As August draws to a close and the transfer deadline nears with each passing minute, Premier League managers will be looking back on their first three games of the new season. Pep Guardiola, José Mourinho and Antonio Conte can reflect on 100% records, a feat that was nearly matched by newly appointed Everton boss Ronald Koeman. His unbeaten team go into the international break in fourth place after their best start to a Premier League season for a decade. They haven’t started this well since David Moyes took the team on a seven-match unbeaten run at the start of the 2006-07 season.

Koeman has made the ideal start as he tries to take the club back into Europe following a period of regression under Roberto Martínez. They were a tad fortunate to secure all three points against Stoke City on Saturday – a Shay Given own goal helped Everton to victory – but winning only breeds confidence.

Koeman’s first job was to strengthen the defence and he made goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg his first signing. The 33-year-old may not be the most inspiring import, but he has the trust of the manager after a good working relationship at Ajax and then Southampton. Picking up Idrissa Gueye for a modest £7m was an even more astute signing. After making an indifferent start at Aston Villa at the beginning of last season, the Senegalese midfielder established himself as a key man for the club and earned himself a move back to the Premier League when Villa were relegated.

He has rapidly become a vital cog in Koeman’s side, with his rating (7.46) better than any other player at the club this season. No player has made more tackles (16) than the 26-year-old, with Gueye providing the necessary shield to the defence. With James McCarthy and Mo Besic sidelined due to injury, Gueye’s capture has proved all the more important.

As a former defender himself, Koeman was always likely to start his work at the back. While Ashley Williams was bought to cover the departure of John Stones to Manchester City, Koeman was early to identify the Wales captain as a top target. The £12m fee is hefty for a player who turned 32 this month, but Williams brings a wealth of top-flight experience. Everton conceded the third most shots per game (14.6) in the league last season and that statistic is down to 10.7 this season. It may be a small sample size but they are also conceding fewer goals: they shipped an average of 1.45 per match last season and that statistic has fallen significantly to 0.67.

Refinements are still required at the back and up front. Of the four goals Everton have scored this season, one was the aforementioned own goal by Given and another was a teasing free-kick from Ross Barkley against Tottenham on the opening day that was more of a cross than a shot.

Nevertheless, with Koeman able to call on Gerard Deulofeu, Romelu Lukaku and summer arrival Yannick Bolasie, the Everton attack should click soon – especially if Yacine Brahimi joins from Porto as the club’s record signing. Martínez built his team on a weak foundation, tried to outscore opponents and lost his job when it failed. Koeman has instead focused his efforts on the defensive side of Everton’s game and it has contributed to their bright start to the campaign.

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