Everton went into their Merseyside derby with Liverpool yesterday evening with the fifth-worst defensive record in the Premier League, but their goal-less draw meant that they have now earned three consecutive clean sheets. John Stones himself, said that the team have benefited greatly from a winter break recently - giving them time to analyze their performances, and correcting their mistakes collectively as a team. 

Stones had this to say: "The break was massively important to regroup and regenerate and to look back on the games we played and look at the positives and negatives and try to put them straight. We always have to keep in mind where we are going wrong but, especially for us, it was a great break to get away, pick a few key points which were going wrong in games. Everyone enjoyed it, particularly in the warm weather, and we got closer and bonded more.

We have looked really solid at the back - we work hard on that and on trying to express ourselves going forward and I think we showed that in parts but not enough to go and get goals. We have really turned a corner and we are looking on the up in the second half of the season.

On their upcoming away fixture against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge: "We will approach it as any other game, go in with a positive attitude and see how we can do. They have a better balance in their team (than last season). Jose Mourinho is very good at picking his players and we have to go there with a plan, stick to it and see how we can break them down while playing our game. If we can do that, put a stamp on the game, and make Chelsea afraid of us in some sense I don't think we will do too bad. The gaffer wants us to play from the back so we will keep it moving on how we bring it out and start our football from the back."

About the author
Mosope Ominiyi
Writer and editor - European football analyst, youth enthusiast. Email: [email protected]