In a commanding Premier League showdown, Chelsea trounced Everton with an impressive 6-0 victory. The night was characterised by a deteriorating performance from Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, and an unfortunate injury to Jarrad Branthwaite, adding to the chagrin already felt by Sean Dyche. The most telling sign of Everton’s spiral downward was the sight of their own team members trying to prevent Cole Palmer from scoring his fourth goal.
Despite the smashing victory constituting Chelsea’s most resounding Premier League win of this season, it was not without hiccups. Palmer, riding high on the success of his second hat-trick in succession and an impressive 20 goals with nine assists to his name in his first season, experienced a surprising moment when teammates Nicolas Jackson and Noni Madueke attempted to snatch a second-half penalty from him. Nevertheless, Palmer managed to score his fourth goal pushing the score to 5-0 under the watchful eyes of Mauricio Pochettino.
Chelsea’s dominating show allowed their phenomenal efforts to eclipse Everton’s pallid performance. Alfie Gilchrist went on to add further misery to Everton’s plight by netting his first senior goal, leaving them perilously close to the relegation zone.
On the Chelsea side, concerns about injury woes and a reported £90.1m loss, as disclosed in their year-end financial statements, remained in the backdrop. Their financial issues, however, appeared mitigated by the strategic sale of a few hotels associated with the club. This adept financial manoeuvre is something Everton, who recently filed an appeal against a points deduction, could only admire from afar.
Everton’s initial energetic performance contrasted starkly with the ultimate result of the match. With a full vocal backing from their travelling fans expressing their displeasure overtly at the Premier League anthem, Everton made an optimistic start, putting Chelsea on the backfoot. Despite their aggressive start, with Dwight McNeil forcing Malo Gusto to cede an unwelcome corner, they failed to take advantage when Séamus Coleman bested Marc Cucurella in the 10th minute. The consequent shot by Beto spectacularly over the bar from close range was a key turning point in the game.
The substitute player’s failure to score, standing in for the injured Dominic Calvert-Lewin, proved to be an expensive mistake. The visiting team found themselves lacking the much-needed quality in the decisive zone and were soon effortlessly outsmarted by Palmer, who skilfully manoeuvred Chelsea into a dominant position.
Filling the number 10 role due to the unavailability of Enzo Fernández, Palmer confronted Everton undeterred. The attempt to restrain him proved futile, as he exhibited an exceptional ability to find open spaces. With his first initiative of the game being an ingenious nutmeg sparking Chelsea’s attack, Palmer proved himself to be too intelligent, too brave, and too unpredictable to be restrained.
His skill level surpassed every other player on the pitch. Palmer, observed by England’s assistant manager Steve Holland, had already started the match full of creative energy. When he received a pass from Gusto in the 13th minute, Branthwaite’s aggressive approach couldn’t disrupt him. Branthwaite, a solid defender, was left flabbergasted and unguarded when Palmer nimbly passed through his legs and then elegantly flicked a pass to Jackson. The striker reciprocated the pass and Palmer, unhurried, guided a shot past Pickford with his left foot.
Everton were left speechless. Merely five minutes later, they all watched as Conor Gallagher stopped the ball from going out of play. Then, Moisés Caicedo took control, brushing off James Garner, before setting Mykhailo Mudryk up on the sideline. Jackson’s shot was saved by Pickford, but Palmer successfully headed in his second goal.
Inside half an hour, Palmer completed his stunning hat-trick. Everton initially started by launching the ball forward. Later, they decided to try their hand at playing from their own half. However, an unfortunate pass from Pickford landed straight in the path of Palmer who effortlessly knocked the ball into the unguarded net with his right foot.
Everton found themselves overwhelmed by the situation. Despite Beto’s header being ruled offside and their efforts to fight back, they were sadly left floundering when confronted with Chelsea’s fast-paced attacks. The speed of Madueke was disconcerting for Vitaliy Mykolenko and the additional pressure from Coleman and Ashley Young, who collectively were 73 years old, on Everton’s right-wing didn’t help the cause. Just before the interval, Cucurella swiftly exploited further vulnerabilities when he crossed to Jackson. Jackson managed to control the ball with his back towards the goal, spun and overcame Pickford.
Jackson earned his 10th goal of the season, continuously vexing both Tarkowski and Branthwaite from Everton. The Everton team, which suffered jeering as they departed the field at mid-break, were in disarray. Their predicament worsened as Branthwaite was forced to hobble off the pitch in the 55th minute.
The struggle didn’t end there, with Pickford thwarting Palmer’s efforts. Not long after, both Palmer and Madueke fell in the box, prompting Paul Tierney to signal for a penalty. A quarrel ensued between Madueke and Jackson on who would proceed with the penalty kick.
In the face of conflict, Gallagher intervened, deciding that Palmer would take the shot. Pochettino experienced confusion watching his team’s dispute while Palmer successfully deceived Pickford, sending him in the wrong direction. However, Dyche found himself grappling with graver concerns – according to the Guardian.