Pedro Neto scored twice as Chelsea handed Everton their first defeat of the Premier League season with a 2-0 victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, despite losing goalkeeper Emi Martinez to a head injury. The win lifted Chelsea above Everton into the league’s top four, with Neto scoring at the…...
Pedro Neto scored twice as Chelsea handed Everton their first defeat of the Premier League season with a 2-0 victory at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, despite losing goalkeeper Emi Martinez to a head injury.
The win lifted Chelsea above Everton into the league’s top four, with Neto scoring at the start of the second half before sealing the result in the 11 minutes of added time.
Martinez was taken to hospital after a head collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite, with the lengthy treatment contributing to the extended stoppage time.
The match took time to gather momentum before Everton midfielder Harrison Armstrong’s challenge on Josh Acheampong sparked a heated contest and brought the first of five yellow cards in the opening half.
The tackle appeared to lift the home crowd and inspired Everton’s best spell of the first half, but striker Thierno Barry failed to capitalise on a chance, directing Jack Grealish’s cross straight at Martinez.
Chelsea threatened shortly before the interval when Moises Caicedo struck the crossbar from a well-worked corner.
Everton were also left frustrated after Morgan Rogers escaped a second booking just before half-time following a heavy collision with England teammate James Garner.
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Chelsea made the most of the reprieve after the break, with Neto opening the scoring within the first minute of the second half.
Jorrel Hato reached the byline and sent a low cross into the area, where Neto controlled the ball before firing past Jordan Pickford.
Martinez’s injury briefly interrupted Chelsea’s momentum, forcing Belgian goalkeeper Mike Penders to come on for his first Premier League appearance.
Penders was rarely troubled as Chelsea controlled the second half, with Everton struggling to create clear chances despite their efforts to get back into the game.
Pickford produced a fine save to deny Joao Pedro, but Everton could not prevent Chelsea from extending their lead late on.
Neto completed his brace by calmly slotting the ball into the bottom corner after Jordan Henderson’s free-kick was blocked by the Everton wall.
The result also ended Chelsea’s run of 22 consecutive Premier League matches without a clean sheet, dating back to January, as they secured a valuable away victory.