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After travelling back triumphant from their final road trip of 2015, Everton can look back on one peculiar, but significant statistic.

After the dramatic victory at Newcastle United, Roberto Martinez’s successful travellers have now recorded their fewest away defeats from the start of a season to the New Year since 1908.

Back when Bertie Freeman was scoring in 10 successive matches and footballers wore Brylcreem and centre-parts, the Toffees opened up their campaign with back to back away wins at Arsenal and Bristol City and didn’t lose on their travels until January 30 - at Manchester City.

More than a century later Roberto’s resilient travellers have lost just once on their travels this season - the 2-1 reverse at Arsenal in October.

They have also won at Southampton, West Brom and now Newcastle, drawn at Spurs, Swansea, West Ham, Bournemouth and Norwich - and can include away wins in the Capital One Cup at Barnsley, Reading and Middlesbrough.

With two short distance trips to Manchester City and a longer excursion to Chelsea set to make or break the Toffees’ season next month - that awayday experience could be crucial.

But just why have Everton been so successful on their travels this season?

We take a look ...

Possession football is key

Everton routinely outpass their opponents - on Boxing Day at Newcastle the Blues enjoyed an astonishing 80 per cent possession in the first half - and away from home where teams are compelled by their own fans to attack, that can be important.

At Goodison teams are happy to plonk 11-men behind the ball and invite Everton to try and break them down.

As Crystal Palace showed recently, it’s not that easy to do.

But away from home, passing the ball accurately in your own half, sucking teams in and hitting them with pacy counters - like at Southampton and West Bromwich Albion - can be an enormously effective tactic.

Away wins are on the increase anyway

All teams are loving an away day this season.

There have been 60 away victories from 180 Premier League games this term - that’s 33.3% of fixtures.

Of the 9,130 games in Premier League history, 27.25% have ended with a win for the visitors.

Everton are not alone ...

Everton finally have pace in their ranks

Romelu Lukaku can shift - and he has been leading Everton’s counter-attacking charge this season.

But just as important has been the introduction of the equally pacy Gerard Deulofeu.

Since the Spaniard broke into the starting line up at Reading in September Everton’s ability to hit teams on the counter-attack has significantly increased.

Aaron Lennon and Kevin Mirallas, both speedsters, started at Newcastle on Boxing Day and the home team constantly looked vulnerable.

Pace on the flanks is a potent weapon

Barkley and Barry can switch play swiftly

Ross Barkley and Gareth Barry’s ability to switch play quickly should not be underestimated.

It was Barkley who released Arouna Kone - from a Southampton corner kick, to cross for Lukaku to put Everton ahead in their first road trip of the season at Southampton, - and Barkley also initiated the break from the halfway line for Lukaku to make it two.

(Image: 2015 Getty Images)

They were just two of nine goals Barkley has directly created this season with his ability to quickly spot an opening and deliver a pass.

Long may it continue

Only Leicester (Scored 21 conceded 12), Arsenal (18-12) and Spurs (13-7) have a better goals for and against ratio than Everton (13-9) away from home this season.

It’s a resilience which will be put to the test at Manchester City next month, with Manuel Pellegrini’s men boasting the best home record in the Premier League, 29 goals scored 12 conceded at the Etihad.

The irresistible force meets the immovable object? They should be two marvellous - and significant - meetings between the sky blues and the royal blues next month.