Chelsea 2-0 Everton: Thomas Tuchel’s team makes another emphatic statement in the top four

Chelsea took a big step in the race to finish in the top four by beating Everton 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Having beaten Liverpool at Anfield last week, the Blues were worth the win over the Reds’ neighbors as they maintained an attacking threat throughout, taking the lead just after half an hour when Kai Havertz he deflected a Marcos Alonso cross towards the goal, with the effort hitting Ben Godfrey and entering.

Alonso brought in a clever save from Jordan Pickford shortly before halftime when Chelsea pressed for a second, while having seen his first-half effort delivered as an own goal by Godfrey, Havertz had a goal disallowed by handball.

Chelsea then closed out the win when Pickford hastily dropped Havertz in the area, and Jorginho converted his second from the point.

These are the main talking points of the game.

1. Two heads are better than one

There was an alternative to that old saying that N’Golo Kante covered a certain percentage of the earth, usually quite high, which centered on the idea that French could actually be French. Two players.

Kante is still great, of course, but the good thing about the new coaches’ early days is that you can see different combinations and reliable pairings, in the first half we got to see what Jorginho and Mateo Kovacic can do together. .

Kovacic had stepped into Kante’s side while Tuchel continued his rotation policy, but the way the two worked together, particularly in the first half, will have been a clear sign for the new manager and perhaps a concern for Kante.

At one point, Kovacic even took on Everton while sitting – such was his competitive spirit.

The pair won the midfield battle comprehensively when Allan and Andre Gomes were outmatched.

2. Marcos Alonso delights in a returned freedom

Another good thing about the new coaches is the players they seemingly bring back from the dead, with Tuchel resurrecting Alonso’s career after the Spaniard had completely faded under Frank Lampard.

Alonso’s left-back may not be suitable for many Blues matches, but at home and when they’re expected to be on the front foot, he’s a potent attacking weapon.

His ball at Havertz created the chaos that caused the first-half goal, and he almost got on the scoreboard himself moments later.

He is a simple, but effective player.

3. A job well done for Kai Havertz

If, as it seems increasingly likely, Chelsea finish in the top four this season, then the idea that Havertz and Timo Werner can be excused from their rather disappointing debut seasons should gain ground.

The German couple, we are constantly told, are still adjusting to life in the Premier League and in England, both of which are pretty strange places right now for obvious reasons.

If given a chance here instead of Mason Mount, Havertz could see a threat around the penalty area and was twice denied a goal despite the ball going into the back of the net, once by Godfrey’s knee. and then again by referee David. Coote.

However, Tuchel will be satisfied with his performance and it was another step in the right direction.

4. Everton’s biggest problem is not their fault

Everton are a good team and a much better Everton than various versions we have seen before in the Premier League.

But they just ain’t good enough are they?

With Chelsea now making a big play for the top four, and Manchester United propping up their own claims with a tremendous win over the weekend, we could soon say there’s only one spot left in that foursome.

Leicester is not convincing but they have the points, it looks like Tottenham could be good enough and Liverpool is, well, the less talked about them the better.

Everton would be more than good enough to sneak in there in previous seasons, but they seem to be missing something this time.

5. Second best?

In fact, should Chelsea aim higher than a simple top-four finish?

No one above them, except the elected champions, is constantly able to convince you, and when it comes to squads, they certainly have many formidable options at their disposal, more than almost any team.

Tuchel is overseeing an excellent start to his career at Stamford Bridge, and if he can guide the Blues to second place then he will be rightly praised.