EPL 2016/17: Everton 0-3 Chelsea, 5 talking points
A tricky trip to Everton started off on a scrappy, uninteresting note before a rejuvenated second-half spell from Chelsea saw the Blues score three goals to make it a convincing victory in the end. It also saw them maintain a 4-point edge over second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, who cruised past Arsenal in the North London derby.
Pedro opened the account for the Blues after the hour mark, before captain Gary Cahill showed immense presence of mind to score their second. Willian came off the bench and scored within a minute as a game – which was going nowhere - was turned on its head by Antonio Conte’s men.
Despite referee John Moss dishing out as many as seven yellow cards across both teams, the two sides ended with their player count intact.
Take a look at the five talking points from the game.
#5 Lukaku struggles as Koeman tactics choke creativity
From the outset, it was evident that Everton were setting up for a draw; the giveaway was not the personnel but the way the Toffees played.
There was no intent to attack or play the ball into the box as Romelu Lukaku had a torrid time being the lone striker. The interplay between Ross Barkley, Enner Valencia and Lukaku was next to nil, leaving the former Chelsea frontman isolated for most parts of the game.
The lack of service did not do the Belgian any favours but he tried his best to get on the ball and was unlucky to see his solo effort go narrowly wide during the early stages of the game.
The ball was simply passed around in midfield by Everton for most of the first half but there were no scary moments for the home side apart from a glaring Diego Costa miss.
It is a shame that Ronald Koeman preferred to salvage a point on home turf when his side have shown they can beat the best on their day.