Some views on individual player stats
Zabaleta – Struggled with his passes and only completed 57% with 16 from 28
Masuaku – Our highest pass completion rate with 91% of his passes finding a team mate. Added slightly more in attack.
Balbuena – Or best defender again by the stats. Commanded the box in terms of clearance with 9 which was needed with Everton putting in plenty of crosses.
Diop – Another solid performance, adding blocks and tackles to his clearances. Forming a good centre back partnership with Balbuena.
Rice – Superb game, our 2nd highest number of passes completed and a good pass completion of 82%. Also had our best defensive stats behind Balbuena as he played the role perfectly dropping in to the defensive line when he was needed.
Noble – A more advanced role meaning his passing numbers were lower than normal but had more of an influence in attacks with 7 passes in the attacking third.
Obiang – Similar stats and role to Noble although better defensively, worked well as a pair.
Anderson – Great attacking stats with 16 completed passes in the attacking 3rd. But what also gets missed is the work he puts into defending with interceptions and tackles.
Arnautovic – Very effective at what he does without really showing through in the stats, good goal and assist.
Yarmolenko – Involved in plenty of our attacks, 11 passes in attacking third as well as his 2 goals. Doesn’t add much in defence so we need to ensure he is not given too many defensive duties.