67.5% Everton Dominate Possession In Draw At Norwich City
Roberto Martínez has got his Everton side playing under the same philosophy as he developed previously at both Swansea City and Wigan Athletic possession football. Everton had two-thirds of the possession in their trip to Carrow Road on Saturday (Norwich averaged 43.2% possession last season), coming away with a 2-2 draw more than any other Premier League side this weekend. Marouane Fellaini and Leon Osman controlled the ball in midfield, completing a number of passes for the Toffees, as did the two centre-backs. The Spaniard has seemingly implemented his strategy into his new side as soon as the first game of the season. Though defending may be on his agenda next as Steven Whittaker was able to weave through the defence before slotting into an open goal on the rebound after his initial effort came back off the inside of the post. Highly-rated Ross Barkley scored Everton's equaliser 4 minutes before Seamus Coleman gave the visitors the lead. A mishit cross by Steven Whittaker landed on the head of Ricky van Wolfswinkel to rescue the home side a point. Everton host West Bromwich Albion next weekend, a side who averaged 45.9% possession last season under Steve Clarke and whom managed to keep the ball for 46.8% of Saturday's defeat at home to Southampton.
Barrie's View is a football stat man focusing mainly on the English Premier League. Barrie also contributes to other large football blogs, including Back Page Football and Football Talk, and has been cited by the USA Today.
