Everton defender Vitaliy Mykolenko has confirmed that the team are actively training to perfect long throws, as the Premier League’s latest tactical trend continues to grow in influence.
Speaking to Sport.ua while on international duty with Ukraine, the 26-year-old discussed the increasing use of long throw-ins across England’s top flight — a method that has already helped Everton find success this season.
Long throws: the Premier League’s new weapon
The tactic has surged in popularity in 2025/26, with 11 goals already scored directly from long throws so far — just three fewer than the total from all of last season. Clubs across the division are increasingly treating the throw-in as a genuine set-piece opportunity, with dedicated drills and specialists emerging at training grounds.
Everton have embraced the trend, scoring from a second-phase move that started with a Mykolenko long throw during their 2–0 win over Fulham before the international break.
When asked about the approach, Mykolenko confirmed that it’s something the Toffees have been refining under their coaching staff.
“We haven’t talked about it in the national team yet,” he said. “But now there is such a tendency, at least in the Premier League, that there are a lot of long throw-ins. I have such an option — I can throw into the penalty area. So far without goals, but we are trying to throw in from a distance.”
Everton following tactical evolution
The use of long throws has evolved from a rarity to a regular weapon across the league. Sides such as Brentford, and Sunderland have long used it as part of their attacking playbook, and now Everton are among those looking to exploit the chaos it can create in crowded penalty areas.
For David Moyes’s team, who have relied heavily on set pieces for goals in recent seasons, this adjustment is a natural fit. Moyes’s previous West Ham United sides were known for their aerial strength and structured attacking routines — something Mykolenko and Everton’s defensive group are now translating into their own game.
| Premier League Long-Throw Stats (2025/26) | Data |
|---|---|
| Total Goals from Long Throws | 11 |
| Season Comparison (2024/25) | 14 total |
| Everton Long-Throw Goals | 1 (vs Fulham) |
| Mykolenko Throw-Ins per Game | 3.1 avg* |
*approximate league data – 12 November 2025
Contract talks on the horizon
Mykolenko also hinted at plans to extend his future at Goodison Park. The Ukrainian full-back has been one of Everton’s most consistent performers since joining in 2022 and revealed that renewal talks are expected soon.
“We’ll see what happens,” he said recently when asked about his future. “The club and I are positive. Discussions will come soon.”
Our View: Moyes’s Everton embracing pragmatism
In our view, Mykolenko’s comments show how Everton are evolving tactically under Moyes. The introduction of structured long-throw routines reflects the club’s pragmatic approach — maximising every possible advantage amid a physically intense Premier League season.
With players like James Tarkowski and Michael Keane offering aerial dominance, turning throw-ins into goal opportunities could be a subtle but important edge in tight matches.
Key Insights
- Vitaliy Mykolenko confirms Everton are training long-throw routines.
- The Premier League has seen 11 long-throw goals already this season.
- Everton scored from a Mykolenko throw-in in their 2–0 win over Fulham.
- The tactic reflects David Moyes’s focus on set-piece efficiency.
- Mykolenko is also in early talks over a potential contract renewal.
What’s Next
Everton return to Premier League action on 24 November against Manchester United, with Mykolenko expected to start at left-back once more. Fans will be watching closely to see if the Toffees’ new long-throw weapon continues to pay dividends in the coming weeks.
👉 Everton fans — what do you think of long throws becoming a key part of Dyche’s system? Tactical genius or football throwback?
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