Dissecting the match: Everton 1-6 Arsenal

By: Ian Rose | August 15th, 2009

Every once in a while, in addition to looking at wider trends in football statistics, I’ll be examining a particular match that sticks out for one reason or another in a series I’d like to call “Dissecting the Match”. First up, the thrashing that Arsenal gave Everton today, 6-1 at Goodison Park.

All-time Series (before today’s match)
190 matches played
92 Arsenal wins, 40 draws, 58 Everton wins (+73 goal differential for Arsenal)

Streaks
Last time Everton lost by 5 or more goals : May 11, 2005 (7-0 away to Arsenal)
Last time Arsenal won by 5 or more goals : September 23, 2008 (6-0 at home to Sheffield United, FA Cup)
Last time Everton lost by 5 or more at home : November 6, 1982 (0-5 to Liverpool, old Division 1)
Last time Arsenal won by 5 on the road : January 27, 2001 (0-6 over QPR, FA Cup)

Shooting and Scoring Stats
Total Shots: 15 for Arsenal, 8 for Everton
Shots on Target: 9 for Arsenal, 5 for Everton
Shooting Accuracy (% on target): 60% for Arsenal, 62.5% for Everton
Shooting Efficiency (goals/total shots): 40% for Arsenal, 12.5% for Everton

Passing Stats
Time of Possession: 54% Arsenal, 46% Everton
Passes attempted: 419 for Arsenal, 319 for Everton
Pass Completion: 82.3% for Arsenal, 77.4% for Everton
Everton’s best passer: Jack Rodwell (off the bench) – 10/11 – 91% completion
Arsenal best passer: Denilson – 44/45 – 98% completion

The Story
There are two kinds of blowouts, and they have very different profiles statistically. First is the kind where one side completely dominates, holding all of the ball and barraging their opponent with shots at a fairly average level of accuracy and efficiency. Then there are the kind where both take a roughly equal number of shots on goal, but one side is far more efficient in taking high-quality shots. It’s basically a question of quantity vs. quality, and today, Arsenal’s win was based on the latter – quality. Chelsea took 11 more shots than Arsenal today in their skin-of-the-teeth win over Hull, but most were not particularly dangerous. High shooting efficiency means that when Arsenal took shots, they were often in a position to beat the keeper, rather than having to gun from awkward angles and distances. Basically, they could pick their chances, and did. And of course, Denilson completing 44 passes and scoring a goal didn’t hurt their cause.

As for the historical aspect of the match, it’s a major one in the annals of Everton, the worst home loss for them in the Premier League era. Although Arsenal beat Everton 7-0 in London in 2005, you have to go back to September 6, 1958 to find a similar result in Merseyside, another 6-1 for the Gunners. Overall, it’s only the 4th 6-goal scoring day Arsenal have ever had against Everton in 191 total meetings.

Rough day to be wearing blue in Merseyside. Only time will tell whether the scoring display we saw from Arsenal today was a flash in the pan or the beginning of a real title push.