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Carlo Ancelotti returned to Stamford Bridge with Everton to face Chelsea for a crucial fixture in the Premier League on Sunday. Both the sides are competing for the European places in the table. Everton have been improving ever since Ancelotti took over as the manager, and, Chelsea had a great result against Liverpool during the week which boosted their confidence.
The hosts are struggling with injuries to many key players. With the likes of Mateo Kovačić, N'Golo Kanté injured and Jorginho suspended, Frank Lampard handed Billy Gilmour his first start in the Premier League in the midfield alongside Ross Barkley and Mason Mount.
The Blues started the game very positively. They dominated the proceedings and were rewarded for their bright start with the first goal in fourteenth minute. Mount scored from the edge of the box to give the hosts a well deserved lead. Chelsea doubled their advantage seven minutes later through Pedro. Everton struggled to create chances, however, Dominic Calvert-Lewin missed a great opportunity to bring the visitors back into the game in the first half.
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The second half started similarly to the first half. Chelsea continued to dominate the game while Everton tried to hang on. Willian scored the third goal for the hosts when he fired a shot past Jordon Pickford into the goal. Olivier Giroud would then score the fourth goal from a cross by Willian to finish the scoring. With the game comfortably won, Frank Lampard handed debuts to academy products Tino Anjorin and Armando Broja.
It turned out to be a comfortable evening for the hosts as they look to build momentum in the final phase of the season. While several players impressed, others failed to live up to the expectations. Here are five hits and flops from the game:
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#5 Hit: Billy Gilmour
Billy Gilmour put in a Man of the Match performance against Liverpool earlier in the week which justified the trust Frank Lampard has in his abilities. With both Mateo Kovačić, N'Golo Kanté injured and Jorginho suspended, Frank Lampard started the youngster at the heart of midfield against Everton.
The young midfielder did not get on the scoresheet, however, he produced another assured display. Gilmour looked composed on the ball and pulled the strings from the midfield.
The youngster continued the good work in the second half. His quality is evident by the confidence shown by his teammates in him and he has shown he can handle it. He even finished the game with the highest number of passes.
Gilmour will get more chances as the Blues continue to struggle with injuries, and, Chelsea fans will hope the youngster continues to perform impressively as they look to secure a place in the Champions League for next season.
#4. Flop: Dominic Calvert-Lewin
Dominic Calvert-Lewin has been Everton's best performer under Carlo Ancelotti and signed a contract extension with the club earlier in the week. The striker has scored 13 goals in the Premier League this season and scored 2 goals against the Blues earlier in the season, however, he struggled to make a similar impact in this game.
The English striker did not get many chances. He was closely marked by Chelsea defenders throughout the game. He had a great opportunity to keep Everton in the game in the first half. He went through on goal; however, he missed a one-on-one chance that was put wide by his left foot in the first half.
The striker will hope to put this game behind him and get back to goal-scoring form next week as he looks to earn a place in the England squad for the Euros.
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#3. Hit: Mason Mount
Mason Mount has been back to his best in recent weeks. He continued his good form against Everton by producing another impressive display against Everton.
Mount set the tone for his side by pressing the visitors energetically whenever they had the ball. He ended his run of 19 games without a goal when he opening the scoring in the fourteenth minute. He was dribbling past players, creating chances, and, winning back the possession throughout his stay on the pitch.
The midfielder is one of Chelsea's key players and his importance was evident when Frank Lampard decided to take him off as a precaution in the 59th minute after he suffered a knock. Chelsea fans will hope that it is nothing serious as the business end of the season approaches.
#2. Flop: Mason Holgate
Mason Holgate started in the defense for Everton alongside Michael Kean, and, had an evening to forget. He struggled to deal with Willian's pace in the first half and was guilty of allowing the Chelsea wingers to run past him easily.
It was a shocking display by the defender. He failed to mark Pedro for Chelsea‘s second, close down Willian for Chelsea‘s third or mark Giroud for Chelsea‘s fourth goal. Everton fans will hope that he is able to put this performance behind him and put in better performances in the coming weeks.
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#1. Hit: Pedro
Pedro has been getting more playing time in recent weeks due to injuries to both Christian Pulisic and Callum Hudson-Odoi. The winger was lively throughout the game. He troubled the Everton defense with his intelligent movement and trickery on the ball.
The winger assisted Mason Mount for the first goal and then scored a goal himself after another intelligent run behind Everton's defense. He contributed defensively as well by making few important interceptions and winning the ball back on multiple occasions.
The veteran winger has been excellent in recent weeks. His experience will be crucial for this young Chelsea side in the coming weeks. Frank Lampard will hope that Pedro is able to produce such performances more frequently as he tries to qualify for next year's Champions League.
