Everton's unbeaten start to the season has been highlighted by the club's inaugural player power rankings, which place James Tarkowski at the summit. New signing Ainsley Maitland-Niles slots straight into second, while goalkeeper Jordan Pickford is just outside the top spots. The rankings reflect a squad that has gelled quickly, with key contributions across the pitch as shown in the detailed squad and stats pages.
The Toffees have begun the campaign with seven games unbeaten in all competitions, a feat achieved only twice before this century. They sit seventh in the Premier League standings with nine points from five matches, having scored six goals and conceded just three. This defensive solidity has been the foundation for a run of two wins and three draws in the league.
James Tarkowski has been the standout performer, topping the power rankings. The centre-back provided the assist for the only goal in the recent 1-0 win over Ipswich Town. His commanding presence has been central to a defence that has kept three consecutive clean sheets across all competitions. His partnership with Jarrad Branthwaite is considered a major reason for the team's strong defensive stats.
Defender Vitalii Mykolenko has been a key part of that defensive unit, playing in each of those three shutouts. His performance in the goalless draw away at Tottenham was singled out as particularly impressive, where he made several key interventions.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles has answered a long-term need for a specialist right-back, scoring in the 2-2 draw with Manchester United. His seamless integration and attacking contribution from defence have seen him ranked second in the power list, providing a new dynamic to the team's play.
In midfield, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall has been ever-present, playing every minute of the Premier League season and contributing one goal. His consistent performances, including a high work rate and creative passing, have put him in the frame for a potential England call-up.
Alongside Dewsbury-Hall, centre-back Jarrad Branthwaite is back in the England setup after featuring in all 450 league minutes so far. Staying fit after an injury-hit previous campaign has been vital for his resurgence, and his ball-playing ability from the back has added a new dimension to Everton's build-up play.
The team's resilience is notable given the absence of several players. Manager David Moyes recently remarked that the team had been "operating with one arm tied behind his back," a reference to the current injuries list, making the collective achievement of this unbeaten run more significant. The team now looks ahead to a trip to face Hull City on 11 October, a fixture listed on the club's fixtures page, where they will aim to extend their positive form.
This story first appeared at Goodison News
