Chelsea kept up their impressive record when playing in the Premier League at 12:30 as they ended Everton's unbeaten start to their league campaign after a Pedro Neto brace secured all three points for the Blues on Merseyside.
Even without club captain Reece James and having to see out their 1-0 lead without goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez for the remaining 15 minutes, plus the lengthy amount of stoppage time, Chelsea's defence held firm to get their first clean sheet in 22 Premier League matches, showing Xabi Alonso's side could be on an upward trajectory.
Even in a game where all players played their part, there still has to be winners and losers.
Winner No.1 - Pedro Neto
There's no better place to start than with Chelsea's new Victor Moses, two goals today for Pedro Neto and two that couldn't have come at any better time than when he got each of them, one at either end of the second half, and both taken really well and with composure, something that Neto has been criticised for so far in his time at Chelsea.
With Alonso playing him today as a right winger, as opposed to a wing back, which has been often used by the Spaniard this season, it allowed Neto to pop up in little pockets, allowing him to get chances to get shots off and not always have to worry about the defensive side of his game.
If this performance is anything to go by, then Chelsea could have the Wolves version of Neto coming in at just the right time.
Loser No.1 - Emiliano Martinez
Although it may seem a little harsh to put Martinez down as a loser from today, as the Argentine made some impressive saves to keep Chelsea's clean sheet intact, but with Chelsea's goalkeeper sidelined for at least two weeks due to concussion protocol meaning he will miss games against Tottenham, Liverpool, and Manchester United
There is no doubt, though, that when Martinez is fully fit again, he will come back into Alonso's starting 11 as he is Chelsea's number one, the reason why he is a loser from his game is that just when he and Chelsea were stringing together some solid defensive performances something really unfortunate like this happens.
Winner No.2 - Mike Penders
With Martinez's unfortunate circumstances, Penders is likely to get a run in the side earlier than he might have expected, and a chance to show Alonso that he can be depended on when Martinez comes back and gets a rest from time to time.
People around Chelsea have rated Penders highly since the club bought him from Genk in 2024, drawing comparisons to former Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois, and if the Belgian can be of a similar level to how the ex Atletico Madrid goalkeeper was for the Blues then Chelsea have unearthed another gem.
Coming on to make his Premier League debut today, Penders seemed to settle into the game quickly, looking comfortable when coming for crosses especially from corners and confident in his distribution
Loser No.2 - Romeo Lavia
Off the back of an impressive international break for Belgium, Lavia has only played 19 minutes since returning with Belgium and will be hoping to force his way into Xabi Alonso's best 11, but with the recent performances of Jordan Henderson, especially today and last week against Bournemouth, it looks harder for Lavia to get consistent game time.
The partnership that Henderson and Moises Caicedo have developed in the middle of the park has impressed the Chelsea manager, especially with how the team is performing defensively, and unless something drastic changes, it doesn't look likely that the Spaniard will want to change it.
Winner No.3 - Josh Acheampong
In recent weeks, Acheampong has received high praise from his manager for his performances, with some even saying that a first senior England call-up could be on the cards if he keeps this level up, and today would have done him no harm in forcing his way into Thomas Tuchel's squad.
His versatility as both a right back and a centre half has meant that Alonso can trust him in multiple positions, and what was impressive today was his one-on-one skills against tricky wingers like Jack Grealish.
Only being dribbled past once whilst making three tackles as well as six headed clearances, with Reece James' recent injury setback, Acheampong's place in Alonso's 11 looks like it is his place to lose whether that's playing in a four or a five back.
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