Sean Dyche suffers heaviest managerial defeat as Chelsea hit Everton for six
Everton travelled to West London to face Chelsea not expecting to get much out of the game, considering their appalling record at Stamford Bridge, but the scoreline would have come as a shock to the Toffees.
Sean Dyche watched in disappointment from the touchline as a vengeful Chelsea put six past his former fourth-best defence in the Premier League.
The rout at the Bridge also rubberstamped Dyche’s heaviest defeat as a manager as Everton continue to struggle in the fight against relegation.
Despite coming into the game on the back of a seven-match unbeaten run in the Premier League, Chelsea’s recent performances have been far from assured.
They had conceded 2+ goals in each of their last seven outings in all competitions, and Everton sought to exploit their defensive frailties early on as they pushed up the pitch in a fast-paced opening.
The positive approach should have produced a goal inside ten minutes, but Beto failed to hit the target from merely yards out after the Toffees caught the Chelsea defence ball watching.
Breaking the deadlock early would have changed the complexion of the game, but Everton were ruthlessly punished for their wastefulness as Cole Palmer hit a 16-minute hat-trick that basically put the tie to bed.
Palmer’s third came down to a dreadful error from Jordan Pickford, whose inexplicable pass out allowed him to pounce, slotting home a long-range lob over the retreating keeper.
Despite later seeing a goal disallowed – with Beto clearly offside before heading in – Everton struggled to deal with Chelsea’s young forward throughout.
Palmer then bagged his fourth from the spot. Nicolas Jackson got in on the action with a swivelling half-volley before Alfie Gilchrist smashed home a rebound to round up the six-goal rout.
It was largely an evening to forget for Everton. However, with crucial games on the horizon, they must pick themselves up and focus on Sunday’s must-win relegation six-pointer against Nottingham Forest.