Everton put themselves on the fringes of the race for the Champions League with a dominant 3-0 win over Chelsea as Liam Rosenior’s side lost for the fourth time in a row.
Beto scored in each half for the hosts as they secured back-to-back Premier League wins at the Hill Dickinson Stadium for the very first time. Iliman Ndiaye capped off a special night for the Everton supporters with a stunning third into the top corner.
Bolstered by a superb goalkeeping display from Jordan Pickford, the Toffees are up to seventh in the table. For Chelsea fans, the contrast between the two goalkeepers will have been impossible to miss. Robert Sanchez endured a nightmare at the other end.
Chelsea now find themselves out of the Champions League and struggling to earn a return there. They could have moved fourth with a win. Instead, they stay sixth – only two points ahead of Everton. In fact, David Moyes’ team are only three behind Liverpool now.
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Beto scores the opener for Everton in their Premier League clash with Chelsea
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Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez let the ball go through his legs as Beto made it two
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Iliman Ndiaye puts Everton 3-0 up in their Premier League clash with Chelsea
How Everton overwhelmed Chelsea
Rosenior’s side were sluggish from the outset, unable to match Everton’s intensity, and Sanchez was fortunate to escape punishment when Beto caught him dallying early on. It set the tone, Jorrel Hato and Romeo Lavia also losing the ball in dangerous areas.
The breakthrough goal was all about Everton, however. James Garner, called into the England squad for the first time, threaded a wonderful ball through the defence and Beto had the acceleration and the quality to dink the ball over the onrushing Sanchez.
Everton still needed Pickford in form to take the lead at the break, getting a hand to Enzo Fernandez’s firm effort from inside the box soon afterwards. A fingertip save from the same player on the hour mark underlined the importance of England’s No 1.
Chelsea fans need no reminding of the value of a goalkeeper. Filip Jorgensen has struggled recently but this was Sanchez’s turn. Idrissa Gueye played Beto in down the right channel and though his shot was struck firmly, it was straight at the Spaniard.
The failure to keep it out ended any real hope of a comeback. Ndiaye’s goal put the seal on it. For a new stadium to feel like home, it requires special goals, moments and matches. This was all of that for Everton. Who knows where it might lead them now?
‘Best I’ve seen the stadium’
Everton’s James Garner speaking to Sky Sports about his England call:
“I am so happy, I am over the moon. It is a dream. [Thomas Tuchel] rang me to say I will be involved. It has been a bit of a crazy week and to top it off with a win is even better.
“That was the best I have seen it in the stadium, and to top it off with a win – amazing. Since Beto has come back in the team, he’s shown goals and all the things he does off the ball. Two goals and one assist today, top.”
Player of the Match: Beto
There were plenty of candidates with Pickford, Garner, Gueye and Ndiaye all excellent but Beto scored the first two goals and set the tone long before that. His flaws as a footballer are well known but the endeavour spurred his side on right from the start.
And what a finish, galloping onto Garner’s pass before showing uncharacteristic deftness of touch to beat Sanchez. The second was at the goalkeeper but the movement was excellent again. It gets him chances, as Brentford’s owner realises.
Matthew Benham attracted headlines when citing the Everton striker as an example of a striker who is often maligned for his misses but keeps getting into the positions. Beto can be untidy but just keeps making the runs. Those runs did for Chelsea on Saturday.
“I do not think that I am a hero but I think I am home,” said Beto afterwards, when speaking to Sky Sports. “Playing for Everton is something unbelievable, you just want to give your all and help the team with goals, assists and good performances.”
