Chelsea vs Everton LIVE! Premier League match stream, latest team news, lineups, TV, prediction today – Evening Standard
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Chelsea vs Everton – LIVE!
Cole Palmer became the Premier League‘s joint-leading scorer this season as his four goals helped Chelsea crush hapless Everton 6-0 at Stamford Bridge. The former Manchester City player now has 20 for the campaign and dismantled Sean Dyche’s side almost single-handedly, netting a hat-trick inside the first 29 minutes to breathe genuine momentum into his team’s bid to qualify for Europe.
This was as complete a first half as Chelsea have managed under Mauricio Pochettino, displaying a clinical edge in front of goal that made the insipid attacking displays of earlier in the season feel like a distant memory. It was also a night for individuals. Moises Caicedo at the base of midfield gave a performance full of guile and maturity; rarely had he looked so in command in Chelsea colours.
Nicolas Jackson, who scored the fourth goal, and Mykhailo Mudryk were superb, further turning the tide of opinion in their favour after slow starts to their careers in blue. Then there was Palmer, Chelsea’s talisman, who is surely now a contender to challenge his former Manchester City team-mate Erling Haaland for the Golden Boot.
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Cole Palmer four-goal haul, including a 29-minute perfect hat-trick, was a warning shot to Manchester City ahead of the FA Cup semi-final.
The 21-year-old forward is among the most lethal finishers in Europe, highlighted by his place alongside Erling Haaland on 20 league goals at the top of the Premier League Golden Boot standings.
His first came after just 13 minutes when he nutmegged Everton’s star defender Jarrad Branthwaite, played a one-two with Nicolas Jackson and curled in a pinpoint left-foot finish.
Just five minutes later, Palmer ghosted into the box to head in a rebound after Jordan Pickford parried Jackson’s shot.
Pickford then woefully passed the ball out to Palmer in midfield, but he still needed a good touch and a first-time shot on his weaker right foot to lob the England goalkeeper from 35 yards.
Read our full analysis here!
Noni Madueke – 8
He was very bright and lively from the beginning as his impressive dribbling troubled Everton. He then won the penalty.
Cole Palmer – 10
An exceptional 29-minute hat-trick involving a nutmeg and curled finish, a Frank Lampard-esque late arrival into the box and a 35-yard lob was perfection. He could have sat in the centre circle sipping margaritas for the remaining 71 minutes and got a 10/10.
Read our full Chelsea ratings here!
That’ll do for Chelsea!
Perfect night. Four for Palmer, one each for Jackson and Gilchrist, and the Blues are bang in the race for European football.
90+2 mins: Seven minutes on.
Sean Dyche does not look particularly thrilled.
Six for Chelsea!
Chilwell’s shot is parried out, Gilchrist is there to hammer the rebound in.
Massive celebration too, as he scores his first goal for the club.
87 mins: It’s all very quiet inside Stamford Bridge. Home fans know this match has long since been over.
Everton have just about avoided a red card in this second-half, despite their obvious frustrations. A small win…
Gilchrist and Washington are on, replacing Gusto and Jackson.
82 mins: Pace of the match has slowed right down. Both sides happy to just see this out now.
Chelsea keeping the ball under no real pressure. They will be desperate to secure a rare clean sheet.
79 mins: A couple more Chelsea changes.
Chilwell is on, replacing Mudryk. And Palmer gets a huge ovation as he is brought off, as Casadei is introduced.
77 mins: Mykolenko from distance, shot spins away and it’s yet another corner for Everton.
Taken short, eventually clipped in and Beto’s bicycle kick results in a big old swing at thin air.
74 mins: Nice run from Jackson, before poking the ball through to Mudryk.
Runs round it, looks to bend a finish into the far corner but it’s straight at Pickford.
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