So that was as unexpected as it was welcome. Everton produced a strong performance this afternoon and finally managed to beat a ‘top six’ side in the Premier League this season.
This result might not have been the expected outcome at Goodison Park. But Everton continued a trend of producing their best efforts against the better sides at home, with today’s 2-0 win over Chelsea.
A win this afternoon comes after a battling, if ultimately losing effort against the champions Manchester City recently, and a dogged 0-0 draw against Liverpool two weeks ago.
Coming into this match I wrote that I thought this game might just suit the Toffees. Chelsea aren’t a physical, aggressive side and if Everton could press and harry them then they would have a good chance of beating them. Happily in the end it turned out that way.
Marco Silva kept faith with most of the side as played at Newcastle last weekend. The only changes from that starting eleven was to bring in Yerry Mina for the suspended Kurt Zouma and Seamus Coleman at full-back.
Mina produced the kind of dominating effort that Evertonians have been expecting from the giant Colombian since he signed last summer.
It was am anxious first half from the home team and Chelsea had the better of the game and created some good chances with Hazard and Higuain looking dangerous.
They were also dominating possession but didn’t make the most of it and the Toffees gradually improved and grew into the match. The visitors still had plenty of the ball but Everton were looking more likely to score now.
And eventually in the second half goals from Richarlison and a penalty from Gylfi Sigurdsson, after the Brazilian was brought down, gave the Toffees a two-goal cushion.
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But of course Everton have been there before, just a week ago up at St James’ Park. There a disastrous second half defensive performance had turned another 2-0 lead into a demoralising and intensely frustrating 3-2 defeat.
However this week it was a pleasingly resilient defence that held out late on and ensured the three points for the Blues.
Now comes another extended break from Premier League action for the Toffees.
The challenge is after the international interlude, can the Blues finally start string together a few performances like this in succession..?