Pedro Neto scored both goals as Chelsea secured a vital 2-0 Premier League away win over Everton on Saturday. The result moves the Blues above the Toffees into fourth place in the table with 13 points from seven games and marks their first league clean sheet since January.
Neto broke the deadlock just 43 seconds after the restart, finishing a swift move to give Chelsea the lead. He then sealed the three points in the 90th minute, converting from close range to complete his brace. The victory ended a poor run for Chelsea at this ground, where they had lost six of their previous nine visits.
Head coach Xabi Alonso made one change from the side that beat Bournemouth 5-1, with Jorrel Hato replacing the injured Pep Chavarria. The match was a fractious affair, with five players booked by the 34th minute including Chelsea's Neto and Marc Cucurella. Everton's Vitalii Mykolenko returned from injury, but the hosts were unable to find a way past a resolute Chelsea defence.
Key moments
Chelsea created the better chances throughout. Cole Palmer forced a save from Jordan Pickford early on, while Moises Caicedo saw a volley from a Jordan Henderson corner crash against the crossbar. At the other end, Everton's best opportunity fell to Thierno Barry, whose header was comfortably gathered by Emiliano Martinez.
The game's major turning point came just after the hour mark when Martinez was injured in a collision with Jarrad Branthwaite and Barry. After ten minutes of treatment, the goalkeeper was replaced by 18-year-old Mike Penders, who made his Premier League debut. Penders made a superb punch to clear a dangerous cross shortly after coming on, helping to preserve the clean sheet.
Chelsea continued to press and were rewarded with Neto's late clincher. Joao Pedro, the club's top scorer this season with five goals, came on in added time as Alonso's side saw out the win. The team's recent form now reads three wins, one draw and one loss from their last five matches.
Reece James remains sidelined after knee surgery, but the squad will now prepare for a significant London derby. Chelsea host Tottenham, who are 20th in the table, next Saturday. The win provides a major boost to Chelsea's top-four ambitions, leaving them eight points behind leaders Manchester City.
This story first appeared at chelseafc.com
