Everton – Chelsea: Neto Brace Gives Alonso’s Blues Three Points & First Clean Sheet Of The Season (0-2)

Chelsea defeated Everton 2-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium. A second half brace from Pedro Neto sealed the game for the Blues as they picked up the three points in what was a tricky away tie. There were injury concerns for Emi Martinez after a terrible collision, however Mike Penders stepped in as the Blues saw out the clean sheet, which was their first of the season.

Tactical analysis and match report by Gaurav Krishnan.

It does seem as though, the tides are slowly turning at Chelsea. Xabi Alonso is still tinkering with his system, but based on the Blues’ recent run there’s plenty of positives for Chelsea fans to take away. Boosted by the return of Moises Caicedo in midfield, which has dropped Chelsea’s goals conceded p90 from 2.4 to 0.5, Caicedo anchoring the midfield and shielding the defense along with forging what is an interesting partnership with Jordan Henderson has seen the Blues concede just one goal in their last two games while scoring seven. And this game would give them their first clean sheet in nine months.

Entering Matchday 7 of the 2026/27 Premier League season, both sides sat on 10 points after six games. Everton, under David Moyes, were unbeaten with two wins, four draws and occupied fifth place, level on points with Chelsea in sixth. Their record reflected the classic Moyes profile of this era forging his Everton side as organised, hard to break down, and efficient rather than expansive. They had drawn with Manchester United and Tottenham away, beaten Ipswich 1-0 at the Hill Dickinson Stadium, and most recently drawn 2-2 . . .