Everton claimed three consecutive Premier League victories for the first time since 2021 as they saw off Chelsea at Goodison Park.
ABDOULAYE DOUCOURE and substitute LEWIS DOBBIN both fired home first-time efforts in the second half as SEAN DYCHE’S side moved four points clear of the relegation zone.
It was a tight and tense first half with JORDAN PICKFORD making decent saves to deny ENZO FERNANDEZ’S rasping shot and COLE PALMER’S dipping drive from range.
JACK HARRISON’S acrobatic volley which flew narrowly wide was Everton’s most presentable opportunity in the opening period and DWIGHT MCNEIL forced visiting goalkeeper ROBERT SANCHEZ into an excellent stop at the start of the second half.
Chelsea’s attacks were breaking down in the final third and they were punished on the break as Doucoure smashed in and Dobbin smacked home in stoppage time for the in-form Toffees.
The loss is Chelsea’s seventh in the league under MAIRICIO POCHETTINO this season, dropping them two places to 12th in the table.
Sunday’s victory made it three consecutive top-flight wins under DYCHE for the first time they previously achieved the feat in the Covid-affected 2020-21 season under CARLO ANCELOTTI.
The measure of improvement since DYCHE was appointed at the turn of the year is clearly evident, a solid team that is now becoming difficult to beat, much like his tenure at Burnley.
The Blues created plenty of opportunities but continue to be wasteful in front of goal, while at the other end they have conceded 26 in their 16 games so far.
Chelsea are also seeing their injury list growing, with captain REECE JAMES lasting just 27 minutes and goalkeeper SANCHEZ limping off in the second half to be replaced by debutant DJORDJE PETROVIC.