Starting XI:
Jordan Pickford - 6
Pickford’s performance tonight was a difficult one to rate, he made some fantastic saves throughout the game. Most notably to keep out Alonso’s effort in the first half as well as a brilliant double save to deny Werner and then Kanté. However, he was also at fault for the second goal where he came flying off his line and conceded a penalty after colliding with Havertz. He may have been at fault for us going 2-0 down, however he was also the reason we didn’t lose by 3 or 4 goals. Ultimately, Everton could have played till next Monday and wouldn’t have scored so Pickford’s error wouldn’t have made much difference.
Mason Holgate - 3
Games like this against the top sides in the league are where Mason seems to get found out, he was rash in his defending throughout and looked very uncomfortable at right-back. Was largely to blame for the first goal as he came charging out of position only to meander his way back into the defensive line by which time Hudson-Odoi had played Alonso in behind. It was a passage that summed up Mason Holgate, in both his erratic decision making and then sheer lack of awareness to consider the gaping hole he had left in the defence behind him. Looks decent on the ball when he keeps it simple and plays it backwards or sideways, but whenever he looks to play forward he almost always gives it away.
Michael Keane - 6
Keane appeared to struggle against Werner and Havertz throughout the game however they also didn’t cause him any serious problems either. He never allowed the Chelsea strikers any major opportunities in the game but you could see that their pace made him uncomfortable, often scrambling to get back. Overall he defended diligently throughout the game, also made an important tackle to divert Alonso’s shot at the end of the first half that Pickford saved. Couldn’t do much about either of the goals.
Ben Godfrey - 5
Godfrey also seemed to struggle at times tonight. He couldn’t do anything about the own goal, he was left scrambling to cover after Holgate and Iwobi allowed the ball through in the first place. It was also fizzed at him by Havertz so he had no time to react. He switched off in the lead up to the penalty but it looked as though his pace had got him out of trouble, only for Pickford to fly out and concede the spot kick anyway. Misjudged the flight of the ball on a couple of occasions, one of which led to Pickford having to make a smart save to stop Werner making it 3-0. He’s been an absolute rock at the back for Everton this season and no doubt will continue to be, but tonight was just one of those difficult nights.
Alex Iwobi - 3
Played a somewhat unfamiliar role as wing-back and it showed. Was massively at fault for the first goal, along with Holgate, as he was completely unaware that Alonso had peeled away into the open space and failed to track his man. Was otherwise anonymous in the game and was hooked by Ancelotti at the start of the second half. After a couple of poor performances when given the chance to start it feels as though Iwobi’s place will be on the bench for the remainder of the season.
Lucas Digne - 5
Digne offered very little going forward, perhaps largely by design given the way Everton tried to play. But ultimately when a player has the creative ability that Digne has, you expect more from them, his final ball was pretty poor all night and he played some really sloppy passes to gift possession back to Chelsea. Defensively he was fine, kept tabs on Reece James at Wing-Back and allowed him few opportunities to cross the ball. His most notable moment was a free kick that hit the wall in the first half.
Allan - 7 (MOTM)
For me Allan was Everton’s best performer on the night, he broke play up well and really helped bring a stability in possession at times when the ball seemed to be bouncing around midfield with no one really able to get it under control. He was also looking to find those long balls over the top to Calvert-Lewin and Richarlison, didn’t always come off for him but the idea was right. Went about his business quietly but effectively, which made him stand out in a game where the rest of team struggled to make much of an impact.
André Gomes - 4
Another of Everton’s poorest players on the night along with Holgate and Iwobi, I’d rate him marginally higher based on the fact he didn’t directly contribute to a goal but it was still a disappointing display from the Portuguese. His passing was pretty good, something he struggled with against West Brom on Thursday. However, his retention when the ball was at his feet was very poor, he always wanted more time than Chelsea were willing to allow him, which led to him losing possession. He wasn’t much better in defence either, the likes Hudson-Odoi, Kovacic and Werner were all to agile on the ball for him to cope with. He looks so flat footed at times, which means that anyone with a turn of pace and good control can ghost past him with ease.
Gylfi Sigurdsson - 5
Sigurdsson just didn’t see enough of the ball. He actually showed some nice touches when in possession but there just wasn’t enough of it. He played a nice one two in the second half, as he flicked the ball round the corner before playing it to Richarlison, but the Brazilian missed the target. A decent moment but it was all he offered throughout the game, which isn’t going to be enough when your playing a side like Chelsea.
Richarlison - 5
Like Sigurdsson, Richarlison didn’t have much of an impact in the game. His big chance came from Gylfi’s ball in the second half but he got it all wrong. He didn’t compose himself or take a touch which resulted in him snatching at the shot. The only real chance they had in the entire match. Everton looked unlikely to create anything for most of the game but that was the chance if they were going to get anything from Chelsea.
Dominic Calvert-Lewin - 5
Probably the most anonymous of the front three, as I genuinely cannot recall a single moment of note from Calvert-Lewin throughout the entire game. He won some decent headers in the air but they never went to an Everton shirt. Otherwise, he had no opportunities on goal and did very little in possession.
Subs:
Tom Davies - 6
Tom looked bright when he came on, his introduction allowed the change of shape back to the diamond in midfield that we’ve become accustomed to seeing over recent weeks. He played slightly higher than usual with Allan back but he was always looking to move the ball forward, more so than most of the starting midfielders did. It was a good cameo off the bench and I’d firmly expect him to be back in the starting lineup for the Burnley game.
Josh King - 5
Was subbed on for Sigurdsson with 20 minutes to go and struggled to make much of an impact. Probed the Chelsea defence when he could but by that point the game was gone and you got the sense the players knew that too, so it was difficult game for him to come into. With Iwobi’s poor form of late, he must get a chance from the start next weekend.
Bernard - 5
Came on for Gomes with for the last 15 minutes or so but he added some pace in midfield, something that André is sorely lacking. He always adds a bit of zip and energy, even if he doesn’t have much of an impact in the grand scheme of things.
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