Chelsea FC Survive Goal Glut With Everton FC
May 23, 2013; St. Louis, MO, USA; Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic (2) and Manchester City forward Carlos Tevez (32) battle for the ball at Busch Stadium. Manchester City defeated Chelsea 4-3. Mandatory Credit: Scott Rovak-USA TODAY Sports
Saturday’s matchup between Chelsea and Everton definitely was not short of talking points. Romelu Lukaku going against his former club for the first time, Diego Costa and his injury worries, plus Manchester City’s loss all had an impact on the game. Chelsea would be looking to make it three for three in the league, as Everton were looking to secure their first win of the season.
Chelsea didn’t take long to get started, as Diego Costa and Branislav Ivanovic both scored within the first three minutes of the game. Cesc Fabregas found Costa cutting through the Everton back line, there were claims of offside, but the linesman kept his flag down. With only the goalkeeper to beat, Costa finished low and hard giving Chelsea a 1-0 lead with not even a minute passing by.
Ivanovic got his name on the score sheet after finding himself with plenty of room to shoot after Ramires found him in the penalty area. The defender took his chance well, and put the score at 2-0. There was another shout for offside, but again the linesman kept his flag down.
The Toffees showed some fight after the early onslaught, and nearly scored in the 16th minute. Lukaku rose well on a corner, and while his effort beat Thibaut Courtois, it bounced off the crossbar. Eventually, the ball fell to Sylvain Distin, but he was ruled offside.
The Everton fight back came to fruition just on the stroke of halftime. Seamus Coleman found space on the right-wing, and cutback a ball into the box. Kevin Mirallas rose well, and finished to Courtois’ far post. The score would be 2-1 going into halftime, with Everton having good momentum.
Tim Howard came up big in the 53rd minute, after he stopped Costa’s one v one opportunity. This would seem to give the home side even more life, as Everton went right back and continued to put pressure on the Chelsea goal.
Chelsea would add to their lead in the 67th minute through Eden Hazard. The Belgian made one of his trademark runs down the left side, it appeared as if he was attempting a cross, but instead Coleman got a slight touch on the ball. This was enough to send the ball through Howard’s near post.
It wouldn’t be long before Everton struck back. Some quick passing after the restart freed up Steven Naismith who had plenty of space as he charged into the penalty area. Naismith made no mistakes, and beat Courtois far post, getting his team right back into the game.
The Blues would once again double their lead in the 74th minute. After some good build up play, Nemanja Matic found himself with some space at the top of the box. He struck the ball low, and with Howard being screened by two of his own defenders, he could only watch as he conceded a 4th goal.
The goal glut would continue in the 76th minute. Substitute and former Chelsea man Samuel Eto’o would get his name on the score sheet. The forward connected on a free kick, which caught Courtois wrong footed. Once again Everton were right back in the game.
Again, Chelsea would double their lead in the 78th minute. Ramires on the receiving end of a pass after he made a diagonal run behind the Everton defense. The midfielder did well to finish past Howard far post, and restore a two goal lead for Chelsea.
In the 80th minute it seemed as if the Toffees would answer yet again. A poor roll by Courtois left the Blues shorthanded in defense. Mirallas thought he had scored another, but Courtois came up back to deny the chance.
Right when the game seemed to be dying down. Chelsea would score a sixth. After an Everton giveaway, Costa found himself one on one with Howard in the box. After opening up some space, he put the ball past Howard far post, effectively sealing the game for the Blues.
Man of the Match: Diego Costa scored the opening and closing goals of the game, and had a solid game in between