A laboured second-half performance saw Chelsea slump to yet another loss on the road this season. Goals from Richarlison and Gylfi Sigurdsson recorded the first win for Everton against top-six opposition under Marco Silva, as Maurizio Sarri’s side lost more ground on the top four.
Chelsea started the game quickly and set about releasing Eden Hazard and Pedro in behind a static Everton defence. The opening 10 minutes were a relentless attacking onslaught from the Blues, and both Hazard and Gonzalo Higuain came close to breaking the deadlock.
It was unlikely such a pace to the game was ever going to persist, and for much of the first half, Chelsea enjoyed plenty of possession without really testing Jordan Pickford regularly enough.
Having endured a torrent of dominance from the visitors, Everton upped the intensity and started the second half in a similar vein to how the Blues had started the first.
There was one crucial difference, though, and that was the anticipation of Richarlison, who stabbed home the opening goal after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s header had been saved well.
You wouldn’t have thought Chelsea were chasing the game as their energy only subsided further following Richarlison’s goal, and after making very few inroads going forward, a lazy tackle from Marcos Alonso gave away a penalty in the 71st minute to resign Chelsea to their fourth loss in five away games.
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s initial spot-kick was saved well by Kepa Arrizabalaga, but the rebound fell kindly to Icelandic midfielder, who tapped home to double Everton’s lead.
Chelsea are three points off Arsenal in fourth place, while Everton moved up to 11th following their victory.
Here are our player ratings for the Blues.
Kepa Arrizabalaga - 7
Called into action just after half-time to expertly tip over Andre Gomes’ strike. Made a good stop from Calvert-Lewin but saw his efforts go to waste when Richarlison pounced on the rebound. Made another good stop to deny Gylfi Sigurdsson from the spot, but was once again undone by the rebound.
Cesar Azpilicueta - 6
Everton’s shift in momentum can be in some way attributed to Azpilicueta’s hesitancy, as the Spaniard began to drop off and allow Lucas Digne the time and space to deliver into the area. Theo Walcott’s introduction only made the issue worse, and he caught Azpilicueta napping on a few occasions.
Antonio Rudiger - 6
His headers were loose, and he cut a frustrated figure following momentary lapses in concentration from his teammates.
David Luiz - 5
Luiz was unaware of Calvert Lewin’s initial run, and in losing his marker, the blame for the goal lays almost squarely at his feet.
Marcos Alonso - 4
He picked up a needless yellow card for a foul on Richarlison. His late run into the area presented him with an excellent opportunity on the volley, which he wasted.
A late challenge on Richarlison handed Everton the chance to double their lead from the spot and epitomised another poor showing.
N'Golo Kante - 6
Barely featured in the game; his first-half was composed but lacking any real attacking dynamism, while in the second-half, he was unable to get close to Idrissa Gana Gueye or Andre Gomes.
Jorginho - 5
Anticipated the loose ball well but was only able to pick out a forward runner once, putting through Higuain, who should’ve scored. Became a peripheral figure in the second half and was replaced by Callum Hudson-Odoi.
Ross Barkley - 5
His every touch was met with anger by the home faithful, and they were not made to go back on their words as the former Evertonian struggled to get on the ball and move past players.
Pedro - 6
Shanked wide from Alonso’s cut back. Wriggled clear of three Everton challenges before unleashing a low drive that flew just wide of Jordan Pickford’s left-hand post.
Had he checked his run, the Spaniard would’ve got his goal just before the break.
Gonzalo Higuain - 6
Scuffed an early chance when he was played in behind by Jorginho, but drew an excellent save from Pickford on the volley. Other than these two efforts, Higuain again struggled to make anywhere near the sort of impact expected of him.
Eden Hazard - 6
Forced a good early stop from Pickford before hitting the post just moments later. Linked up well with Callum Hudson-Odoi, but struggled to impose himself when Chelsea were out of possession.
Substitutes
Ruben Loftus-Cheek – 6: Provided few glimpses of the power and direction that saw him excel in Kyiv.
Olivier Giroud – 6: Denied a consolation goal late on by a sea of Everton bodies.
Callum Hudson-Odoi – 6: One long-range effort forced Pickford into making a good stop, and his energy was exactly what Chelsea needed; he just lacked the end product.