Premier League champions Chelsea visited Goodison Park today, hoping to earn a victory that would help kick-start their season after suffering through a poor start.
But Everton had other ideas.
The Blues started the match off brightly, sending players forward often .in a surprisingly attack-minded manner.
John Stones, who remained at Everton despite heavy interest from Chelsea during the summer transfer window, helped keep the scores level at 0-0 early on, helping to keep Diego Costa away from getting an early shot off.
Despite the positive start from the team, injury struck early on.
Muhammed Besic, who has only recently returned to full fitness after suffering from a nightmare last season, was substituted after just 9 minutes.
Besic suffered what appears to be a hamstring injury after a challenge from Pedro, which ended his day before it could really begin.
Manager Roberto Martinez replaced the Bosnian international with Steven Naismith, to the initial disapproval from many Everton fans.
More from Match Review
- Everton 0 Arsenal 1: Blues fall to third home defeat
- Sheffield United 2 Everton 2: Blues cling on for first point
- Cup win shows very worrying Everton defensive weakness that must be addressed
- Everton 0 Wolves 1: Another dreadful day at Goodison for Blues
- Everton are declining under Dyche after Aston Villa debacle
Naismith plays in a traditional number 10 spot, but was brought on to play out on the wing.
That didn’t stop the Scot from pushing further central, which helped him open the scoring with a solid header after being on the pitch for around 5 minutes.
Naismith connected well from a cross sent in by Brendan Galloway, who returned from injured to start the match at Left Back.
Fan disapproval was quickly silenced when Naismith sent in a great shot that put Everton 2-0 up against the reigning Premier League Champions, taking his career-tally against Chelsea to 5.
Everton began to play with increased confidence and potency, with Kone and Lukaku having great opportunities to increase their lead, but to no avail.
The match was blown wide-open when Chelsea’s Nemanja Matic rocketed a shot in from 35 yards out, with Everton fans distraught at how much space the Serbian midfielder was allowed in the build up to the deadly shot.
So the teams went in at half time with Everton still leading 2-1, but with Chelsea having upped their tempo and looking the more likely to score another.
Things settled down after the break and Chelsea were very lucky not to be punished for an obvious back-pass between captain John Terry and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic, which would have presented Everton with the perfect chance to extend their slim lead.
After being denied an obvious free kick within Chelsea’s penalty area, Everton began to play with more certainty and forced Begovic into a number of saves.
The match also gave Aaron Lennon his second Everton debut, replacing Arouna Kone in the 72nd minute.
Kone had a solid performance for the Blues, having a couple of shots parried away by Begovic, and could have easily bagged one or two goals.
Unfortunately it wasn’t to be and Kone, who struggled to have any real impact for Everton last season, received a standing ovation as he left the pitch.
Another player to make his debut for Everton was Ramiro Funes Mori, who replaced the injured Seamus Coleman around the 77th minute.
Coleman, who had only recently returned to full fitness, went off with what appears to be a hamstring injury, much like Besic’s from earlier in the match.
Losing Coleman is a huge blow for Everton, who would have liked to have him available for every match possible.
With Mori being a natural centre back, John Stones moved out to the right side of defence, a position he is familiar with from his early career, while Mori moved inside to partner Phil Jagielka.
Despite suffering two significant injuries, it was Steven Naismith that once again lifted the spirits of Everton fans across the world.
The Scot bagged his hat trick goal in the 82nd minute, sending Everton 3-1 up against the Premier League champions.
Naismith, who had an £8 million offer to leave Everton rejected in the summer, became the first substitute since Romelu Lukaku in 2013, and 6th in Premier League history, to score a hat trick after coming into a match as a substitute.
With a performance such as this, manager Martinez will now have to think long and hard about his future team selection as Naismith has shown what he is capable of when given the chance.
And thanks to his performances after coming on as a substitute, the match ended in a 3-1 victory for Everton who have now claimed 8 points in their opening 5 matches, showing improvements in team play over last season.
Man of the Match: Steven Naismith
Undoubtedly Naismith is Everton’s MOTM, his hat trick was phenomenal and helping to secure such a strong victory over the reigning champions will have endeared him greatly to the Everton faithful.
A solid victory for Everton over Chelsea will have fans hoping for bigger and better things this season, particularly in cup competitions.
What did you think of the victory? Let us know in the comments!
More from Prince Rupert's Tower
- Everton 0 Arsenal 1: Blues fall to third home defeat
- Further chaos in Everton takeover as other lenders not keen on 777 Partners
- Everton need repeat of Arsenal win to kick-start their season on Sunday
- More madness at Everton as Moshiri now agrees to sell club to 777 Partners
- Everton takeover talk cools after UK govt doubts and further questions