A hugely impressive second-half performance saw Chelsea beat Everton 3-0 and take another vital step towards the Premier League title.
Chelsea started slowly in the first-half, much like against Southampton, despite Eden Hazard’s early opener last Tuesday and as a result, the Blues once again went into the break level.
However, a rousing team talk from Antonio Conte seemed to do the trick and midway through the second-half, Pedro curled in a spectacular 25-yard strike to rival that of Nemanja Matic’s last weekend.
The Spaniard’s goal acted as a catalyst for two further goals from Gary Cahill and Willian. First Cahill prodded in his sixth Premier League goal of the season, and ninth in all competitions. Willian then finished off a lovely flowing move with a simple tap in.
Chelsea are now just nine points away from the Premier League title, and with an FA Cup final to come on the 27th of May, Conte could become just the second Chelsea manager to win the domestic double.
Here are our match ratings from the win.
Thibaut Courtois - 6
Untroubled for most of the game.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 7
Played an important part in Chelsea finally picking up a clean sheet.
David Luiz - 7
Came off injured late on, and could well miss out on the final four games of the season but Nathan Ake is a more than suitable replacement.
Gary Cahill - 9
Two goals in two games and a clean sheet to accompany – a perfect performance from the would-be captain.
Victor Moses - 6
Neither wing-back particularly stood out in the game, but nonetheless Moses went about his work and will be happy with the clean sheet.
N'Golo Kante - 7
The battle between Kante and Idrissa Gueye over who’s the best defensive midfielder in the league has been hotly contested over the course of the season.
But today Kante showed everyone exactly why he was voted in to the PFA Team of the Year ahead of his Everton counterpart, as he ran the midfield alongside Nemanja Matic.
Nemanja Matic - 7
Swept up the ball and filled the spaces that Kante’s bursts forwards create. Also laid on the assist for Pedro’s goal.
Marcos Alonso - 6
As I said previously, both Moses and Alonso’s performances were solid without being spectacular.
Pedro - 9
An incredible goal that set Chelsea on their way to another huge win.
Diego Costa - 6
Suspended for the next game against Middlesbrough after an unnecessary foul on Everton keeper Maarten Stekelenburg. He had very little to show for his constant harrying of the Everton defence.
Eden Hazard - 7
His free-kick inadvertently led to the Cahill goal, and as per usual he drew foul after foul from the Everton players.
Subs
Cesc Fabregas – 8 – Laid on an another assist, this time for Willian, within just minutes of the pair coming onto the pitch.
Willian – 8 – Instant impact from the Brazilian. Despite playing second fiddle to Pedro this season, Willian has still managed to score regularly when given the chance. Scored his third goal in three games.
Nathan Ake – 7 – Came on for the injured Luiz and helped Chelsea grind out a much needed clean sheet.