REUTERS/Jason Cairnduff
Everton's impressive defensive record at the start of the 2026/27 Premier League campaign is a credit to David Moyes and his ability to make his teams hard to beat.
The Toffees have kept three clean sheets and only conceded three goals in the first five matches of the league season, winning two and drawing three of their games.
Action Images via Reuters/Craig Brough
In the 1-0 win over Ipswich Town at the Hill Dickinson on Saturday, the Tractor Boys were limited to one 'big chance' thanks to Jarrad Branthwaite and James Tarkowski's dominant defending.
Vitaliy Mykolenko played a part in the clean sheet at left-back, winning five of his eight duels across the 90 minutes, but Moyes should still want more from his full-back.
Mykolenko's performance vs Ipswich showed his biggest flaw
Whilst the Ukraine international was solid enough defensively with his contributions out of possession, the left-footed star did not offer much of a threat going forward.
Everton's Vitalii Mykolenko
The 27-year-old left-back ended the game against Ipswich with no key passes, no 'big chances' created, and no shots on target for his team, whilst losing possession 14 times in total.
Mykolenko did not make the most of his opportunities to burst forward to support the attack down the left flank, failing to create a chance with either of his crosses, but that was not a surprise.
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Mykolenko (Premier League) 25/26 26/27
Appearances 33 5
Goals 0 0
Key passes per game 0.7 0.4
Big chances created 1 0
xA 2.46 0.15
Assists 1 0
Since coming in to finally attempt to replace Leighton Baines at Goodison Park in 2022, the Ukrainian defender has rarely provided quality as an attacking force.
He has only scored four goals and supplied three assists in 148 appearances in the Premier League, whilst Baines scored 39 goals and assisted a further 64 in 420 matches for the club.
Mykolenko has been a significant downgrade on Baines at left-back, due to his lack of quality with the ball at his feet, and his performance against Ipswich was the latest piece of evidence.
Everton have found a bigger downgrade than Baines to Mykolenko
The Ukraine international is not the only player who is underperforming as an attacking threat for the Toffees, though, as one of his teammates is currently looking like an even bigger downgrade.
kiernan-dewsbury-hall-everton
Everton were dealt a significant blow during the summer transfer window when Manchester City swooped in to sign Iliman Ndiaye for a fee of £65m before the deadline.
The Senegal international scored 17 goals and created 11 'big chances' for his teammates in the 2024/25 and 2025/26 campaigns combined with the club before he sealed a big-money move to The Etihad.
Brennan Johnson was brought in from Crystal Palace, in a straight swap deal with Dwight McNeil, in an effort to strengthen the attack, and he has taken Ndiaye's place out wide for Moyes.
REUTERS/Ian Hodgson
Unfortunately, though, the Wales international's performance against Ipswich on Saturday was the latest in a string of underwhelming displays since his move from Selhurst Park over the summer.
Johnson is looking like an even bigger downgrade compared to Ndiaye than Mykolenko was to Baines, due to his lack of quality at the top end of the pitch.
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Vs Ipswich Brennan Johnson
Minutes played 66
Pass accuracy 47%
Passes completed 7
Key passes 0
Big chances created 0
Shots 2
Shots on target 0
Big chances missed 1
Error led to shot 1
The Welshman had a great chance to score a goal in the fifth minute of the game when he turned well in the game and had a free shot at goal from 12 yards out, only to roll his effort wide of the bottom left post.
After missing that big chance to score, the former Spurs attacker only completed 47% of his attempted passes, which is a dismal success rate, and did not create a single chance for his teammates.
In fact, his error leading to a shot for Ipswich meant that he inadvertently created more chances for the away team than he did for his own side in 66 minutes on the pitch.
Johnson has now played five times in the Premier League for the Toffees this season and he has yet to score a goal, create a 'big chance', or assist a goal for his teammates.
Reuters/Jason Cairnduff
It should not come as a major surprise to anyone, though, because the 25-year-old winger joined the club off the back of failing to score a single goal in 26 appearances for Crystal Palace.
The difference between Johnson and Ndiaye's play, both generally and in the final third, is night and day, which is why the Welshman currently looks like a significant downgrade.
Mykolenko, at least, has proven himself to be a dependable enough defender, helping the team to keep three clean sheets in five matches, but Johnson is not offered anywhere near enough for the position that he plays, which is why he is a bigger downgrade.