The Burden of Responsibility
"I didn’t want to be the manager who took Everton down." This poignant statement by David Moyes, made to TNT Sports ahead of Everton’s Premier League clash with Manchester United, encapsulates the immense pressure he faced upon his sensational return to Goodison Park in January. Moyes, who first managed Everton from 2002 to 2013, took over the reins once again after Sean Dyche’s departure, inheriting a team that was perilously close to relegation. His initial loss at home to Aston Villa could have derailed his return, but Moyes and his squad have since embarked on a remarkable turnaround.
The Turnaround Begins
Since his return, Moyes has overseen a series of impressive results, including victories over Tottenham Hotspur, Brighton & Hove Albion, Leicester City, and Crystal Palace, as well as draws against Liverpool, Manchester United, and Brentford. In just eight Premier League games, Everton have garnered 15 points, a little under half their total points haul for the season in just under a third of the games. This has been a sensational period, and on Saturday evening, Moyes and his Everton squad will travel to face Wolverhampton Wanderers, the team currently just below them in the table. A win could see Everton climb as high as 13th, depending on results elsewhere, as they continue their march away from the relegation zone.
The Quiet Confidence
When asked by TNT Sports about the secret to the team’s transformation, Moyes was typically diplomatic. "I don’t think there’s a huge secret—trying to get the players to be a bit more confident and show more belief," he said. "Sean did such a good job and got them through the difficult times of making sure they stayed in the league, and that was a difficult period for everyone. They’ve just got a bit more confidence." Even a few days later, ahead of the draw against Brentford, Moyes remained modest, stating, "I didn’t think when I came in that we’d be on such a good run," and "there’s no magic formula." This classic Moyes approach of playing down his role and praising the players has been a hallmark of his management style.
The Statistical Impact
However, the statistics tell a different story. Everton have scored exactly half of their 30 Premier League goals under Moyes. The team’s goals per game have doubled from 0.8 to 1.9, and their expected goals have risen from 0.96 per game to 1.45. This improvement is reflected in several key metrics. Shots on target per game and big chances created per game have increased from 3.3 and 1.6, respectively, to 4.8 and 3.3. Not only are they taking more shots, but they are also creating more high-quality chances. Before Moyes took over, Everton were converting their chances at the second-worst rate in the Premier League. Under Moyes, they are now converting at a rate of 18.29%, second only to Manchester City.
The Star Performer
No player embodies this goalscoring shift better than striker Salomón Rondón, known by his club nickname "Beto." In his entire Everton career in the Premier League before Moyes took over, Beto had started in just 10 of his 42 games, scoring four goals over 1,158 minutes. Under Moyes, he has started five of seven matches, scoring five goals in 532 minutes. His confidence is evident in his recent goals, such as his opener against Liverpool, which showcased a player high on confidence, taking chances and trusting his instincts. He also scored the opener against Manchester United, further demonstrating his newfound form. However, there have been setbacks, such as his missed hat-trick of chances against Brentford, which frustrated supporters. Despite this, Beto’s overall performance under Moyes has been a significant boost to the team’s offensive capabilities.
A Glimmer of Hope
The key to Everton’s improvement has been their focus on scoring goals. Before Moyes took over, their 15 goals ranked them 19th in the Premier League. The team’s defensive record, however, was already solid, having conceded just 34 goals this season—sixth-best in the league. For context, only Liverpool, Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, Bournemouth, and Crystal Palace have conceded fewer goals this season. This defensive strength provided a solid foundation, but it was the offensive improvement that has been crucial. Moyes has achieved this through a combination of fostering confidence, providing more opportunities to players like Jesper Lindstrom and Abdoulaye Doucoure, and capitalizing on new arrivals such as Carlos Alcaraz and the fit-again James Garner.
Looking Forward
For the first time in a long time, Everton are starting to look up, and ironically, they had to go back in order to do so. Moyes and his players deserve immense credit for rescuing what looked like a sinking ship. If they can maintain this momentum in creating and taking chances, they should end up surviving relegation comfortably. Everton fans can look forward to the upcoming match against Wolverhampton Wanderers with renewed hope, as Moyes and his team continue their journey away from the relegation zone and towards mid-table stability. Catch all the action live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
