Chelsea’s three-game profitable streak was resulted in dramatic style by an impressively resolute Everton at Stamford Bridge on Saturday, when the Toffees battled again from a purpose down twice to earn a 2-2 attract Premier League play.
The hosts took the lead shortly after half-time via Joao Felix’s threaded end, just for Abdoulaye Doucoure to nod the guests degree with little greater than 20 minutes remaining. Reece James’s surge into the guests’ field was illegally halted quickly afterwards, nevertheless, giving Kai Havertz the chance to crack dwelling the resultant penalty. Simply as Chelsea seemed set to wrap up a fourth straight victory, Toffees substitute Ellis Simms fired dwelling an 89th-minute leveller to make sure a share of the spoils for Sean Dyche’s facet.
Positives
Potter’s defensive trio of Wesley Fofana, Kalidou Koulibaly and Benoit Badiashile seems higher with each passing sport and, on these strong foundations, Chelsea had been capable of boss the primary hour and in assault they confirmed sufficient neat one-touch exchanges to counsel that Potter’s teaching is steadily becoming a member of the dots.
Negatives
As soon as once more, the Blues had been left to lament their indecisive actions within the opposition field. Too many unhealthy selections in good positions proved expensive and allowed parity to float for too lengthy. Everton grew in confidence as Chelsea seemed more and more leg-weary and the hosts’ poor sport administration was uncovered in dramatic style.
Supervisor score out of 10
5 — Potter’s facet managed the sport for lengthy intervals however had been by no means out of Everton’s sight. Whereas there have been positives within the hosts’ efficiency, the substitutions made by Potter at key occasions did little to assist his facet’s trigger. Christian Pulisic’s withdrawal got here simply as his affect was rising, whereas the late additions disrupted Chelsea’s management of the sport and the guests had been capable of piece collectively a leveller with out something resembling stress on the ball. A studying expertise for the Blues boss.
Participant scores (1-10; 10 = greatest, gamers launched after 70 minutes get no score)
GK Kepa Arrizabalaga, 6 — The Spain worldwide marshalled his defence nicely and by no means wasted possession when it got here his approach, however typically had little involvement, such was the steadiness of play. No blame hooked up for Doucoure’s purpose from shut vary, however may need finished higher with Simms’s late leveller.
DF Wesley Fofana, 8 — Energetic, proactive and pacey all through from the previous France youth worldwide. Had the reply to Everton’s occasional line of questioning and more and more seems at dwelling alongside Koulibaly. Might need additional embossed his show with a purpose, however headed over the bar from Ben Chilwell’s nook.
DF Kalidou Koulibaly, 7 — Learn the hazard astutely to snuff out Demarai Grey’s tried surge via. Supplied a comedic second when Amadou Onana dramatically bounced off him, and likewise did rather well to see off Dwight McNeil’s raid late within the first half. Harshly booked for a foul on Alex Iwobi however seemed impassable till the later phases when he drained and crucially allowed Simms to surge via and degree.
DF Benoit Badiashile, 7 — Confirmed his inexperience with a pointless foul on Grey in a harmful place in direction of the tip of the primary interval, however his error went unpunished. That proved to be maybe the one blot on an in any other case strong exhibiting as he continues to assimilate nicely to Potter’s defence.
MF Reece James, 6 — The wing-back’s passing radar was somewhat sketchy at occasions, however his presence alone makes him the principle man on Chelsea’s proper flank when match. Not but again to his high kind, however grew into the sport and made a serious contribution by profitable the hosts’ penalty.
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MF Enzo Fernandez, 6 — At all times beneath the guests’ radar, all the time seeking to make late runs into the field however his teammates’ provide line wasn’t adequate. Everton could not get close to him to dispossess him when the ball did come his approach. Confirmed one good piece of ability to shed McNeil in first-half harm time and his crossfield go performed an enormous half in Felix’s opener, however drained late on in a muddled midfield and misplaced Doucoure in a key a part of Everton’s equaliser.
MF Mateo Kovacic, 6 — The skipper ought to have damaged the impasse inside 5 minutes, however skewed an inviting volleyed likelihood off-target. That apart, a optimistic show replete with numerous interceptions and astute angled passes that posed fixed menace to Everton’s defensive strains.
MF Ben Chilwell, 6 — Concerned from the primary minute. Robust within the problem defensively and ever on the hunt in assault. Showcased his boundless vitality however Chelsea could not convey him into the sport typically sufficient. Once they might, he was a continuing menace together with his supply, each in open play and from set items.
FW Christian Pulisic, 5 — Off the tempo early on, not helped by taking a Grey free kick flush within the brow. Saved his greatest contribution of the primary half for the final seconds of harm time when his very good cross went to waste. Began the second interval in a livelier temper and had a superb end dominated out for offside, however was changed by Conor Gallagher simply earlier than the hour.
FW Kai Havertz, 6 — Regardless of current improved kind in entrance of purpose, the teenager nonetheless seems happier when dropping deeper to get entangled within the play. Too typically seemed backwards when in possession. Despatched an honest headed opening straight at Jordan Pickford within the early phases of the second half. Confirmed his nerve with a cool penalty conversion.
FW Joao Felix, 7 — A blended first interval featured a irritating lack of finish product alongside some joyous snippets of strategy play. One little flip had the house crowd roaring. Had a robust shot on the half-hour mark nicely fielded by Pickford, however the Portugal worldwide had his revenge with a well-taken opening purpose. A continuing menace till his late removing.
Substitutes
MF Conor Gallagher, 5 — Had one vigorous late run curtailed by Michael Keane however was unable to assist Chelsea get a deal with on the guests’ resurgence.
MF Ruben Loftus-Cheek, N/R — Launched instead of the tiring Kovacic late on however was unable to get into the sport.
FW Carney Chukwuemka, N/R — Given treasured little time to shine and could not get into the tempo of the sport, as proven by his passive position within the guests’ second equaliser.
DF Trevoh Chalobah, N/R — Thrown on for the ultimate moments and unexpectedly spent most of his time within the Everton half searching for a last-gasp winner.
