Chelsea got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over Everton at Stamford Bridge, finally ending a frustrating three match run without a win. Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto were the heroes on the afternoon, scoring a goal each to ease the growing pressure on Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
It was a game that took its time to get going. The first real chance fell to the visitors, but Iliman Ndiaye’s weak effort was straight at Robert Sanchez. Then, bang on 21 minutes, the deadlock was broken. Malo Gusto who was a real menace all game down the right slid a perfect ball through for Cole Palmer, and the young midfielder made no mistake, slotting coolly past Jordan Pickford. The Bridge erupted, relief palpable in the stands.
Just before the break, Chelsea doubled their lead with a well worked move. Sanchez started it, finding Pedro Neto who drove down the wing before cutting it back to the onrushing Gusto. The French full back hammered it home, capping off a brilliant first half performance for him personally. “We needed that, it’s been a tough few weeks,” a Blues source said at half time. “The lads has shown good character here.”
Everton had their moments. James Tarkowski should have done better with a header, and a defensive mix up from Gusto nearly let them in, only for Sanchez to bail him out. Their best chance came late on when a low cross was somehow missed in the six yard box, and they even hit the post in the dying minutes. But, in truth, Sean Dyche’s men lacked a cutting edge. “We’re disappointed with the goals we conceded,” Dyche told Sky post match. “The first was soft from our view, and that kills the game plan.”
For Chelsea, the three points is a massive boost. They’d been on a dodgy run of two draws and two defeats, and the performance, while not perfect, had more energy and purpose. Palmer’s influence continues to grow he got a standing ovation when subbed off and Gusto’s return to form is a huge plus. The win bumps them up the table, while Everton remain stuck in mid table obscurity. Attention now turns to the next fixture, where Chelsea will be hoping this is the springboard for a proper run of form.