Everton 2-0 Chelsea: Blues player ratings

Chelsea began the game well but failed to intensify the pressure on Everton's backline as the first half progressed. Enzo Fernandez forced a brilliant save from Jordan Pickford, but that stood as the Blues' sole serious chance before halftime. Everton shifted the momentum early in the second half, increasing the game's pace. Following a missed opportunity from Dwight McNeil, the Toffees broke the deadlock in the 54th minute through Abdoulaye Doucoure.

Robert Sanchez rushed out of Chelsea’s goal to save Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s shot from inside the box. However, the rebound reached Doucoure, who made it 1-0 with a precise shot into the far corner. Despite Mauricio Pochettino making several lineup changes as the Blues struggled to find their rhythm, Everton maintained control and secured a 2-0 lead in the 92nd minute. Nathan Patterson’s corner was only half-cleared after a poor punch from CFC debutant, Djordje Petrovic, and the ball fell to Lewis Dobbin, who sealed the victory for the Toffees with a powerful finish from around 12 yards out.

Robert Sanchez: 6/10

The Spaniard looked to have picked up an injury late in the game. The shot stopper made some brilliant saves to keep the game level but ultimately conceded. Sometimes risky in possession, it’s becoming a habit that Sanchez is very close to making a catastrophic mistake.

Reece James (C): N/A

Came off in the 27th minute due to an apparent hamstring issue, the same injury the right-back has been battling throughout the entire season. Nothing else notable to add.

Axel Disasi: 5.5/10

Just not that great of a performance. Much like Badiashile, Disasi’s passing is hit or miss and the bad ones can really hurt his club. Marking is a bit of an issue.

Benoit Badiashile: 6/10

Looked good at the start and seemingly lost composure. His passing is hit or miss against Everton but I’d still have him in CFC’s lineup. One of our better defenders but that’s not saying much.

Marc Cucurella: 6/10

A much better performance than the one at Old Trafford on Wednesday, but that’s not saying much. Didn’t offer much of an attacking threat even when the team went down but did his job defensively.

Moises Caicedo: 7/10

CFC’s best midfielder on the night, but that’s not saying much. Done his job in silence cleaning up loose balls. One player who can leave Goodison Park with their chin up.

Enzo Fernandez: 6/10

He looked good in the first half, with good ball retention and passes, but he can get carried away. I didn't like how he's instructed to press high, leaving Gallagher to defend behind him. That's obviously instructional, so can't fault him there. However, his shooting is woeful, especially from range. The Argentine takes forever to set himself up for a shot, allowing the keeper to be ready to catch it or see it sail out of the stadium.

Cole Palmer: 6/10

It’s a bit of an average performance for Cole Palmer, nowhere near the form he was in before the November international break. He took multiple unnecessary shots from some distance, which weren’t needed, even early in the match. It’s normal for his form to dry up, especially considering his age, but Palmer needs to calm down at certain points and not rush decisions.

Conor Gallagher: 5/10

Taking the captain's armband after James' injury, Gallagher assumed a deeper role with Fernandez playing further up, but the plan backfired. Gallagher can't effectively play in that position as he struggles in the build-up stage. His pressing was also lacking, exposing the backline and leaving Caicedo to defend on his own.

Mykhailo Mudryk: 6.5/10

He looked really positive in the first half, but his momentum died down after the break. He took on his man, but should've made more runs instead of repeatedly hugging the touchline and crossing into the box. His pace has been causing Everton problem on their right flank.

Armando Broja: 4/10

It's another Chelsea striker horror show, this time coming from the academy graduate. He made countless wrong decisions on when to make a run or not. Just poor all around.

Substitutes:

Levi Colwill (27’): 5.5/10

Colwill came on for the injured Reece James early in the first half. Very silent, very unnoticed. The center back playing at left-back once again should’ve closed down Doucoure, who had a free shot. Colwill just froze up and watched him fire past Sanchez.

Raheem Sterling (66’): 5.5/10

Underwhelming, didn’t have much service, but when he did, he made a mess out of it. We know how good Sterling’s dribbling is, but there’s a time and place for it rather than just spamming it to look for a penalty. His performances are very on and off for the Blues.

Nicolas Jackson (67’): 5/10

Pretty much did exactly what Broja did – no end product. What makes it worse is he’s very ill-disciplined. Right after the game, he was dragged out from a scuffle as tension started rising and into the tunnel. The striker already served a suspension due to yellow card accumulation and is already near another one if he gets booked, luckily he didn’t.

Ian Maatsen (84’): N/A

Unmemorable. Played as a winger once again since 'Poch' is just refusing to play him in his position at left-back, despite playing Colwill, who isn’t naturally one there.

Djordje Petrovic (84’): N/A

Making his debut, coming on for what seems to be an injured Sanchez, conceded a goal that he honestly could’ve done better from the inital corner. Still decided to not grade his performance.