Everton 1-0 Chelsea: Sigurdsson penalty punishes Mendy error
Gylfi Sigurdsson transformed from the spot to punish a rash Edouard Mendy problem as Everton toppled Chelsea on Merseyside.
Chelsea missed the prospect to maneuver prime of the Premier League desk as Gylfi Sigurdsson’s penalty secured Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti a 1-0 win over his former membership.
Ancelotti endured a depressing return to Stamford Bridge final season together with his present employers, Everton taking place 4-0 within the capital.
Nonetheless, he got here out on prime in a second assembly with Frank Lampard, who was a part of the Chelsea squad who secured a home double beneath the Italian coach within the 2009-10 season.
The one purpose of the sport arrived within the twenty second minute because of an early Christmas reward from Edouard Mendy, the goalkeeper needlessly charging into Dominic Calvert-Lewin because the striker tried to get on the top of his personal flick-on from Jordan Pickford’s lengthy punt.
Sigurdsson calmly rolled in his try from the spot for his first league purpose in 17 video games, a lot to the delight of the two,000-strong crowd inside Goodison Park.
Chelsea responded brightly to the setback of falling behind, Reece James placing a put up with a low drive that Pickford appeared to get a slight contact to, whereas Kurt Zouma – who spent a season on mortgage at Everton earlier in his profession – planted a close-range try straight on the England goalkeeper.
Richarlison didn’t capitalise on a transparent capturing alternative earlier than the break for the hosts, slipping as he struck the ball together with his left foot to make Mendy’s life simpler.
Sigurdsson went shut with a free-kick early within the second half and was then denied the prospect to take one other penalty when a VAR verify discovered Calvert-Lewin offside previous to being bundled over by Ben Chilwell.
Nonetheless, one purpose proved sufficient as Chelsea failed to seek out an equaliser, regardless of Lampard sending on Tammy Abraham in place of the ineffective Kai Havertz to accomplice Olivier Giroud up prime.
Mason Mount noticed a free-kick stored out by a put up as Everton held agency, within the course of securing a 3rd successive dwelling win over their opponents as they moved into the highest half.
FT. Massive efficiency. Massive win.
UP THE TOFFEES!!!
1-0 #EVECHE pic.twitter.com/O6rNA3DoPY
— Everton (@Everton) December 12, 2020
What does it imply? Candy success for depleted Toffees
Everton had stuttered after a wonderful begin to the 2020-21 season, profitable simply as soon as of their earlier seven league outings after opening up with 4 wins on the spin.
Their trigger was not helped by a scarcity of full-backs – Mason Holgate and Ben Godfrey did an admirable job both facet of the superb Michael Keane and Yerry Mina – in what was a battling show, as proven by them having simply 28 per cent possession. Certainly, Chelsea didn’t handle an on-target try in the complete second half.
Sigurdsson pulls the strings
The Iceland worldwide has managed extra Premier League targets towards Chelsea than every other facet within the competitors, additionally scoring twice towards them whereas taking part in for Tottenham and Swansea.
Everton’s captain created six possibilities for his team-mates earlier than making manner within the closing minutes, whereas nobody else on the pitch created greater than two.
In it for retains?
Mendy had seemingly solved the keeper conundrum at Chelsea, conceding simply twice in seven league video games previous to the journey to Merseyside. Nonetheless, Lampard can have each motive to query why the signing from Rennes felt the necessity to rush out and confront Calvert-Lewin when the scenario was beneath management.
What’s subsequent?
Chelsea are again on the highway once more throughout a full spherical of midweek Premier League fixtures, travelling to Wolves on Tuesday. Everton have an additional day to get well earlier than they go to Leicester Metropolis.