Christian Norgaard playing for Denmark.
Photo by Ulrik Pedersen/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Everton have made a relatively good start to the new season, but one statistic will alarm David Moyes.
With six games played, the Toffees have managed to get 10 points on the board and currently sit fifth in the table. After the way the summer transfer window ended, plenty would have taken that.
But while there have been some really good signs, and performances from certain players, there are also lots of areas for improvement. The biggest at the moment is perhaps in the final third, with Everton not scoring as many goals as they should have – Thierno Barry has done well, but has missed a slew of chances and must become more consistent.
There has been praise for Everton’s defensive work this term, with centre-backs James Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite getting a lot of flowers.
But actually, there is one statistic that’ll concern David Moyes – but Christian Norgaard’s return could help to rectify it.
What’s your honest position on Thierno Barry at the moment? 10 big chances missed in the PL, but six goals across all competitions. It's fair to say he divides opinion at Everton, but Dewsbury-Hall is a fan…👀
Credit: Getty Images/James Gill – Danehouse/Gary Oakley – Everton FC/Everton FC
Yet to be convinced by him. Hes doing alright but still very wasteful. Id love to see a more experienced striker to help him even if it was someone like Big Dunc brought in to help with his training.
Yeah he’s well on course to smash last season’s numbers. Lots to like, just needs that conviction and consistency doesn’t he
He will smash kastvyears stats and moving forward will improve…..they all miss chances
Everton are so vulnerable on the counter
The Athletic produced an interesting report this morning that shows how each Premier League team has dealt with counter-attacks this season. And it turns out Everton have done pretty badly.
The publication have published an alternative table, which shows Everton with the ‘highest xG against’ from fast breaks. The Toffees have an xG of 1.94 which is the joint-highest alongside Sunderland. In third is Ipswich Town, with Chelsea and Fulham completing the top five.
The team with the lowest xG against is Arsenal with just 0.21
■ Arsenal as parsimonious as ever ■ Are Chelsea getting cut open too easily? ■ Why Leeds’ structure is so impressive ■ Concerns for the promoted sides ■ Has Ronald Araujo fixed Liverpool’s defending vs transitions? The Athletic’s Expected Table casts its eye on counter-attacks, and the sides who can stop them. Free to read: https://t.co/Vgn2PZQPJ4
— The Athletic | Football (@TheAthleticFC) October 15, 2026
It is stated that Everton have conceded nine shots from fast breaks so far this term.
Essentially, it means that Everton have been very vulnerable on the transition so far this season, with opposition teams causing problems when they get the ball forward quickly against the Toffees.
The Toffee’s previously ranked 15th in each of the previous two seasons for xG conceded from fast breaks, so this stat will surely alarm Moyes.
Why Christian Norgaard could help fix the issue
In order to defend fast breaks better, it’s important to have players in the team that are good at being disciplined and winning the ball back.
Idrissa Gana Gueye was always good at this, and his energy often helped snuff out dangerous counter-attacks from the opposition.
He has moved on now, but Christian Norgaard might be someone who can help Everton improve in this area. The Dane has not yet played since his summer move to the club from Arsenal because of injury. But he’s back fit again now, and was on the bench for the game against Hull.
Moyes has suggested he isn’t close to starting just yet, but he will soon get minutes under his belt, and he is the kind of disciplined ball-winner who can stop Everton becoming so vulnerable on the transition.
As per Sky Sports, he ranked eighth out of all players in the Premier League for interceptions in the 2024/25 season for Brentford. That shows how proficient he can be when it comes to winning the ball back. Norgaard also ranked second in the whole league for possessions won in the final third, with 112.
If Everton can actually stop attacks before they barely have a chance to start, then that would be most ideal.