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Chelsea 4-0 Everton: Report, Player Ratings & Reaction as Blues Run Riot in Demolition of Toffees

Chelsea breezed past a lifeless Everton side at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, with their 4-0 win boosting the club's hopes of securing a top four berth in the Premier League this season.

A smart finish from Mason Mount handed the hosts the opener after 14 minutes. A neat turn in the box opened the space for the midfielder, who fired low beyond the despairing dive of Jordan Pickford. In the blink of an eye the Blues edged themselves further in front, as Ross Barkley's first time pass was beautifully weighted for Pedro, who made no mistake when presented with the one-on-one chance.

Any hopes of a second half comeback were dashed within five minutes of the restart, as ​Willian was given the freedom of west London to pick his spot from 20 yards. He duly accepted, firing a fierce drive into the bottom corner to all-but end the game as a contest.

If there was any doubt, ​Olivier Giroud sought to inflict further damage on Everton's hopes as he capitalised on some shoddy Toffees defending to poke home from four yards.

No more goals were forthcoming from that point, as the Blues breezed their way to three points and made it three games without a win for a beleaguered Everton side.

​CHELSEA


Key Talking Point


Frank Lampard

The two notable inclusions ahead of kick off were centred around Kepa Arrizabalaga and Billy Gilmour. And while it would a waste to brush over the ​Premier League return of the much-maligned goalkeeper, that's exactly what I'm going to do. Why? Because Billy Gilmour. That's why.

In the absence of regular midfield trio Mateo Kovačić, N'Golo Kante and Jorginho, the young Scotsman was handed his first top flight start. Being utilised in the Italian's position, he controlled proceedings from deep, spraying passes left, right and forwards to his willing teammates; all of whom were confident in his distribution.


And that speaks volumes of his talent. Sometimes the more senior players in a side will make themselves available to youngsters so as to build their confidence with short passes; but not this ​Chelsea team, they know how good he is, and they're willing to let him express himself.


He was everything Jorginho was and, dare I say, more? Chelsea have a real gem on their hands here. It's (extremely) early days, sure, but as they say 'you're only as good as your last game'. Based on Gilmour's last two games, he's been sublime.

Player Ratings


Starting XI: Arrizabalaga (6); Azpilicueta (7), Rudiger (7), Zouma (7), Alonso (7); Barkley (7), Gilmour (9*), Mount (8); Pedro (7), Giroud (7), Willian (7)


Substitutes: James (7), Anjorin (6), Broja (N/A)

Billy Gilmour


FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-EVERTON

All the talk prior to kick off was around a certain 18-year-old Scotsman. Rightly so, Gilmour has hit the ground running since being thrust into the starting lineup. His showing against Liverpool was outstanding, and he built on that success once more on Sunday.

Every incisive bit of attacking play that Chelsea produced went through the 18 year old, who was at the heart of all the Blues neat build up play. Acting as the anchor in midfield, his neat and tidy distribution set the tone for what was ultimately a mauling of the visitors. Never mind 'one for the future', Gilmour is one for the now.

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EVERTON


Key Talking Point


FBL-ENG-PR-CHELSEA-EVERTON

One week ago, ​Everton left London bitterly disappointed after a 3-2 defeat at Arsenal. They were impressive in the northern part of the city, creating enough chances to have at least left with a point. Fast forward to now, and both the performance and emotions from that day seem a distant memory. Carlo Ancelotti's side were atrocious at Stamford Bridge. Utterly woeful.


Not one aspect of their display deserves any merit. In defence they were limp - none more so than the desperately poor Djibril Sidibe - and in midfield they were overrun, out-thought and out-muscled by Chelsea's trio - one of whom was making his first top flight start at the age of 18.


As with such games, there is always a degree of one team playing well and the other less so. That was the case at Stamford Bridge; Chelsea were far superior, but Everton offered themselves on a plate. A complete lack of urgency in their play, coupled with countless misplaced passes presented the Blues with the platform from which to play. Cutting through the lines each and every time they forayed forward. 


Has talk of a revival under Ancelotti been premature? And has reality began setting in after three consecutive clashes with 'big six' sides? That seems to be the case, therefore Liverpool up next won't be hugely welcome.

Player Ratings


Starting XI: Pickford (4); Sidibe (2), Keane (4), Holgate (4), Digne (3); Bernard (5), Gomes (4), Davies (5), Sigurdsson (2); Calvert-Lewin (5), Richarlison (4)


Substitutes: Walcott (4), Kean (3), Gordon (N/A)

Anthony Gordon


Anthony Gordon

Notice how he didn't get time to earn a rating for the game? That's because he wasn't on the pitch for long enough to make an impact. Thankfully for him, that's enough to earn him the title of 'Everton's best player'. Why? Because everyone else was so atrocious that the fact he didn't have time to do anything of note in the game means he didn't do anything especially wrong. Everyone else did.

There wasn't even a picture of him from the game in the image bank.


Looking Ahead

Chelsea are on the road next weekend as they travel to take on Aston Villa in the Premier League, while Everton host bitter rivals Liverpool in the league a week tomorrow.


Source : 90min