Saturday, November 5, 2016
Chelsea show title credentials as they sensationally whitewash Everton 5-0 (Match analysis/photos)
They bulldozed Everton's defence every time they had the ball in the opposition area, and almost a year since Jose Mourinho was sacked by the club, Chelsea could be entering a redefining era.
Chelsea started with a 3-4-3 formation, their main formation this season, while Everton started with a 3-5-2 formation with Lukaku and Bolasie upfront, a tactic that backfired from the very start for the Merseyside club.
Chelsea's starting line-up for the game included Courtois, Azpilicueta, Luiz, Cahill, Nigeria's Victor Moses, Kante, Matic, Alonso, Pedro, Costa, Hazard while Everton started with Stekelenburg, Coleman, Ashley Williams, Jagielka, Oviedo (Mirallas), Funes Mori, Barry , Bolasie , Barkley, Cleverley and Romelu Lukaku.
Diego Costa got seriously fouled with blood dripping down his ankle at the 7th minute and even when everyone taught he couldn't continue, he came back to lead his team to victory.
Bolasie, starting upfront for Everton, fouled Victor Moses in the 14th minute then in the 17th minute, Moses, one of the most in form players in the EPL at the moment, had a shot on target.
GOAL!! Eden Hazard received a wonderful assist in the 19th minute from Diego Costa to score Chelsea's first goal.
GOAL!! Chelsea scored again! A low Pedro cross in the 20th minute found Marcos Alonso at the back post, whose low shot goes straight through the legs of the Everton keeper.
A yellow card was given to Jagielka of Everton for raising his voice at the referee when David Luiz shielded the ball from him and Nigeria's Victor Moses in the 33rd minute fired a shot that hit the bar.
Chelsea were marauding the opposition and seemed to have more possession than Everton who were still getting to grips with the early goals.
GOAL!! In the 42nd minute, Diego Costa scored from a corner kick. Stamford Bridge was lit! The home fans couldn't believe the football they were watching. Chelsea entered half time 3-0 up.
Halftime- Chelsea 3-0 Everton.
The second half began, with Chelsea still maintaining their tactical balance and formation and in the 49th minute, Diego Costa missed a goal after his shot suffered a deflection from a defender.
Eden Hazard, then showed why he was truly a contender for Player of the year, as he scored Chelsea's 4th goal in the 56th minute after a stylish 'one-two' pass with Pedro.
Pedro finally scored the 5th goal after a rebound which fell perfectly for Pedro, and the Spaniard calmly slotted into the net. Everton's fans started leaving the stadium as they saw there was no coming back for their beloved team.
Full-Time - Chelsea 5-0 Everton
Make no mistake, Chelsea are the most in-form team in the league at the moment and physically, tactically and mentally have themselves to blame if at the end of the season they don't win the league (or at least end up in top 3)
More photos below.
