Chelsea FC Fall to Everton 3-1
After what seemed to be an extra long international break for fans of Chelsea FC, the Blues would get back in action early on Saturday with a road match against Everton. Chelsea would be without the services of first choice goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois after the Belgian suffered what could be a serious knee injury. Kurt Zouma would get the start alongside John Terry, and John Obi Mikel would make a starting XI appearance.
The early stages of the game would be encouraging for Chelsea fans, as they showed plenty of attacking intent. Particularly, the much maligned Branislav Ivanovic made a couple of runs down the right flank, which kept Everton pinned in their own half.
Everton would open the scoring through substitute Steven Naismith. He came on for the injured Muhamed Besic, and would continue his scoring streak against the Blues. Brendan Galloway was able to put in a teasing ball in front of goal, and Naismith did well to finish with his head past Asmir Begovic.
Naismith would make it two in the 22nd, with a fine finish with his left foot. He would get off a shot from outside the penalty area, and was able to beat Begovic far post. Chelsea suddenly found themselves down 2-0.
Chelsea would get back in the game through a somewhat unlikely source, Nemanja Matic. When everything seemed to be going wrong for the visitors, Matic got off a strike from distance that beat Tim Howard. It was a great strike, and could be s goal of the week candidate.
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After 45 minutes of play, it’s fair to say that Chelsea didn’t have their best half of football. They went down 2-0, got a goal back, but looked unimpressive throughout the half. Changes would need to be made in the locker room in order for the team to push on and get a favorable result.
With ten minutes gone in the second half, youngster Kenedy was brought on to replace John Obi Mikel, presumably in attempts to add a bit more attacking impetus to the side.
Later on in the half, Radamel Falcao and Willian would also come on, with the game still standing at 2-1.
Naismith would add a third to his tally, effectively ending the game. Everton’s hat trick hero took advantage of some poor positioning from the back four, and snuck one underneath Begovic.
The Blues would fall on the road 3-1, with another disappointing performance to go with the loss. More troubling for the fans is surely the amount of goals Chelsea are leaking. Things won’t get much easier, as London rivals are next on the fixture list.
Scotland. MOTM: Steven Naismith. 14. player. 338. Who else? Naismith powered his side to victory, scoring a perfect hat trick in the process.. Forward
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