Chelsea ended Everton’s unbeaten start to their Premier League season with a hard-fought 2-0 win at Hill Dickinson Stadium on Saturday. Pedro Neto struck twice as Xabi Alonso’s men secured back-to-back league wins and a top-four finish for the weekend.
After a goalless first half, the Portuguese winger struck within seconds of the restart following a series of combination play involving Morgan Rogers and Jorrel Hato. The afternoon was hampered by a worrying head injury to Emiliano Martinez, who was stretchered off after clashing with Jarrad Branthwaite.
Play was halted for around ten minutes before Mike Penders entered the fray, and the young Belgian assisted the visitors in protecting their lead. Neto struck the winner in the 90th minute, firing home after a free-kick had struck the Everton wall.
The result was also Chelsea’s first Premier League clean sheet in nine months. Here are the Chelsea player ratings from Merseyside.
Emiliano Martinez – 7/10
The Argentine put in a sharp first-half save to tip a Jack Grealish effort over the bar. He also dealt comfortably with attempts from Merlin Rohl and Thierno Barry before his afternoon was brought to a premature close on a stretcher following his clash with Branthwaite.
Josh Acheampong – 6.5/10
The young defender was booked in the first half for a crude challenge on an Everton opponent. He still saw out the afternoon as part of a back line which kept the Toffees goalless over the course of the afternoon.
Maxence Lacroix – 7/10
The Frenchman was part of a defensive unit which frustrated their hosts throughout the contest, as Everton were denied any clear-cut chances. Lacroix played the full match at the heart of the back three as Chelsea registered a long-awaited clean sheet in the league.
Levi Colwill – 7/10
The England defender played the full match and helped Chelsea to see out eleven minutes of added time without conceding. Everton came close to scoring late on when Brennan Johnson failed to connect with a Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall delivery, but the visitors held firm.
Jorrel Hato – 7.5/10
Hato was recalled in place of Pep Chavarria and played a key hand in the opening goal of the game for the Blues, collecting a backheel from Rogers down the left and sending in the low delivery which eventually fell for Neto.
Moises Caicedo – 7/10
The Ecuadorian captained the side and came close to a spectacular opener when his first-half volley struck the crossbar. He also conceded the free-kick (after a foul on Harrison Armstrong) from which Martinez was injured in the second half.
Jordan Henderson – 7/10
The veteran midfielder had an early effort blocked and partnered Caicedo in central midfield once again. Henderson also struck the Everton wall with a 90th-minute free-kick, before the rebound fell kindly for Neto to strike all three points for the Blues.
Pedro Neto – 9/10
The Portuguese winger was the match-winner, scoring both goals in his 187th appearance in the Premier League. It was the first time Neto had scored twice in a single Premier League contest, although he did receive a booking in the first half for complaining.
Cole Palmer – 6.5/10
The Englishman forced the first real save of the contest from Jordan Pickford but didn’t add a goal or an assist. He was also booked in the second half for arguing the decision which led to the free-kick.
Morgan Rogers – 7.5/10
The forward struck the clever backheel which released Hato down the left in the build-up to the opener. Rogers received a booking in the first half, but remained a creative outlet for the visitors until the final whistle.
Joao Pedro – 6.5/10
The Brazilian made his 50th start for Chelsea but could not register a goal or an assist on Merseyside. He was withdrawn in stoppage time as Alonso made changes to protect the lead.
Mike Penders – 7/10
The Belgian became the youngest goalkeeper in the history of Chelsea’s Premier League side, when he replaced Martinez. He dealt with the pressure of those eleven minutes of added time, helping the Blues register a clean sheet.
Romeo Lavia – 6/10
The Belgian midfielder came on in stoppage time to add fresh legs in the centre of the park. He had little time to make an impact but assisted the Blues in seeing out the visitors.
Marco Palestra – 6/10
The full-back was also introduced in stoppage time as Chelsea looked to protect their two-goal advantage. He had limited impact but played a part in the visitors closing out a valuable away win on Merseyside.
Danny Welbeck – 6/10
The experienced forward came on in stoppage time for a brief cameo at Hill Dickinson Stadium. He had too little time to make a real impact but played a part in Chelsea seeing out the contest.
Geovany Quenda – 6/10
The Portuguese youngster replaced Neto late in stoppage time. He had too few minutes to make a meaningful contribution but was on the pitch when the final whistle sounded.
BREAKING: Emiliano Martinez Stretchered Off After Collision With Jarrad Branthwaite
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