Tarkowski On Solidity And Early-Season Fitness Battle

James Tarkowski insists Everton’s defensive improvements provide a “platform to build from”, as they head into a busy festive period following the international break.

After earning a point through a goalless draw at West Ham United on Saturday, the Blues have now recorded the most clean sheets (three) and least goals conceded (two) in the Premier League since the start of October.

And, on a personal level, Tarkowski – an ever-present for Everton so far during their 2024/25 Premier League campaign – says he now feels fully fit again after a difficult start to the season, in which he played every minute despite suffering niggling injury setbacks.

“I said early season that it was very, very poor the way we're defending – me personally and as a unit and as a team,” Tarkowski told evertontv, speaking after the final whistle at the London Stadium.

“But we've got back to the sort of level that we expect. Jordan made a couple of big saves today, but we defended well and felt comfortable for most of the game as we have done a lot recently in other games.

“So, we can be pleased with that and, as I say, it's always a platform to build from. If you're defending well and keep clean sheets, you'll always get an opportunity to score goals and hopefully in this Christmas period coming up with the games thick and fast, we can start to do that.”

On his early-season fitness battle, he continued: “I'm back to the way I want to be now. It's took a bit of time, a frustrating period for the first few months.

“It's not easy playing with niggles and injuries and not being at full fitness but it's part of the game, there's plenty of people do it. So, I'm feeling back to the level that I want to be, and I want to continue that.”

Only seven teams have picked up more points than Everton (nine) over the past six games, with six of those sides (Brighton, Man City, Fulham, Brentford, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth) earning just one more point than the Blues.

The Toffees welcome Brentford in their first game back after the international break, before entering December, which sees them face a tough fixture list, including matches against Manchester United, Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester City.

Tarkowski believes the defensive strength Everton have showcased provides worthy preparation heading into those matches.

“We're building on good basics,” he said. “Last week [at Southampton] was disappointing but I thought we were very very close to taking three points there. It was disappointing last week but we’ve had one loss in seven, and a few clean sheets in there and a few goals.

“From that sort of platform, if we keep building towards it, we'll score some more goals at some point whether that be set pieces or a little bit of quality that we'll get and hopefully work up that table.

“This last block of games from the international break has been really good for us despite the defeat last week.

“So, we get away refreshed, rested up and ready to go for that busy period but it's a good time of year to play football. It's my favourite time to get out there so I'm looking forward to it.”