CHELSEA maintained their position in the top four of the Premier League with an important 2-0 win over Everton at Stamford Bridge.
Kai Havertz was brilliant throughout as Ben Godfrey’s own goal and a Jorginho penalty sealed three points for the Blues.
- RESULT: Chelsea 2-0 Everton
- Chelsea XI: Mendy, James, Azpilicueta, Christensen, Zouma, Alonso, Kovacic, Jorginho, Havertz, Werner, Hudson-Odoi
- Everton XI: Pickford, Holgate, Digne, Godfrey, Keane, Allan, Andre Gomes, Sigurdsson, Iwobi, Richarlison, Calvert-Lewin
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THAT’S ALL FROM THE BRIDGE
It’s advantage Chelsea in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
The Blues beat top-four rivals Everton comfortably at Stamford Bridge this evening to open up a four-point gap on the Toffees, and consolidate their position in fourth-place.
In the process, they also extended their unbeaten run since Thomas Tuchel’s arrival to 11 games, and recorded yet another clean sheet; Chelsea have conceded just twice in that period, neither of which came on home soil.
The Toffees never got going in the capital, but have the chance to immediately return to winning ways at the weekend when hosting struggling Burnley. Next up for Chelsea is a visit to Leeds.
Thanks for reading, and goodnight.
CAPTAIN’S LOG
Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta was full of praise for his Chelsea teammates following another win and clean sheet, but insisted they must keep working if they are to achieve anything this season and beyond.
Every victory is a step forward. Tonight was a very good performance. It was very pleasing to see the team fighting without the ball, and I think we could have scored even more goals. We are still far from where we want to be, but we’re on the right path. We have to keep working because we haven’t done anything yet.
Cesar Azpilicueta
HAPPY HAVERTZ
Impressive in the number ten role and modest too.
Kai Havertz was Chelsea’s standout performer this evening, but immediately took to social media after the game to praise the entire team’s display.
READ ALL ABOUT IT
Hot off the press at Stamford Bridge, here’s Paul Jiggins with the match report of Chelsea’s 2-0 win over Everton.
MARCOS BACK IN THE MIX
Frozen out under Frank Lampard, Marcos Alonso is getting game time under Thomas Tuchel and proving himself to be fierce competition with Ben Chilwell for the left wing-back spot.
If he continues in this vein, he may again become the darling for FPL players.
KAI PRAISE
Eyebrows were raised when Kai Havertz was selected ahead of Mason Mount this evening, but the German hit back with his best performance so far in a Chelsea shirt.
TUCHEL CLEANING UP AT THE BRIDGE
With a clean sheet this evening, Thomas Tuchel has set a new Premier League record, and he’s only been here two months.
His Chelsea side have kept clean sheets in each of his five home games in charge, keeping out Wolves, Burnley, Manchester United, Newcastle, and now Everton.
FULL TIME STATS
Almost double the possession and passes, and more than three times as many attempts, Chelsea were well worth their victory at Stamford Bridge.
FT: CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
Chelsea move four points clear of Everton in the battle for the top four after defeating their opponents at Stamford Bridge. Kai Havertz was the star on his return to the team, forcing Ben Godfrey into an own-goal in the first half before winning a penalty in the second that Jorginho converted.
PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!
IT’S ALL OVER AT STAMFORD BRIDGE!CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
90+4. Mount stings Pickford’s hands with a 20-yard blaster. It’s another good stop from the Everton number one.
The Chelsea substitutes have fancied their chances of adding to the scoreline since coming on.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
90+2. Five foot six, N’Golo Kante is just wide with a looping header.
Werner would have been best to pack up and go home if that had gone in.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
90. Tom Davies picks up a yellow for a double swipe at Christensen and Alonso.
Meanwhile, Havertz’s reluctance has paid off. Werner has gone off instead.
The fourth official signals four minutes of added time.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
89. Pulisic waits patiently on the sidelines, ready to replace Havertz but the German is making it clear that he doesn’t want to come off.
Who does he think he is? Kepa?
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
88. Davies backheels in the path of Bernard, who skies a shot into the stand.
This contest hasn’t been a masterclass in finishing.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
85. Werner! One-on-one! He shoots straight at Pickford! It’s a good save in fairness, but the German striker cannot buy a goal at the moment.
Kante misses on the follow up too, his shot deflected away from goal.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
83. Richarlison sends Azpilicueta halfway down the Fulham Road with a lovely turn on halfway. It’s probably the Brazilian’s most productive moment tonight; it looked good but counts for absolutely nothing.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
80. Past Keane and through on goal, Werner should put this game to bed but shoots straight at Pickford. He did everything right until the finish, and it kinda sums up his season.
N’Golo Kante replaces Mateo Kovacic.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
78. I was in the process of writing that Chelsea are playing keep ball but in that very moment, Kovacic gave possession straight to Tom Davies.
Davies, by the way, was Everton’s first change this evening, on earlier for Alex Iwobi.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
75. Another Everton corner has Mendy in a flap but the whistle goes for. a foul on the Chelsea keeper.
Meanwhile, the visitors make their final change with Bernard on for Andre Gomes.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
73. Everton send their big men up for a corner, but the home side win the first, second and third headers to clear the danger.
They really want another clean sheet.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
70. Thankfully, Zouma is back on his feet and attempting to run off any problems on the the touchline. He’s looking to come back on.
Meanwhile, Josh King has replaced Gylfi Sigurdsson in the Everton ranks.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
68. Worrying signs for the Blues as Zouma hits the deck after playing a pass with nobody in his vicinity.
The French defender has had his problems with injury, and there is clear concern from him teammates.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
66. Chelsea make a change with Mason Mount introduced in place of Callum Hudson-Odoi.
CHELSEA 2-0 EVERTON
65. Jorginho makes no mistake from the spot, and Chelsea double their lead!
The Brazilian has missed a couple of spotkicks this campaign, but shows no signs of nerves as he puffs out his chest, skips on his run up, and sends Jordan Pickford the wrong way.
There’s no redemption for the Everton goalkeeper, who conceded the penalty by rushing off his line and bringing down Kai Havertz after the German had skipped beyond him.
Involved in both goals, Havertz has impressed on his recall tonight.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
