Chelsea obtained off to a constructive begin regardless of a sluggish efficiency within the Premier League opener as they secured a 1-0 victory in opposition to Everton at Goodison Park on Saturday night.
A quiet first half noticed the house aspect take pleasure in one of the best share of the probabilities, however it was Thomas Tuchel’s aspect who took the lead after Abdoulaye Doucoure fouled Ben Chilwell contained in the field for Jorginho to attain Chelsea’s first aim of the season. The Toffees reacted effectively after the break as Demarai Grey discovered house contained in the field earlier than testing Edouard Mendy, and it was the house aspect who got here shut once more to discovering the equaliser however for some determined defending.
Chelsea continued to wrestle to create significant possibilities regardless of some substitutions that noticed Christian Pulisic and Ruben Loftus-Cheek launched, with a cautious strategy preferring to withstand stress from the house aspect who misplaced endurance as the sport went on. Ten minutes of added time following a medical emergency within the stands pressured Chelsea to stay resolute deep into harm time, and so they had been in a position to maintain on for 3 important, hard-fought factors.
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Positives
Thiago Silva and Edouard Mendy had been the standout stars for Chelsea on the day, with their contribution important in serving to earn a clear sheet.
Negatives
Chelsea’s attacking play was predictable and poor too typically, which noticed them wrestle to create possibilities from open play. Thomas Tuchel should additionally discover a approach to assist help Raheem Sterling, who was crowded out by the opposition.
Supervisor Score (out of 10)
4 — A win for Chelsea is all that issues, however Thomas Tuchel has a lot to work on after his aspect’s efficiency as we speak. The Blues may have simply been punished, with their model of play not doing sufficient to help the assault, and that’s one thing that should be improved within the subsequent recreation.
Participant Score (1-10; 10 = greatest, gamers launched after 70 minutes get no ranking)
GK Edouard Mendy, 7 — A robust hand within the first half denied James Tarkowski from opening the scoring, and the Senegal worldwide then palmed away Demarai Grey’s effort simply moments into the second half.
DF Kalidou Koulibaly, 6 — The previous Napoli centre-back seemed constructive at coping with some defensive conditions, significantly balls within the air, however an total blended Premier League debut for Everton may have been higher with extra care taken over a few of his passes into midfield.
DF Thiago Silva, 8 — A significant interception that stopped a move from Demarai Grey that will have created one of the best probability of the primary half epitomises the 37-year-old’s defensive show on the day. Silva’s studying of the sport set the usual for his workforce.
DF Cesar Azpilicueta, 6 — Azpilicueta stored issues easy and did not look to make many errors, although he may have been nearer to Thiago Silva in some moments when Everton had been breaking shortly down the flank.
MF Ben Chilwell, 6 — The 25-year-old made essentially the most of contact within the field from Abdoulaye Doucoure to win a penalty simply earlier than the break to earn most dividends from an instinctive run into the field.
MF Jorginho, 6 — A cool penalty noticed Jorginho ship Jordan Pickford the mistaken approach from the spot handy Chelsea the lead. He had loads of the ball throughout the 90 minutes however did not look to make sufficient interventions on the defensive aspect of his recreation.
MF N’Golo Kante, 7 — The France worldwide broke up the play on plenty of events. Kante was fast to cease the hazard, whereas he stored issues easy when transitioning the play ahead.
MF Reece James, 5 — James commonly seemed to stretch the play down the precise flank, however Everton seemed to counter his affect effectively by guaranteeing he was closed down. The 22-year-old picked up a useless yellow card for time-wasting earlier than the hour mark.
FW Raheem Sterling, 6 — The England worldwide loved some promising moments wherein he seemed Chelsea’s brightest participant going ahead, however he was typically left remoted and surrounded by Everton shirts.
FW Kai Havertz, 5 — An nameless show from the Germany man who struggled to make any significant influence on the sport.
FW Mason Mount, 5 — Mount struck a shot effectively early within the recreation to check Jordan Pickford in an in any other case quiet recreation for him. Astute motion helped carve a path for Chilwell to run by within the buildup to Chelsea being awarded a penalty.
Substitutions
Ruben Loftus-Cheek (Chilwell, 65″), 6 — A robust run pressured a foul from Vitaliy Mykolenko to offer Chelsea a free kick in a harmful space.
Christian Pulisic (Mount, 65″), 5 — The USMNT star got here on for Mount simply after the hour mark, however Pulisic did not get the service he required to make an influence.
Marc Cucurella (Koulibaly, 75″) N/R — Cucurella nearly registered a debut help together with his effectively picked-out move for Raheem Sterling, however the shot was blocked by Mykolenko.
Armando Broja (Havertz, 75″), N/R — Substituted in for Havertz for the ultimate quarter-hour.
Conor Gallagher (Jorginho, 90+8″), N/R — A Chelsea debut noticed Gallagher launched for the ultimate two minutes of the sport.
