EPL 2016/17: Chelsea 5-0 Everton- 5 takeaways from the game
Chelsea are Europe’s most in-form club at the moment and have destroyed all those in their path like a juggernaut that doesn’t seem to be slowing down at any point of time.
The Blues delivered yet another lethal and ruthless performance as they did against Manchester United two weeks ago and ripped apart Everton at Stamford Bridge in a good old fashioned onslaught.
The game ended with a final score of 5-0 to the Blues, but in truth, it could have been 7 or 8.
Chelsea scored two quick goals in the 19th and 20th minute, with goals from Hazard and Marcos Alonso, followed by a Diego Costa goal right before half-time. The Blues resumed where they left off in the first half with another goal from Hazard and a goal by former Barcelona forward Pedro.
We look at 5 talking points from the game.
#1 Everton’s high intensity and tough tackling early on
Everton started the game with all 11 men behind the ball and fought for every ball. They were hard and reckless in the tackle and tried to ruffle Chelsea in the opening minutes. Everton’s Seamus Coleman perhaps typified their approach to the game with a rash challenge on Diego Costa in the early exchanges of the game.
However, referee Bob Madley let play continue as Costa limped off the pitch temporarily but would later shrug off his knock and continue playing.
Soon after, Yannick Bolasie’s tug on Azpilicueta, while chasing for the ball, went unnoticed until a late whistle. Chelsea had 68% possession in the opening 15 minutes and began to grow as the game progressed. Everton’s fiery start fizzled out slowly.