Chelsea suffer top-four blow with second-half capitulation to hand Everton victory

It is tempting to suggest no-one inside Goodison Park foresaw Chelsea’s second-half capitulation, especially Evertonians waiting two years for a win over top-six opposition.

That would be disingenuous. For Maurizio Sarri and those Chelsea supporters watching incredulously in the away end, it was hideously familiar and painfully predictable. They have seen this in Wolverhampton. They witnessed it again in Manchester. Now the Chelsea roadshow took the inexplicable trick of stripping a once title-winning team of its identity to a disbelieving Merseyside audience.

A team that once demanded the most physically and mentally resilient performance of the season just to match, let alone defeat them, has been reduced to a group of psychologically suspect tippy-tappers. Everything Chelsea represented – mental strength, athleticism and that ability to stiffen their backs and plant their flag in the most hostile territory – has become a memory.

The visitors’ second half performance was dismal, defensive timidity matching a blunt attack, further confirmation how far this side has declined since their Premier League win two years ago. They still have so much individual class but it cannot compensate for visible imbalance and a worrying collapse under the first strain of pressure.

Not for the first this season, Sarri said it was a ‘mental’ problem, suggesting the side was ‘playing to its limit’ as they succumbed to a 2-0 defeat.

“We played the best 45 minutes of the season,” insisted the Italian. “And then in the beginning of the second half, we stopped playing. I do not know way. We did not defend. It is not a physical problem. If you have a physical problem you can go down gradually, not in one second.

“It is difficult for the players to explain to me the change, and for me to explain to you the change. It is a mental block.”

Everton’s vast second half improvement merited the victory, Richarlison’s header breaking through before Gylfi Sigurdsson tapped in after his 71st-minute penalty was saved. When they clicked the exposing of Chelsea’s defensive frailties was impressive.

David Luiz and Antonio Rudiger were especially appalling having coasted through the first half, but it was the latter who faced the television cameras post-match to lay bare his frustration.

"It is unacceptable the way we came out [after the break] and we lost the game in 10 minutes," Rudiger told Sky Sports. "Everyone deals with it differently but it’s unacceptable and I’m sorry. We still have eight games to go but we cannot always say ‘next week,’ we really have to do better because we normally aren’t allowed to lose this match."

There was little hint of the deterioration in the early stages, Chelsea intent on testing the emotional balance of Jordan Pickford. After his problems in his native north east a week ago, England’s number one was back to his best when called upon, although most of his best work was dealing with shots from distance.

The visitors could have gone ahead on three occasions in the first seven minutes, Eden Hazard striking the post and Gonzalo Higuain’s tamer attempt cleared off the line by Michael Keane. Pedro and Jorginho also went close before half-time. It looked a matter of time before they broke through, suffering because of a combination of poor finishing and bad luck. It does not excuse what followed, although the dominance might have contributed to the subsequent problems, Sarri within his rights to preach the merits of patience during the interval. His players faced a different proposition 15 minutes later. The great Chelsea sides were adept at mid-game problem solving, reacting to changing circumstances and noise volumes. The modern incarnation withers.

The shift in momentum was fierce, Everton full of vigour. Chelsea were unresponsive. Goodison optimism flourished when Andre Gomes forced Kepa Arrizabalaga into a smart save a few seconds into the second half. Four minutes later, Everton led from a set-piece. Sigurdsson’s corner found Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Arrizabalaga’s block dropped to Richarlison, who finished with a header.

The second came on 71 minutes when Marcos Alonso tripped the Brazilian, Sigurdsson relieved to convert after his penalty was saved.

For returning Goodison graduate Ross Barkley this was an especially forgettable homecoming. his every touch was jeered as he lasted 65 minutes, the greatest surprise being it was Ruben Loftus-Cheek rather than Mateo Kovacic replacing him.

By then, Chelsea were bereft of ideas, Everton standing in appreciation for the latest young idol Richarlison.

Farhad Moshiri has indicated the new generation of youngsters will inspire the Goodison revival. That sometimes sounds like it represents a leap forward in imagination as much as league position. Calvert-Lewin is a work in progress, and Richarlison’s erratic form mirrors that of the team. Then you see the duo perform as they did in the second half here, with the confidence to terrorise defenders.

Silva said he was unaware of Everton’s appalling record against Champions League hopefuls.

“It cannot happen again,” he said. “It is not normal for a club like us to go so long without beating a strong side.  It is up to us to work together to make it more normal we beat these types of side.”

This was an afternoon of fresh hope for Silva, and familiar concern for Sarri. He may now need to win the Europa League to prevent Chelsea competing for it next season.

“If you are talking about the first half we can (achieve) everything,” said Sarri. “If we play like the second half in the next eight matches we are in big trouble.” So is the Chelsea coach.

7:00PM

Maurizio Sarri doesn't know what happened

6:52PM

Marco Silva hated the first half

6:47PM

Some stats to enjoy

• Everton (W1 D1) have avoided defeat against Chelsea within a single Premier League season for the first time since the 2015/16 campaign under manager Roberto Martinez.

• Chelsea have suffered defeat at Goodison Park without scoring a goal for the first time since September 2013, when they lost 0-1 under manager Jose Mourinho.

• Everton have kept back-to-back home clean sheets in the Premier League for the first time since doing so against Fulham and Crystal Palace back in September and October earlier this season.

• Only Fulham (six) have lost more Premier League games away from home in 2019 than Chelsea (P5 W1 D0 L4).

• Despite scoring the rebound, Gylfi Sigurdsson has now missed three of his five Premier League penalties for Everton (60%). Indeed, 2018/19 is just the second Premier League season to see two different players miss at least three penalties (also Paul Pogba) after 2003/04 (Alan Shearer and Ruud van Nistelrooy).

• Chelsea’s Eden Hazard has now failed to score in each of his seven Premier League games at Goodison Park; his most appearances at a single away venue without finding the net in the competition.

• Richarlison has scored 12 goals in the Premier League this season; only three players have netted more in the competition in their first season at Everton (15 - Kanchelskis, Yakubu and Lukaku).

• Everton’s Jordan Pickford (25y 10d) became the fifth youngest English goalkeeper to make 100 Premier League appearances after Scott Carson, Joe Hart, Ian Walker and Paul Robinson.

6:36PM

Gueye is a great player

6:28PM

Bad reading for Chelsea fans

• Chelsea only had two shots on target in the second half, with one of those coming from Gonzalo Higuain (subbed in the 66th minute).

6:24PM

Two oh Walcott

So close.

6:23PM

FULL TIME!

That was a game of two halves. Everton excellent in the second half, Chelsea caught by surprise. I wonder how much of that was deliberate from Silva - his approach might have been one of the smartest and devious seen in the Premier League. It might also be that he shouted at him during the break and encouraged a response. Either way it worked perfectly.

6:22PM

90 mins +5 - Everton 2 Chelsea 0

Corner for Chelsea. Hudson-Odoi is legit by the way, he's a superb player only not getting a game because he's young. Luiz cushions a header from the corner to Giroud but his diving header is blocked. Not happening today lads.

6:20PM

90 mins +3 - Everton 2 Chelsea 0

Davies shows great determination to sprint and beat Rudiger to 50/50, well it was really a 20/80 in Rudiger's favour, but can't keep the ball in play afterwards.

Chelsea are running out of time.

6:18PM

90 mins - Everton 2 Chelsea 0

Everton are slowing things down now, taking their time at throw-ins, running it into the corner. Chelsea might, just miiiiiiight regret not taking the chances they had in the first half.

Five minutes of added time have been announced though. I'm not sure where but I suppose two goals and six subs adds up.

6:14PM

87 mins - Everton 2 Chelsea 0

Walcott is just offside as he runs between the Chelsea centre-backs to get onto a forward pass. If he makes it 3-0, imagine the headlines.

Tom Davies is getting a game now, on for Sigurdsson.

6:12PM

85 mins - Everton 2 Chelsea 0

To celebrate this excellent stat, Hudson-Odoi punts a ball across the width of the pitch just a few yards away from the feet of a teammate. Throw to Everton.

6:10PM

83 mins - Everton 2 Chelsea 0

Richarlison shields the ball into the corner, is tackled... and somehow the throw goes to Chelsea. Kante spreads the play, Azpilicueta brings it forward, Loftus-Cheek stretches play wide left... Hudson-Odoi comes onto it and darts inside the pitch AND SHOOTS! What a hit! Pickford does well to push it over the bar! If that had been to a corner it was a goal!

6:08PM

80 mins - Everton 2 Chelsea 0

Three-oh Walcott is on! Everton do the right thing and give the birthday boy a run out to celebrate 30 years and that excellent Peep Show joke.

Chelsea are trying to keep the tempo high but are loose and clumsy on the ball now. Kante has gone deep into a midfield two with, I think Loftus-Cheek but Everton are winning aerial battles...

And now Walcott is in on the left! He pulls the trigger but the shot is close to the goalkeeper and he saves very well. Great pass by Sigurdsson to set up Walcott.

6:04PM

77 mins - Everton 2 Chelsea 0

Jorginho off, Hudson-Odoi on! There's a new one. Alonso is being done on his left flank, all over the place. Richarlison wins another free-kick from him, Everton almost score from a weird shot hit from the goal line but Kepa catches. Chelsea are rattled.

6:03PM

75 mins - Everton 2 Chelsea 0

What a turnaround this has been. This is the heatmap from the first half, Everton on the left, only getting the ball to their full-backs and goalkeeper, Chelsea all over the place.

And now look at this:

There are still 15 minutes to go but the difference in where Everton are attacking is night and day.

6:00PM

GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLL!!!!!!

SIGURDSSON MISSES! Great save by Kepa but the ball bounces back to Sigurdsson to thump into the empty net! Lucky Everton are 2-0 up!

5:59PM

PENALTY!

Richarlison runs inside the box and knows the tackle is coming.... he goes down predictably, drawing the contact from Alonso. It's really so soft. Richarlison was always going down there but technically it is a foul. Happened quite quickly but... I'm not sure about that one.

5:58PM

70 mins - Everton 1 Chelsea 0

Everton are breaking well, finding a lot of space as Chelsea commit men forwards to try and get in the game.

Hazard is unbelievable on the ball - you either tackle him and give away a free-kick or just chase and watch him setup a goal.

Everton really want a penalty as Gueye goes down in the box after bouncing off Loftus-Cheek. Never ever. No way.

5:54PM

67 mins - Everton 1 Chelsea 0

Jorginho is evolving...

• Jorginho has made seven tackles today, which is already his most ever in a single Premier League game.

I think his next form is Jorgimeleon, then Jorgizard. Imagine how powerful he'll be.

In other news, Barkley has just been substituted to the enormous delight of he Everton fans. On comes Loftus-Cheek, who quite honestly should have been on from the start. Higuain also comes off to be replaced by Europa League hat-trick hero Giroud.

5:51PM

64 mins - Everton 1 Chelsea 0

Bernard goes down holding his ear as he runs into Rudiger's elbow. It's not really Rudiger's fault and I'd say it's not even a free-kick even if it definitely hurt. Drop ball makes more sense. Rudiger is also booked for that and is furious about it.

Digne swings the ball in but there's an offside or some sort of foul and Chelsea have possession again. Alonso tries an ambitious crossfield pass to Pedro on the opposite wing but puts it out for a throw. If that had worked it would have been amazing.

5:48PM

61 mins - Everton 1 Chelsea 0

Gomes is booked for a foul. Kante is the furthest player forward to take a long pass down (!) and sets up Higuain from Luiz's chipped ball.... HIGUAIN SHOOTS! And that is a superb save from Pickford. Really strong arm to deny a goal from that powerful shot. It was flying in the bottom corner.

5:45PM

58 mins - Everton 1 Chelsea 0

Barkley is off the field receiving treatment for a bleeding nose. I think he took a hit while trying to defend the Everton goal earlier.

Meanwhile, here's a stat for you:

Richarlison has scored 12 goals in the Premier League this term - only three players have netted more in the competition in their first season at Everton (15 - Kanchelskis, Yakubu and Lukaku).

Everton are on the attack again now! Down the left, the ball is crossed and CALVERT-LEWIN! Just can't reach it... and Chelsea survive. It's another corner.

5:43PM

55 mins - Everton 1 Chelsea 0

Sky Sports have just shown a live reaction shot of Maurizio Sarri on the Chelsea bench after that goal.

Chelsea are probing the Everton defence again now, which has dropped to the familiar shape we saw in the first half. Although, they seem to be engaging higher up the pitch now.

Chelsea work it nicely around the Everton half and two switched passes give Alonso the chance to shoot at the back post. ALONSO SHOOOOOOTS and hits the sidenetting.

5:39PM

52 mins - Everton 1 Chelsea 0

Chelsea attack straight away but Higuain is robbed and Everton threaten to break away until the move ends. Richarlison tries to win a corner but settles for a throw. Gomes knocks that onto Sigurdsson, who squares it... blocked and cleared! And now Pedro is running away with the ball but he's held on too long! Everton win it with a crunching tackle and get the ball up the park.

5:36PM

GOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLL!!!!

EVERTON HAVE THE LEAD!

Sigurdsson's corner is headed back by Calvert-Lewin, the keeper pushes it out and Richarlison follows up to throw his head towards the ball and force it into the back of the net. That's got the crowd going!

5:36PM

49 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

More attacking from Everton! The ball is linked well by Calvert-Lewin and eventually Bernard sets up Andre Gomes for the shot.... SAVED! That was going top corner!

The cross from the corner comes in and MINA IS THERE! His header hits a Chelsea body and is cleared. Everton keep up the pressure - this is so much better than the first half.

Everton win another corner, the crowd are enjoying themselves and have woken up too. Sigurdsson stands over it, curls out and the ball's loose!

5:34PM

47 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Oooooocha! Everton start on the attack, Calvert-Lewin fires a diagonal pass towards the run of Bernard and he so nearly meets it at the back post to tap in. Was that whole first half a cunning ruse to lure Chelsea into a slumbering second?

5:33PM

KICK OFF 2

We're back. Please make this half better. Please. Higuain has asked for a new ball before he kicks off because the first one is flat.

5:25PM

Three-oh Walcott

Really hoping for an appearance from this guy today.

Excellent work on the billboard.

5:23PM

Everton the entertainers

This is the 14th time this season that Everton have been drawing 0-0 at half-time in the Premier League - the most of any side.

Their approach is this:

The plan might be that they block Chelsea all game long and then go through small phases of attacking play.

5:17PM

HALF TIME

The most medium Everton performance you can imagine. Sat deep, no real aggression, the fans sound like they're just flicking through Instagram on their phones. Except when Barkley has the ball. Then they boo him and get all excited. Everton were way better in the final two minutes of that half than they were the previous 45. Sort it out, Marco.

5:15PM

45 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Coleman tries to make use of having the ball in the attacking third but loses control and it's out for a goal kick. Everton fans will be bored of this.

I think Sarri is chewing on a cigarette butt, which is absolutely disgusting.

5:13PM

42 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Barkley takes it... the Everton fans boo him... and then cheer as he hits the ball straight into the wall. It's not clear though, Kante keeps it alive and Pedro darts past about four challenges running across the pitch until he can shoot on his left... JUST WIDE! Great balance from Pedro.

5:11PM

41 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Hazard wins a free-kick on the edge of the box as Richarlison makes an ill-timed attempt at a slide tackle. Luiz, Barkley and Alonso all fancy this one but it does seem to suit a right footer most. Pickford is lining up his wall.

5:07PM

38 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Before today, Everton have only scored one first half goal in their last five Premier League games at Goodison Park. It doesn't look like that's going to change at the moment.

Alonso is booked for a foul though giving Sigurdsson a chance to not only touch the ball, but put in a cross from the right wing.

It's crossed.... and headed wide by Calvert-Lewin inside the area. His finishing is dreadful at times. So close to being a good player.

5:06PM

35 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

It's all calm and quiet again. A lovely Sunday afternoon for Chelsea fans. Alonso almost kicks a ballboy out the stadium as he's bundled over by the corner flag but thankfully, on this occasion, no innocent bystanders come to harm.

5:02PM

33 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Decent move by Chelsea. They work it through the lines, out wide and the cross from Alonso is low to the edge of the box for Pedro to hit... but he gets his finish all wrong.

Pickford clears, Azpilicueta wins a 50/50, Chelsea pass the ball around more. And then Luiz hits a stunning 70 yard pass out to the right wing to open up the play and find Azpilicueta's run but Everton are able to head away the subsequent cross.

Chelsea have solved the Jorginho problem by having Luiz take the ball into midfield, giving them numerical superiority.

5:00PM

30 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Chelsea win a throw-in near the box, Pedro controls it so badly it goes back out for a throw. Sigurdsson and Richarlison have had five touches of the ball each. They're not in the game.

Kepa has had nine touches, for comparison. Marcos Alonso has had 39.

4:58PM

28 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Everton defending in a 4-4-2, forcing play wide then trying to block the middle. Pickford launches a kick 80 yards and unsurprisingly gifts possession back to Chelsea.

4:56PM

25 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Everton press higher up the pitch but can't quite win the ball where they want. Jorginho is bundled off the ball and has his hand stood on but the referee doesn't care.

4:52PM

22 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

This graphic shows how the game's been. Chelsea have almost all their players in Everton's half, Everton are stuck in the lowest of blocks (a very wide one too). We might see Silva's team open up a bit now we're past 20 minutes.

4:50PM

20 mins - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Ben Bloom is gone - JJ Bull is here! Here I am! Apparently this game hasn't been great so far.

However, here's some action! Jorginho links with Higuain in a one-two and is set up for a strike from 20 yards! He puts his foot through it and the goalkeeper does well to save without spilling!

4:47PM

17 min - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

It's close to silent inside Goodison Park.

4:47PM

16 min - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Everton just ventured into the opposition half with the ball. Then Coleman passed it to Jorginho. Oh hold on... Kante gifts possession away on the halfway line and Calvert-Lewin is played in quickly, seizing the chance to shoot from range and fire way over. Still, it's a shot.

4:43PM

13 min - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Yeah, it's attack against defence at Goodison Park right now. Everton manage to get rid after a Chelsea free-kick is swung into the box, but the waves keep on coming.

4:41PM

11 min - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

"Everton are a team waiting to be beaten," says G-Nev. The home team defence is just sitting back, scared of Hazard and co in these early stages. And their problems could be worsening here with Gueye down and receiving treatment for some time. He is eventually hauled to his feat and hobbles away, but his ankle doesn't look great.

4:39PM

9 min - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Everton are all over the place. I don't think Giroud should move there.

4:39PM

8 min - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

HIT THE POST! It's that man Hazard again - apparently the 20th time Chelsea have hit the woodwork this season. He links up smartly with Higuain before smashing his effort against the upright from just inside the Everton penalty area with Pickford beaten. The ball comes out to Jorginho, who loops it deliciously over the back line where Higuain brings it down with aplomb but can't quite get his shot away.

4:36PM

6 min - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Barkley is on the receiving end of the obligatory jeers from the home fans for daring to move to a bigger club. He is forced sideways near the edge of the Everton penalty area but Chelsea come back with Hazard driving at goal and firing low at the near post from 10 yards, forcing Pickford into a smart save.

4:35PM

4 min - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

G-Nev on comms says Giroud should move to Everton. The former Arsenal man is on the bench for Chelsea today, watching these first few minutes drift by without incident.

4:32PM

1 min - Everton 0 Chelsea 0

Everton get the game under way with a Peter Kay-esque 'ave it upfield, which means possession is swiftly conceded. The hosts are in blue, with Chelsea all in yellow.

4:29PM

Let's do this

Plenty of chatter around the pressure on Jordan Pickford today and the Sky cameras are In. His. Face.

4:28PM

Game time

Hello people of the world. It's almost game time but we have a problem: JJ Bull is still blogging Millwall vs Brighton, which is in extra time. That means it is me, Ben Bloom, filling in briefly until the main man arrives.

The players have just emerged at Goodison Park with Chelsea wearing tracksuits that I really, really like. "They look like something Bananaman would wear," says JJ Bull. That's why he's the main blogger and not me.

4:10PM

How can Marco Silva beat Chelsea?

JJ Bull will be making his way over to this live blog once he's done and dusted with the Millwall vs Brighton FA Cup tie which is into extra-time following Brighton's fightback against the Championship side.

While we're waiting for his arrival, have a read of how Marco Silva and his Everton side can get the better of Chelsea this afternoon.

Here's a snippet:

Silva rarely, if ever, deviates from a 4-2-3-1 formation. His team have an average of 51.3 per cent possession, score (41 goals) as many as they concede (42) and don’t really offer anything in the way of surprise. They are thoroughly medium.

It’s a flexible setup and one hard to break down but it relies on individual moments of creativity and class to score goals and win games, as opposed to the approach of, for example, Man City which is highly structured and involves certain players being in certain positions to facilitate passages of play. 

Read the full article here.

3:33PM

The teams are in

Two changes for Everton - both in defence - as Seamus Coleman and Yerry Mina come in. There is pace in abundance in attack with Richarlison and Bernard flanking Dominic Calvert-Lewin. Counter-attacks, anyone?

For Chelsea, Ross Barkley starts against his former club! That means Kovacic (with whom he is apparently interchangeable) is on the bench. Gonzalo Higuain leads the line with Pedro and Hazard either side. Willian is on the bench.