Joe Thomas with the Everton moments you might have missed in the 2-0 Premier League defeat to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Reece James of Chelsea is not happy after a challenge by Jake O'Brien of Everton during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on December 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Robin Jones/Getty Images)
Reece James of Chelsea is not happy after a challenge by Jake O'Brien of Everton during the Premier League match at Stamford Bridge on December 13, 2025
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David Moyes was able to find the positives from his side’s performance despite Everton falling to a 2-0 defeat at Chelsea on Saturday. First-half goals from Cole Palmer and Malo Gusto were enough to help Enzo Maresca’s team overcome a spirited display from the visitors.
Everton missed a glut of chances, with Robert Sanchez denying Jack Grealish twice and flicking Idrissa Gueye’s cross through the legs of a sprawling Thierno Barry. Iliman Ndiaye also hit the post.
The afternoon was soured not by the result but by injury fears for David Moyes, with Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall withdrawn after 10 minutes and Grealish complaining of a possible hamstring issue.
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After a dramatic day at Stamford Bridge, here are some moments that may have gone below the radar.
Moyes fury at Everton treatment matched by players as Tarkowski takes out Cucurella
Tension simmered beneath the surface of this match, fuelled by a belief Everton were on the wrong end of a few decisions. Moyes was left remonstrating with officials in the first half when Enzo Fernandez took out Gueye in front of the dugout but referee Thomas Bramall waved play on. The World Cup winner was nowhere near the ball and Moyes continued to vent his frustration at the fourth official for some time.
That was not the only flashpoint from a Blues perspective. Ndiaye went to ground while being manhandled by Wesley Fofana during a corner but the officials showed no obvious interest.
In the second half Fofana was booked for a wild challenge on James Garner to stop an Everton breakaway while Marc Cucurella and Ndiaye were engaged in a game-long battle that almost blew up when the pair tangled on the edge of the box.
During the break, club cameras picked up Jordan Pickford chewing Bramall’s ear off while Chelsea captain Reece James listened in and at the end of the match, James Tarkowski barged into Cucurella after he dumped Tyler Dibling in a moment of frustration that summed up Everton’s anger.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: James Tarkowski of Everton holds up a bottle thrown onto the pitch during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on December 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Harry Murphy - Danehouse/Getty Images)
James Tarkowski holds up a bottle thrown onto the pitch during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on December 13, 2025
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Keane and Gueye project an image of unity
For all the tension between opposing players, there appeared to be none in the Everton camp. This was Gueye’s first chance to play since serving a three-match ban for raising his hand to the face of team-mate Michael Keane at Old Trafford.
Moyes brought the midfielder straight back into the starting line-up, meaning he and Keane were on the pitch together for the first time since their altercation.
At the start of the game the pair shared a double high-five as the Everton players prepared for kick-off - there was no sign of any lingering animosity.
Dewsbury-Hall gets love and respect from all corners of Stamford Bridge
There was also no animosity toward Dewsbury-Hall on his first return to Chelsea since leaving the club for Merseyside in the summer.
Dewsbury-Hall has become an instant hit with the Blues, helped by his four goals and talismanic role in recent memorable successes - and his stunning effort in the defeat to Newcastle United.
He left Stamford Bridge having played in the finals of the Europa Conference League and Club World Cup, both won by Chelsea, with his ambition being to secure more minutes and responsibility. He has earned both at his new club.
That departure did not lead to any ill will at Stamford Bridge and the supporters of both sides gave him a loud round of applause when he left the pitch through injury. It was a shame for Dewsbury-Hall, who had earlier stood in the centre circle and took in his old stadium as one of the first from the away side to step out of the changing rooms on Saturday lunchtime.
LONDON, ENGLAND - DECEMBER 13: Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton is helped off the pitch by Reece James of Chelsea after sustaining an injury during the Premier League match between Chelsea and Everton at Stamford Bridge on December 13, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Darren Walsh/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)
The injured Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall of Everton is helped off the pitch by Reece James of Chelsea
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Garnacho jeered as he fails in front of travelling Blues
Alejandro Garnacho was treated with less support by the Everton away end. The Blues remain scarred by his stunning scissor kick in the first three minutes for Manchester United at Goodison Park two years ago.
The goal came in the first match that followed Everton being handed a shock 10-point penalty for breaching Premier League financial rules - an unprecedented punishment even when it was reduced to six on appeal.
The build-up to the game saw Blues throw their passion into showing their disapproval of the treatment of their club and the hope had been that would be reflected on the pitch. Everton did not play badly that night but Garnacho’s wondergoal was a brutal start they did not recover from.
Garnacho is now at Chelsea and he started the game. He was quickly reunited with Blues supporters when, in the early stages, he failed to stop a stray ball from going out for a goal kick, much to the delight of the away end, which then burst into song as they chastised him for his links to Manchester.
Ndiaye the last player off the pitch
Another notable moment came after the final whistle. The Everton players - and Moyes - went to the away end to show their appreciation for the support. Ndiaye stayed longer than anyone else though, waving vigorously at the crowd - where a Senegal flag was waved toward him.
The 25-year-old has been a star for the Blues this season but will now leave for Morocco with teammate Gueye as they represent Senegal at the Africa Cup of Nations. The pair could be gone for as many as seven league and cup matches - a big loss to Moyes.