BBC Sport pundit Troy Deeney selected James Tarkowski for his Premier League Team of the Week. This follows Everton’s dominant 3-0 win over Chelsea at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday, 21 March 2026. Writing in his BBC Sport column, Deeney noted that Tarkowski showed immense experience and control. He stayed exactly where the team needed him. He made vital tackles and, more importantly, provided a calming presence in the backline. The former striker also highlighted Chelsea’s defensive flaws. He pointed out that their centre-backs lacked the grit and composure Tarkowski brought to the Everton defence all game.
James Tarkowski Steps Up as Everton Dismantle Chelsea at Hill Dickinson
Everton delivered their best performance of the season on Saturday night. They brushed Chelsea aside to fuel their European hopes. The result leaves David Moyes’ side just three points behind fifth place. Beto scored twice, hitting the net in the 33rd and 62nd minutes. Iliman Ndiaye then finished the rout with a third goal. James Garner provided the spark with an inch-perfect through ball for Beto’s opener. Tarkowski captained the team during the win. His return from an undisclosed injury proved vital after he missed the 2-0 loss at Arsenal.
According to Sofascore, Tarkowski remains a bedrock for the Toffees. He holds an average league rating of 7.18 this season. FotMob rated his Chelsea performance at 7.1 for the full 90 minutes. This season, he averages 1.33 tackles and 6.60 clearances per game. His 39 blocks rank him among the league’s elite. The defender even nearly scored himself, firing a shot on goal in the 49th minute. Deeney also picked three other Everton stars for his team. He specifically praised Jordan Pickford for a world-class save against Enzo Fernandez. Deeney called that save a turning point in the victory.
Deeney wrote: “He made those tackles when needed and, more importantly, was a calming presence in their backline.
“How Chelsea would love a centre-back with that kind of gumption, especially given the shaky defending they have shown at times.”
Does Tarkowski’s Consistency at 33 Prove Everton’s Transfer Strategy Works?
We should look at the Tarkowski situation directly. The 33-year-old England international has played every single minute of Everton‘s 30 league matches this year. He has racked up 2,700 minutes of football while Everton spent millions on younger prospects. He started the season without much hype. Yet, Tarkowski is now the club’s most reliable outfielder.
Saturday’s game showed exactly why he is essential. Everton fell apart at Arsenal when both Tarkowski and Jarrad Branthwaite were missing. His return coincided with a Chelsea side in total collapse. Chelsea have now lost four straight games, and Tarkowski gave Everton a platform to win. He did not need flashy highlights; instead, he relied on perfect positioning and clear communication.
The gap between Tarkowski and Chelsea’s defenders is obvious. Chelsea’s injury list is long. Trevoh Chalobah faces six weeks out with an ankle issue, and Levi Colwill is still recovering from an ACL injury. However, Chelsea struggled even before these injuries. In contrast, Moyes builds his Everton side on trust, and Tarkowski defines this approach. While Big Six clubs spend a fortune on athletic, ball-playing defenders, Tarkowski proves that reading the game and winning headers still win matches. His durability puts him level with Virgil van Dijk for minutes played. That stamina is exactly why Everton’s European dream is still alive.
