Overview

Chelsea strolled to an easy home win against a strong and threatening Everton who were made to look largely toothless by Chelsea’s methods of controlling the game with the ball.

The three centre back formation allowed Chelsea to fend off Everton’s dangerous strike duo of Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison rather comfortably. The selection of Havertz as a striker was a masterstroke too, with Everton’s own three defenders having little clue on how to defend his surges in and around the box.

The game looked like a walk in the park but that was down to Chelsea being good as much as Everton having a poor outing. Coupling this level of control with more fluidity in the final third when the game is level will truly elevate this team to the next level, especially in games where the we have the bulk of the ball.

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Match statistics

Statistics from fbref and understat.

Note: some statistics on the player charts might not corroborate with those presented in the “stats of note” sections. This is because the stats for the charts are obtained from a different source and not fbref. In most cases, the differences will be minimal — such as Christensen having 5 loose-ball recoveries according to fbref and 7 according to Opta.

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Individual ratings

Thomas Tuchel

Opted to rotate the team after a hectic run of big games and he was justified in doing so. The team did not miss a beat despite the changes and strolled to a comfortable win, with Havertz’s selection in particular standing out as a smart move. Defensively, as has been the case often, Chelsea were untroubled.

The team can do even better offensively, despite the positive statistics. The two goals scored were from isolated attacks and while there is nothing wrong with that as such, more sustainable methods of chance-creation are needed when we dominate the ball. Once we went 2-0 up, Everton’s desperation made it easy to cut through them.

RATING: 7.5

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Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

Édouard Mendy

His distribution was solid and he played an important role in building out from the back. Was proactive in collecting crosses and one punch late in the first half was crucial in keeping Everton out.

Stats of note
4 passes completed over 40 yards (8 attempted)
1 cross collected (6 crosses faced)

RATING: 6.5

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Reece James

Was solid defensively, especially as Everton focused on attacking more in the second half. Excellent at moving with the ball but his passing and crossing were not at a particularly high level.

Stats of note
5 successful dribbles (5 attempted) - 1st among Chelsea players
5 interceptions - 1st
4 carries into final third - Joint 1st
3 clearances - Joint 1st
2 shots - Joint 2nd
2 aerial duels won (5 contested) - Joint 2nd
15 pressures - Joint 2nd
4 progressive passes received - Joint 3rd

RATING: 7

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César Azpilicueta

Had a routine day at the office, doing his defensive duties with minimal fuss. Could have been better on the ball but that can be said about most outfield starters on the day.

Stats of note
3 clearances - Joint 1st
3 passes into final third - Joint 2nd
2 tackles - 3rd
7 loose-ball recoveries - 3rd
2 interceptions - Joint 3rd

RATING: 7

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Andreas Christensen

A last-ditch tackle on Richarlison was the standout moment of yet another fantastic performance from the reborn centre back. Christensen dealt with the mobility of Everton’s dangerous front two with ease and progressed play excellently on top of that.

Stats of note
1 shot blocked - Joint 1st
9 progressive carries - 2nd
2 aerial duels won (4 contested) - Joint 2nd
4 progressive passes - Joint 3rd
2 interceptions - Joint 3rd

RATING: 8

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Kurt Zouma

Dominated Calvert-Lewin in the air whenever the two came up against each other. Could have done a bit better on the ball.

Stats of note
6 aerial duels won (8 contested) - 1st
1 shot blocked - Joint 1st
2 interceptions - Joint 3rd

RATING: 7

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Marcos Alonso

It was his cross that led to Chelsea’s first goal and he was a constant threat in the final third. Was not targeted much defensively, making his job going forward easier.

Stats of note
3 key passes - 1st
2 carries into penalty area - 1st
3 clearances - Joint 1st
4 touches in penalty box - 2nd
2 shots - Joint 2nd
2 aerial duels won (4 contested) - Joint 2nd
5 shot-creating actions - Joint 3rd

RATING: 7

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Jorginho

He did his job in the system without having a show-stopping individual performance. Had a sub-par night defensively (3 tackles as opposed to 5 times dribbled past) despite working hard and he was not at his best in terms of ball progression — as can be seen by the number of forward and backward passes — but it was by no means a bad night.

Stats of note
1 goal
27 pressures - 1st
8 loose-ball recoveries - Joint 1st
5 progressive passes - 2nd
3 tackles - 2nd
3 interceptions - 2nd
2 shots - Joint 2nd
3 passes into final third - Joint 2nd
2 successful dribbles (2 attempted) - Joint 2nd

RATING: 6.5

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Mateo Kovačić

After a slow start, Kovacic was excellent in terms of passing and carrying the ball forward. Had a few uncharacteristic losses of possession in the defensive third but this was a good display all-in-all. His pass leading to Havertz winning the penalty was outstanding.

Stats of note
7 shot-creating actions - 1st
9 passes into final third - 1st
9 progressive passes - 1st
10 progressive carries - 1st
8 loose-ball recoveries - Joint 1st
2 successful dribbles (2 attempted) - 1st
4 progressive passes received - Joint 3rd

RATING: 7.5

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Timo Werner

Was kept on the pitch longer than Hudson-Odoi due to his ability to get on the end of chances, something he did as Everton grew more desperate for goals. However, he could not convert those chances and this has to go down as yet another frustrating night as his general play was not a net positive either.

Stats of note
3 shots - 1st
6 touches in penalty box - Joint 1st
6 shot-creating actions - 2nd
2 key passes - Joint 2nd
15 pressures - Joint 2nd
4 progressive passes received - Joint 3rd

RATING: 6

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Photo by Chris Lee - Chelsea FC/Chelsea FC via Getty Images

Kai Havertz

Had a terrific first outing as a proper number 9 — not a false 9 — with his movement tormenting Everton’s defense. His mobility, nous in the box, ability to bring others into play and penchant for the brilliant combined the best of Tammy and Giroud. He will be tested more often physically in other games and if he can face up to that challenge, he might cement himself as the team’s main striker.

Stats of note
15 progressive passes received - 1st
6 touches in penalty box - Joint 1st
4 carries into final third - Joint 1st
2 shots - Joint 2nd
2 successful dribbles (2 attempted) - Joint 2nd
15 pressures - Joint 2nd
2 aerial duels won (2 contested) - Joint 2nd

RATING: 7.5

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Callum Hudson-Odoi

Was pivotal in the build-up for the first goal and had an exceptional assist chalked off by VAR being VAR. As can be seen from the pass map, he seems a lot more willing to take risks when playing on the left. While not all of them paid off, he needs to keep at it and eventually the end-product will follow. His off-the-ball movement could have been a lot better, especially in the first half.

Stats of note
2 passes into penalty box - 1st
5 progressive passes received - 2nd
2 shots - Joint 2nd
8 progressive carries - 3rd
4 progressive passes - Joint 3rd

RATING: 7

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Substitutes

Mason Mount (66th minute) — His first few minutes off the bench were shaky but he settled into the flow of the game nicely.

Stats of note
4 tackles - 1st
4 carries into final third - Joint 1st
2 shots - Joint 2nd
2 key passes - Joint 2nd
5 shot-creating actions - Joint 3rd

N’Golo Kanté (80th minute) — Missed a presentable chance but did not do much else.

Christian Pulisic (90th minute) — Nothing of note.