Chelsea and Everton played out a 2-2 draw on Saturday evening analyses how the game ended up with the points being shared at Stamford Bridge.
It’s far from doom and gloom at Chelsea. The 2-2 draw with Everton seems really disappointing, and it is, but some perspective is required before there is a meltdown during the two-week international break.
The Blues went into the match off the back of three consecutive wins in all competitions and were huge favourites to make it four. The hosts dominated the first-half at Stamford Bridge but were unable to break the deadlock. It didn’t take them long when they came back out for the second-half, however, with Joao Felix finding the bottom corner.
It was the least Felix deserved after a really bright first-half performance. The Portuguese attacker needs to use this goal now to try and get some momentum at Chelsea and add a few more to his tally in the remaining games of the season.
Everton, however, equalised from a corner – in inevitable fashion – with Abdoulaye Doucoure heading past Kepa Arrizabalaga, who failed to impose himself from a set-piece once again. This didn’t deter Chelsea, though, and Kai Havertz scored from the penalty spot moments later to restore the lead for the home side in London.
Graham Potter made four very defensive substitutes, that have now been strongly criticised on social media, and it looked as if his side were about to see the game out. Ellis Simms, though, who came on for Everton in the second-half, produced a moment of magic to ensure the points were shared at the Bridge.
That ‘magic’, though, wasn’t without a big helping hand from Kalidou Koulibaly. The 31-year-old had recently showed some strong form to finally get his Chelsea career up and running after a slow start.
He started the game well. Looked composed and aggressive – everything that he had been doing in previous games. But when faced one-on-one with Simms, he was far too rash and it allowed the Everton striker to get past him with relative ease and fire past Kepa, who again looked ill at ease in conceding the goal.
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Kalidou Koulibaly, at this point, is side-by-side with Ellis Simms. He needs to stick with him and show him down the line. Do not dive in and allow him to come back inside (Image: Sky Sports)
Kalidou Koulibaly, however, dived in and allowed Ellis Simms to get the ball and his body past the defender and run through on goal (Image: Sky Sports)
Ellis Simms is now clean through on goal with Kalidou Koulibaly stumbling behind him (Image: Sky Sports)
That was poor from Koulibaly and it was a lack of defensive awareness that ultimately let Chelsea down in the end. In the first-half particularly, the Blues pressed really well and squeezed Everton, who turned the ball over on several occasions.
There are many positives to take and Enzo Fernandez’s performance was definitely one of them. The 22-year-old has been so consistent since making the £106million move to Stamford Bridge just under two months ago. The fact that he has needed no time to adapt to a completely different country, teammates and league is nothing short of sensational and it shows just how special the Argentine is.
Enzo ran the show for Chelsea once again, whether that was from a deep position or when attacking with his teammates. There’s a point in the game where he receives the ball under loads of pressure, but he then finds Havertz on the right-hand side, who plays a one-two and then Fernandez flicks it to Felix and Chelsea were in. There was a collective audible approval that rang around Stamford Bridge.
His switch to Ben Chilwell, whose cross ended up causing havoc in the Everton box for Felix’s opening goal, was sublime as well. Fernandez is such an aesthetically pleasing footballer to watch. The Blues, regardless of what they paid for his services, have a real gem on their hands.
We’re now heading for a two-week international break with Chelsea not in action until the beginning of next month. It’s a disappointing way to end what has been, overall, a really positive March for the Blues. But perspective is definitely needed. These players finally look as if there is something about to explode on the pitch. In a good way, of course.
source: football.london
