Swansea Problems
When one team delivers an excellent performance, there is always conjecture surrounding the extent to just how good a performance it truly was. Was the performance perhaps due to the opponent being off form too? Swansea did have some key players missing which did not aid their cause however, given the level of performance that Everton delivered, a full strength Swansea would arguably still have been defeated on Saturday although the manner of any defeat would have been substantially different.
In his desire to make Swansea slightly more direct, able to convert their possession into more goalscoring chances, the shape of Swansea was different on Saturday. The compact nature of the team changed with the side being slightly more stretched from defence into attack. This means passes travel longer distances and can be intercepted more easily. Compounding this issue, the passing was slow and pedestrian at times allowing Everton time to regain their shape before pressing one more.
The Swansea that Rodgers built was focused upon the retention of possession and creation of passing angles as the team progressed up the pitch as one unit. Laudrup seeks to move the play forward quicker and on Saturday he was unable to find any solutions to the problems which Everton presented. The squad is one which cannot yet play in a substantially different style.
Yet there were moments when Swansea passed sharply and created chances but any semblance of pressure on Everton was fleeting and not sustained.
The game effectively ended when Dyer was sent off for two rash moments early in the second half. Swansea reverted to a 4-3-2 formation with Ki already in an unfamiliar centre back role due to Tate’s withdrawal. Swansea lacked width allowing Leighton Baines more freedom on the left.
Angel Rangel had managed to move into some positive positions during different phases of the game but did his attacking instincts suit the Everton approach? Did Moyes react and counter Rangel’s positive movements? Was this why Baines enjoyed such a fine game?
Leighton Baines & The Everton “Small Society”
The excellent football writer, Santapelota, recounts the views of the relatively unknown Brazilian coach Paulo Autori who argues that rather than focus on partnerships, a team should seek to create triangles of mutual understanding. Autori calls these triangles “small societies”. The society tends to exist within the symmetry of the team’s shape. Once you learn of the concept it’s easy to identify the presence of such “small societies” in present day teams e.g. Alves – Xavi – Messi at Barcelona.
We are now seeing the emergence of a “small society” at Everton with Pienaar, Fellani and arguably the most important member of the society, Leighton Baines. When Everton attack, the right footed Pienaar naturally cuts inward allowing space for Baines to over lap on the outside. His ability to whip in crosses whilst moving at pace provides a constant stream of chances for the likes of Jelavic and Fellani to feed upon. Fellani now occupies his preferred position within the team, behind the striker but able to advance in the attacking phase of the game before withdrawing when necessary to stabilise the midfield in the defensive phase. Although he does move across the pitch, he is frequently found on the left, occupying space that Pienaar has vacated. Whilst this progresses, Baines remains the constant feature, advancing whilst holding a wide position.
With five games gone so far this season, the most creative player in the Premiership thus far statistically is Leighton Baines.
Baines set piece delivery is well known but the most surprising statistic from the above table is that 46% of the chances Baines is creating is from open play. The relationship that Baines and Pienaar are developing along with assistance from Fellani has the potential to cause all Premiership teams significant problems.

On Saturday, Baines delivered the free kick from which Fellani provided the assist to Anichibe and then late on provided the assist for Fellani, again via a free kick (which Baines himself won after being tripped by Michu following an uncontested run forward). Yet there were countless other examples of Baines forward surges on Saturday, particularly during the second half when Baines provided crosses which Everton failed to take advantage of. That is perhaps the one disappointing feature from Everton’s play on Saturday. A multitude of chances were squandered as Baines now delivers a chance for Everton roughly every 18minutes. It’s a fantastic statistic for a left back and demonstrates not only his development but that to of the team as the system encourages that attacking aspect.
Conclusions
This was a tremendous performance by an Everton side who are performing very well. Moyes now appears to have constructed a squad with quality replacements and which should challenge for a Europa League spot.
The work ethic has been mixed with guile and craft to produce a lovely blend allowing Everton to pass the ball when the situation presents itself or alternatively, go long and become more physical.
As the strength of Everton’s left becomes more apparent, opponents will seek to exploit the marauding runs from Baines and the space he vacates. Moyes must temper this attribute carefully.
A second straight defeat for Swansea will have the prophets of doom quickly running and bringing out the cliched “second season syndrome”. Laudrup should be concerned over the manner of the defeat and the way in which a team renowned for passing was so easily disposed by an aggressive press. This is still a squad in a transitional phase and the early victories perhaps raised expectations. Once all members adjust and the team fully understands what Laudrup is seeking, Swansea should be fine. Just as the early season victories were not the precursor to an assault on the Champions League places, nor should successive defeats be viewed as a recipe for relegation.