Everton secured their first home league win since January, as they beat Chelsea 2-0 on Sunday afternoon.
Chelsea completely dominated the first half, coming close on several occasions. Eden Hazard hit the post, Gonzalo Higuain’s soft effort was saved by Jordan Pickford and Pedro’s goal was ruled out for offside, as the Blues struggled to find a way past their hosts.
Just four minutes into the second half, Everton took the lead. Dominic Calvert Lewin’s header from a corner was saved by Kepa Arrizabalaga, before Richarlison headed in the rebound to put the Toffees in front.
Everton were awarded a penalty in the 70th minute, as Marcos Alonso fouled Richarlison in the box. Gylfi Sigurdsson stepped up, and although his initial effort was saved by Arrizabalaga he followed up the rebound to give the hosts a comfortable lead.
Everton
Key Talking Point
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Pickford (7); Digne (7), Mina (6), Keane (6), Coleman (6); Gomes (7), Gueye (6); Bernard (6), Sigurdsson (8), Richarlison (8*); Calvert-Lewin (7).
Substitutes: Schneiderlin (6), Walcott (6), Davies (N/A).
STAR MAN – It was an excellent performance from Richarlison, who scored a goal and won the penalty to help Everton to victory. He was fantastic throughout the game and was constantly causing problems for Chelsea, as the Brazilian continued his fine form for the Toffees.
12 – Richarlison has scored 12 goals in the Premier League this term – only three players have netted more in the competition in their debut season at Everton (15 each – Kanchelskis, Yakubu and Lukaku). Impact. pic.twitter.com/iKOAxAc6RB
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) March 17, 2019
Richarlison’s game by numbers vs. Chelsea:
9 ball recoveries
4 fouls committed
4 tackles won
3 penalty area shots
2 interceptions
1 goalPut in a shift defensively and still managed to open the scoring. ?? pic.twitter.com/pm7OyBdxWy
— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) March 17, 2019
Chelsea
Key Talking Point
Chelsea should’ve been comfortably ahead at the end of the first half, but were wasteful with their chances. They couldn’t take advantage of their dominant display, and fell apart in the second half in what was another woeful defensive performance from Maurizio Sarri’s side.
Chelsea were already at a disadvantage coming to Goodison Park, having just returned from a 3,000-mile round trip after their 5-0 win over Dynamo Kiev. However at the end of the day you cannot excuse their poor performance, as their rotten away form in 2019 continues.
Player Ratings
Starting XI: Arrizabalaga (6); Alonso (4), Luiz (5), Rudiger (5), Azpilicueta (5); Barkley (5), Kante (6), Jorginho (6); Hazard (5), Higuain (6), Pedro (6*).
Substitutes: Loftus-Cheek (6), Giroud (5), Hudson-Odoi (6).
STAR MAN – Though his efforts came to nothing, Pedro put in a good performance for the Blues. He came close in the first half, shooting just wide and having his goal ruled out for offside, as the Spaniard played well in a disappointing day for Chelsea.
Looking Ahead
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