Talking Tactics: Why Toffees have hit sticky spell in front of goal

Everton are six games without a win and three without a goal at the worst possible time.

Sean Dyche's side have already been deducted 10 Premier League points this season and face the prospect of losing more after receiving another charge for financial irregularities on Monday.

But there has been enough in their on-field performances to suggest they can turn things around.

Ahead of tonight's FA Cup third round replay with Crystal Palace, we analyse the Toffees' barren run.

Off-field distractions

Previous mismanagement — rather than the current crop of players and coaching staff — is to blame for the brutal points deduction.

And though Everton have made a decent fist of dealing with that sizable blow, it is understandable they might run out of puff.

Combined with a tricky schedule that has seen them play three of the top five on this six-match winless run, the Toffees are suffering their most difficult period since August.

Following a 3-0 defeat at Wolves, goalless draws against Palace and Aston Villa have left boss Dyche with questions to answer.

Stick it in the net

There is reason to believe Everton are doing plenty right, despite only Palace, Burnley and Sheffield United scoring fewer league goals this term.

The Toffees have netted 24 times from an expected goals tally of 34.99, the biggest underperformance in the top flight, while a deficit of -2.78 since Matchday 17 is second-bottom only to Arsenal.

The Merseysiders' conversation rate of just 5.8% across the campaign is also bottom of the table.

Bad finishing is to blame but also bad luck — and Dyche stated last month that those encouraging chance creation numbers will "pay you back" across the length of the campaign.

Main culprit

Though his improved fitness is a boost for Everton, Dominic Calvert-Lewin's return of three league goals suggests he is a particular culprit for their profligacy.

The striker's own expected goals underperformance is second only to Liverpool livewire Darwin Nunez in the top flight, while Luton midfielder Ross Barkley is the sole player to have taken more shots per game for less reward.

The England international has failed to notch in 13 outings since October 29 and Dyche said: "I will be reminding him that the further away it gets [his next goal], the closer it gets.

"Getting chances in the Premier League is a tough skill. If he keeps getting in there and getting chances then it will go in."

Crucial absences

The absence of Abdoulaye Doucoure and Dwight McNeil to injury has not helped matters.

The last time Dyche was able to field his first-choice front four from the start — also including Calvert-Lewin and Jack Harrison — marked their last victory at Burnley in December.

The two absentees rank in the Toffees' top three for chances created, completed take-ons and shots, so it is little surprise the goals have dried up since that Turf Moor win.

But Doucoure returned from his hamstring problem to play 90 minutes against Villa last Sunday, while McNeil managed 27 minutes as a substitute.

With the pair back in the mix, Everton should soon rediscover their shooting boots.