
By HARRY BAMFORTH, LIVE SPORTS COVERAGE REPORTER
Updated:
Follow Daily Mail Sport's live coverage for the latest updates of Everton's lunchtime clash with Chelsea, before updates from the 3pm kick-offs, including Brentford v Liverpool.
'Chelsea's speedy starts'
Kieran Gill at Hill Dickinson Stadium:
A reminder of Chelsea's speedy starts:
0:38 – Joao Pedro vs Fulham
3:39 – Romeo Lavia vs Brighton
1:17 – Morgan Rogers vs Arsenal
6:15 – Morgan Rogers vs Hull
1:06 – Jordan Henderson vs Bournemouth
Moyes: 'We need to take more chances'
David Moyes, Everton boss, on TNT Sports:
[If] we took a few more chances and we hadn't conceded last week we'd have a few more points. But it happens in football, we've also come back last in games when we've been getting beat.That's football for you. Sometimes you think you should have more but when you look back on it maybe other times you could be a bit fortunate to get some points.
Kick-off closing in
Guys, it is time to get excited.
There are just over five minutes until this game gets underway, and despite it being an early kick-off, you can feel the buzz inside this ground.
The warm-ups are done, the stands are filling and the teams are set to emerge.
I. Am. Gassed.
Grealish: 'We want to turn draws into wins'
Jack Grealish, Everton winger, on TNT Sports:
Last week we could have won against Hull but we've had a good start, we're unbeaten, fifth in the league. We want to turn draws into wins and we are working towards that.We know it's going to be hard, especially against their front three in Morgan [Rogers], Cole [Palmer] and Joao Pedro. We have to concentrate on ourselves and think about what we are going to do with the ball. Fingers crossed.
It's always nice to be the early kick-off live on TV. Everyone wants to play in these games and perform well. We're all looking forward to it and hopefully we can give the fans a good day today.
Old enemies
There are going to be plenty of boos inside the Hill Dicky today.
No, not just because it's at Everton (sorry, I couldn't help myself), but because two of their former rivals are associated with Chelsea today.
Former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson is, of course, in the middle of the Blues' midfield. That almost still feels strange to say, can't lie.
Then there is, of course, the Chelsea manager, Xabi Alonso, who won the Champions League with the Reds two decades ago. He played in many a Merseyside Derby.
They will not get the warmest of welcomes, I assume.
Alonso: 'One win is not enough'
Xabi Alonso, Chelsea boss, speaking to TNT Sports:
We needed a win but this was last week, one is not enough, we need to keep going, doing the right things, repeating and always improving game by game.
On Pep Chavarria dropping out:
He picked up a little problem yesterday. We are not certain yet of the situation because it was late yesterday. Jorrel [Hato] is fit, he's played there so just that change.
On Reece James' injury:
It makes it more limited but we have enough options. With Romeo [Lavia], with [Valentin] Barco, they have played and now we have Mo [Caciedo] back and [Jordan] Hendo so we have more options. But for sure it's a blow for everyone that we will miss Reece for the next weeks.
On Caciedo and Henderson:
Good first day for them together playing in the middle. They give balance, they give personality, they give stability in the middle of the team. They mix very well as well in terms of qualities and personalities and that's what we want for any team.They did really well but today we will need another big one in this stadium against Everton, tough opponent. They are in a good run so we are expecting a tough challenge. Always we try that but so far for sure we would have wanted to concede less. I'm sure that it will get better.
Chelsea's bogey fixture
Chelsea fans will not be confident heading into this game.
Why's that? Well, they have only won just one of their previous nine Premier League visits to Everton. That was back in the 2022-23 season. Before that, it was 2017.
So yeah, this may be a new stadium, but Chelsea's 3-0 defeat last season showed that the 'curse', as some call it, has carried over.
Everton are also unbeaten this season and have already shown they can mix it with the big boys in this ground, with that 2-2 draw against Manchester United.
It's going to be a very tricky affair for the Blues.
Happy chappy's
These two.
When they said they are best friends, they really meant it.
Morgan Rogers and Cole Palmer hvae been clicking on the pitch and off it they are truly shown how close they are. Their chemistry is off the charts.
I wonder what Rogers is reacting to hear? They both have cheeky grins on their faces.
But will they be grinning come 2.30pm? Let's see.
'Chavarria was meant to start'
Kieran Gill at Hill Dickinson Stadium:
From what I hear, Pep Chavarria was going to be starting at left wing back, as Xabi Alonso wanted to name the same team that beat Bournemouth 5-1 last week. However, Chavarria is a late dropout, despite arriving at the Hill Dickinson, so he's been replaced by Jorrel Hato, who has looked a tad shaky at times.It's nine months ago today that Chelsea last secured a Premier League clean sheet, and Everton won 3-0 here last season, and David Moyes’ side are unbeaten this term... and yet silly me is predicting a 2-0 away win for some strange reason.
Productive Pedro
Joao pedro is having some season.
Chelsea's results may have been very up and down, but one thing that has been consistent is Pedro's performances. The Brazilian has been a star.
He bagged yet another brace and made it eight goal involvements in the Premier League after just six games this campaign. That is the most of any player in the competition this season.
It just seems to have really clicked for Pedro at Chelsea, especially with Xabi Alonso's style of football.
I'm expecting him to have some sort of say today, too.
'Chelsea are difficult to predict'
Chris Sutton, former Chelsea striker, on BBC Sport:
Everton are still unbeaten and, as well as their results, they have really impressed me with the way they have played so far. Bournemouth had a better xG than Chelsea last weekend, but lost 5-1. That game showed again how Xabi Alonso's side are going to be enjoyable to watch this season but very difficult to predict.You just don't know what you are going to get with Chelsea at the moment but at least you know what to expect from Everton. They are always so well organised and should probably have beaten Hull City last time out, with the number of good chances Thierno Barry had. I can see them making things awkward for Chelsea and maintaining that unbeaten start.
Chelsea Team News - Hato STARTS
And for the visitors...
There is no surprise that Xabi Alonso largely sticks with the side that slapped Bournemouth 5-1 last week, only making one change. Jorrel Hato comes in for Pep Chavarria.
It means Jordan Henderson keeps his place after an incredible display against the Cherries and, f=of course, JP Morgan continues up top.
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