completed their takeover.
Speaking after the game, Enzo Maresca made an extraordinary claim about Everton which Dyche will be very pleased to hear.
Jordan Pickford of Everton acknowledges the fans after the draw in the Premier League match between Everton FC and Chelsea FC at Goodison Park on D...
Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images
Enzo Maresca says Everton have top-five defence in Europe
Jordan Pickford is now leading the way for the golden glove this season as he kept his seventh clean sheet of the season.
That’s now five clean sheets in their last six games and speaking after the Goodison Park affair, Enzo Maresca made a bold claim about just how good Everton’s backline is.
“I’m very happy, I told this to the players,” the Chelsea boss explained.
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“I’m more happy than the Brentford game. Everton it’s tricky game, tricky stadium, tricky team, they’re one of the five best teams defensively in Europe in terms of clean sheets.”
🔵✨ Maresca after 0-0 draw: “I’m very happy, I told this to the players. I’m more happy than the Brentford game”.
“Everton it’s tricky game, tricky stadium, tricky team, they’re one of the five best teams defensively in Europe in terms of clean sheets”. pic.twitter.com/cOJPfJpPFr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) December 22, 2024
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Maresca was really complimentary about The Toffees post-match which perhaps reflects that he recognises his side got away with one.
Jack Harrison missed a brilliant chance which could’ve sealed all three points for the hosts.
Everton must now address goalscoring woes
Whilst Everton have been rock solid defensively, and certainly deserve praise for that, they must seriously improve going forward.
The Toffees are the second-lowest scorers in the entire Premier League and have failed to score in six of their last seven games.
Everton fans have been urging Dyche to drop Dominic Calvert-Lewin as his wait for a goal continues.
Armando Broja must start on Thursday, as they take on Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium.