Everton 0-0 Chelsea: Is Ashley Young one of the Premier League’s best RB right now? | OneFootball

Chelsea was unable to move into the Premier League‘s top spot, albeit potentially temporarily, after Everton held them to a goalless draw at Goodison Park this afternoon.

Sean Dyche’s men successfully frustrated their visitors, who managed to register a total of 12 shots on goal, with five of them on target, although Chelsea accumulated an xG of just 0.77 today, their lowest in any of their 17 Premier League matches this season and the fourth-lowest xG overall by a team to have had 12+ shots this term.

This pressure forced Jordan Pickford to make four saves, and he became the goalkeeper to end Chelsea’s 15-match scoring run in England’s top division.

As a result of this performance, Everton has now achieved seven clean sheets in this season’s Premier League, all coming since October, which is the most of any team across Europe’s top five leagues during this period. It’s also tied for the most in the league with their Merseyside rivals, Liverpool, who are set to face Tottenham later today.

Breaking down the numbers further, Everton have conceded just two goals in their last six Premier League games at Goodison Park, achieving four clean sheets. This match was the club’s fifth goalless draw, the highest in the Premier League this season.

Although Pickford’s heroics were notable, the performance of a former England international stood out, especially considering he is arguably in the twilight of his career. It was truthfully a standout display amid a series of consecutive strong recent outings.

Ashley Young made his 13th consecutive start for the Toffees, with all but two appearances coming at right-back. He has played the full 90 minutes in 11 of those matches.

Young played 74 minutes against the Blues, consistently facing the in-form Jason Sancho. He successfully made three tackles and was the only Everton player to initiate an offside trap effectively. Although he was dribbled past three times, Young still managed to register two interceptions that helped retain possession, along with one shot on target.

His recent performances rank him as the joint third-best right-back, according to Squawka Score rating (70%), with only Trent Alexander-Arnold (73%) and Pedro Porro (71%) ahead of him.

Young, who turned 39 in July, signed a one-year contract extension, marking his second consecutive year at Everton. Prior to this, he spent two seasons at Aston Villa and two years at Inter Milan. Before that, he enjoyed nine campaigns with Manchester United, where the once-flying winger transitioned into a full-back.

His decision to remain impressed boss Dyche, who complimented the professionalism of the Stevenage native, which is something his younger teammates can aspire to.

“Ashley’s not short of wealth. He could easily have walked away in the summer but told me he still that had edge and wanted to play,” Dyche, who gave the former England international his debut at Watford 21 years ago, recently said.

“I think he naturally gets about his business. He’s got a great old-school thing about him, he’s very modern to look after himself, but he just gets out there and does it. Players nowadays, with 15 rubs and 14 different tie-ups and 57 stretches, he just runs out there for training like “Come on, let’s go”. That’s brilliant and I love that.

“I wish those days were back more often. Some routines are valid and some I think, do you really need that to train?! Ashley is here again, filling holes, playing different positions and certainly in the last few games, done very well.

‘I’ve known him for many moons and didn’t have to worry about the criticism he was getting. That’s just modern life. I don’t think it’s ideal for players, but it’s the way it goes. I think his professionalism, and Michael Keane, has been outstanding since I’ve been at the club

“They just continue to get out there and play hard, work hard. All the things you want from proper professionals, and they certainly are proper professionals.”

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