Neto Secures Crucial Away Win on Merseyside
Pedro Neto scored both goals as Chelsea handed Everton their first defeat of the Premier League season with a 2-0 victory on Merseyside, moving Xabi Alonso’s side into the Champions League places Sky Sports. The win also marked Chelsea’s first clean sheet in the top flight for nine months, ending a run of 22 league matches without shutting out an opponent ESPN.
Neto broke the deadlock just 43 seconds after the second-half restart, squeezing a low cross from Jorrel Hato past Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford. The Portuguese winger then sealed the three points in the 90th minute by pouncing on a loose ball following Jordan Henderson’s free-kick, securing the first Premier League brace of his career Sky Sports.
First-Half Controvensy and Missed Chances
The fixture at the Hill Dickinson Stadium saw a feisty opening 45 minutes filled with heavy challenges and missed opportunities. Everton squandered a golden chance when striker Thierno Barry headed straight into the arms of Chelsea goalkeeper Emi Martínez from close range. Moises Caicedo, deputising as captain for the injured Reece James, came closest for the visitors when his first-half volley struck the crossbar.
Tempers flared before the interval when Chelsea forward Morgan Rogers, already carrying a yellow card, avoided a red card after a 50-50 challenge with James Garner. Video Assistant Referee reviewed the incident and upheld the on-field decision, drawing sharp criticism from Everton manager David Moyes. Former Premier League referee Mike Dean later admitted on Soccer Saturday that Rogers caught Garner with his studs on the inside of the knee and warranted a straight red card Sky Sports.
Martínez Injury Casts a Shadow Over Victory
The defining concern for Chelsea came midway through the second half when goalkeeper Emi Martínez suffered a serious-looking head injury in a 66th-minute collision with Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite during a set-piece. Following nearly nine minutes of on-pitch treatment, Martínez was stretchered off and sent to hospital for precautionary tests Sky Sports.
The Argentine goalkeeper was replaced by 21-year-old Penders, who became Chelsea’s youngest-ever Premier League goalkeeper Sky Sports. Despite the lengthy stoppage and 13 minutes of additional time, Chelsea’s defense held firm to secure their first away win against Everton since August 2022, lifting them to 13 points from seven games Sky Sports.